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Where am I now? Lawlink > Attorney General's Department > Career Opportunities > Guide for Job Applicants
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Guide for Job Applicants
Introduction
To assist you in seeking employment with this Department we have developed a Guide for Job Applicants. The Guide explains the Department's recruitment and selection process, and includes information to assist you in preparing a statement in support of your Application for Employment/ Transfer/Promotion.
Appointment to positions in the New South Wales Attorney General's Department is on the basis of merit. This means that in every case, the applicant who is judged to be the most capable of carrying out the duties of the position will be offered the job. The decision to appoint is based on an applicant's written application, performance at interview and a valid services and referees check.
The Job Advertisement
The job advertisement and the position description provide the basis for the whole selection process as they specify precisely the skills, knowledge and experience required to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job. During the selection process, none of the selection criteria can be overlooked and no new criteria can be introduced.
The Contact Officer
The Contact Officer named in the job advertisement can provide additional information about the position, as well as provide you with an information package that will assist you in preparing your written application. The Contact Officer will generally be the Convenor of the selection committee.
Preparing an Application
Your written application must stand on its merits. Do not assume that the selection committee knows what you have achieved in the past. You must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position or you will not be called for an interview.
There are three steps in preparing an application:
- You must complete both sides of the New South Wales Public Service Application for Employment/ Transfer/ Promotion form and attach it to your application.
- You must list all of the requirements as published in the job advertisement and state how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications relate to the position. Applicants who fail to demonstrate that they meet the requirements will not be invited to attend an interview.
Where a large number of applicants meet the requirements, only those applicants who most strongly meet the requirements will be selected for interview.
- In addition to 1 & 2 above you are also required to provide details about:
- Education
Provide a short summary of any completed or partially completed qualifications (including dates).
- Employment History
Provide a list of your employment details, including previous positions, grades and the dates of employment and functions and responsibilities.
- Additional Information
Under this heading, you should include any additional skills, qualifications and interests which may strengthen your application for the position.
- Referees
You should name two people who can offer information to the selection committee on your competence, skills, experience and work performance. It is strongly preferred one referee be your current or a recent supervisor (in the past 12 months). Please provide your referees with a copy of the selection criteria.
Where to send your application
You must forward your written application to the address set out in the advertisement by the closing date stated in the advertisement. If you cannot forward your application by the closing date you should discuss your options with the contact officer.
The Selection Committee
The selection process is conducted by a committee which is made up of at least three people. The Committee will consist of one person from the Business Centre in which the job is located, another Departmental person who is familiar with the requirements of the position and one person from outside the Department.
The committee must have male and female representation. Where it is known that applicants are from non-English speaking or Indigenous backgrounds or have a disability, every effort will be made to include a representative member on the committee.
The Interview
If you are selected for an interview, you will be given at least three (3) working days notice before you are required to attend the interview.
You may be asked to bring examples of your work to the interview to support your written application. You may also be required to do a test or task to demonstrate that you have the skills required for the job.
Before the interview, you should familiarise yourself with the work of the Department and the area in which the job vacancy occurs. It may assist your preparation to think of likely questions which may be asked at the interview.
In most circumstances you will be provided with the interview questions 10 minutes prior to the interview to allow you time to consider the questions and formulate your answers.
What will they ask?
At the interview, you will be asked questions relating to the selection criteria, the functions of the job, your skills, knowledge and experience.
The selection committee can only base its decision on information provided by you. Even if a member of the selection committee knows you and your work, they cannot discuss matters concerning you that you did not raise yourself.
At the end of the interview you will be given the chance to ask questions about the job or to add any further information.
The selection committee may contact your nominated referees to confirm your skills and experience or the information provided by you.
At the completion of all of the interviews, the selection committee will make a recommendation to the Head of the Department as to who is considered to be the best person for the job. After an offer of employment has been made and accepted, all other applicants will be advised by mail that they were unsuccessful.
Some problems you may face at the Interview
The selection committee will try to make the interview as pleasant and relaxed as possible. Do not hesitate to raise any problems you may be experiencing at the interview eg. you cannot hear the questions or they are being asked too quickly, the sun is in your eyes, you would like some water etc.
Some common problems which may arise during the interview are:
- you are not clear what the question means - ask for the question to be repeated or asked in a different way;
- your mind goes blank on a matter that you know - raise the points you can remember and ask if you can return to the question at the end of the interview;
- you remember something about an earlier question - refer to the earlier question at the end of the interview and provide the additional information;
- you know a lot about a matter but you do not know how much detail is needed - summarise the main points about the matter and ask if there are any points you should expand upon.
If You Are Unsuccessful
If you are unsuccessful, it is important for you to understand that the selection committee's decision to choose another applicant is no reflection on you - it just means that in the committee's judgement, you were not, at that time, the best person for the job.
You can ask to have a post-selection discussion with the convenor of the committee. Post-selection feedback must be completed within six weeks of you being notified of the result. The convenor will comment on your application, referee report and interview performance.
If you are a public servant, you may have the right of appeal to the Government and Related Employees Appeals Tribunal (GREAT). Information on appeals procedures is available from your Personnel Department.
For further information please contact
The Recruitment Unit
Level 7, Goodsell Building
8-12 Chifley Square
SYDNEY 2000
Phone (02) 9228 7526 or (02) 9228 8436
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