Public Services Career/Jobs - APS and VPS

niish150887 on 12/10/2023 - 00:31
Last edited 12/10/2023 - 00:31

Hi All,

I have spent a lot of time and applied for several roles in APS and VPS over the past couple of months but absolutely had progress. My experience is in a corporate environment and have never worked in government.

The jobs I have applied for are aligned to my experience and level, have spent a lot of time updating Key Selection Criteria or Cover Letter. I also email the contact but rarely get a response from them - I wait and wait after the closing date only to receive an email stating my application has been unsuccessful.

I am just hoping for a screening call or at least 1st round of interviews due to my relevant skills and experience but it just feels like time wasted so far !

Any tips or is there anything I should be doing differently?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 12/10/2023 - 00:37
    +1

    Are you over sharing information in your applications?

    Eg. Do you mention your age, hobbies etc

    Have you had a friend honestly critique your applications?

  • jv on 12/10/2023 - 00:56

    Any tips or is there anything I should be doing differently?

    They're currently getting rid of staff. Dan virtually bankrupted the state.
    Not a good time to apply…

  • Gunnar on 12/10/2023 - 01:04
    +1

    Are you getting feedback on your applications when you get your rejection letter?

    with out seeing your applications it’s hard to give you advice on what you’re doing wrong.
    Are you using examples when you see the word ‘demonstrated experience’? If no, that is almost a guaranteed rejection applying for government if you don’t

    Do you address each and every selection criteria item on each application? Miss a criteria or key/focus capability That is almost an instant rejection no matter how good the rest of your application is

  • aussieplip on 12/10/2023 - 04:51

    Make sure you have a good answer for the social justice key selection criteria, this is very important in government jobs and the part most people neglect

  • HardQuiz on 12/10/2023 - 08:22
    +2

    Do you have an ethnic name?

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-01/name-discrimination-j…

    • brendanm on 12/10/2023 - 13:11

      Having an ethnic name would be an advantage in public service.

  • newjerseydamo on 12/10/2023 - 08:33
    +5

    Purely speaking from the APS perspective:

    Job applications need to be very direct and to the point, with no filler or unnecessary information. Also, spelling and grammar are extremely important.
    Make sure you read the candidate kit very carefully - they always state the maximum length of the resume/responses to selection criteria. If you don't follow the requirements to the letter, instant dismissal of application.

    Always use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Resolution. Always do it from your perspective, i.e., using terms like 'I', never 'we'. Don't use terms like "I was responsible for", always base it on what you did, i.e., "I developed", "I lead", etc.

    Writing applications for the APS is an art style, and once you nail it, you start to get more consistent success. I'd recommend perhaps having someone from the APS review your applications, if you happen to know someone in the APS.

    You may also need to aim for jobs lower or more generalised roles to get your foot in the door (i.e., call centre or admin), then once in, it's easier to move around and target the specific type of job you actually want.

  • Baysew on 12/10/2023 - 08:45
    +3

    but absolutely had progress.

    Do you mean "but absolutely had no progress."

    • Muzeeb on 12/10/2023 - 09:00
      +5

      Maybe attention to detail and proof reading is letting OP down.

  • Sinnerator on 12/10/2023 - 08:47
    +2

    read this amazing advice on reddit:
    Get one (or several) temp Govt job through an agency and leverage that to getting a FT Govt job

    • jjjaar on 12/10/2023 - 08:51
      +1

      This is what I came to say. Even direct and not via an agency.

      Gov positions often are fixed term (usually 6mo-2 years) because how funding works. Once you’re in, unless you’re shit, you’ll find another role. Either bouncing around to other fixed term positions that never get advertised externally, or you’ll land an ongoing.

  • Ocker on 12/10/2023 - 09:04
    +2

    Identify yourself as indigenous (don't have to prove it) - sure to work

    • JIMB0 on 12/10/2023 - 11:57

      Also tick the LGBTIQA+ boxes to be certain.

  • Drakesy on 12/10/2023 - 09:56

    Get in via a recruting company say hays or something like this.

    They'll basically give you a 6-12 month trial before opening up the permanent position to everyone, but lo and behold you're the only one with the right experience.

    Its how many governement departments work.

  • Dolt2020 on 12/10/2023 - 11:21
    +1

    I chaired a few selection committees whilst in the APS - the competition internally is usually fierce and often someone is already doing the job on Higher Duties (HD), so an external application has to really 'sing' to get a look in - also compounded (for the dept I worked in) by a large body of casual and permanent call centre staff applying for permanent jobs and to get the hell out of the contact centres (so a lot of committees had hundreds of apps to get through)

    If you wanted to get a leg in to the APS and then try springboarding to what you really want, you'd get a casual/contract job in a call centre/contact environment in a heartbeat (just go through someone like Serco)

    I steered my daughter in law to the ATO's temporary employment register for an EA/PA role and they ended up offering her a completely different position (18 month contract) at a higher level (APS5) in one of the business areas - go figure.
    You can find the registers here (if that's any help):
    https://ato.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?audienceTypeCode=ext

  • zan5hin on 12/10/2023 - 11:24

    Be a tram driver instead. Better money (full time approx $116k Inc super) - it might also take a while to get asked to interview, but people are always retiring and quitting.

    Be flexible with depot. There is a long thread on Whirlpool jobs forum.

    Great people, sometimes shifts suck but can swap for your preference. Easier to get in as part-time not full-time sometimes, and can always ask for upgrade after some months for more cash.

    New EBAa being negotiated but currently it is $40 an hour, if full time 5 weeks annual leave, another 12 days of programmed leave per year, 15 days sick leave. When you clock off or go on holiday you don't even need a phone. I went on holiday 6 weeks in July/aug this year, no work calls or emails.

    If you want to upskills, get a cert III and get on Mable platform and do a few shifts picking up old ladies and taking them shopping or other transport related jobs, or anything helping people, you will shine in the interview.
    https://mable.com.au/discover/becoming-a-support-worker/supp…

    Or just wait for interview, we have people from everywhere, blue collar guys who used to move furniture, to IT managers, photographers, consultants, ex flight attendants

  • LanceVance on 12/10/2023 - 12:12
    +1

    It's been said here before but its most often internal movement that fills these jobs. Are you sure you want to work in the public service though? Yes it's usually less work and more money but having worked with several gov departments as a contractor the internal politics, bickering and glacial pace at which everything moves is infuriating.

    • JIMB0 on 12/10/2023 - 13:15

      Even if it is an external hire the person is usually somebodys mate. Jobs for the boys.

  • DingoBilly on 12/10/2023 - 12:17
    +1

    I review resumes and interview candidates within VPS and have for APS.

    Put bluntly, if you're not getting to interview stage it's because your resume/cover letter suck. You're either not putting in relevant information (e.g., it's a tech role asking for Azure experience or sql experience and you don't put that in anywhere), or it's just a poor quality resume (I. E., if there's many spelling errors or the writing is incoherent we won't take you even if your skills are relevant).

    I'd suggest reviewing your application documents and getting someone to provide independent feedback as well.

    Others suggest working in government already helps and it can for the initial internal government roles that only accept vps/Aps applicants, but where we accept external applications it's irrelevant.

    People often think public service workers are brain-dead but honestly many external applicants have significantly worse skills and applications in general from a tech perspective.

    • deme on 12/10/2023 - 19:25

      They must be brain dead if they are requiring a cover letter.

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