Application Process & Interviews at ACT Public Service

The Graduate Program hiring process was well-structured as it was directly managed by the Graduate Program team in the central agency of the ACTPS. However, in terms of the internal recruitment processes within a directorate, I have found it's not well-structured.

1. Initial application - small written task and submission of resume etc. 2. Invitation to attend assessment centre - consisted of a group task, written task and panel interview.

Did not focus on putting people in boxes. Did not do psychometric testing and really listened to the people.

Assessment centre was well structured.

Graduate Program interview process included three tasks - written exercise, group task and individual interview.

The interview process was a full day and included a written task, group task and individual interview.

We had to undertake three tasks on assessment day, a computer task writing a brief in an hour, a group task in front of panel members, and an interview.

There were three parts to the interview: a group activity, a written component, and a one-on-one interview.

We had a pretty standard group assessment and then a panel interview. The selection panel were friendly and easy to talk to.

Interview process for the Graduate Program - the interview was only a few questions, but this was part of a larger assessment centre process. We were given a short amount of time to review the questions prior to the interview. The assessment centre consisted of a group task and an individual written task. Interview process for my current role - I was emailed a work task 2hrs before the interview, where I was asked to provide a presentation in the interview based on the work task. This task was a scenario-based question. There were also a few follow-up questions following my task presentation.

The interview process for the Graduate Program was comparatively more relaxed and casual than most interviews I've done. Since starting work with the ACTPS I have done several interviews for other internal opportunities. I have always found the panels to be relaxed and friendly. They often provide the questions before the interview.

The graduate interview process is based on an Assessment Centre at which you perform a written task, a group activity and an interview.

I had a pleasant day at the assessment centre and it was my first day in Canberra.

The assessment day was very different, had a range of activities including a writing exercise, group communication task and a formal interview.

You are required to write a response to selection criteria submitted online, followed by a whole-day assessment centre which included group work, individual work and an interview panel.

A pitch is required in the initial online application, then you are invited for an assessment day which includes a written assessment, group assessment and an interview.

Very streamlined process compared to some other employers I applied for. Much bigger focus on practical and written skills, rather than psychological testing which is used by many employers.

The interview and assessment day that we undertook was great, I liked the group task and written task. The interview was also pretty straight forward and the questions were relevant to the role I was entering into.

Describe an experience where you had to work as a team, what is your definition of the word innovation and can you provide a relevant example, describe some of the time management strategies that you use.

Technical questions in my case for both internal jobs and the Graduate Program interview.

How I have handled conflict, describe a time I have shown leadership, WHS related and two more that I can't remember.

Questions about our personal competency: skills-based questions on times we demonstrated communication, integrity, and learning from failure.

I was asked to reflect on an ethical issue I had come across, to talk about how I respond to difficult people in the workplace, to talk about why I want to work in Government and to talk about how I am innovative (one of the ACTPS values).

Questions were around leadership and the ACTPS core values.

The types of questions that I was asked in the interview process was around behavioural and conflict type questions. I was also asked about previous experience multitasking.

Teamwork skill, communication skill, analysis skill, strength and weaknesses.

They focused on soft skills and organisation such as teamwork, managing workloads/difficult situations, and innovation.

Demonstrated experience of working according to the ACT Public Service values.

Interview questions in the ACTPS usually include some behavioural based questions, some job specific or personal questions (i.e. why do you want this job?) and always a question about the ACTPS values (i.e. 'what does innovation mean to you?')

Be humble and honest.

Have some solid examples of times where you have worked through a complex problem, worked in a team, managed a project or piece of work etc. Also try to make the interview more like a conversation. Don't stress too much before the assessment centre!

Do some research on the section/directorate. What do they do and why do they do it.

Know the ACTPS values and your own skills, and have examples ready to demonstrate these. Articulating your passion and competency will go a long way when employers highly value good communicators.

Prepare for both interview and assessment centre (including written and spoken activities).

Have real life examples thought out and written down well before the assessment day, as you can take notes in with you to the panel interview and can use these to help give evidence to your answers.

Try to show that you can think outside the box to problem solve, but make sure in the Graduate Program group activity that you are able to listen to and respect the contributions of others in your group. The question you ask your interviewers at the end of the panel interview is also a great opportunity to show that you have thought about the role, and engaged in the organisation̥s values.

Research the areas you are interested in, familiarise yourself with the values of the ACTPS and ACT specific issues.

Know why you want the job and be honest.

It depends on the role, but I would recommend talking to the contact officer for more details on the role. Prepare for both behavioural and skill based questions.

Follow updates on ACT Government initiatives online and use examples of these initiatives.

Three pieces of advice: 1. Be confident in your ability 2. Good writing skills are essential 3. Always use the STAR method when answering questions.

Make sure that your degree is suitable to work in the Directorate chosen.

My three pieces of advice would be:1. Read up about the ACTPS and the recent things they've done, particularly in your area of interest 2. Have a think about how you would answer questions such as when you had to deal with a conflict, when you had a problem and solved it, when you had to liaise with a stakeholder etc. and be able to answer it in the STAR method. 3. Read about the ACTPS values and consider how these apply to the workplace i.e. what behaviours you would show to demonstrate these values (patience, always listen, ask questions etc.).

It important to understand how to address Selection Criteria and answer questions for a selection panel. You should make an effort to talk to the job contact to get further info on the role. You should write notes to take into the interview and anticipate potential interview questions and practice, practice, practice.