Applying for a govt job

[ozgirl]

So I am applying for a PA role in a govt dept - and most people know how hard it. Their selection criteria is horrible.

I have wanted to apply to this dept for a long time and always get turned off especially as i only find out about the role when it expires ridiculously soon, like the next day (this ones deadline is 11.30pm tomorrow!!!)

As a PA it is hard to come up with solid examples we rarely have defined responsibilities and a lot of our work is reactionary.

Here are the key selection criteria questions.
1. Well developed ability as a personal assistant to provide administrative, office and management systems support. Sound understanding of computerised information systems and their application in an administrative context, including an ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.

2.Ability to administer human, financial and other resources effectively to meet policy objectives

3. Ability to take initiative, respond to challenges and set priorities. Ability to adapt to different work environments.

Think all my temping helps here but don't know how to word it in a behavioral based answer - i would be basically and example of my life.

4.Strong oral and written communication skills, including effectiveness in day-to-day consultation, liaison and negotiation.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.

Any thought s greatly appreciated - and if anyone has examples of answers to these sorts of question and would rather PM them please do (anyone and admin person in a govt dept??)

We have just over 24hrs people!!! :)

[Legolas]

Ahhhh, workin for the guvment. Nuffin like it

1. Well developed ability as a personal assistant to provide administrative, office and management systems support.

...from 9: 05 to 4.55 4 and a half days a week

Sound understanding of computerised information systems and their application in an administrative context

...especially Snow forums during winter


2.Ability to administer human, financial and other resources effectively to meet policy objectives

...see: outsource and then biatch about it


3. Ability to take initiative, respond to challenges and set priorities.

priority 1: smoko
priority 2: ***** about boss
priority 3: tea break

...

Ability to adapt to different work environments

...my desk to ***** about the boss
Charlenes desk to ***** about the boss
...first four loos for quick smoke...

4. ability to build productive working relationships...

see: delegate

[ 20. May 2009, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[John Deere]

I have a nasty habit of reading the first two words of bullet points to see if they are worth reading......I thought to myself "yeah, number 4 in a PA is good" graemlins/cold.gif

[ozgirl]

You two have been very helpful this evening .... hmmmmm NOT

But thanks for making me laugh.

[BlueHue]

Hhmm you might not want to hear what I've got to say about applying for a job in the NSW govt service then OzGirl graemlins/cold.gif

[ozgirl]

Its federal.....

And one of the most (or more) interesting departments

[Bear]

Originally posted by ozgirl:
Its federal.....

And one of the most (or more) interesting departments No such animal. ;)

[ozgirl]

Your a very supportive bunch this evening!

[Bear]

I am a federal public servant and it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Mind you starting a new job on the 1 June so I hope it is better. I might actually get to use my speciality. :D

[Snowbunny83]

3. Ability to take initiative, respond to challenges and set priorities. Ability to adapt to different work environments.

I have developed excellent time management and organizational skills, which are derived from working for a demanding ______ company, where multi-tasking is a must. Thus I am accustomed to a fast paced and high-pressure environment and pride myself on my ability take initiative and set priorities.

[Snowbunny83]

4.Strong oral and written communication skills, including effectiveness in day-to-day consultation, liaison and negotiation.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.

I possess highly developed interpersonal skills through liaising with clients and I am able to communicate effectively with various levels of managerial staff. Also from my various work experience, I have come to realize that being part of a team is important to achieve common goals, especially in a fast paced work environment.

Not sure if any of these will help you Ozgirl, but I guess it'll give you a few ideas.. smile.gif

[Snowbunny83]

1. Well developed ability as a personal assistant to provide administrative, office and management systems support. Sound understanding of computerised information systems and their application in an administrative context, including an ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.

__ years experience and exposure as a personal assistant, efficient time management skills, exceptional data entry and proficient communication skills are just some of the credits and attributes that I can contribute the NSW government. I am seeking a challenging role, where my commitment to achieving outstanding results, coupled with a strong desire to succeed, can make a difference in the workplace... blah blah blah

I'm just pulling all this crap from my own CV hahaha

[ozgirl]

Thanks Snowbunny

I have a very bullet based CV so it all helps

[Azz]

Originally posted by John Deere:
I have a nasty habit of reading the first two words of bullet points to see if they are worth reading......I thought to myself "yeah, number 4 in a PA is good" graemlins/cold.gif Are you really Bill Clinton :confused:

[D-Dog]

good luck ozgirl, if you have an example where you have managed a team or helped within a team through a crisis at work i would think that would be helpful as govs are always reacting to problems and look for people who can are calm and organised and know their stuff.

[John Deere]

Originally posted by Azz:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by John Deere:
I have a nasty habit of reading the first two words of bullet points to see if they are worth reading......I thought to myself "yeah, number 4 in a PA is good" graemlins/cold.gif Are you really Bill Clinton :confused: </font>[/QUOTE]Have a cigar!!

[pow pig]

A pink one... graemlins/cold.gif :D

[pow pig]

Ozgirl, just saying you have this and that ain’t gonna cut it. You must provide examples of how you meet the criteria easily. Even if you haven’t necessarily done it yourself, your answers must give the impression that you have. Therefore the examples you give must be from your knowledge of what each criteria is aimed at.

You should answer each criteria in 2 or 3 succinct and concise paragraphs, and know that you will most likely have to exacerbate on each criteria answer at an interview. If your answers are too long and boring, you won’t get to the interview stage.

Think about each criteria, and what they might want. The answers will come to you. Take your time (use all 12 hours left if you have to!), sell yourself well, and be confident with each answer, knowing that when the interview comes, you get to prove all of this!

1. Well developed ability as a personal assistant to provide administrative, office and management systems support. Sound understanding of computerised information systems and their application in an administrative context, including an ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.

Explain some of the most comprehensive databases that you have worked with, especially any “famous” ones such as SAP, JIWA, MIMS, ERP’s, MRP’s, MYOB, and how you have learnt all about them and were able to use them and be the reason that the company was able to operate. Your ability to keep accurate records enabled the company to operate in a professional manner, saved time, enabled others to use the system more effectively. Explain how you trained others to use them effectively as well, as this shows that you pick up the systems quickly.

Add simpler programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus etc at the end but make it sound like you were born with these skills, especially Excel.

2.Ability to administer human, financial and other resources effectively to meet policy objectives

Explain how you have implemented and maintained accurate financial records to ensure payments were made on time, ensured that petty cash was always available, maintained accurate financial records which made it easy for auditors to read.

Government depts have strong rules regarding ethics, morals, discrimination etc. Explain how you have mediated between aggrieved workmates or subordinates under you using these rules. Explain how others looked to you for advice regarding such issues, how you were chosen to be team leader because of your knowledge and fairness.

3. Ability to take initiative, respond to challenges and set priorities. Ability to adapt to different work environments.

Think of some major challenges you’ve had and explain how you decided to tackle them and made it all work. Explain how you set yourself priorities and objectives to have “this and that” all done by “such and such a time”. Explain how as a temp you have had to adapt to many different work environments and different cultures within.

4.Strong oral and written communication skills, including effectiveness in day-to-day consultation, liaison and negotiation. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.

This is looking for a high level of skills in phone manner, letter writing, verbal skills in meetings etc, and sound negotiation skills to achieve positive outcomes. Explain how you are so effective on the phone and what it does for the company, and how your letters to clients represent the company in a professional manner, and achieve exactly what the letter was sent for.

It is also looking for ability to maintain relationships with all types, ability to control people effectively without being manipulative, good conflict negotiation and resolution skills. Explain how you have resolved issues, worked with difficult people, and how people look to you for advice.

Like I said, be confident but not overerly so, and Good Luck!!!

[ 21. May 2009, 09:16 AM: Message edited by: pow pig ]

[SnowFlake]

OK it probably is done by now! But don't be discouraged by stereotypes of Federal Public Servants nor by 'ambitious' job descriptions.

The problem you have identified is a chicken and egg that you need experience to go to the front of the field but can't get the experience without being recruited in the first place!

As a PA you will be working for higher level people who work quite long hours and you may be required to be there when things are busy. You will hold the fort when they are out of the office.

A lot of the work done by your boss is about getting ahead of the curve which is the policy and planning content of the duties of your senior manager.

The technical input / program delivery will be provided by the specialist staff recruited for that purpose.

Your position is important to the smooth working of the outfit and this comes down to your personal qualities and development potential. Be clear about your plans and what you want to contribute.

Do training and have those skills accredited if you see your future as a PA (and good PAs are worth their weight in gold)in either the private or public sectors. Google the idea - there are diploma courses and the The Australian Institute of Management offers such training.

[ozgirl]

Thanks everyone - Snowflake I have been a PA for about 6 years. So okay there... it is explain what I do I have trouble with.

My resume speaks for itself in regards to the high profile companies I have worked for. Not being able to submit my CV to accompany my application is frustrating but pow pig has helped heaps.

I pretty much have it all covered except for question 1.

[John Deere]

Originally posted by ozgirl:
Thanks everyoneNo problem!

[Vet]

Originally posted by ozgirl:
.2.Ability to administer human, financial and other resources effectively to meet policy objectives:) A typical interview question is: "How can you spend $77,000,000,000 in a week?"

[skijacski]

Go for it Oz girl some good responses here.

+1 is putting an ad in the Canberra Times this weekend for a PA if you want to get the jump.

I have to short list them.

[Legolas]

Originally posted by ozgirl:
Thanks everyone you're welcome!

Hope it all came together for you smile.gif

[snow king]

Ozgirl, government departments typically use the STAR approach for applications. This is

1. Situation—Outline a specific circumstance where you developed the particular experience or used the required skills or qualities. Set the context of the situation.
2. Task—What was your role? What did you have to do?
3. Actions—What did you do and how did you do it?
4. Results—What did you achieve? What were the results of what you did?

If you follow that for each response for the relevant selection criteria it will help you out quite a bit.

[spaz]

Unforunatley It's all about who you know not what you know.

I belive that government jobs are already filled by the time they are advertised the job cannot be official until they run the add.

But do apply, you never know, at the very least they will then have your cv on file.

[KStud]

I agree with spaz. I worked in the Gov't for 11 years and if there is somebody already doing the job and it is being upgraded you haven't got a snowflakes chance in hell of getting it!

[SnowFlake]

Well I recruited many people during my time with government agencies over many years. Have to say we were always on the look out for new talent but were also wary of word of mouth recruitment except where the person came highly recommended by a good cross section of professional peers.

The concept of promotion on seniority (an artifact of post WW II resettlement policies) went out the window decades ago to be replaced by promotion on merit and scrutiny of such decisions.

Formal qualifications (or current studies) were for me an initial sieve so that you knew the person at least had the conceptual foundations. Beyond that personal attributes and work history.

When a vacancy occurs it is normal to have someone acting in the position but that leads eventually to a unfilled position somewhere in the structure so recruitment from outside is necessary somewhere in the chain of events.

Ultimately the manager is responsible for the performance of their unit and will want to have the best people in the jobs. It is also the manager's responsibility to arrange training / staff development programs, which is what you as an employee would want anyway to improve your job satisfaction and promotion prospects.