Application Process & Interviews at Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)

Extremely accommodating of my circumstances at the time. I was overseas when the interviews were scheduled, and after I had undertaken a video interview, the ANAO brought me over to Canberra when I returned in order to show me around the office and to get a feel for the workplace.

Out of all the assessments I went through while looking for Grad programs, the ANAO offered the most comprehensive and detailed assessment I had been through. The other thing I liked was the personal touch. Everyone from the organisation participated. Nothing outsourced. All kept in house. Big ticks for me!

Very good when compared to other APS graduate programs. No math or logic testing, which most applicants appreciated. Fantastic timing - was less stressful to receive an offer earlier in the year. Assessment centres were held at the actual organization, which gave applicants a chance to assess the workplace culture.

Assessment centre - which was very well run. There were four aspects: a group assessment, an individual writing task, psychometric testing, and a two-on-one interview.

The assessment centre was extremely welcoming and well-run. Sufficient time was allotted to achieve the goals required.

I loved that they didn't have any aptitude testing. Assessment day was pleasant.

How I worked in a small team, what sort of experience I had in analysis and research

The questions weren't what I expected. No assumed knowledge, all behavioural. Nice and easy!

Previous work experience, future hopes for work, reasons for wanting to work at the ANAO, understanding of the role of the organisation, theoretical basics of accounting, ability to get along with other staff.

Asked to generally explain situations where I demonstrated particular capabilities.

Why do you want to work here? If you had an issue, where would you go? Describe a difficult situation you encountered and how you solved it.

To describe situations where I have shown different qualities. For example leadership and diversity.

Know what you're after. Know what the Audit Office does. The work is unique, so just be prepared to think outside a standard career format.

Be friendly and sociable - one of the best aspects of the assessment centre was the move away from technical knowledge and toward team cohesiveness and hiring friendly people.

Look in detail at some of the work produced by the organisation, familiarise themselves with the 'Capabilities Framework' and consider how the work and required skills align with their own skill sets, personalities and experiences.

Emphasize the fact that you're all all-rounder with a variety of experiences and decent written and verbal communication skills.

Read up on the values of the organisation. The values are the metric by which candidates are measured.

Be yourself and be able to demonstrate your good qualities with examples.