Application Process & Interviews at IP Australia

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1. Key selection criteria and resume 2. Online test 3. Skype interview 4. Face-to-face interview and short written test.

Professional, fair.

Interview process went smoothly. Didn't feel any stress. Interviewers showed good qualities in terms of active listening and being respectful.

Face to face with two supervising examiners asking questions. There was a written comprehension test and a general knowledge quiz in the subject area.

The assessments were reasonable and the interviews fairly straightforward. I was happy with the level of detail. I was allowed to discuss the questions.

The interview process was well structured and tested not only my technical knowledge in the field, but also my analytical abilities.

The online assessments were typical for government roles. Standard reasoning test, CV outlining how you fulfil the selection criteria, and a final interview with standard questions which should be answered in STAR style. Skype interview.

The initial assessments were responding to a set number of questions via online submission (which made it very easy). The interview process was very smooth, with an initial phone interview then a face-to-face interview in the office followed by a guided tour of the building/section you applied for (which was excellent).

Application was a response to selection criteria, then a request to complete an online literacy test, followed by a phone interview. Then a formal interview was conducted followed by another assessment task.

The interview was done in a professional manner. It included a series of questions about my skills and experiences coupled with an assessment of my thinking and writing skills.

1) Resume plus detailed response to questions. 2) Phone interview 3) verbal reasoning testing 4) An in person interview including oral and written testing.

Seemed quite reasonable.

Friendly.

A phone interview and then an interview in person in Canberra (a video conference can be arranged if unable to travel). You will need some basic problem solving skills for the second interview.

Selection criteria, Online verbal reasoning Test, telephone interview, face-to-face Interview with 3 Managers, the interview includes a written assessment and a case law example.

I had an interview in front of a panel along with online and written assessments.

Written application, verbal reasoning test, phone interview, face-to-face interview, security clearance.

Initial screening followed by two interviews that can be performed remotely.

Experience and scenarios.

I can't remember! But I think they were pretty standard questions.

General, technical, legal.

Questions about how I would deal in particular situations or my approaches to particular problems. There were also some subject matter specific questions that I was unable to answer.

A few experience based questions, such as when have you shown problem solving, conflict resolution and leadership.

I was asked to discuss communication skills, describe a time where I received negative feedback and how I responded to it. There were technical question in relation to my PhD and the science background they were sourcing. I was also ask about how I embrace change within my workplace. I was given a scenario about being assigned a high priority task and asked how I would go about making that happen.

I was to discuss my previous work experiences and what behaviours I exhibit during prescribed situations in the workplace.

Standard style interview questions and explaining your thoughts on a patent related scenario.

Can't really remember to be honest... I remember the questions were partially directed to my Pharmaceutical technical knowledge and partially directed to my ability to construct a claim that was given just prior to the interview (i.e. analytical and constructive skills). I remember there was also a written component that focused primarily on the strength of your writing (i.e. ability to construct sentences; grammar; spelling etc.).

How would I manage disputes with colleagues? Why was I looking for a job with IP Australia, and more generically, in the government. What skills can you bring to the company? Nothing outside of the standard interview questions.

What I expected. Some technical, some team related, some learning related.

Various competency based questions.

How do you handle work priorities? What technology do you like? Describe your final year research project, etc.

Both job specific and behavioural questions.

Logical thinking, written communication, thought process, understanding of engineering concepts, persona.

Questions about legal construction as well as STAR type questions about background.

Give detailed answers to interview questions. Maybe practice your answers to typical questions in front of someone, and they can tell you if you've missed out on crucial details.

Try to get a background knowledge on the role you are applying for and prepare to answer questions related to the qualifications the employer is looking for.

Do some reading on how to prepare for APS job applications and interviews.

Get an understanding of intellectual property law and the functions of IP Australia.

Work from the selection criteria, be humble but matter-of-fact about your achievements.

Use STAR method when responding to selection criteria. Make sure you have space and quiet when you're doing the reasoning test online. Look up a list of at least 10 standard interview questions so you can nail the interview. Be yourself.

For the initial application, remember to use the STAR model and give good examples of your skills. For the interview, I would advise to keep a level head when challenged and approach each situation logically. Also keep the STAR model in mind. Be honest about your technical knowledge and show a willingness to learn or refresh your skills in areas that are not at your forefront. To best prepare, I would think about your best skills and have examples prepared that really show these.

Address the selection criteria in full. Give examples of how you have satisfied the criteria and what the outcome of those examples were.

Remember that the interview does not start/stop when you enter/leave the interview room.

I suggest listing out your strengths and thinking about how you can apply them to the benefit of the organisation. Think about transferrable skills that you have obtained that you can employ in your work at IP Australia.

Have a sound understanding of your competencies and how they compare to APS competencies described in the integrated leadership system as described on the APSC website. Use the STAR model in answering your questions. Don't be nervous, the panel was friendly.

The most important part is being able to explain why you have made a particular decision.

Be passionate about your area of technology. Show willingness to learn about IP law.

Apply to the right section, make sure their background fits what they are looking for.

Just a basic understanding of IP rights (what is a patent?) and a passion for technology.

Willingness to learn. There is no perfect right or wrong answer, only how you argue it.

Learn about patents and in particular the cutting edge of legal precedent, e.g. manner of manufacture issues, computer implemented inventions etc.