Application Process & Interviews at The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR)

I started via the Science Graduate Program with DELWP - long process but very worthwhile

Intense, lots of process similar to all graduate programs. But fair at interview stage with interviewees wanting you to succeed

1. Application - KSQ and resume 2. Online tests 3. Assessment Centre 4. Panel Interview

Multistage process to cull applicants from approximately 700 down to 12. Stage 1: Written Application (Questions) & Resume Stage 2: Online psychometric tests Stage 3: Assessment Centers (Written test, group task, individual interview) Stage 4: Final Interview

Stressful! I still question the legitimacy of aptitude tests. process went like this: Online application > aptitude test > assessment centre (group task, writing task, personality interview) > interview

Was a great interview process. They explained everything very detailed

Rigorous - the graduate program recruitment process is very long and has a number of steps where you have to attend in person.

The Science Graduate Program recruitment process is quite long and intensive, beginning in July with online applications, followed by online psychometric testing. The assessment centre stage comes next and includes tasks on teamwork and writing skills along with a behavioural interview, if successful there, the final panel interview then takes place in October.

Professional

The recruitment process required online statement; psychometric test; assessment centre; final interview. While the process is as long as other graduate programs, the recruitment team have a strong interest in good customer service and building a good relationship.

Stage 1 - Written Application - personal details and had to answer 3 questions Stage 2 - An Aptitude Test - answer as many questions as possible in 30 minutes from different categories e.g. mathematical, problem solving etc. Stage 3 - Assessment Center - Involves 3 activities - A group task (you will be given background information on an issue and then you will have to discuss as a group), a written task (you will be given another separate issue in which you have to outlay answers to questions they give you within the time limit) and an individual interview (Use the STAR technique)! Stage 4 - Interview with group who will possibly take you on (again Use the STAR technique), examples don't necessarily have to be from that particular work area - think of extra curricular activities, volunteering, other jobs, uni etc.

Written, Psychometric testing, One day of verbal, group and written assessment, interview for position

Intense. Involved a resume, assessment centre with group work, written work and an individual interview, a psychometric test and a panel interview.

Online application, online aptitude test, external assessment centre process (including a writing task, group discussion and one-on-one interview) and another interview with managers and graduate recruitment.

1. Application 2. Psychometric testing 3. Assessment Centre (Behavior interview, team exercise, writing exercise) 4. DELWP Interview

First step: online application - fairly typical Second step: online psychometric test Third: group assessment centre (run by recruitment company) - at the assessment centre there is a written exercise, a group discussion exercise and a one-on-one behavioural interview (general questions, tell us about a time when you xxx") Fourth: panel interview (two of my current supervisors, one of the members of the graduate management team)

There was a written application stage followed by psychometric testing, this was then followed by a half day group assessment that included a written activity, group activity and interview with the recruiting company. If you made it through the first 3 stages, then you would go on to have a final interview with DELWP/ DEDJTR staff members.

1) Resume and KSC. Psychometric test, Assessment centre day (Interview, writing task and group task) and final panel interview.

My motivations to work in the public service, experience in ecology and communication skills

Hypotheticals, questions about commitment, honesty, motivations.

Behavioural questions - teamwork, overcoming challenges, etc. Job specific - what you know about the company, what can you bring etc.

Assessment Centre: Capabilities Assessed at Interview: Motivation to work in the Science Graduate Program, Interpersonal skills and teamwork, Adaptability, Verbal Communication. Capabilities Assessed at Group Activity: Problem Solving, Initiative, Interpersonal skills and teamwork (in a group of 6 we had to discuss and come to a agreed solution based on a scenario provided to us. The scenario in question was how to solve the issue of departmental burning activities smoke tainting peoples grapes). Capabilities Assessed at Written Activity: Problem Solving, Initiative, Written Communication (We had to write up a mock brief to a minister based on a short provided document) Interview: At the interview you'll be able to elaborate on your skills and achievements, and tell us about any challenges you've faced and problems you've solved. (There was the standard questions of 'why you wanted to work for the department' and 'how you deal with change'. There were also some more specific questions such as 'what are your thoughts on the relevant policy document that would govern your division within the department' as well as "How would you deal if government policy would change after you had worked on something for a long time and with passion"?

A mixture of behavioural and achievement type questions

Behavioural questions about conflict, teamwork, communication, problem solving etc.

Ongoing monitoring and QA of projects Project management skills Fire ecology DELWP values

Why I wanted the job My past experience Teamwork Ability to manage projects

Mostly behavioural based questions asking to provide examples in the 'STAR' format of a time when you've experienced something or achieved something, along with questions about motivation to work in government.

Why you want to work at DELWP? Conflict resolution question. Teamwork question.

I can't remember the exact set, but there was an ethical question (what would you do if you thought someone was misusing the company credit card?), a question about what you would want to achieve in the job (trying to be specific), why you wanted the job, and a few general "what would you do if xxxx or tell us about a time when you xxx".

*Note that questions can have two parts - and it's okay to ask the interviewer to repeat the second part if you need. Tell me a time when you've worked in a team and something hasn't worked out or Tell me a time when you've showed teamwork? What projects have you managed? Describe a time when you have not been able to meet a deadline. What happened and what did you do?

How I work, how I have shown leadership, how I would react in a situation where someone was inappropriately using resources, why I want to work for government as opposed to private industry, etc.

1. When have you experienced change and how did you deal with it? 2. When have you experienced conflict within a team? & how did you deal with it?

Teamwork, responding to feedback

There was a questions related to why I wanted the job, teamwork and maybe 2 or 3 other questions that I can't remember.

Its less about your qualifications and experience and more how you would handle certain situations and fit/work in the department. To answer those questions it does help of course to refer back to one's experiences.

Really think about your experience that are relevant to the role and make sure you really pitch the critical ones during the interview- you should be able to manipulate an answer to allow you to show those skills.

No - prepare - do your research, look at the KSC, be honest

Know why you want to work here and what you have to offer for a specific role Don't confirm to a certain ideal you think the recruiters want for the job

Practice aptitude tests Give it a go! Even if the placement is far away, what you learn more than makes up for it.

During application process - do your homework and be honest yourself.

Do some research about the roles you're applying for, and get some insight through talking to people in the departments, if you get to the assessment centre stage, use the opportunity to get info from the current graduate who is there. Have a good range of examples to use in the interviews from past paid and volunteer work experience, along with experience during tertiary studies.

Stay calm. You perform at your best when you are just being yourself.

Think about how they may set themselves apart from other applicants, by having interests outside of academic pursuits, practice interviewing, make sure to be themselves when interviewing so recruiters can see if their personality will fit into the organisation's culture.

Present great communication skills. Communicating with others is integral within the department. It is the main reason why projects aren't successful. Be friendly, smile, the interviewer wants to get to know you.

Make sure you practice the STAR technique of answering interview questions, be confident and have experiences/ stories to tell the interview panel. Have a good knowledge of any new major plans/ policies that have been released recently/

STAR approach

Research the department structure and varied groups responsibilities, as well as the recent policy developments in the work area you are applying for. You are also given the names of the people in the panel interview,

Look up and be familiar with the STAR technique when answering interview questions. Be honest with yourself! In written applications think of anything and everything that will make you stand out - Think outside the box