A lot of people want to know how to get a government job because the government is the largest employer in the country, as well as the one that offers the most security. Unfortunately, what this means is that you will face fierce competition for such kind of jobs. The following FAQs may help you gain a greater understanding of how to get a government job. The biggest tip you can receive, however, is to apply for any job that you are interested in, and that you meet the requirements for.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Get a Government Job:
1.) What is the “Selection Criteria” Section?
A lot of government jobs now promote or appoint staff by following the Selection Criteria. This is particularly true for healthcare and education positions. Make sure you meet the criteria before you apply.
2.) Do I Have to Make a Statement Based on the Selection Criteria?
Yes, you do. Some government agencies may call it the “Summary of Responses to Selection Criteria”. This is basically your chance to explain how you meet all the requirements.
3.) Do I Need to Go into Detail for Each Criterion?
You have to make sure that you properly explain how you meet each criterion. However, you should do so in a concise way, as this shows the HR department that you properly understand the question and how it applies to you. So don’t write an essay in the hopes that something in there will cover the criterion.
4.) What Do I Do About Double/Triple Barrel Questions?
These questions have been designed to focus on different elements within a criterion and to determine how well you can understand what is asked for you. You need to address each of those different elements, in other words.
5.) What if I Don’t Meet a Criterion?
Unfortunately, if you don’t meet a criterion, you will be far less attractive than someone who does, and you can almost be certain that there will be several applicants who do meet all the criteria.
6.) How Big Will My Competition Be?
There are usually well over 100 applicants for every position, with the exception of those that have very specific and complex criteria (such as holding a doctorate degree).
7.) What Does Short-Listing Mean?
This basically means that, after reviewing all the applications, a number of people will be chosen for further consideration. Usually, those who are short-listed will be asked to come for an initial interview.
The above should have given you a basic understanding of how applications for government jobs work. When a job is posted, it will list the various essential and desirable criteria that you need to meet. If you don’t meet them, consider whether you could do something, such as volunteering, that enables you to meet them after all. While there certainly is a lot of competition for each job, you should not let that dishearten you. Something is out there and you will see that you start to meet the criteria more and more as you go on.
