How to successfully transition from private to public sector – application & interview tips

We have helped so many clients successfully transition from private to the public sector. The application and interview process were nothing like they had been used to. From never-ending application forms to structured panel interviews, we guided them through what was often a whole new world.

We know how challenging it is. If you are thinking of applying and interviewing for the public sector, here is what you need to know

1. Application Form – torturous but keep going

• Over 90% of Public Sector roles require an application form – your great looking CV is not required!
• Usually the form has 4 main sections – Career History / Education History / Competency Questions and Any Additional Information.
• Career & Education History may seem like the easy parts (cut and paste from your CV?) but don’t miss the opportunity to connect the description of your work experience to their competency definitions – it’s not about just telling them what you do in your job – you should mention how WELL you do it.
• Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) structure to write your example for each, mirror the language they use in their definitions. Keep to their wordcount and keep your examples from within the last 5 years – the more recent the better.
• The Additional Information section is a chance to highlight your transferable skills – eg, project management, IT Skills, leadership as well as your commitment to your career development. Tell them how your private sector experience can be applied to your new role.

2. Understand the Interview Format – they just feel so FORMAL!

• These interviews are more formal and structured than private sector interviews and will last between 40-50 minutes. You could be interviewed by a panel of up to 5 people.
• The panel Chairperson will introduce your interviewers and will usually start by asking you some version of Tell Me About Yourself.
• Panel members take notes throughout the interview which they will use to assess and score your answer after you leave….in case you are wondering what they are typing/writing all the time.
• The public sector is not a fan of multiple interview rounds and it’s quite often a one and DONE – make sure you tell them all the great things about yourself in that interview – there may not be a round two!

3. Predict those Competency or Capability Questions – it’s not rocket science

• The key to predicting the questions is to look at the competency/capability definition on the job description – it will give you a great steer on what they are looking for within each competency
• For example, here is a commonly asked question on Working in Teams: “Tell us about a time you worked on a team to achieve a goal. How did you manage differing opinions, and what was the outcome?
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer the questions. Public sector interviewers love the STAR and want to know that you are using it – don’t disappoint them!

4. Be patient with the pace and know the Panel rules

• Good news, Bad news time. The Good News? We’ve never known a client to be ghosted after a public sector interview. The Bad News? It can take a loooooong time to hear back…. Decisions often have to be signed off by multiple staff/divisions – it can be weeks before you hear back.
• When it’s time to hear you may get an exciting email which starts with “Congratulations….” and you would be forgiven for thinking that you have offered the job. However it could also go on to say that you have been placed on THE PANEL – a public sector invention meaning that you are not being offered the job right now but depending on what position /ranking you got on this panel you may get offered a job within the life of the panel – which could be up to 2 years! Our advice? Keep applying!

Do you have a public sector interview coming up? Our Interview Preparation can help!