The career-savvy job seeker in Australia today needs to fulfill not one role—as he or she would in employment, but multiple roles.* The selection documentation is prepared, and the position description is created—complete with position responsibilities, key selection criteria, pay scale and contact details.
* A selection panel is formed to evaluate applications, and shortlist candidates for interviews.
* A vacancy appears in newspapers and government gazettes, detailing an overview of the position, a contact number to call for a position description, and details of where to send the completed application. Some individuals fail to see the prompt to call for a position description, and in order to get their applications in quickly, send a résumé and a cover letter immediately only to find they have eliminated themselves from the race through their lack of compliance to the procedures stated!
* The process of handling government applications continues as the final date approaches, and the applications officially close.
* Next comes the short listing of candidates. Each panel member will separately assess the application paying particular attention to the key selection criteria as listed on the position description. This is where many applicants are eliminated. Failing to call the contact person for the all-important position description, many applicants are unaware of the need to address the “Key Selection Criteria” for the role, and ignore the specific requirements for submitting their application. These individuals have now missed the opportunity for consideration, and each panel member during this process will assess responses to each criteria question based upon the concrete evidence provided by the candidate of how their skills and experience match the role they seek. Once evaluation is complete, the panel will unite and compare their assessments. Those candidates scoring the highest will progress to the next phase.
* Interviews are held and the candidate is further quizzed via a series of behavioral questions.
* Candidates designated to progress to the next stage, will undergo a reference check with references frequently requested to submit reports similar to the key selection criteria that questions them on the candidates skills, attitude and knowledge.
* The panel prepares and submits a selection report.
*The hiring decision is made.
* Notifications to all job candidates are distributed.
* An appeals process will commence should any candidate decide to appeal the decision.
* A feedback session is organized.