Application Process & Interviews at Department of Health and Aged Care

written application, testing, video interview, assessment centre (in-person interview and written task)

The interview process was lengthy, however it is what you expect - application, psychometric testing, interviews, and offer. I have found that the people were lovely.

The interview process was very lengthy and some of the initial phone game assessments weren't a good reflection of my skills (for example, solving mathematic problems in a short timeframe). I was unhappy about the security clearance process and I wish the Department had been upfront with me about the intrusive nature of the questions, and the length of time it takes to complete. I would have still applied if I had known about this, but it would have been less of a shock and I could have asked my family if they were comfortable with me sharing their details.

Application, psychometric testing, video interview, assessment centre

I came in through the graduate program - so like other departments they had a system where you came in and did 3 tasks, a written task, a team task, and an interview.

Multiple steps across a span of approximately 6 months

You have to have some patience/flexibility, as the hiring process for the Health graduate program is quite lengthy with multiple stages of assessment. This included an initial review of CVs and why you wanted to work for the agency, some intellectual and personality tests, recorded video interview, a face-to-face interview panel and finally reference checks.

Interviews are set up in a pretty standard way with multiple panel members and selection criteria/questions

Convoluted and cumbersome

Was all online due to COVID, processes were standard. Psychometric assessments, testing and then panel interview/normal interview.

The interview process to get into the graduate program was horrendous. I understand it was used to narrow down the number of candidates but it was very long. First was a simple online application. Next was a personality test and app game to identify your strengths. Next was another app statistics and English test. Next was a virtual recorded interview. Finally we arrived at the assessment centre with an interview and writing test.

Smooth, seamless and completely virtual.

I remember being asked about my ability to work in a team, and work in a diverse workplace with people of different backgrounds. I believe I was also asked about organisation and managing conflict.

Why do you want to work in the Department Give an example of a situation that required cooperation, that had multiple steps and was complex.

Questions aligned with the work level standards of the role

I was asked questions about my ability to complete projects, cope with challenges and work in a group

Typical questions regarding your motivations to work for the agency and how you'd respond in situation work situations (e.g. difficult team members, stressful workloads etc.).

questions that directly related to the area and role: - a question about writing an important document - something about reporting to and working with executive for a task - a question on sharing information or leading a process of change in the workplace

technically relevant questions

General experiences, strengths, weaknesses etc.

Team work, conflict management. Priority management. I can't remember the rest.

Standard behavioural based questions.

learn about the company and what they do. find something that you would want to work on. prepare your interview responses in STAR format

I would recommend that they re-do their resume to know exactly what skills and experiences they can bring to the role. Ultimately, to just be yourself and have good motives for working in an environment that is passionate about peoples health and wellbeing in the office and outside.

Having a year or two of work experience in your field can be a benefit. Read about the process, especially the phone app assessments. Practice doing verbal and mathematical reasoning problems in a short timeframe. Practice doing interviews with family or friends beforehand and look up common questions. Think about why you want to work for the Department. Use the STAR technique in interviews (i.e. make sure to give real life examples).

Look into what the Department of Health does. Practice being interviewed.

Read up about the department and goals etc. try to find out what are the big issues in that space and get familiar with the topics

Have a set of examples of you previous work experience ready for the interview and understand STAR method

Be yourself in all assessments. Practice answering potential interview questions using the STAR method. Have a couple of scenarios up your sleeve to answer questions so that you can illustrate your breadth of experiences and skills.

Research the department and understand what the latest priorities of the portfolio are including from the latest budget and key policies in place e.g. national strategies, reform plans and agreements

STAR, allow lots of time for government recruiting

Look at the ILS.

Think of examples of when you worked well in a team, took initiative, managed competing priorities etc.

Practice recording yourself to prepare for one-way virtual interviews. This will allow you to get more comfortable with the process, as it can be daunting.