Application Process & Interviews at Department of the Treasury

The interview process was fairly easy, consisting of your usual application, followed by some psychometrics and then a panel interview.

Treasury was the simplest application process I did. It was resume, written task and individual interview.

We did psychological assessments and then one final interview.

Had a written assessment where they ask a question and you talk about the topic within a timeframe. The interview was incredibly fast where you are asked a series of questions in front of a virtual panel. After you receive and offer there was a lack of communication primarily due to the amount of backend tasks that the grad team need to complete. You will also need to lodge a series of personal documents to get your security clearance

Applying to Treasury was one of the most straightforward applications I made. A resume, a subject question and a cover letter. Then a video interview. The most arduous process was the security clearance after I'd already received the job offer.

I applied via the Economic Stream which consisted of the usual behavioural and thinking type assessments. This was followed by one-sided recorded video interview and subsequently an online panel interview. The process itself was short and quick to apply, and best of all, no cover letter required.

We conducted several online assessments, which are very similar to other APS recruitment processes. I then pre-recorded a video answering interview questions. I was then asked to attend an interview (virtual because of COVID). The interviewers were very easy to talk to and helped put me at ease.

The assessments were realistic and the interviews were well structured. I liked that they weren't automated.

Fairly standard process which involved written application, an aptitude test and an interview.

To get into the Grad Program, I had to apply online, then I did psychometric testing and a written test, then I had an interview.

Required to complete different tasks and cognitive assessments which in my opinion are a waste of time and money. The interview process ran really smoothly though and it was a great panel I just wish the other part of the hiring process was less time consuming.

The interview was straight forward with three fundamental questions, with scope to assess your creativity.

What strengths do you bring to the Department? What is a policy area you are passionate about and why? Discuss trade-offs etc. Describe a time you had to work in a team.

I remember being asked a couple of questions where I was able to draw on my internship and university projects to explain my answers. I also remember being asked what I wanted to get out of the program which was kind of unexpected.

Some activity-based questions but mainly situational questions.

Unfortunately I can not remember. They weren't technical, primarily about times you overcame adversity or times your displayed creativity in order to achieve a solution. If you can link to the APS values that would be beneficial.

Through the Economist Stream I was ask a combination of economic based and behavioural based questions. Economic questions were based on current events i.e. COVID and mostly policy related was asked 4 questions in total.

Why I wanted to work at Treasury, what my previous work experiences had been like and what I'd learnt from them. Also, what did I see as a significant economic issue for Australia and what solutions could I see for it.

The recorded interviews were more about your prior experience aligning with the Department's values. How you have previously overcome a difficult situation, etc. The panel interview was more regarding policy analysis and the work itself. The only question I actually remember from that, was if I had any thoughts on the Government's response to Covid-19.

I don't remember all of the questions, but I was asked what I thought the difference was between a good learning experience and a bad learning experience.

I can't recall but it was largely about how you would deal with difficult situations and how you would deal with colleagues who were in conflict.

I don't remember exactly. But I think it was one example question - what would you do in X situation, one question about why I want to work at Treasury and two others.

I can't remember exactly but there were questions about why I wanted to work for Treasury and I was asked to discuss examples of where I experiences issues and a plan changes and how I overcame this.

Study a policy area, learn the impacts and the associated costs. Learn about the sensitivities in these areas and come up with a next steps if you were to pursue such a policy.

Understand what your skills are qualities are, use the STAR method and draw on a mixture of experiences, and know a little bit about the Department.

There is an APS-wide economics stream you can apply to (and be considered for Treasury) or you can apply to Treasury directly. Increase your chances and apply to both.

Study like you would for any other job application and this one will seem quite straightforward.

Line up your examples against the APS values

If you're applying through the economist stream, be informed of current events that are effecting the economy and current economic policy.

Have high grades and ideally a post graduate qualification like Honours or Masters. When you answer your questions pick areas you know about and are passionate about, it's ok to not know a solution as long as you can explain why there isn't one. That's probably my biggest piece of advice; show that you understand that very few of Treasury's policy choices are perfect solutions, there are always negatives.

Think of your past experiences and how you have grown and how they can apply to different situations. Preparation for interviews may not always help (questions may not get asked) but at the least, you feel more confident knowing that you have done something, and that confidence shows in how you portray yourself and how you speak. The other tip, is to learn to improvise. Being able to speak confidently and well with very little information is a skill that is learnt over time, but is very valuable.

I would recommend you understand the type/breadth of work that Treasury does. I would also recommend looking at their values and the APS values. Overall, Treasury are really keen to employ graduates who are excited to develop, learn and work in different areas.

I think be sure about your goals and expectations. Think about you as a person and how you deal with difficult situations and people. Make use of the STAR method. If you're an empathic person you should have no trouble with the interview.

I think just be really honest and genuine about why you want to work here - that really comes across in interviews, and don't try and predict what they want.

I would maintain a focus on working for the public service more generally rather than being specific to Treasury. It would be good to demonstrate that you have a passion for serving the public.

I recommend that applicants invest some time building a basic understanding of contemporary international economic related events and arrive at a view on the topic.