Job Application Guide - November 2011 - Ku-ring-gai Council
Job Application Guide - November 2011 - Ku-ring-gai Council
Job Application Guide - November 2011 - Ku-ring-gai Council
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Applicant Information<br />
How to Prepare your <strong>Application</strong> when Applying for a <strong>Job</strong><br />
The following information has been prepared to assist you du<strong>ring</strong> the application and interview process.<br />
<strong>Council</strong> offers positions to people on the basis of merit. This means your qualifications, experience, skills<br />
and abilities (relevant to the position) are matched to the job requirements. Choosing the best person for<br />
the job is part of our commitment to equal employment opportunity.<br />
For each position there are three (3) essential criteria headings. Underneath these headings is a bullet<br />
pointed list – this information is located on page three (3) of all position descriptions. The essential criteria<br />
(bullet pointed list) must be met if you are to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you do<br />
not show how you meet the essential criteria in your application you are unlikely to be considered for an<br />
interview.<br />
Position Description<br />
Before a position is advertised, the requirements of that position are analysed and a list of operational<br />
outputs and essential criteria (qualities required to perform the job) are developed. Essential criteria forms<br />
part of the position description. If you require further information on the position please contact the Officer<br />
listed in the advertisement next to “Like to know more?”.<br />
Making an <strong>Application</strong><br />
What you write and how you answer each of the essential criteria will determine whether or not you are<br />
selected for an interview. The best way to set out your application is to write a statement using the<br />
essential criteria as headings and, under each heading, describe how your particular work experience,<br />
qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities enable you to satisfy that criteria.<br />
<strong>Application</strong>s are to be made via <strong>Council</strong>’s recruitment system, not via email. When applying<br />
online you need to submit:<br />
A brief cove<strong>ring</strong> letter stating the position number<br />
A resume detailing your relevant work and educational history<br />
Telephone contact details of at least two professional referees<br />
Essential Criteria Statement addressing each of the essential criteria as mentioned above<br />
Your online application will be acknowledged automatically via email upon receipt.<br />
Important: Please ensure your application is received by <strong>Council</strong> on or before the closing<br />
date (stated in the advertisement). Late applications may not be considered.<br />
The Selection Process<br />
The selection process at <strong>Ku</strong>-<strong>ring</strong>-<strong>gai</strong> <strong>Council</strong> involves a number of stages:<br />
Short Listing<br />
The Selection Panel meets to assess all applications a<strong>gai</strong>nst the essential criteria and shortlists the<br />
applicants who will be interviewed.<br />
It is important to remember that you are competing with other applicants for the position. If your response<br />
to the essential criteria is not fully completed, or the information a<strong>gai</strong>nst each of the essential criteria is<br />
not competitive with other applicants, you may not be invited for an interview.<br />
Interview<br />
If you are selected for an interview you will usually be given at least four (4) days notice. <strong>Council</strong> will<br />
contact you to tell you where and when the interview will be conducted.<br />
In general, you will be interviewed by three (3) people who make up the Selection Panel. They are<br />
responsible for selecting the most suitable person for the job.<br />
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The Selection Panel will ask questions related to the job description and the essential criteria. Relax and<br />
listen to the questions. Do not rush into an answer and take your time to group your thoughts. If you are<br />
unsure of the question, do not hesitate to seek clarification from the Selection Panel before responding.<br />
Do not assume the Selection Panel knows what is in your mind. You are responsible for classifying the<br />
strength of your skills, knowledge and experience so that the Selection Panel can easily assess your<br />
claims.<br />
As the interview progresses, the Selection Panel will be documenting your responses to the questions<br />
asked. A clearly presented and well thought out answer will also demonstrate your verbal communication<br />
skills.<br />
You may be requested to complete a practical skills and knowledge-based exercise before or after the<br />
interview. You will be advised of any such requirement prior to the interview.<br />
Reference Checks/Pre-employment Health Assessment<br />
As part of the recruitment process, reference checks are carried out only for the interviewee/s with the<br />
strongest overall performance at interview. Referees will be asked questions that are relevant to the<br />
essential criteria only and will validate the information provided in your application and at interview.<br />
Some positions will require a “Working with Children Check” to be completed. This is a formal process of<br />
checks to help determine your suitability to work with children or have unsupervised access to children in<br />
your work.<br />
Short listed applicants are required to undergo a pre-employment health assessment at <strong>Council</strong>’s<br />
expense and with <strong>Council</strong>’s health provider.<br />
Notification of Employment<br />
If you are selected as the successful applicant for the job you will be contacted with a job offer. This<br />
verbal offer will be confirmed in writing, detailing the terms and conditions of employment.<br />
If your application is unsuccessful you will be notified in writing usually within fourteen (14) days of the<br />
interview. You can ask to have a post selection discussion with the Convenor of the Selection Panel to<br />
discuss ways that you can improve your application or interview performance in the future.<br />
Thank you for your interest in wishing to work for <strong>Ku</strong>-<strong>ring</strong>-<strong>gai</strong> <strong>Council</strong>. If you need more<br />
information or clarification on our recruitment process please contact Human Resources on<br />
02 9424 0000.<br />
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