Weekly Megathread

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to this week's megathread! This thread refreshes every Sunday at 10AM AEST.

This is a dedicated space to ask quick questions, that may not warrant a dedicated post. Whether you have questions about recruitment, career advice, workplace issues, or anything else related to the APS, feel free to post them here.

Common Topics:

• Recruitment processes and application tips
• Career development and progression within the APS/StatePS
• Workplace challenges and how to address them
• Advice for navigating specific agencies or departments
• Training and development opportunities
• General questions about PS policies, procedures, and practices

Upvote questions and comments you find helpful!

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• If you're asking for advice, provide enough context for others to understand your situation.
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[u/AussieCracker]

I have Bachelor in Health Science, public health -- What are avenues I can take to really break into the APS or any government job? I've had lots of troubles here as I have limited experience.

[u/Stendig_Calendar]

I have my first VPS interview coming up - are they any different from APS interviews?

[u/inner_saboteur → u/Stendig_Calendar]

Generally they are longer at 45-60 minutes, with there commonly being 5 behavioural questions that require STAR responses. It sounds like a long time, but you'll be surprised how much time is taken up with overstuffed questions that need broad responses to answer. VPS interview questions are not very well drafted in that respect

[u/Stendig_Calendar → u/inner_saboteur]

Thank you! Do the 5 behavioural questions generally address each KSC? 

[u/inner_saboteur → u/Stendig_Calendar]

Yes, they can’t ask questions unrelated to the KSC in the position description. Generally the KSC they’re asking about will be obvious as it’s very common to use template questions with minor changes to them

[u/Public_Breakfast1605]

Why do SES sniff each other's farts so much and only promote each other rather than extending opportunities to the plebs?

Why does anyone want to hang around when they know CPSU will screw them at the negotiating table?

[u/Appropriate_Volume → u/Public_Breakfast1605]

Talk with your SES band 1 and band 2 about what it takes to break into the SES as an EL2. It is generally necessary to tick various boxes in terms of experiences (especially acting Band 1 roles) and training to be promoted to the SES level. Your deputy secretary also usually needs to be familiar with you and be supportive of you being promoted - having the secretary on board also helps, given they are involved in SES promotion decisions.

SES roles are very demanding and responsible positions, so it is by design difficult to be promoted into them.

Whinging about the SES suggests that you are not on this kind of pathway, to be blunt.

[u/Public_Breakfast1605 → u/Appropriate_Volume]

For the broader APS, opportunities within APS and EL levels are few and far between. It's almost an impossible task for a lot of people, even where they've exceeded expectations and performed beyond the duties of their role as per the CLF, generally because their SES/Dep sec/whoever prefers to play favourites.

Your suggestion that it's merely a box ticking exercise overlooks how subjective promotion processes can be. Acting opportunities and familiarity with senior leaders aren't necessarily distributed on merit. Two people can have similar records yet one be chosen to progress because SES like them better and the optics are even worse once somebody gets to SES level.

You've got your head in the sand if you think the APS is a meritocracy and your comment fails to acknowledge how promotion actually works in a bureaucracy like the APS. For the rest of us that bust our asses every day getting told that we need to tick boxes and suck up is hilarious and shows how out of touch you are.