Cracking the Public Sector Ranks
By Brandon Miller
Monster Contributing Writer
Public sector jobs have never been more in demand. Providing economic stability, room for advancement and the opportunity to make an impact, public sector positions are a wonderful option in a sometimes-unsteady, always competitive economy. But how exactly does one enter the public service? That’s a good question. Here are five tips on cracking the public sector ranks.
Create a job profile with the Public Service Commission of Canada. Applying for federal public service jobs starts with this step. Go online, create a profile and look for jobs that match your skills and interests.
In addition, you should set up job alerts with the federal public service, various provincial governments, and with any municipalities that interest you. And don’t forget to set up your Monster.ca job alerts.
Try all levels of government. Yes, it’s desirable to imagine yourself sitting in a cushy office in Ottawa, but there is often a path that leads there. If you are having trouble breaking into the federal public service, try applying provincially and in municipalities around your area. These jobs pay well and provide the needed experience to take you to the next level – be it within your city or town or to another government in Canada. Govjobs.ca is a fantastic resource for public sector jobs at all levels.
Be mobile. If you have the ability to move anywhere in Canada, your chances at scoring your first public service gig are pretty good. Many job competitions are open in terms of location. If you mention you are willing to relocate where others are not, you become all the more desirable.
Try temp work to start. Many permanent government workers start as temporary employees and work their way in. Temp work gives you access to internal job postings and people with whom to network.
If you are a recent graduate, or even a current student, you may be eligible for an internship or a co-op program for new professionals. Check your provincial government Web site for more information.
Network. It’s not just useful in the private sector. Perhaps you have an uncle in the public service. Maybe your neighbour has a friend who can get you an interview. Tap any resource you can.
One of the best ways to network is to set up an informational interview. If you are too intimidated to cold-call or e-mail human resource managers, keep up-to-date on job fairs and attend as many as possible. You can find out the latest information .
Stay persistent.These are a few pointers for how to break into the public service, but they are just the beginning. There are plenty of jobs in the public sector. The Public Service of Canada alone operates at 1,600 points of service and employs a quarter of a million people. Brush up on your bilingualism, find ways to improve your resume and keep applying. Persistence is half the battle.