By: Taylor Villeneuve, Build ON Employment Consultant
When applying to Federal public sector jobs in Canada, it is important to understand what
type of position and the department you are applying to. There are four main types of employment opportunities: pools/inventories, casual, determinate, and indeterminate positions. Indeterminate positions are permanent, with no set end date, while determinate roles have a fixed term or end date. Both determinate and indeterminate positions offer similar benefits like vacation and sick leave. Casual opportunities, on the other hand, are short-term, lasting no more than 3 months and do not provide benefits. These roles can be full-time or part-time, but they cannot exceed 90 working days in a calendar year for a specific department. Pools or inventories are lists of pre-qualified or semi-qualified candidates that can be chosen by managers to fill casual, determinate or indeterminate positions. These can be general for all federal organizations or specific to a department. Hiring decisions are based on factors like merit criteria, location, organization, language, job type, and position level.
Each department is listed on the
Government of Canada website. Once you have determined what departments you want to work in, spend time doing research about that department; what they specialize in, what tasks they perform, any terms or abbreviations that might be helpful to know. One way to do this is by actually speaking with hiring managers in person at
career fairs. Departments such as
Canadian Border Services Agency,
Natural Resources Canada,
Canada Revenue Agency,
Communications Security Establishment Canada, and
many more departments actually have recruitment event calendars on their websites, that way you can target specific career fairs. Approach recruitment booths with a list of targeted questions. Inquire about the department's culture, the types of roles available, and the skills they value most. This not only shows your interest but also gives you valuable insights into the department. Come prepared to their booths with a list of questions targeted for that specific department. Make sure you bring several copies of your resume with you when going to these career fairs.
The Federal Internship for Newcomers program is an excellent opportunity for newcomers to gain exposure to working in the federal public sector.. This
program is available for immigrants moving to the following cities: Ottawa/Gatineau, Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax, St. Johns, Toronto, and Victoria.
Another way to get your foot in the door at the Federal public sector is through the
Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). As a post-secondary student in Canada, you are eligible to apply to the general applicant pool of government contracts. Based off your area of study you outlined on your application, FSWEP will match you with a contract in one of their many
government branches. You will be offered a short term contract – keep in mind, through this program, you will not be offered a permanent position. However, some are lucky enough to be offered an indeterminate position after their contract ends!
Once you have identified potential job opportunities, the next step is to navigate the application process. Make sure your application materials are tailored to the specific department and position. Highlight relevant experiences that align with the job description. Pay close attention to the application instructions provided. The Federal public sector often has specific guidelines that must be adhered to and it is crucial that you follow them. Typically, a hiring committee reviews your application, with questions assigned to different members. This means your responses are seen by multiple people, so it's important to be clear and specific in your answers. You are usually given a generous character limit, giving you plenty of room to provide detailed, concrete responses. It's highly recommended to use the
STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique when answering questions for Federal public service job applications.
Once you complete the application, you may be invited to complete assessment and/ or language exams prior to being invited to an interview. If you receive an interview request, here are some things to know for the interview process. The Federal public sector is known for its lengthy hiring processes. It can often take anywhere from six months to two years to receive an employment offer; patience is essential. Familiarize yourself with common
interview questions in the Federal public sector. Prepare to discuss your experiences, skills, and how they relate to the department’s goals. Be ready to discuss what you learned during your research about a particular department, including their mission, vision and values. This information is directly connected to the interview questions, and understanding it demonstrates your genuine interest and commitment.
Finding work in the Federal public sector can be a rewarding endeavor, but it requires a thorough understanding of the departments, networking, and a commitment to navigating the lengthy hiring processes. By utilizing the resources available, such as internship programs and career fairs, and preparing adequately for the application and interview stages, you can position yourself for success in this competitive field.