Applying for a job in the Australian Public Service can seem a bit daunting—all of a sudden you are faced with things like ‘selection criteria’, ‘conditions of engagement’ and ‘panel interviews’. Many job seekers give up in frustration, it all seems too hard.
Leigh was not ready to give up his dream and has proved that with determination and a bit of hard work, a career in the public service is well within reach.
Leigh, who has Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism), approached his local Disability Employment Services provider, Advance Personnel, with one goal in mind: a job in the public service. Leigh had researched various departments and positions and realised that when applying for a job in the public service, almost everyone starts in an ‘entry level’ position. With this in mind, he began to apply for what are known as ‘APS 1’, 'APS 2' or entry level positions. These are advertised online at the APSjobs website (see our Related Links).
Advance Personnel helped Leigh understand what public service employers are looking for when they ask applicants to ‘address selection criteria’. They explained that Leigh would need to provide practical examples of when he had demonstrated the skills and abilities the employer was looking for. Leigh was able to draw examples from his previous part-time retail job to show how he could solve problems, communicate with others and manage his time.
When Centrelink asked Leigh to attend an interview, Advance Personnel accompanied Leigh to provide a bit of moral support and to assist if there were any communication barriers during the interview. Leigh performed well in his interview and Centrelink selected him based on merit—he was the best person for the job.
‘Leigh has an amazing ability to remember small details’, said his supervisor Michael. ‘This makes him ideal for work that involves cross-checking information like checking that a customer’s payment details are correct. Leigh jokingly calls himself the walking-talking post code directory!’
Leigh found it a bit challenging when he first faced difficult customers on the telephone, so Advance Personnel helped Leigh and his supervisor implement strategies to help him manage a telephone call if it was making him uncomfortable.
‘We developed a script for Leigh to use if a telephone call was starting to become difficult and we provided some training for Leigh, as we do for all our employees, on how to manage calls that go wrong’. Leigh learned that it was OK to politely end a conversation if he was starting to feel flustered. He now explains to the customer that he will ring them back when has had a moment to compose his thoughts.
‘After we implemented the scripts and Leigh finished his training, we received a number of customer compliments on Leigh’s telephone manner and patience’, said his team leader, Trish. ‘Leigh has now been promoted to an APS 3 through another selection process. He is doing really well’.
When asked what his plans are for the future, Leigh is positive. ‘I’d like to work towards an Executive Level position so that one day I can tell other people what to do’, he jokes. Based on his track record so far, Leigh is well on his way to success!
If you have a dream to work, follow Leigh’s example and be courageous, determined and unwilling to give up. Your attitude will impress employers and put you in good stead for getting work.
For more information follow these links: