Mastering APS Job
Applications in WA

Securing a role within the Australian Public Service can be challenging, but understanding how APS applications work can significantly improve your chances of success. In Western Australia, strong competition means applicants must recognise how APS recruitment differs from the private sector and how merit is assessed, whether entering the APS or seeking advancement within it.

Crafting a Successful APS Application

When applying for Australian Public Service roles in Western Australia, a standard resume and cover letter are never sufficient. APS recruitment requires explicit written responses to selection criteria, which form the foundation of eligibility, assessment, and shortlisting. Applicants must demonstrate, with evidence, how their skills, qualifications, and experience align precisely with the role’s requirements. Meeting the mandatory criteria is non-negotiable, as these determine whether an application is progressed at all, while strong responses to desirable criteria can materially improve competitiveness.

Mandatory selection criteria

Definition - Mandatory criteria are the essential requirements you must meet to be considered eligible. If these are not addressed clearly and directly, the application will not progress to shortlisting.
Purpose - They set the baseline for suitability and are used as a strict screening step early in the assessment process.
Examples - Demonstrated experience providing policy advice in a government context; proven ability to manage stakeholders in a regulated environment; required professional qualifications, licences, or eligibility to obtain a security clearance.
How to write them - Address each criterion explicitly and provide evidence, such as a short example that explains what you did, the context, and the outcome.

Desirable selection criteria

Definition - Desirable criteria are additional capabilities or experience that strengthen your application but are not required for eligibility.
Purpose - They help differentiate stronger candidates from those who only meet the minimum requirements.
Examples - Experience across multiple APS agencies; exposure to ministerial briefing and correspondence; leading cross-functional teams or projects with tight deadlines and complex stakeholders.
How to write them - Provide evidence and prioritise relevance, focusing on examples that match the role’s focus and level.

What are the differences between APS applications and those in the private sector?

Applying for a role in the Australian Public Service differs fundamentally from applying in the private sector. The APS follows a formal, merit-based framework that governs how roles are advertised, assessed, and filled. Understanding these differences is essential for applicants who want to remain competitive.

Job vacancy sources

APS - Vacancies are primarily advertised on the Australian Government’s APS Jobs website, apsjobs.gov.au, and occasionally on individual department or agency websites.

Private sector - Roles are commonly advertised through commercial job boards, recruitment agencies, professional networks, and company websites.

Selection criteria

APS - Applications must include written responses to selection criteria that are specific to the role. These criteria define the skills, experience, and capabilities required, and must be addressed directly with evidence.

Private sector - While job ads may list preferred skills or experience, applicants are rarely required to respond to formal selection criteria. Resumes and cover letters are typically sufficient.

Recruitment process

APS - Recruitment is structured and transparent, often involving multiple stages such as written applications, assessment activities, interviews, referee checks, and in some cases security clearance processes.

Private sector - Processes vary widely between organisations and may be shorter or less formal, depending on the role and business context.

Public service values

APS - The APS operates within a defined values framework, including impartiality, accountability, and transparency. Applicants are often expected to demonstrate alignment with these values.

Private sector - Organisations define their own values and culture, which may prioritise commercial outcomes, growth, or innovation rather than public accountability.

Job security and conditions

APS - Roles may offer greater stability, clearly defined classifications, superannuation contributions, flexible work arrangements, and structured leave entitlements.

Private sector - Job security, remuneration, and benefits vary significantly by industry, organisation size, and market conditions.

Performance expectations

APS - Performance is typically measured against defined outcomes and role expectations, often supported by formal performance agreements and review cycles.

Private sector - Performance measures are generally aligned to business objectives, commercial targets, and organisational priorities.

Work culture

APS - The work environment often emphasises governance, compliance, and service to the public interest.

Private sector - Culture varies widely, with many organisations focused on competitiveness, profitability, and market responsiveness.

Professional Assistance: A Worthwhile Investment?

Are you considering the assistance of a professional Resume or CV service for your APS job application? Such support can be a valuable investment in your career advancement. These experts excel in creating visually appealing, well-structured, and ATS-friendly documents. They ensure that your application incorporates essential keywords and qualifications crucial for government roles, thus significantly improving your prospects of securing an interview.

Professional Resume or CV writers understand the importance of comprehensive and correctly formatted statements addressing the Selection Criteria for public sector applications. They can elevate the quality of your application to meet the required standards.

Crafting a compelling application for a government position requires a delicate balance of professionalism and precision. Whether you choose professional assistance or take on the journey independently, always remember the significance of tailoring your resume, cover letter, and selection criteria responses to the specific requirements of the role you seek. With meticulous attention to detail and a strategic approach, you can enhance your competitiveness in the competitive APS public sector job landscape.

APS roles requiring selection criteria responses

Professional and technical positions - Roles requiring specialist knowledge or qualifications use selection criteria to assess technical capability and depth of expertise. Examples include engineering, information technology, legal, scientific, and specialist advisory roles.
Management and leadership roles - Executive Level and management positions require candidates to evidence leadership capability, strategic judgement, people management, and the ability to implement government policy effectively.
Policy and program development - Roles focused on policy analysis, policy development, and program delivery assess a candidate’s ability to analyse complex issues, develop sound recommendations, and manage delivery within government frameworks.
Compliance and regulatory positions - Positions involving regulation, auditing, investigation, or enforcement require evidence of judgement, integrity, attention to detail, and experience working within legislative or regulatory environments.
Communication and public affairs - Roles in communications, stakeholder engagement, and media management assess written and verbal communication skills, judgement, and the ability to convey government messages clearly and appropriately.
Customer service and administrative roles - Administrative and service delivery positions often include selection criteria relating to interpersonal skills, organisation, accuracy, and the delivery of consistent, high-quality service to the public.
Research and analysis roles - Positions involving research, data analysis, or evidence-based decision-making assess analytical capability, research methodology, and the ability to use evidence to inform recommendations.
Application expectations - Selection criteria for each role are set out in the job advertisement or position description and must be addressed in a dedicated response. Applicants are expected to provide clear, relevant examples demonstrating how they meet each criterion.

WA APS competitiveness - Applying for APS roles in Western Australia requires careful preparation, strict alignment with the selection criteria, and adherence to application instructions. Precision and relevance materially affect progression in a competitive market.

Applying for a executive role?

For more information on building your application around accomplishments, please consider reading my career strategy checklist.

Career Strategy

Simply order a package (pricing button below) and within 24 hours I will contact you by email or phone. We will work together to hone your CV or Resume until you are 100% satisfied. You can then opt for extra services if you need them.

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How do I engage you to write my resume?

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This initial conversation helps you choose the package that best suits your needs.

During the call, I'll explain my process and what kind of support and communication you can expect from me. The main goal is to ensure you feel confident in my ability to maximise your interview prospects.

Ready to get started? Please select a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. We'll then set up a call to discuss your specific requirements. Together, we'll perfect your resume and any other documents included in your package until you are completely satisfied.

How do I select a Resume package?

Start with a close look at the job advertisement and job description. More...

The job ad normally sets out what the employer wants from you. There are three elements: the resume or CV, the cover letter, and the LinkedIn Profile. A resume, on its own, is very unlikely to get you a job.

The cover letter (covering letter) is used to pick out and emphasise the relevant bits of your skills, knowledge or experience. You may be asked to 'address' (comment on) the 'selection criteria' (what they need from an applicant) in the cover letter or separately.

Resume or CV - this document provides a concise summary of your qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements, all ideally tailored to the job’s specific selection criteria.
Cover Letter - Often in digital form (an e-note) for today's online application processes, this distils your resume's key attributes into a succinct pitch.
Addressing the Selection Criteria - You are often required to respond to both essential and desirable skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements, ensuring your application aligns with what the employer is looking for.
- In government, education, health and non-profit applications, you will almost certainly have to also write a stand-alone document.

Your application should demonstrate alignment with the employer's selection criteria, even if that's not explicitly requested. Example: While solid or diverse professional network might be a key hiring criterion, that might not be in the job ad.

The roles of the cover letter and LinkedIn

The cover letter, or its electronic counterpart, and LinkedIn profile derive from your resume, supporting your application for the specific role. LinkedIn is crucial for roles where a network or online skills are key (like sales or marketing) but is not essential for entry level and general job applications.

What are your credentials?

I've helped thousands of Perth job seekers land interviews over many years. More...

I've had direct experience working for top mining and resources companies in Western Australia, in marketing, HR, and recruitment roles. Over the years, I've assisted countless individuals in applying for positions in Australia, the UK, and the USA. With a degree in Information Science, I bring unique insights into the digital recruitment filters and systems that applicants encounter. I'm a dual UK-Australian citizen, with family in both WA and Leicestershire.

Sectors and organisations

My expertise extends to consulting for various organisations including Horizon Power, Curtin University, the WA Police Department, Perth Zoo, Barminco, Allied Pumps, Alcoa of Australia, Western Mining, Sons of Gwalia, Gulf Petroleum, Small Business Development Corporation, WA State Govt., Information Enterprises Australia, and numerous others. I have consulted to organisations in these sectors, among others:

Mining & Resources (Oil and Gas) Resumes or CVs
Pharmaceutical, Health & Nursing Resumes or CVs
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education (Principal and Teacher) Resumes or CVs
General Corporate Managerial and C-Suite Resumes or CVs, including International postings
Political, COS and Party Pre-Selection Resumes or CVs
Government (Local, State and Federal) Resumes or CVs
Franchisee Application Resumes or CVs (for example McDonalds)
Capability Statement CVs for professionals and contractors (especially Mining)
Marketing and Sales Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
IT and Digital Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
ADF and ex-ADF Resumes or CVs

Certification and Memberships

I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.

Corporate engagements

I've conducted resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for employees of the Western Australian state and local governments, as well as universities.

What is the CV writing process?

Your resume is carefully designed to pass the ATS & appeal to the employer. More...

My role is to support and guide you, offering honest advice to improve your resume. It has to be written in your voice, since you have to defend what's written at interview. If you don't have a particular job in mind, I'll tailor your resume based on broad industry criteria to appeal to a wider range of employers. But remember, a resume customised for a specific role always gives the best results.

How we together create your resume

Here's how it goes:

First Chat
We get started with a chat about your career history and aspirations. This helps me understand your needs, ensuring your resume perfectly represents you.
Making Your resume
With the notes from our chat, I craft a resume that highlights your standout qualities and matches what employers want, boosting your chances of catching their attention.
Highlighting What You're Great At
The goal extends beyond just resume writing. We aim to ensure your unique strengths and individuality are displayed, making your application memorable.
Checking the Details
We carefully review your resume for presentation, readability, and accuracy, ensuring it's something you’re excited to submit.
Making Sure Your resume Gets Seen
Most employers use automated systems (ATS) to pre-screen resumes. I'll ensure it's ATS-friendly, helping it skip past the 'keeper' and reach human eyes.

Need to update an ancient resume?

I get many enquires from people who have not had a resume for many years. Things have changed... More...

If you haven’t updated your resume in yonks, you’ll find that much has changed in creating an effective one. One of the most significant shifts is the emphasis on tailoring your resume to each job application. Gone are the days of a generic resume for all jobs with a bit of tailoring in a cover letter.

Today, it’s crucial to customise your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific position you’re applying for. This involves carefully reading job descriptions and incorporating relevant keywords to ensure your resume gets past automated screening systems, known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies now use to filter applications.

The digital landscape has significantly influenced how resumes are created and shared. The ability to share your resume electronically and ensure it is mobile-friendly is crucial, as more recruiters and hiring managers review applications on their devices. Electronic submission has become the norm, making it essential to ensure your resume is easily accessible and readable across various digital platforms. Format is key also, since if your resume is derived from a legacy software version, the ATS will likely not understand it.

The key reasons why people 'never hear back' is the format, content, and content structure of their resume and application documents. In many cases, their resume never gets past the digital 'keeper, the ATS.

What exactly are 'selection criteria'?

Think of this as the checklist for getting noticed. It's all about making sure your application highlights the skills and achievements your future employer is looking for. More...

For many employers, like supermarkets, mining, and government jobs, directly addressing these criteria is a standard part of the application process. It's not just about listing your experiences; it's about matching them to what the job description asks for. This means clearly showing how your background and qualities make you the best match for the role.

Whether the criteria are spelled out or you need to dig a bit to find them, making sure your application speaks directly to these points can really set you apart.

Selection criteria are the skills, experience, and qualities a company wants in its workers. This is especially key for those looking to fit into a company's way of working and goals. They might include things like:

The right training or work background.
Experience supervising a team or handling projects.
Knowledge specific to the job or industry.
Important qualities like being dependable and flexible.

These criteria, sometimes called Job Specs or Position Requirements, help you understand what a company is looking for. They cover both the hard skills needed for the job and the kind of person they want.

Addressing these criteria in your application is crucial to showing you're the right fit and moving forward in your career. Sometimes they are clearly stated, but often, you'll need to read between the lines to figure them out.

How To Stuff Up Your Job Application

Applied for lots of jobs and never heard back? If you've wondered why, here are some reasons: More...

Ignoring the ATS

The main problem? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). More than 70% of resumes are screened and rejected by a robot at this initial stage because they don't match the job description.

Generic Resumes

Sending the same resume for every job application is a sure way to fail. Customise your resume - or at least the cover letter - for each application, showing how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate for that role.

Not Matching The Job Specifications

If your resume doesn't include the skills and experience listed in the job ad, it will likely be bypassed. Make sure your resume shows how you match the job requirements stated in the ad.

Pretty Designed Resumes

Beware of those "designed resumes" sold on the internet, which are style over substance. They might look appealing with their colours and columns, but often, ATS can't process them. Opt for a simple, clean layout that ensure readability by the ATS.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, focus on creating a resume that's not only clear and concise but also tailored for the job at hand and compatible with ATS requirements.

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