We asked our graduates to give us the lowdown on the real interview questions they were asked during graduate recruitment.
Check them out below:
What do you know about us and the public service?
- Why do you want to work for the Australian government / public sector?
- What do you know about the department?
- What is your understanding of what we do?
- How does our department make a difference?
- What is your perspective on the mission of this department?
- Tell me about the department's current policies and where you have seen them in effect in the real world.
- Name one initiative that the department has been involved in.
- Discuss something the department has been in the media for recently.
- Why is our work important to the wellbeing of the Australian community?
- What do you think the biggest challenges facing this sector in Australia are?
- Where do you see the department going in the future?
- Tell me about a policy initiative our department could undertake.
Why should we hire you?
- What is your motivation for wanting to work for government and the public service?
- Why do you want to work for us specifically?
- Where do you see yourself within the department?
- What can you bring to this department?
- Do you think you would be able to blend into the public service?
- How do you reconcile being asked to pursue a policy position that might not reflect your personal values?
- How will your individual skill set contribute to improving this department?
- Why do you think you’re an ideal candidate? Why should you be hired? What skills will you bring to this department?
- What policy area handled by the department are you interested in and why?
- Are you prepared to move anywhere, knowing that your preferences won't be the only deciding factor in the decision making process?
- How would you brief a government minister on various policy topics?