The federal government uses several senior manager simulations, all variants of what is essentially the same exercise, to evaluate experienced Public Service employees. Standard versions of the simulations exist and are administered by the Public Service Commission, or they can be tailored for specific competitions at the request of a department or agency which trains internal assessment board members to conduct them.

The 861 Senior Managerial Simulation is used in promotion competitions. The slightly different 862 Simulation for Identification of Senior Management Potential is used as a tool to identify potential. Each evaluates the Key Leadership Competencies, with the option of extra job-specific competencies being added for specific department or agency competitions.

All the simulations are complex and based on the same fictitious organization. Background corporate details are provided to candidates in advance, and additional materials and problem situations are handed out at the time of the assessment. During the tightly timed test—which can be carried out over one or two days—several tasks must be done. Some are done alone by the candidate at the outset, and some in interactive presentation and question/answer situations, including a role play in the 862, with the assessment board.

Government outlines on all the simulations are opaque at best, clarifying information is usually not provided at all or only in a very general form by those administering the process, and anecdotal details from previous test-takers can be sketchy and misguided. These obstacles—combined with being placed in a new corporate world and working in unfamiliar surroundings driven by the clock—can make candidates unsure about how to prepare, and impede their performance.

To address common concerns and prepare you fully for your 861 or 862 simulation, our coaching and materials provide: insights to understand assessment methods in terms of competencies and simulation format; underlying principles and ways to increase your score; guidance in breaking down materials and problems you must handle; and templates to produce timely outputs and well-structured answers that reflect your assigned role, level and responsibilities.

Personal Coaching Program

The 5-hour consultation for the 861 or 6-hour consultation for the 862 which has more elements—preceded by our review of your competition application to determine strengths and weaknesses for the simulation—includes two face-to-face or telephone sessions covering every step of the multifaceted exercises. You will receive:

• An explanation of the specific simulation’s underlying purpose, ethos and competency-based evaluation methods that you need to know to approach it properly
• Instruction on how to deconstruct, digest and use—quickly and effectively—the government materials you get before and at the simulations
• Examples of mnemonics and prepared responses you can take in to the simulations to save you time
• Easy-to-apply formulas and tools to carry out the multiple tasks in your exercise
• Key reminders to focus your thinking, professionalize your presentation and Q & A delivery, and help avoid pitfalls when you are in front of the assessment board
• Answers to specific concerns you have about any facet of your simulation

Who Can Benefit from Our Coaching?

Clients we coach for Senior Management Simulations have included first-time and previously unsuccessful candidates competing for individual positions or qualifying pools in federal departments and agencies in Ottawa and across Canada. All client information is kept confidential.

We receive referrals from current and retired government managers and executives familiar with our work, and from past clients who have used our services.

Why Use Our Services?

We are the only career coaching firm that specializes in helping candidates understand and advance in government, multilateral organization and international NGO hiring and promotion competitions—from entry level to executive level.

No service offered by government, universities or the private sector—past or present, in North America or abroad—matches our expertise or placement record over the past 25 years. The success rate of our clients in institutional hiring and promotion processes attests to the high quality training we provide. Please take the time to read the testimonials sent to us by clients and supporters displayed under Client & Supporter Comments [click here].

For additional information on what we do and why we know how to help you, see our List of Standard Programs and Services [click here], About Us [click here], and the Profile of Our Director [click here].

Fees

One-on-one 861 coaching of 5 hours with materials, in person or by telephone: In Canada $850 Cdn + applicable taxes From outside Canada $850 Cdn, no taxes One-on-one 862 coaching of 6 hours with materials, in person or by telephone: In Canada $950 Cdn + applicable taxes From outside Canada $950 Cdn, no taxes Long distance coaching is carried out only on calls placed by clients. Times can be arranged to take advantage of discounted rates and of client availability in various Canadian and international time zones.

Further Information

Please Contact Us [click here] to set up a telephone appointment to discuss in person your needs and how we can help you.