The following explains our services to help candidates succeed in the 2-part Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP) of the government of Canada. It has now replaced – but virtually replicates – the Accelerated Economist Training Program (AETP) formerly run for years by the Treasury Board.

Application Preparation

The APAP is a highly competitive initiative to staff policy positions in participating departments across the public service with recent or soon-to-be Master's-level graduates from various academic and work backgrounds who have a foundation in economics and good academic credentials. To be considered for an interview, your application must articulate your background in a manner that satisfies screening procedures based on government criteria unfamiliar to most candidates, and not adequately explained in the job posting.

To help you excel in the APAP recruitment campaign, we work with you personally to: interpret government language and requirements underlying the process; structure your obvious and hidden assets to answer tricky application questions; refine your resumé to demonstrate clearly how you meet assessment objectives; and explain the essay you submitted to prove analytical thinking, judgement and writing proficiency required for this competition.

Application Coaching Breakdown

The 4-hour program of pre-work and tailored personal counselling covers all aspects of the application procedure. You will receive:

• A walk-through of the APAP job poster and Statement of Merit on the government website to explain what is really needed to apply successfully
• A thorough review of your current resumé with recommendations for improvement, plus sample documents showing ways to enhance substance and format for impact
• An exploration of your background for additional assets to bolster your candidacy in application answers about your community and leadership experience
• An explanation of what the 800-word essay requires to meet government expectations and satisfy the competencies on which it will be marked
• A final review of your completed application before the submission deadline

Interview Preparation

Irrespective of their intelligence and credentials, candidates are often caught off guard by the structure, tone and substance of government interview methods unless they have done their homework and are fully prepared to deal with an assertive Interview Board.

To help you perform your best, we relate your experience, education and credentials to government requirements, and coach you using a proven step-by-step process. You will learn how you will be evaluated, what background readings are essential, and how to handle government-specific questions used in the interview.

Interview Coaching Breakdown

The 5-hour program entails an analysis by us of your original application material to determine strengths and weaknesses specific to the APAP oral evaluation. This is followed by three face-to-face or telephone coaching sessions that cover all aspects of the interview-to-hiring process. You will receive:

• An overview of the origin, purpose and execution of the APAP program, the Board composition and the atypical interview format
• An explanation of “competency-based” and “knowledge-based” elements, and of the institutional values and culture which underlie the interview
• A briefing on specific government materials you must read to answer knowledge-based questions in an informed, appropriate manner
• Conceptual frameworks that show how to respond effectively to hypothetical questions used and to possible past experience probes
• Coaching on how to craft and deliver a brief personal “sales pitch” touching on your key skills, qualities and experience to make a favourable impression
• A discussion of sample questions used previously in interviews of this type

Our Clientele

Clients we have worked with for applications and interviews include: graduate and doctoral students and lecturers in Canada and abroad with policy and scholarly credentials from a wide range of faculties and disciplines; NGO/NGI researchers, policy analysts and program managers; and private-sector managers and executives interested in switching careers to join the government.

Our Reputation and Supporters

Referrals of candidates come to us from serving and retired government executives up to and including the Clerk and Deputy Minister-levels, business executives, and university faculty and administrators familiar over the years with our experience, coaching and materials.

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 and How to Register

All services provide one-on-one coaching in person or by telephone: Application Preparation (includes coaching and materials) Clients in Canada $650 Cdn + applicable taxes Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $650 Cdn (no tax) Interview Preparation (includes coaching and materials) Clients in Canada $850 Cdn + applicable taxes Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $850 Cdn (no tax)

Long distance consultations are carried out only on calls placed by clients. Times can be arranged to take advantage of discount rates, international time zones, and client availability.

Further Information

Please Contact Us [click here] to provide your career history and discuss how we can help you in the APAP competition. Because of the complexity of all stages of the APAP process, and because one question typically begs another, a telephone call will enable you to get timely, detailed answers responding to your needs.

Si vous avez des questions en français, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec nous, et nous nous ferons un plaisir de vous aider personnellement. Nous regrettons de ne pouvoir offrir la trousse ainsi que les autres services pour les examens gouvernementaux en français.