The application and interview processes for government jobs are unique and dramatically different from university and private-sector hiring methods. Many bright, qualified candidates falter because they are unsure how to structure and display their background experience, and uninformed about how the crucial interview process actually works.

To relieve uncertainty and improve your performance, our Application and Interview Counselling for Non-EX Positions explains, in detail, initial assessment requirements, interview evaluation methods and questions used, and potential pitfalls.

Personal Application Counselling

In interactive coaching with you, either face-to-face or by telephone depending on your location, we prepare you thoroughly to satisfy government application requirements. This entails:

• Review of the job poster and statement of merit particular to your competition
• Development of a template to use in constructing your cover letter precisely to follow the screening format
• Analysis of your background from documents you send us (current CV/resume and a previous cover letter), followed by a conversation to identify aspects of your experience that best suit competition criteria
• Instruction showing how to frame your experiential examples for clarity, for the brevity needed to meet possible word or character count requirements, and for impact
• Detailed discussion of sample cover letter and CV/resume materials we provide to demonstrate key features to use in your application

Our Personal Application Counselling can be carried out in three ways that vary in time and cost, depending on your needs. We can provide a critique of your materials followed by personal coaching with samples, after which you do follow up work alone; or we can deliver the critique, coaching with samples, then edit your draft outputs; or we can do all cover letter and CV/resume work, checking in with you throughout the process until final versions are completed for you to submit.

Personal Interview Counselling

The 5-hour personal consultation is carried out over two sessions. It consists of an advance assessment by us of your original application package, followed by face-to-face or telephone meetings which cover every aspect of the interview-to-hiring process. You will receive:

• An assessment of your resumé and application to help prepare for your interview
• An explanation of evaluation criteria used to assess your interview performance
• An overview of the interview-day format, and how to use your time effectively before and during your interview
• A comprehensive run-through of representative types of interview situational and experiential questions, possible simulation scenarios, and the dynamics influencing each activity
• Guidance on personal preparation strategies, interview deportment, avoidable pitfalls and possible opportunities
• Referral to seminal government reading material and background information related to the position, as required
• Informed, personal answers to your special interview concerns

Who Can Benefit from the Counselling?

Our effective, confidence-building strategies and proven advice will improve your preparation, performance and prospects to be selected for a government position.

Clients include first-time and previously unsuccessful applicants and interviewees. Individuals we coach from the work force include government employees, business professionals and lawyers seeking a new career. University clients come from all academic levels and disciplines.

We receive referrals mainly from serving and retired government officials up to and including EX- and DM-level officers. This group includes former colleagues and people we coached in previous competitions.

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

Application Coaching One-on-one sessions in person or by telephone: In Canada $150/hour + applicable taxes (materials included) From U.S. and Abroad $150/hour (materials included/no taxes)

Interview Coaching

Two one-on-one sessions in person or by telephone:

• In Canada $750 Cdn + applicable taxes (materials included)
• From U.S. and Abroad = $750 Cdn (materials included/no taxes)

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 set up an appointment to discuss your needs and our services.