The following descriptions explain our comprehensive services to help candidates succeed in the 2-part Accelerated Economist Training Program (AETP) of the government of Canada. You register separately for each service.

Application Preparation

The AETP is a highly competitive initiative to staff policy positions in participating departments across the public service with a cadre of well-educated individuals from various academic and work backgrounds who have a foundation in economics and solid academic credentials. To be considered for an interview, your application must express your background in a manner that satisfies detailed government screening procedures based on criteria unfamiliar to most candidates and never adequately explained in the online job posting.

To help you advance and excel in the heavily subscribed AETP recruitment campaign, we work with you personally to: interpret government language and requirements underlying the process; identify and structure your obvious and hidden assets to answer tricky application questions; refine and focus your resumé to show clearly how you meet government assessment objectives, and develop the essay you must submit to prove writing proficiency in a form required for the competition..

Application Coaching Breakdown

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

• A walk-through of the AETP job poster 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
• An exploration of your background for additional information to bolster your candidacy in application answers about your community and leadership experience
• An explanation of what the 600–800 word essay requires in substance and format to satisfy the Written Communication competency 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 format, tone and substance of the AETP interview 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 an effective step-by-step process. You will learn how you will be evaluated, what background readings are essential to success, and how to handle government-specific questions used in the AETP 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 AETP oral evaluation. This is followed by two face-to-face or telephone meetings that cover all aspects of the interview-to-hiring process. You will receive:

• An overview of the origin, purpose and execution of the AETP program, the Board composition and the atypical interview format
• An explanation of “competency-based” and “knowledge-based” elements, and 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, sophisticated manner
• Conceptual frameworks that show how to respond briefly and effectively to past experience and hypothetical questions
• Coaching on how to craft and deliver an appropriate personal “sales pitch” touching on your key skills, qualities and experience to make a favourable impression
• A discussion of sample questions used previously in AETP interviews

Our Clientele

Clients we have worked with since 2006 for AETP applications and interviews include: graduate and doctoral students and lecturers in Canada and abroad with scholarly credentials from a wide range of faculties and disciplines; NGO/NGI policy analysts and program managers; and private-sector managers and executives.

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 $625 Cdn + applicable taxes Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $625 Cdn (no tax) Interview Preparation (includes coaching and materials) Clients in Canada $750 Cdn + applicable taxes Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $750 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 AETP competition. Because of the complexity of all stages of the AETP 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.