The following questions and answers cover issues that have been raised most often over the 25+ years our company has provided specialized test preparation and career coaching to clients across Canada who either work in the federal government and are in a competition or developing their learning plan, or others who are interested in obtaining a federal government position. If you have a concern not dealt with below, please email us at info@publicserviceexamprep.com, or call our office at 613 567-9229.

1. How does your company know what the federal government is looking for on multiple-choice tests, written exams, at interviews and in other recruitment procedures such as simulations, in-basket tests, statements of interest, resumés and cover letters, and reference checks?
   
   We have coached people for government entry and promotion exercises for longer than many of those carrying out these processes in government staffing operations. We take government tests every year to stay current, and we update study materials accordingly.
   
   Our preparation for interviews, simulations, in-basket tests, written exams, statements of interest, resumés/cover letters and reference checks is based on four things: informed analysis of recruitment and promotion processes, consultations with government personnel staff and interviewers, experience designing and delivering behaviour-based training programs independently and for an international consulting firm, and debriefings we conduct with clients following different recruitment and promotion exercises.
   
   Because of our experience and research, we deliver study materials and explicit, practical training useful for most types of government hiring and promotions. Our personal coaching dispels the rumours and conjecture surrounding government staffing procedures, and teaches clients how to excel against the competition.
   
   
2. What is the federal government’s view of your organization’s programs?
   
   The government cannot “officially” endorse, nor can staff publicly voice opinions on, an individual private-sector company. Because of this general policy, officials are usually neutral when questioned about us, or they simply suggest that people check us out themselves.
   
   However, literally hundreds of federal officials have referred clients to us on a personal basis over the years, including family members, neighbours, colleagues and other contacts.
   
   Government officials who have recommended our services include three past Clerks of the Privy Council; current and former Deputy Ministers and Assistant Deputy Ministers from various departments, agencies and Crown corporations; present and past Heads of Canadian missions and officer colleagues posted abroad; and other executives and support staff in jobs throughout the federal government. Politicians who have sent us clients include two past Prime Ministers, current and former Cabinet Ministers, sitting and retired Members of Parliament, and several Senators. Testimonials by selected senior officials are included among the Client & Supporter Comments [click here] on our website.
   
   
3. Are advanced degrees, high marks—and in some cases—foreign language skills essential to be interviewed and hired by the federal government?
   
   No, although exceptions occur as specified in certain government job posters and their accompanying statement of merit. Government hiring is based virtually exclusively on what are known as “competencies”, or selected skills and qualities, which are tested in exams, in baskets, simulations, interviews and reference checks. Advanced degrees, marks, scholar-ships, languages and experience are not counted because they cannot be quantified by government examiners. The competency-testing approach, while often incomprehensible to highly qualified external applicants for government jobs, is consistent with internal methods used for evaluating and promoting government employees.
   
   Our strength is to help you use your background, bolstered by our study materials and personal coaching, to satisfy the competencies tested in the various exercises required to obtain the government position you want.
   
   
4. Don’t I need to “know someone” to get a position in the general government or Foreign Service job categories open in the annual Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign?
   
   Absolutely not. The recruitment process for all types of entry-level officer jobs filled through the federal government’s annual campaign is completely transparent. Attempts to influence selection rarely occur and never succeed. This is guaranteed by the government, and we have our own evidence to validate their claim.
   
   
5. How long does it take to prepare for government exams, interviews or simulations and in-basket tests using your study materials and coaching?
   
   Government Tests
   Each person is different in terms of time needed to prepare properly for the multiple-choice tests required. We recommend a minimum of 20 hours using the strategies in our Study Kit to learn how to take, and then practise on, all the tests.
   
   Depending on your results and concerns, you may benefit from redoing the tests in a few days. You can also book an Exam Tutoring session with us by telephone for further guidance.
   
   Government Interviews
   Because government interviews are competency-based rather than knowledge-based, you can prepare for them with us in a personal coaching session. Background materials designed expressly for government interviews are provided for review prior to the consultation, which takes place either by telephone or face-to-face depending on logistics.
   
   In-Basket Tests and Simulations
   There are various types of government in-basket tests and simulations for which we deliver personal coaching. Before the consultation we send you background materials tailored to the specific exercise you are taking. The coaching can be held either by telephone or face-to-face as location demands.
   
   Conclusion
   As to how far in advance you should prepare for particular government exams, interviews, in basket tests or simulations, it’s up to you. Some of our clients like to prepare early to allow time to consider what the study materials and coaching covered; others prefer to wait until close to the critical day so that the advice provided in the kit or in personal coaching is fresh in their mind.
   
   
6. What other preparation is available to assist me in applying for federal government positions or jobs with international agencies?
   
   No other counselling service in the world specializes in preparing clients personally for much-sought-after government and international job opportunities. We can help you because we have worked in, and counselled candidates aspiring to, these types of jobs for over 25 years.
   
   We know exactly what is required of candidates by government and other institutional organi-zations with arcane staffing practices. Using this expertise, we work with you to craft your background and application material to give you a distinct advantage in highly competitive recruitment exercises. The Client & Supporter Comments section [click here] on this website substantiates our international reputation for personal, practical service and effectiveness.
   
   
7. Why would I use a service outside the government to prepare for government job-entry or job-advancement competitions?
   
   Three clear reasons: i) we provide informed, objective advice based on longstanding experience with institutional hiring practices; ii) we deliver personal service that you do not get from the government’s generic websites, telephone voice systems or staff who, when accessible, actually know very little about the hiring processes they discuss on the telephone or at public events; iii) we give you inside tips, which government materials and staff do not provide, to show you how to perform on each step of the multifaceted government recruitment process.
   
   Our sole purpose is to help you succeed. And our experience and reputation, covered in About Us and Client & Supporter Comments sections of this website, prove that we ably serve the interests and personal needs of individuals from entry-level to executive-level who come to us for help.
   
   
8. How does your resumé and cover letter service differ from that of others in the business?
   
   Our service is distinct in several important ways from that of virtually all other providers of career guidance:
   
   
   • First, our service is tailored to your needs and is delivered personally to you. It is not some generic lecture to a group or theory derived from a book that you have to apply alone.
   • Second, our help goes beyond your resumé and involves several complementary elements: cover letter technique; selection, display and priming of references; creation of a convincing “sales pitch” useful in cold calls and interviews; and the unearthing of attributes from your past experience to enhance your background.
   • Third, we use language, text and format judiciously to elicit close review of your written material by employers.
   • Fourth, unlike resumé word-processing outlets, peer-group services, psychological counsellors and placement consultants, we have years of multisectoral, high-level experience in behaviour-based career coaching that has served thousands of well-educated, ambitious clients throughout North America and around the world. [To view Client & Supporter Comments on Résumé/Job Search, click here.]
     
     
9. What is your success rate in helping clients taking federal government multiple-choice tests, interviews, simulations and in basket tests?
   
   Government Tests
   Overall, about 10% of candidates who take government exams reach the interview pool in job competitions. In contrast, well over 40% of those who use our materials advance to the interview stage.
   
   Government Interviews
   Typically, 15% to 18% of those interviewed for government positions get hired. On average, about 50% of the people we coach for an interview receive a job offer.
   
   Government In-Basket and Simulation Tests
   Usually around 20% of candidates taking in-basket or simulation exercises attain a pass score. The success rate for clients we coach is above 70%.

Why Use Our Service?

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].