Our training has been developed to assist individuals seeking a career with the federal government or advancing in it to more senior levels of responsibility. How the Public Service competitions work, our services to assist you, and our client success rate are described below.

Public Service Recruitment Process

Step 1—The Examinations

Thousands of applicants usually apply every year to be hired in the many officer-level job categories available in the federal government. Some of the competitions are for individual openings at entry-level or in promotion exercises, and others are national annual or semi-annual recruitment campaigns encompassing many types of positions at once.

Samples of the types of positions offered are: Commerce Officers with Industry Canada and Foreign Affairs; Economists in several departments; Citizen and Immigration Officers working in Canada; Development Officers with CIDA; Management and Consular Affairs Officers with Foreign Affairs; Foreign Service Officers with the Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration Departments; Financial Officers with Treasury Board; and Management Trainees or Recruitment of Policy Leader opportunities with the Public Service Commission.

The written examination for most positions now includes one or more of the following tests:

• Situational Judgment Test (SJT)—a multiple-choice competency test using workplace scenarios to determine job suitability
• Graduate Recruitment Test (GRT)—a multiple-choice cognitive test re-introduced this year
• Written Communication Proficiency Test (WCPT)—a multiple-choice language usage exercise
• Written Communication Test (WCT)—a summary writing exercise also reinstated for this competition

Step 2—The Interview

Government interviews of all types probe your ability to think on your feet, and evaluate personal suitability for specific positions.

A typical personal interview probes:

• Your knowledge of the government department for which you are being interviewed on-the-job problems and how you would solve them
• On-the-job problems and how you would solve them
• Your reasons for wanting to join or advance in the public service, and your suitability for the position

Interview boards evaluate overall potential based on various intellectual, verbal and interpersonal skills demonstrated, and on judgment shown in responding to the job-related questions and simulation scenarios.

Public Service Promotion Process

Each year thousands of individuals employed in government apply for promotions through different competitions. Some are initiated to fill either single or multiple positions advertised in one-off job postings, others to fill pools in campaigns related to particular career groups and levels for which there is a staffing demand within a single department/agency or across the government.

Different competitions vary in their testing requirements, but may include any combination of multiple-choice test, writing exercises, interviews, simulations, in-baskets, assessment centres or SELEX testing. No matter what exercises are used, all test specific "competencies" (i.e. abilities and personal suitabilities) as selected and defined for the position in question.

Our Services

The key to your success in any competition is knowing what to expect on the tests used, if any, and how to approach the interview, simulation, in-basket, assessment or SELEX exercises effectively.

Our Study Kit provides comprehensive information to help you focus your preparation, save time, and perform efficiently and effectively on tests. The kit is available for self-study.

For candidates doing other exercises, one-on-one coaching and materials are accessible across Canada and for individuals living abroad. Our proven advice builds skills and confidence by providing strategies to prepare and present yourself favourably no matter what the challenge.

Who Can Benefit from Our Services?

Our clients range from undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines to highly trained and experienced individuals already in the work force who are seeking promotions. The success rate of our clients in obtaining jobs through past government recruitment campaigns is more than triple that of the general test-taking group.

Current Information
Our study kit, coaching and support materials are tailored to each competition. We provide the only proven resources that focus exclusively on recruitment and promotion processes and help you prepare thoroughly.

Informed Advice
Our participation in many Public Service competitions since 1984, and annual updates we obtain from government officials and successful clients, ensure the reliability of all our services.

Get the Edge on the Competition

Save time and significantly improve your chances advance in your competition. Contact Us today to discuss our products and services noted below . The advice and help we can provide to you will be invaluable.

Note
Canadian Public Service recruitment competitions are open to all individuals (including naturalized citizens) who, on entering the government, typically require only a Bachelor's degree. There is no age limit for hiring, and often no need nor credit given for advanced academic credentials. Bilingualism in French and English, while useful for future advancement, is required only if stated in the job posting. Geographic restrictions on who may apply are stipulated in certain recruitment competitions, often those for positions in the National Capital Region (i.e. Ottawa and environs), where bilingualism is also generally mandatory.