The following descriptions explain our comprehensive services to help candidates succeed at each stage of the 3-part Recruitment of Policy Leaders (RPL) program of the government of Canada. You register separately for and proceed through successive preparatory activities with us as you advance in the competition.

Application Preparation

The Recruitment of Policy Leaders program is a highly competitive initiative to staff advanced-level policy positions across the federal public service with a cadre of well-educated individuals from various academic and work backgrounds. To be considered for the initial interview, your application must express your background in a manner that satisfies detailed government screening procedures based on criteria unfamiliar to most candidates and not adequately explained in the online job posting.

To help you advance and excel in this heavily subscribed 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 invite further consideration of your suitability for RPL openings.

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 RPL outline 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 a sample document showing ways to enhance substance and format
• An exploration of your background for additional information to bolster your candidacy in your answers about credentials and policy and leadership experience on the application
• A proven method to frame and conclude each answer precisely and professionally, to help assessors understand how you match RPL criteria
• A final review of your completed application before the submission deadline

First Interview Preparation

The initial screening interview for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders program is a critical step for candidates hoping to advance in this elite federal government competition. Irrespective of their intelligence and credentials, however, candidates are often caught off guard by the format, tone and substance of this challenging 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 a highly 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 unique to the RPL interview.

Interview Coaching Breakdown

The 5-hour program entails a one-hour advance analysis by us of your original application material to determine strengths and weaknesses specific to RPL evaluation. This is followed by two face-to-face or telephone meetings over four hours that cover all aspects of the interview-to-hiring process. You will receive:

• An overview of the origin, purpose and execution of the RPL 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
• A set of conceptual frameworks that show how to respond briefly and effectively to past experience and hypothetical questions
• Coaching on how to craft and deliver a personal “sales pitch” touching on your key skills, qualities and experience to make a favourable impression
• A discussion of sample questions used previously in RPL first interviews to complete your preparation

Second Interview Preparation

The final interview and related requirements in the Recruitment of Policy Leaders program campaign determines whether you will be hired to work in the federal government in a substantive position in one of your areas of interest.

Several different activities are involved before a job offer can be made. These include a complex, competency-based reference check; your submission of a writing sample for review; and one or more interviews with senior officials in departments or agencies to which you have been referred.

Interview, Writing and Reference Prep Coaching Breakdown

The 2.5 hour program encompasses a 1-hour critique by us of your prospective writing sample and final resumé, followed by a 90-minute face-to-face or telephone meeting to go over what you need to do to succeed in this crucial phase of the competition. You will receive:

• Instruction on essential documents to read prior to each of your interviews, and why they are important
• An edit of your writing sample to ensure that it is clear to readers and adheres to the word limit
• A step-by-step method to prime your referees so they can provide informed support for your candidacy in a way that assessors will understand and find easy to mark

Who Can Benefit from our Coaching and Experience?

Clients we have worked with for RPL applications and interviews include: Rhodes, Common-wealth, Governor General, Trudeau, Fulbright, NSERC and SSHRC scholars; other graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students in Canada and abroad from virtually all faculties and disciplines; NGO/NGI policy analysts and program managers; private-sector executives; lawyers in law firms, corporations, and multilateral institutions. All coaching and materials are designed and delivered by Barry Yeates, our Director (click here for Biography).

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 $600 + GST = $630 Cdn Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $600 Cdn (no tax) 1st Interview Preparation (includes coaching and materials) Clients in Canada $700 + GST = $735 Cdn Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $700 Cdn (no tax) 2nd Interview Preparation (includes coaching and materials) Clients in Canada $300 + GST = $315 Cdn Clients in U.S. or Abroad = $300 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 at 613.567.9229 to outline your career history, and to discuss how we can help you in the RPL competition. Because of the complexity of all stages of the RPL 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.