A guide to our recruitment process

1. Application

Simply follow the steps on our online application process to apply for your chosen role. As you apply, you will register a personal profile to which you can attach your CV and covering letter.

Some vacancies require you to complete a screening questionnaire or answer job specific questions at this time.

Keep a note of the job title, location and contact person details for the role that you have applied for in case you have a query later

You can choose to be notified when other jobs matching your profile become available. You can also withdraw your application from a role at anytime via the system.

2. Confirmation

You will receive an automated email once we have received your completed application.

3. Selection

After the closing date we run a short-listing process, matching applicants to the key competencies and person specifications for the role. This can take up to two weeks, but if you have not received an update within two weeks of the application closing date please email us.

4. Interview and Assessment

If you are shortlisted you will be invited to a competency based, panel interview. For all manager and team leader roles you will be asked to complete psychometric and/or skills assessments. This may apply to some other roles also.

We will also confirm information you've supplied to us including citizen/permanent residency and work permit status checks.

5. Reference check

If you're our preferred candidate, you'll be required to provide at least two referees for us to contact.

6. Job offer

Once a selection decision has been made, the Hiring Manager will contact the preferred candidate and make an offer.

All unsuccessful candidates will be notified either by email or phone. All interviewees will have the opportunity to receive feedback on how they presented in interview by one of the hiring panel members.

Advice and support

CV and covering letter

Please use your CV as an opportunity to tell us about yourself. A good CV will have the dates of your work experience, details on previous roles and an outline of your tasks and achievements. Your covering letter is a great way to explain why you are good for the particular role and to highlight your skills and experience you consider especially relevant.

For more hints and tips on CVs and covering letters take a look at the Careers Service website, www2.careers.govt.nz/job_search.html

The interview

A competency based interview allows the panel to look for evidence your behaviours and approach match the key attributes and competencies needed for the role. You should be able to provide examples of situations, actions you took, and end results that highlight your skills.

Assessment and tests

There are a range of assessments we use, for example, personality and ability testing. Personality assessments give us a better understanding of your work attitudes, interpersonal style and leadership potential. Ability assessments will test your ability to critically analyse words and/or numbers.

Choosing referees and other checks

Your referees will ideally be people you have reported to in prior positions, preferably within the past two to four years.

The Department also conducts other background checks which may include checks on academic qualifications, credit checks, criminal convictions history, confirmation of citizen or residency and work permit status checks depending on the requirements of the position You may also be required to obtain a security clearance at the appropriate level for some of our positions.