Online application process
This site gives you important information about the online application process for the Graduate Recruitment and Development (GRAD) Scheme, and provides hints and tips on how to present a strong written application.
Why do I need to apply online?
When can I apply?
What are selection criteria?
Using the STAR approach
Your resume
Presenting a strong application
Why do I need to apply online?
The online application process gives us sufficient and relevant information to shortlist graduates who will continue on to the next stage of the application process.
When can I apply?
The online application form for the 2010 Graduate Recruitment and Development (GRAD) Scheme opens on 13 February 2009 and closes on Friday, 3 April 2009.
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Before you apply you need to know which stream of the
Graduate Recruitment and Development Scheme you are applying for, as each stream differs.
What are selection criteria?
The selection criteria are a list of requirements (skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications) that we are looking for in our graduates. Selection criteria provide a set of measurable standards against which we can assess your application. Selection criteria for the 2010 intake are:
| Key Selection Criteria^ | How is this assessed |
| Commitment to the Victorian Public Service | Question(s) in the application form address this criteria |
| Conceptual and analytical ability | At the online aptitude testing stage |
| Teamwork | At the assessment centre |
| Initiative and accountability | At the assessment centre |
| Interpersonal skills | At the assessment centre |
| Problems solving | At the assessment centre |
| Written communications | In the application form and at the assessment centre |
| Educational eligibility (minimum 3 year undergraduate degree) | In the application form |
^These criteria are defined in the VPS Employment Capability Framework | |
Using the STAR approach
The STAR approach is a useful way to structure your responses to the selection criteria: describe the situation (outline), the task (what you did), the approach (how) and the result (the outcome).
| Situation | A brief outline of the situation or setting. Who was involved? What was your role? |
| Task | What did you do? What happened next? |
| Approach or action | How did you do it? |
| Result | What was the outcome? What feedback did you receive? |
When writing your responses to the selection criteria, you should also:
- use examples from work, university or other areas of your life
- focus on your own involvement in various situations (use ‘I ’ rather than ‘we')
- provide examples from within the last two years wherever possible.
The STAR approach can also be used to respond to scenarios in an interview.
Your resume
You must attach your resume to your online application as a separate document. Your resume should support your claims against the selection criteria by presenting qualifications, work experience and personal details.
The minimum information in your resume should be:
- your full name, address and contact details
- citizenship details
- work experience
- educational qualifications
- trade qualifications
- certificates held
- any other relevant training courses you have completed.
It isn’t relevant to include your age, marital status, religion, or a photograph of yourself. You should include membership of professional organisations and any voluntary work you have done.
Use sub headings in your resume and lay the information out in sections. This means the selection panel can quickly and easily check information in your claims against the selection criteria and the information in your resume.
Presenting a strong application
Relevance- It’s up to you to demonstrate your value against the selection criteria: it’s not up to the selection panel to decipher the required information from your resume!
- Keep your content relevant and structure your responses under headings.
- When addressing the selection criteria, remember to focus on what you did in the situation, not what the group did or what the supervisor did!
Quality- Your application will be one of many, so make sure it represents you well.
- Check that your grammar and spelling are correct. First impressions really do count! Ideally, have someone read over your responses to check for spelling and grammar errors. This will also help you check that you’ve answered the question!
- Name any attachments appropriately – incorporate your own name in the file name.
Referees- Speak to your referees to get their permission.
- Try to provide employment referees if you can – ideally the person who was directly responsible for you.
- If you provide academic referees, make sure they can speak readily about you beyond your academic results.
