Jobseekers flock to public sector vacancies as COVID-19 puts premium on job security
Perceptions of job security and career progression have made government jobs hot property in COVID-19 times. Experts share their advice for landing a public sector job among increasing competition.
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Public sector jobs have always been popular but their reputation as safe and secure has made them particularly sought-after since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government recruitment consultant Vanessa Jordan says there has been a steady increase in demand for government jobs since April, with applications roughly tripling.
“In particular, I’ve found that people who have recently lost their jobs due to redundancy are looking at government opportunities when it is not something they would have pursued in the past,” she says.
“I think this is because of the ‘unknown’ in terms of Australia’s economic and job outlook in the foreseeable future and the security that a government job appears to provide.”
Randstad’s Employer Brand Research 2020 Australia report reveals the public sector was the seventh most-sought employment sector in the country even before the COVID-19 outbreak.
It was particularly attractive to Australians aged 25 to 34, with 52 per cent saying they would like to work in a government job.
The data shows people are attracted because of three main perceptions: that the public sector is “financially healthy”; that it can provide job security; and that there are options for career progression.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show public sector jobs also typically offer higher and more consistent salary growth than other sectors.
Base wages in the private sector rose 1.7 per cent year-on-year in the June quarter, compared to the public sector’s increase of 2.1 per cent in the same period.
Jordan says applying for a government job is not as simple as just sending in a resume.
Although government departments have tried to make the process more accessible over the past few years, she says they have made it more confusing.
“Some just want a resume, some want a cover letter speaking to the job description and some want traditional responses to selection criteria that can add up to a six-page essay,” the author of The Best Guide to Applying for a Government Job says.
“The biggest mistake applicants make is not looking at what is required and submitting it in the required format.
“Some selection panels won’t even look at applicants that don’t submit what has been asked for.”
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Jordan says jobseekers must apply for each job as though it is their dream job and the only one they are applying for.
“Government job applications require time and effort so it’s tempting to take shortcuts, however, if you want the job, you’ll need to put the effort into your application to make it to the interview stage,” she says.
“Tailor every application to the job – this means adopting the language of the job description and aligning your skills and experience to those required in the position.
“This is a given for any job that you apply for, but more so for a government job where selection panel need to prove and document that you are the best match for the position.”
She recommends unsuccessful jobseekers follow up to find out why they did not get the role, especially if they plan to keep applying for government positions.
“Ask specific questions about where your knowledge, skills and experience is lacking so you can improve these or ensure you highlight them correctly next time,” she says.
ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES
Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet divisional services and governance adviser Daniela Feldman landed her government job via a traineeship.
She gained a Certificate III in Business while working in the department’s people and culture team then moved into her current role about a month ago.
“I hadn’t had any experience in business or a corporate setting but thought HR and recruitment would be good because I enjoy working with people,” she says.
“I’d worked in hospitality while studying (the beginning of a science degree) at university.
“The learning style in vocational education suited me better than university because I thrive when I get to actually do things hands-on and have first-hand experience.”
Feldman was named the 2019 Trainee of the Year at the Victorian Training Awards and believes traineeships should be more widely spoken about and encouraged by teachers and parents.
“There is a misconception that university is better than vocational education, but I just don’t think that is valid or correct,” she says.
“My traineeship has allowed me to network within government and really assisted me in my career progression over the past 2.5 years.”
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