Federal government jobs

Once a job is posted, you can apply by selecting the Apply Online button located on the individual posting. It is important that you carefully review the posting and understand what is required.

Most federal job postings will include the following:

• Basic information: department name, job title, group and level, salary, closing date, and who can apply.
• Essential qualifications: soft and hard skills required to perform the work involved in a position. These may include: experience, education, knowledge, skills, personal suitability and proficiency in either or both English and French.
• Asset qualifications: soft and hard skills that are not essential to perform the work, but could be in the future. These may include: experience, education, knowledge, skills, personal suitability, behavioral competencies or any other qualification.
• Operational requirements: elements of the job that are required in order for the current or future needs of the unit or organization to be met (e.g. work done on weekends, travel, shift work).
• Condition of employment: a condition that you must meet upon appointment and maintain throughout their tenure (e.g. professional or trade certification, valid driver’s license, requirement to wear a uniform).

Other terminology to be familiar with includes:

• Anticipatory staffing: a process to staff positions that may or will become vacant, rather than positions that are currently vacant.
• Merit: one of the core values of the Public Service Employment Act. An appointment is made on the basis of merit when a person to be appointed meets the essential qualifications for the work to be performed, as established by the deputy head, including official language proficiency. Any current or future asset qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs as identified by the deputy head may also be considered.
• Organizational needs: a merit-based requirement relating to current or future needs that could enhance the way in which the organization operates or fulfills its mandate. Organizational needs could include the consideration of employment equity designated group members.
• Second language evaluation (SLE): language tests administered to determine your second official language proficiency. Includes reading, writing and oral interaction tests that assess the candidates' ability to read, write and speak and understand their second official language in a work context.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the requirements, you will complete your application online, unless you require accommodation due to disability. In this case, contact the hiring department to advise of the type of accommodation you require.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between screening and assessment and the requirements for each:

In order to pass the screening process, ensure your CV/résumé and cover letter (if applicable) include: 

• Basic information:
  • Name
  • Mailing address
  • Email
  • Phone number (identify home and work)
• Education and certifications
• Professional development experiences
• Work experience
• Language level (which languages you speak)
• Specific details on the what, where, when, and how of each experience you list

Do not include:

• Personal information (age, sex, family situation, number of children, health issues, race, religion)
• Social Insurance Number
• Photo/headshot
• Hobbies or interests

Once you have met the screening requirements, you will likely be invited to participate in one or more assessment activities. Assessment activities may include reviewing your past performance and accomplishments, reviewing samples of your previous work, inviting you to interview for the job, and/or checking your references. 

Below is a list of other assessment activities and what they entail:

After screening in and assessing potential candidates, the hiring department will determine whether or not each candidate has successfully met the essential and other merit criteria.

If you have participated in one or more assessment activities, you will be notified of the outcome of your assessments and whether or not you meet the essential and other merit criteria. If you are successful, this is when you will receive your job offer!

If you applied to an inventory, you will be advised at this stage if you have met the criteria to be placed into that inventory for future job opportunities.