The selection process involves a number of stages as follows:

Shortlisting

The selection panel meets to assess all applications against the selection criterion and to decide who will be interviewed.  It is important to remember that you are competing with other applicants for the position.  If your response to the selection criterion is not complete or the information against each of the criteria is not competitive with other applicants, you may not be shortlisted for an interview.

Interview

If you are selected for an interview, you will usually be given 3 - 5 days notice (depending on circumstances).  Council will advise you where and when the interview will be conducted.

Getting to Council Chambers by public transport

If you have any special requirements (e.g. disabled parking, wheelchair access etc), please tell us so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

In general, you will be interviewed by a selection panel of three people who will make a merit-based decision.  The selection panel will ask questions related to the position requirements and selection criterion.

You may be requested to complete a practical skills and knowledge-based exercise before or after the interview.  You will be advised of any such requirement prior to the interview.

Reference checks

As part of the recruitment process, reference checks are only carried out for the most suitable applicant(s) based on merit.  Referees will be asked questions which are relevant to the selection criteria and will validate the information provided in your application and interview.

Pre-employment medical

Before an offer of employment is made, the preferred applicant will be asked to undertake a pre-employment medical examination.

This medical examination is organised with an external medical provider located in Sydney City and is at no cost to the applicant. The medical examination relates specifically to the duties and requirements of the position for which the applicant has applied.

Working with children check

If the preferred applicant is to be employed in an area which directly relates to children, a Working with Children’s Check will be required.

Notification of employment

A selection panel member will contact the successful applicant with an offer of employment after the pre-employment medical examination.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified in writing. Unsuccessful applicants may contact our staff in the Human Resources Department to receive feedback.

Testing

As part of our selection process, you may be required to complete a personality assessment, typing test, word test or practical skills exercise.  You will be notified at the interview booking stage if this will take place at your interview.

Personality assessments

For certain positions, you will be asked to complete a personality assessment. The information gained from this assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be used in conjunction with information collected through other stages of the process, such as applications, interviews and reference checks.

The assessment that you will be asked to complete during this session will be completed on the computer, however, you don’t need to know how to use the computer to complete the assessment.  Before commencing the assessment, we will go through a series of standard instructions, which you will need to follow very carefully.  We will also ask you to try some examples to make sure you know what to do before starting the assessment.

The assessment will be assessed by a qualified psychologist.  Only the key stakeholders in the recruitment process will be provided with access to your results.  In order for these people to obtain this feedback, you will be asked to complete a confidentiality form prior to the assessment.  You will be entitled to verbal feedback on your assessment results once the selection process is complete.