Application and interview tips

Before you apply

Applying for a job takes time and effort. These steps will help you decide if you have the right skills, knowledge and experience required to do the job before you apply.

Review the position documents

Each job in the Tasmanian Government has a Statement of Duties (SoD) which is included in all job advertisements. The SoD can be downloaded as a Microsoft Word or PDF document.

Carefully read the Statement of Duties and consider the following areas:

  • Duties – the day-to-day tasks of the job and responsibilities
  • Selection Criteria – the knowledge, skills and experience needed to do the job
  • Position Requirements – any pre-employment checks, essential or desirable requirements such as qualifications and licences
  • Working Environment – a description of what it is like to work for the agency

If you have any issues accessing the SoD, call or email the Contact Officer listed on the advertisement.

Review the job advertisement

Additional information about the job will be in the job advertisement.  Read the ‘Advice to Applicants’ document that is included for all positions.

Learn about the agency

Learning about the agency of the job you are applying for will help you with your job application and at interview if you are offered one. Each government agency has its own website. Visit their website to learn about what they do, how they are structured, their goals and values.

Position requirements

Position requirements for a job are outlined in the job advertisement and in the Statement of Duties. Position requirements may be essential or desirable.

Essential requirements: Applicants must meet all essential requirements to be considered for the job.

Desirable requirements: These requirements are not critical to do the job however it would be helpful if applicants could meet these requirements.

If you meet all of the essential requirements, but not all of the desirable requirements, you should still consider applying for the job.

Speak to the Contact Officer

If you have any questions about the job, you can call or email the Contact Officer listed in the job advertisement. Contact Officers:

  • have been involved in advertising the position
  • can provide more detail on the position’s duties, responsibilities, requirements and work environment
  • know what the agency is looking for
  • will be able to answer most of your questions
  • may be able to provide you with information about the agency or work area that could help you further understand the job and write your application
  • can listen to any of your concerns and provide advice and support regarding any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the application process or in the workplace if you are the successful applicant for the role

Here are some suggested questions you may like to ask the Contact Officer when applying for a job:

  • What is the main focus of the role?
  • Could you tell me about the team and the reporting structure?
  • What key attributes are you looking for in an applicant?
  • What does a typical workday look like in this role?
  • What is the physical work environment like?
  • What are the regular work hours?  Are these work hours flexible?
  • Does this role include any travel?

Writing your application

Once you have completed the above steps and decided to apply for the job, you need to write your application. This is often the first impression you will make with a potential employer.

Each job advertisement will explain the type of written application you will need to complete. There are usually two types of applications:

  • Short form applications ask you to write a covering letter (no more than two A4 pages) that summarises how your experience, skills and knowledge relate to the job as outlined in the Statement of Duties. The Australian Network on Disability have a basic cover letter template (Word, 25KB) you can use on their website. JobAccess also provide advice on how to write a cover letter.
  • Selection criteria applications ask you to provide a statement against each selection criterion demonstrating that you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to meet each criterion.

Some key tips when writing your application include:

  • Respond to the selection criteria with real examples of what you have done and how well you did it
  • For each example, mention what happened because of your actions, what you achieved and how it relates to the job you are applying for
  • Keep your answers focused and clearly written
  • Seek advice from other people who have applied for jobs using selection criteria
  • Unless the number of words is stated, aim to write one to two paragraphs for each criterion
  • Format your document as requested in the advertisement and make sure it is easy to read using a standard font
  • Proofread your application, then ask a friend or family member to check it as well for spelling or typing mistakes
  • Save your application (you may need to refer to it if you get an interview for the job, or you might be able to adapt it for future job applications)

If you have questions about your written application such as the format or length, or you need to check your understanding of the selection criteria, talk to the Contact Officer listed on the job advertisement.

All Tasmanian Government jobs ask you to include a copy of your resume with your job application. Go to our Getting job ready page for some resume writing tips and suggested templates.

Submitting your application

All applications can be submitted online by the closing date and time through the application portal on the Tasmanian Government Jobs website. Find the job you want to apply for on this website and click the blue ‘Apply now’ button.

You will need to complete an online application form including the names of two referees. Attach your resume, written application and any other documents requested. Make sure your documentation is correct and has uploaded properly before you submit it. Once it has been submitted you are unable to make further changes. You will get an email confirming your application has been received.

If you can’t submit your application online or wish to amend uploaded documents, please email the Contact Officer or Recruitment Team before the closing date and time.

Don’t forget to ask your referees if they are happy to speak on your behalf and double check their contact details before submitting your application.

Adjustments during the application process

It is important that you let the Contact Officer know if you need any adjustments during the application or selection process or ask to speak with someone in Human Resources who is involved in the recruitment process.

The Tasmanian Government supports making adjustments to ensure recruitment and selection processes are inclusive and fair for all applicants.

See our Workplace support and adjustments page for advice on when to share disability information, how to ask for adjustments and who to talk to for support.

Interview tips

For information on how to prepare for an interview, click on the interview tips button below.

Interview tips

Who can help?

If you need help writing a job application and applying for a job, the following services can assist:

There are also a number of resume and job application writing businesses that can help you for a fee. You can find these services by doing an online search.

Need more help?

If you have any questions, feedback or experience issues with this website, please contact us by emailing jobs@dpac.tas.gov.au.