The top 23 government and public service interview questions

We asked our graduates to give us the lowdown on the real interview questions they were asked during graduate recruitment.

Check them out below:

What do you know about us and the public service? 

1. Why do you want to work for the Australian government / public sector?
2. What do you know about the department?
3. What is your understanding of what we do?
4. How does our department make a difference?
5. What is your perspective on the mission of this department?
6. Tell me about the department's current policies and where you have seen them in effect in the real world.
7. Name one initiative that the department has been involved in.
8. Discuss something the department has been in the media for recently.
9. Why is our work important to the wellbeing of the Australian community?
10. What do you think the biggest challenges facing this sector in Australia are?
11. Where do you see the department going in the future?
12. Tell me about a policy initiative our department could undertake.

Why should we hire you?

1. What is your motivation for wanting to work for government and the public service?
2. Why do you want to work for us specifically?
3. Where do you see yourself within the department?
4. What can you bring to this department?
5. Do you think you would be able to blend into the public service?
6. How do you reconcile being asked to pursue a policy position that might not reflect your personal values?
7. How will your individual skill set contribute to improving this department?
8. Why do you think you’re an ideal candidate? Why should you be hired? What skills will you bring to this department?
9. What policy area handled by the department are you interested in and why?
10. Are you prepared to move anywhere, knowing that your preferences won't be the only deciding factor in the decision making process?
11. How would you brief a government minister on various policy topics?