Working in the NTPS

How to apply for a job

Why your application is important

Your written application may be the first contact between you and your prospective employer so it is important that it adequately sets out your claims. This is why you should obtain the full job description, which includes selection criteria before applying for a Northern Territory Public Sector (NTPS) vacancy.

Your application should demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the essential selection criteria sufficiently to warrant being shortlisted for further assessment. The primary purpose of your application is to display to a prospective employer that you are a suitable applicant for a vacancy.

Selection is made in accordance with the merit principle, that is your capacity to do the job having regard to your knowledge, skills, and qualifications against the selection criteria, and your potential for future development in the public sector.
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What information should your application contain?

Your written application should contain sufficient information to allow the selection panel to assess your ability to do the job, in relation to the selection criteria.

Addressing the selection criteria

Your written application should be presented in such a way that the Selection Panel is made aware of your knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience, and potential for development in the Public Sector. Generally, there is no set format for addressing the criteria but it may be useful to ask the contact officer if there is a preferred layout.

Applicants may submit a general statement detailing how they meet the criteria, or may provide a detailed outline of how they meet each of the selection criteria. Either is acceptable, but remember to display your competence and suitability against both essential and desirable selection criteria and to provide information necessary to demonstrate your claims. Useful information could include examples of tasks undertaken in paid or voluntary employment.

Note: It is not sufficient to state you meet a selection criteria without detailing how you meet it. To be considered for the vacancy you must give sufficient information to demonstrate that you meet all essential criteria.

Curriculum Vitae/ Resume

There is no set format for a cv or resume however they generally include the following information:

1. Personal Details
This section includes your name and contact details.

2. Education Details
In this section you should include:

details of the highest level of education attained (secondary or tertiary), with the name of the institution/s attended, and the dates of attendance;
details of apprenticeships, relevant training courses, etc; and
details of qualifications

Note: It is not necessary to include copies of qualifications, certificates for short courses or written references at this stage as these can be presented at a later date if required. It is an applicants' responsibility to have their overseas qualifications assessed and recognised by an appropriate organisation.

3. Employment History
In this section you should include details of your employment history, starting with your most recent job and working back.
Employment history should include your employer's name, your dates of employment, your job title (and level if appropriate), and a summary of your duties and responsibilities. You should also include any major achievements in your most recent jobs.

Referees

Your current or most recent supervisors are preferable as referees. It is advisable to include the names of at least two referees at the end of your cv/resume. Make sure you provide the names, title and contact details of your referees.

It is a good idea to advise your referees that you have provided their names as persons who can provide evidence of your on-the-job performance.

The selection panel may decide to contact referees at the short listing stage. If you do not wish this to occur you should advise this in your application, however you should bear in mind that it may lessen your chance of being shortlisted.
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What if I am applying for two or more vacancies?

If you wish to be considered for more than one vacancy in the Northern Territory Public Sector, you must submit a separate application for each vacancy.
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Final check

Before you submit your application, you should check to make sure:

you have completed and attached the application cover sheet
your cv/resume contains information that is relevant, up to date and correct
referees are clearly stated
your have provided enough information in relation to the selection criteria that the selection advisory panel can identify that you warrant further consideration
the application is well presented and clearly laid out
the application does not present any ambiguous information to the selection advisory panel
there are no spelling or grammar errors
any gaps in your employment history are accounted for (eg breaks for study or travel)

It is a good idea to ask another person to do a final check of your application.
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Submitting your application

Make sure you send your application by the closing date shown in the advertisement and that there is a cover sheet attached. The cover sheet will be included in the downloaded (or emailed/ faxed/ sent) Job Description. Once the Department of Business and Employment has received your application you will be sent a written acknowledgment of receipt.