Blog

Got an SES interview? Make it snappy!

If there’s one thing that I hear over and over about Senior Executive Service (SES) interviews, it’s this: they’re fast. Typically,...

The SES screening interview: 4 questions to anticipate

Even if you are an experienced public servant, an interview for a Senior Executive Service (SES) position may hold a few surprises. Many...

Personal Drive and Integrity; The “Tricky Question” Category of the ILS

Usually your interview preparation will involve thinking of all the success stories you have of thinking strategically, achieving...

Productive Working Relationships, The ILS and Interview Questions; Here's One Little Word to Avoid..

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” is an old adage that sums up synergy, a fancy word for working together. It’s a useful...

Achieving Results and the ILS; it's about how you get there

No plan survives contact with the enemy. If strategy is about knowing where you want to go and planning how to get there, achieving...

The ILS: Tips for Talking Strategy

People ask me all the time; “Lisa, what do interview panels want to hear? What buzz words do I need to drop to get the job?” I hate to...

The Integrated Leadership System in a Nutshell; Tips for Australian Public Service Interviews

If you know about the Integrated Leadership System already, the title of this article alone may have you running screaming away from...

My Favourite Interview Question

I’ve heard a lot of weird interview questions in my day…” If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?” or “Why is a tennis...

The Perils of the STAR technique

I’m a fan of the STAR technique, for a lot of reasons I’ve mentioned before. Storytelling is engaging and memorable for the interview...

Tell me a story…Why I love the STAR technique for answering interview questions

If you’re job hunting, you’ve probably come across the STAR technique for answering interview questions. The format is S(situation),...

When your interview isn't an interview...

It’s a thrilling part of the recruitment process when you are invited to an interview. You’ll probably picture yourself having “a...

Teenage job seekers; begin with the end in mind!

The school holidays begin next month and lots of young hopefuls will be pounding the pavement looking for their very first paying job....

Secrets of an Interview Panel

Sitting in front of an interview panel can feel as intimidating as facing a firing squad. You might imagine the row of suits in front of...

The Lost Art of the Telephone Call

Should you ring the contact person in the job ad? YES! I remember when I sent my very first text. It was sometime after the turn of the...

What's on your top ten list? Get writing

Late December…you’ve eaten all the leftovers from Christmas dinner, been to the Boxing Day sales, and are starting to get a bit bored...

Do you really need a LinkedIn profile? Here's one reason to consider...

I'll cut to the chase; In my view, yes, you do. But maybe not for the reason you think! I'm surprised how few of my clients have a...

Is it bad to sell yourself in a job interview?

A few years ago, we redecorated our living room. There was one corner of the room that just needed something...I searched and searched,...

Job interviews…how do you anticipate questions and prepare answers? My three top tips!

Here in Canberra it seems to be interview season! I’ve heard several reports of bulk rounds advertised in various government departments....

Going for an internal promotion? I have two words for you...

That familiar buzz around the watercooler when internal jobs come up…who will go for it? Who will get it? Before you put your hat in the...

Applying for grad jobs? Want to stand out from the competition? Here's how!

Are you one of the thousands of Uni students hoping for a foot in the door of the public service? Most government agencies, as well as...