Applying for government roles can be competitive, and many applicants miss out before they even begin. I’ve sat on enough panels to see why. I’ve also applied for my fair share of roles. So I can say this with confidence: many good candidates knock themselves out of the process before they even get in the ring.

Why? Because they don’t follow the instructions. Sounds basic, right? But it happens all the time. Roughly 30% of applications get binned before they’re even properly reviewed, not because the person isn’t good enough, but because they didn’t submit what was asked. No cover letter. Didn’t address the selection criteria. Resume missing. Generic responses. It happens more than you’d think.

Government recruitment is process driven. Ruthless, even. If the instructions say to provide a cover letter, a resume, and written responses to selection criteria, that’s not a suggestion. It’s a pass/fail gate. No exceptions. Panels don’t have the time or flexibility to chase up what’s missing. If something’s not there, you’re out.

And that’s before we even get to the content. So, if you’re serious about landing a full time government role, here’s what you need to do…. and avoid.

Follow the government role application instructions. Exactly.

This is the biggest filter and the first one.  One of the most important steps when applying for government roles is following the instructions exactly.

About a third of applicants fall at this hurdle alone. 30% fail to do this simple step and are binned.

What gets you disqualified?

• No resume attached
• No cover letter (when requested)
• Ignoring or only partially addressing the selection criteria
• Submitting a generic, one-size-fits-all application

The process is designed to be fair but it’s not forgiving.

If a cover letter is requested, don’t half-arse it.

Some panel members will weigh your cover letter heavily. Others (like me) won’t. But that’s the point, you don’t know who’s reading it. So put in the effort.

Tailor it to the role. Make it obvious why you want this job, not just a job. Don’t regurgitate your resume add context and intent.

In Government Roles, Selection criteria are the real assessment.

Think of your resume as the background check. In government roles, selection criteria responses are the pitch. Address each criterion thoroughly. Use real, tangible examples. Follow the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) if you need structure, but don’t sound like a robot.

Avoid using the same story five times in a row. If you only have one example to draw from, find different facets of it. But ideally, you want to show breadth.

Use experience from more than one role if you can.

Panels tend to trust candidates who’ve proven themselves in different environments. If you’ve only worked in one place, show how you’ve adapted within that context, different teams, different challenges, different stakeholders.

Spell and grammar check everything.

It might seem petty, but it matters. We’re often reviewing dozens of applications over a short period. Applications riddled with typos or bad grammar stand out, and not in a good way. They signal a lack of care. Attention to detail is part of the job, even if it’s not listed. And it happens too often so I’m calling it out….

Make your application role-specific.

The panel is trying to picture you in this role, not just in a general sense. Customising your application for roles in the government can help the panel picture you in the position. Don’t make them connect the dots. Show them how your skills, experience, and mindset align with what they’re looking for. Use the department’s language. Reference relevant priorities or strategies (they’re often public). Make the connection feel natural.

Government roles are competitive. Make your efforts obvious.

If it looks like you slapped your application together over lunch, it’ll read that way. And it’ll go to the bottom of the pile. Meanwhile, you’ll be up against people who’ve spent hours tailoring their response, rehearsing their interview, and doing background research. The bar is higher than you think.

Don’t be afraid to call the hiring manager.

Just don’t waste their time. If you’re calling to ask something already spelled out in the application pack, that’s a red flag. But if you’ve read everything and still have a thoughtful, relevant question, a quick call can help you stand out…. in a good way.

It shows maturity. It shows initiative. And it shows that you actually care about the role.

If you’re going for a promotion or level-up, expect bias.

If you’re a Level 6 applying for Level 7 or 8 government roles, be ready for cognitive bias, whether people admit it or not. Panels are human. They’ll subconsciously filter your responses through the lens of your current classification.

So don’t leave it to them to figure out whether you’re ready. Show them. Demonstrate higher level thinking. Strategic impact. Broader influence. Role model behaviours. Ownership. Use examples that go beyond the task and show real leadership.

If you get an interview, treat it like a professional event, not a casual Teams call.

• Test your tech audio, video, lighting.
• Be presentable….. yes, even for online interviews.
• Do your homework, research the department, recent projects, org structure.
• You’ll usually get 15 minutes to read the questions beforehand. Use it wisely. Scan all questions first. Jot down key points and examples.
• Avoid waffling. Ask to come back to a question if you need to. It’s better than guessing.

Team fit is always being assessed, even if it’s not written anywhere.

One unspoken question every panel member is asking:

“Can I see this person on our team?”

They’re watching how you communicate, how you carry yourself, how you engage. Are you authentic? Are you confident without being arrogant? Do you mirror the panel’s energy? Do you seem like someone they could work with, not just someone who ticks boxes? That’s the part no one tells you, but it counts.

Have a question for the panel. Always.

When they ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”, this isn’t filler. It’s your last chance to leave an impression.

Ask something that shows curiosity, alignment, and thoughtfulness. It could be about the culture, the strategic direction, or even the challenges in the role. Just don’t say, “No, I think you’ve covered everything.”

Final thoughts on applying for government roles.

Success in applying for a government job often comes down to preparation, precision, and presenting your value clearly.

You might be up against:

• Someone already acting in the role
• Someone internal
• Someone with the right contacts or visibility

That’s just how it is. The field may not be equal, but the process is. And that means your effort matters.

Ask yourself:

• What sets me apart?
• What fresh perspective do I bring?
• What would make a panel remember me after a long day of interviews?

Treat your application like a pitch. Because it is.

Applying for government roles can be cumbersome. And if you’re not ready to put in the prep, do everyone a favour and let someone else take the interview slot.

Otherwise go for it. And do it properly.

Got any questions or want some advice? I’m happy to help. Just email me.

You can check out our other resources for candidates too.