This article is written by Helen Caldwell, Campaigns & Communications Associate at Apolitical, with contributions from Abe Greenspoon, Dr. Jean Kunz, Jane Liang, Lauren Hunter, Chad Hartnell, Mark Schaan, Jacky Tweedie, and Sarah Hoy.

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If you’re looking to get a job in the public service, or looking for a new opportunity, it’s vital to make sure that you look around and find the job that’s going to suit you best. But it can be difficult to know how to look for and find a job that’s right for you. To help you get started, we asked public servants across Canada this question: How can you find the right public service job for you? This is what they said.

"Do some self-reflection" — Abe Greenspoon

I've found that public servants don't generally spend a lot of time defining what is "right for them". So step one is always to do some self-reflection and consider what work you want to do, what work environment you need, and who you want to work with. Asking very specific questions about the nature of the work, the work environment, and team culture is very useful before accepting a job offer or even before applying (if possible). Doing the work up front to be very clear with yourself about what you need will save you a lot of time struggling in the wrong jobs.

— Abe Greenspoon, Lead – Connections and Foresight, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada

"Try out different types of work" — Dr. Jean Kunz

You only find out the “right” job by doing and talking. The Public Service offers a wide range of opportunities such as project management, data analytics, policy development, client services, corporate planning, and many more. The Public Service covers a wide range of areas including social development, education, finance, foreign affairs, environment, defense, immigration, public health, and others. It is useful to try out different types of work and different areas through development programs, assignments, or micro-missions to find out what is “right” for you. It is also helpful to talk to those who are in the jobs that interest you.

— Dr. Jean Kunz, Director, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

"Aim for the impact you want to have" — Jane Liang

Understand what you want first. If you don't know yet, talk to people who have the jobs or roles you are interested in to get inspired. Don't aim for prestigious titles or higher pay. Aim for the impact you want to have. Once you know what you want, develop a GIST strategy to get there: Goals, Ideas, Steps, Tasks.

— Jane Liang, Project Lead, Ontario Financing Authority, Toronto, Canada

"Find a job where you can learn" — Lauren Hunter

So often people chase a job title and a level, thinking that if they can get promoted, they can have more influence and more power to shape their own path and the projects around them. But pushing yourself to go up a level just to go up a level can drain away a sense of passion and purpose. Instead, find a job where you can learn and do good for others, seek the opportunities that excite you, and the ones where you think you can do genuine good. Sometimes that means holding back a little until you're ready, which isn't something most job seekers want to hear.

In general, I find networking in advance of applying is a great way to learn more about the teams and the work you might be interested in being part of. It makes it easier to understand how you can benefit the team if you do end up in a job interview for a position, and helps you avoid situations where you may get yourself promoted, only to find that you regret having taken the job. Above all, trust your instincts and follow your passion.

— Lauren Hunter, Director of Talent Cloud, Treasury Board Secretariat, Government of Canada

"Finding a job you enjoy requires due diligence" — Chad Hartnell

The key part of this question is the phrase "the job that is right." In this context, we can hopefully agree that the "right" job will not be found on any internal job notification website. Finding a job you enjoy is hard work, takes time and requires a lot of due diligence. Further, it is important to note that job satisfaction is directly correlated to how well you work with your manager. This doesn't mean you need to be best friends with them, but it does mean that you have to know their work style, how they like to communicate and whether and how to provide feedback, to name just a few. So in pursuing that "right" job, ensure that your due diligence includes a strong understanding of who your manager would be to determine if that employee-manager relationship will be strong, collaborative and positive.

— Chad Hartnell, Director of Operations, Impact and Innovation Unit, Privy Council Office

Find a job where you can learn and do good for others, seek the opportunities that excite you, and the ones where you think you can do genuine good

"Do your homework" — Mark Schaan

Do your homework and research - what's the trajectories of the files (past, present, and future); what's the culture of the group; what's the management team and their backgrounds and approach? Good jobs are usually a make-up of the subject, the boss, and the relative level of intensity/excitement. You can rarely control and guarantee more than two, so figure out what your priorities are and how the job aligns with them.

— Mark Schaan, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

"Network" — Jacky Tweedie

Network, ask to job shadow, and establish a presence in the GC community.

— Jacky Tweedie, Senior Manager, Service Modernization and Delivery Unit, Fisheries and Oceans

"Engage in informal conversations" — Sarah Hoy

Do a lot of research: look at all job advertisements possible at all levels of government to find jobs that might be of interest or that fit you best in terms of your skills and what tasks you would be interested in completing. Network/reach out to people: while looking into jobs, connect with people who are posting the jobs or connect with people who are currently employed by using the public service directory. Engage these people in informal conversations to learn what it is that they do and whether or not it would be a good fit for you.

— Sarah Hoy, Program Analyst - Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ontario Public Service (Government of Ontario)

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