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.

When you’re applying for a new job, the written application is often the first thing a hiring manager will see - and your chance to make an unforgettable first impression. We asked public servants across Canada: What's your best piece of advice for writing a stellar job application for the public service? Here’s what they said.

"Show your learning journey" — Lauren Hunter

Look at what's being asked for and provide concise, concrete examples of how you demonstrate this skill. Show them your learning journey: I acquired this skill by doing these tasks in this role where I accomplished this outcome. Then repeat for the next step in your learning journey.

If you have an unconventional learning and employment path, be sure to help others understand the value of what you've accomplished, even if it's not in a traditional role. For example, if you worked part time and volunteered on the side, include the volunteer experience. But don't make the mistake of just listing it and thinking people will hire you because you have a strong moral character. Explain what role you played when you volunteered or took on a personal project, what you learned and applied in this context, and what your impact on others was in this role.

Concrete, concise details help people see your life experiences through your own eyes, and can help them appreciate the strength of your skills. People find it hard to value what they can't imagine, so make sure you bring them along with you when you claim that you have the skills needed for a role.

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

"Structure your application around the criteria on the job poster" — Abe Greenspoon

In the public service, job applications are assessed against the candidate's ability to demonstrate how they possess the essential and asset criteria indicated on the job poster. To accomplish this well, your application should be structured around these criteria, using headers and bullet points with specific examples and timelines of how and when you learned or demonstrated those criteria. Unfortunately you will very rarely get points for good narrative style or flow of writing, unless that is specifically asked for in the poster.

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

"Job applications should be succinct" — Chad Hartnell

Job applications should be succinct yet demonstrate results. Any opportunity to quantify the impact of your work in a job application not only tells the hiring manager that you possess the skills required for the job, but those skills led to the achievement of an outcome or result. For example, if you led the redesign of a government service, quantify the results with what it achieved - e.g. …” which resulted in an X% increase in uptake amongst the target population”; or “which decreased the application processing time by Y%.”

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

"Include a detailed, compelling cover letter" — Sarah Hoy

Read the job specifications for the job you are applying for thoroughly to ensure you have tailored the application to the job as best as possible. Ideally, your skills, accomplishments and experiences will reflect what the employer wants in their ideal candidate. Include a detailed, compelling cover letter to prove your case as an ideal candidate for the job. Keep the layout as clean and concise as possible in way that clearly shows what skills, qualities etc. you have. Finally, make sure it is grammatically sound.

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

In the public service, job applications are assessed against the candidate's ability to demonstrate how they possess the essential and asset criteria indicated on the job poster.

"Save your answers for future use" — Jacky Tweedie

Use Polywogg's HR Guide (useful tips). Hack the app - deconstruct the information that is being asked for in the application and make sure to address every ask. Save your answers for future use (appropriately tailored).

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

"Use the language on the job poster" — Dr. Jean Kunz

Assess your own experience against each experience and competency listed on the poster and ask yourself: which ones can I speak to based upon what I have done? Use the language on the poster to write your cover letter, demonstrating how you meet each of the qualifications with specific examples.

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

"Tell a compelling story about you" — Jane Liang

Use your resume and cover letter to tell a compelling story about you; leverage any elements that can bring your expertise and experience to life to leave a positive impression: for example, the impact your work has had in numbers.

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

"Use rudimentary tools, like capitalization and line breaks" — Mark Schaan

Our systems are challenging to navigate, but use rudimentary tools, like capitalization and line breaks, to clearly lay out how you reflect and have lived out the qualities and competencies laid out in the job description.

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

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