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Guide for job applicants

Your application

To apply for a position at the City of Perth (the City), you are required to complete an online application. The online application is your opportunity to provide us with information that will assist the Selection Panel in deciding who is to be invited for an interview. For most positions your application will consist of:

  • A maximum two-page cover letter containing information that demonstrates your competencies, experience, and abilities in relation to the role’s Selection Criteria. Applicants are strongly encouraged to create this themselves and not use programs such as Chat GPT to write the letter.
  • A resume (curriculum vitae) detailing your employment history and qualifications.
  • Other documents to support your application, such a copies of qualifications or licences.

The selection process

The Merit Principle

The City will make employment decisions based on merit and equity. Merit includes the establishment of a competitive field and assessment of a candidate within that field.

Whilst recruitment and selection strategies for individual positions can vary depending on circumstances, the principles of equity, transparency and merit are consistently applied irrespective of how the recruitment process is structured.


Shortlisting for interview

Shortlisting involves assessing the candidates who are most competitive against the Selection Criteria. These candidates will be given the opportunity to attend for an interview.

The City may commence interviews before the closing date for applications, but shortlisting will not be finalised until after the closing date.

  • All applicants will be advised via email or phone call about the status of their application after shortlisting has concluded.
  • Unsuccessful candidates who are not shortlisted or interviewed will be notified in writing as soon as is practical.

The interview

Interview questions will be related to the role and the organisation. To prepare yourself for the questions that may be asked you may like to take the following steps:

  • Read the Application Pack attached to the job advertisement to understand the role and its ‘Essential’ as well as ‘Desirable’ selection criteria.
  • Think of examples from your work or studies when you used relevant knowledge, skills and abilities. Practice explaining these in a clear and concise format using models such as the STAR model:

    (Situation > Task(s) > Action(s) > Result(s)).
  • You may bring personal notes and relevant work examples to the interview.

Video Interviews: You may be invited to do a video interview via Microsoft Teams. You will be sent a link and the interview information via email. You may use a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone to connect. It will be essential to have stable internet connection during the time of the interview.


Post-Interview

The panel will assess your performance, skills and experience against the Selection Criteria and compare this to the performance of the other candidates. There may be other selection tools used during this process, such as providing examples of previous work or participating in a test or structured exercise.

During the interview the Selection Panel will advise of the timeframe within which they intend to provide further advice to candidates.


Shortlisting for pre-employment checks

Candidates

  • Reference checks: You will be asked to nominate at least two recent referees who you have reported to and/or who have first-hand knowledge of your work performance. You will be notified before your referees are contacted.
  • Pre-employment checks: Shortlisted applicants may be required to undertake pre-employment background checks considered necessary by the City. This includes a National Police Check, pre-employment medical examination, Working With Children Check, or psychological testing. You will be informed of the type of pre-employment checks required for the position after the interview stage, if you are successful in progressing to this next step.

Notification of appointment

All interviewed applicants will be notified verbally as soon as possible after the Selection Panel has reached their decision. Candidates who are offered employment with the City will be provided with an employment contract at the time of offer. Any discussions prior to the provision of an employment contract should not be considered to be an offer of employment.


Support or adjustments

If you need support or adjustments during the application process, we are here to help. Please let us know how we can assist to ensure your application experience is accessible and inclusive.

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