Information for

applicants
Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

NSW Public Service Commission

Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

NSW Public Service Commission Information for applicants 5

Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

Information for applicants

We have prepared this information for candidates because we want to make
sure that you have the opportunity to put your best application forward. Our
team is committed to providing you with support throughout each stage of the
process.
Applying for the 2022 NSW Public Service Talent Pools involves a range of
capability-based assessments designed to assess your suitability for a Grade
9/10 role. These assessments build on your application and help us learn more
about your motivations, general abilities and values. Read more about the three
stages of recruitment throughout this document.
For more information about the Public Service Talent Pools, including tips for
applying, please visit the NSW Public Service Commission’s website.
For general enquiries please email talentpools@psc.nsw.gov.au
Remember, if you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the
recruitment process, please contact Jaja Lu at Peter Berry Consultancy on 02
8918 0865 or email adjustments@peterberry.com.au.
Don’t forget to check your inbox and junk/spam folder regularly for
communications regarding the progress of your application.

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Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

Stage 1: application and individual tasks

The first stage of the application process is entirely online (i.e. you do not need
to attach a resume). Allow yourself a few hours to complete the application
process when you are feeling well and not pressed for time. In addition to
providing important information about your experience, interests, and general
application criteria (e.g., educational experience), you will complete several
capability assessments that are described below.

Pre-screening questions
These questions are designed to enable you to communicate your motivation to
work in the NSW Government and be part of the talent pools, and to draw on
your previous experiences to demonstrate your capabilities.

How do I prepare?
 Familiarise yourself with the requirements in the Grade 9/10 role
description to ensure you give yourself the best opportunity to
demonstrate your capability.
 Be prepared to describe what interests you about the NSW Government
Talent Pools and how your personal interests might support your
motivation in working within the roles.
 Review your previous work and/or study experiences so that you have
some relevant examples and situations that you can draw on to respond
to the questions.

Once you have submitted your application you will receive an email
acknowledging your application and providing you with a link to complete an
online individual task. You will also receive a separate email inviting you to
complete an assessment of critical thinking ability called Watson Glaser Critical
Thinking Appraisal.

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Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

Individual task
You will be asked to engage in an exercise that requires you to consider how
you would approach various issues or scenarios that you may encounter at a
Grade 9/10 level with the NSW Public Service. You will be asked questions
based on a scenario provided to you that will allow you demonstrate your
capabilities. This assessment needs to be completed within 72 hours of
submitting your application.

How do I prepare?
 Familiarise yourself with the requirements in the Grade 9/10 role
description to ensure you give yourself the best opportunity to
demonstrate your capability.

Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Assessment

This assessment is composed of reading passages or scenarios that include
problems, statements, arguments, and interpretations of data similar to those
encountered on a daily basis at work and in newspaper or magazine articles.
You will need to read the directions, scenarios, and items carefully. There are
no “trick questions” but the items do require your full attention.

The assessment is comprised of 40 items. The assessment is untimed however

generally takes 25 to 35 minutes to complete. You will be presented with
example items at the beginning of each of the five sections.

Please ensure you are using the latest version of your browser. Candidates
should not use mobile devices such as iPad, Notebook/Laptop with track
pad only or telephone to complete the assessment.

You will need to complete the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal within
72 hours (3 days) of submitting your application.

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Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

How do I prepare?
 Make sure that when you complete the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking
Appraisal, you have set aside time in your day to ensure you are not
rushed, are thinking clearly and are in a quiet location where you will not
be disturbed.
 Familiarise yourself with the test requirements before you commence the
assessment.

_______________________________________________________________

Stage 2: personality assessment and assessment

centres
If you are successful in progressing to the next stage of the process you will be
notified via email.
At this stage, you will be asked to complete an online personality assessment
which will form part of your overall assessment.
You will also be sent an invitation to book a time for a virtual assessment
centre. Be sure to book in early to secure your preferred date. The virtual
assessment centre will be conducted via Zoom, and you will be sent the
relevant meeting details.

Personality assessment
You will be sent an invitation to complete an online personality assessment. The
assessment is called the Hogan Personality Inventory and is untimed with a
typical completion time of approximately 15-20 minutes. You will be asked to
indicate your agreement to a number of statements based on a four-point scale
(strongly disagree to strongly agree).
A sample item is: “I like a lot of variety in my life.”
You will need to complete the personality assessment within 5 days of receiving
your invitation.

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Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

How do I prepare?
 The Hogan Personality Inventory is a personality assessment – there are
no right or wrong answers. Try to answer naturally and avoid over-
thinking or over-analysing the items.
 Make sure that when you complete the Hogan Personality Inventory
assessment, you have set aside time in your day to ensure you are not
rushed and are thinking clearly and are in a quiet location where you will
not be disturbed.
Remember to check your email inbox regularly (including junk/spam folders) as
these assessments must be completed within the specified timeframe.
Unfortunately, no extensions will be provided.

Assessment centre
This is your chance to show us who you are and put your best foot forward. On
the day you will participate in two activities conducted over Zoom. At the
beginning of the online assessment centre, you will receive a briefing and be
given the opportunity to ask questions to ensure you understand the process
and requirements of the day.
As the assessment centre will be conducted virtually you will need to ensure
that you:
 have reliable internet access that can support video conferencing
 have a device that has a video camera and microphone so we can see
and hear you.
If you have any concerns about your device or internet connectivity, please
contact PBC on support@peterberry.com.au.
The two assessment centre activities are:
1. Virtual behavioural interview

When preparing for the virtual behavioural interview make sure you:
 Present as you would in a face-to-face interview
 Are in an environment where you can concentrate and will not be
interrupted for the duration of the interview
 Have tested your system beforehand

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Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool

The virtual behavioural interview will be a structured set of questions

designed to gather evidence about how you have demonstrated your
capability in the past. The questions will focus on the capabilities that are
important for a Grade 9/10 role in the NSW Government as set out in the
Grade 9/10 role descriptions.
2. Stakeholder consultation task
In this task you will participate in a role play activity involving a scenario
typically experienced at the Grade 9/10 level in the NSW public sector.
You will be presented with information that you will need to review and
then participate in the live role play exercise, where you will be required
to consult with a significant stakeholder (the role player).
How do I prepare?
 Go over the requirements set out in the role description.
 Review your study and/or work experiences in order to familiarise
yourself with a range of examples of when you have demonstrated
relevant capabilities in the past.
 Practice your interview skills with a friend, family member or colleague –
focus on providing specific and clear responses.
If you run into any technical difficulties with scheduling an appointment to attend
a virtual behavioural interview, please contact I work for NSW Support at
support@iworkfor.nsw.gov.au or 1800 562 679.
_______________________________________________________________

Stage 3: successful pool

If you are successful at the end of the assessment process, we will contact you
to advise that you have been offered a spot in the talent pool. This means you
may be contacted by one or more of the talent pool’s participating agencies.
How do I prepare?
 Be prepared to discuss how your personal interests and motivation relate
to the role.
 Remember to check your email inbox regularly (including junk/spam
folders).

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Grade 9/10 Public Service Talent Pool
Information for applicants

Public Service
Talent Pools Service
Commission
Level 4, 255 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
+61 2 9272 6000 | psc.nsw.gov.au

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