Effective career management helps people attain meaningful employment in Canada’s public sector. It also drives better public service and opportunities for innovation. CERIC’s playbook, Retain and Gain: Career Management for the Public Sector, offers leaders practical tools and pathways for recruitment, retention, capacity building, and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion. Here are resources career professionals can use to support clients working in the public sector or pursuing a shift to this field.
Looking to learn more about the connections between career management and public policymaking? Don’t miss CERIC’s upcoming event series, Careers & Canadians: Virtual Fireside Chats with Policy Leaders. Leading current and former policy leaders from across the country will sit down with Retain and Gain playbook author and future of work expert Lisa Taylor, starting with former Saskatchewan Deputy Minister Alastair MacFadden. Registration is free.
Job search and interviews
Advice for applying to the Canadian federal public service (Medium) [Article]
Long-time public servant Abe Greenspoon offersadvice on getting a job in the Canadian federal public service. He shares insights about the hiring process, why it’s important to pay attention to the job poster and advice on how to approach written applications.
Cracking the public sector ranks (Monster) [Article]
Five general tips on job searching in this space and increasing competitiveness as a candidate.
Government of Canada jobs [Guide]
A comprehensive source for opportunities and guidance on employment for the federal government. It has information on:
- Applying for Government of Canada jobs: What to expect
- Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program: About the program
- Government of Canada jobs for Indigenous Students
- Jobs in national security and defence
- Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship Program
- Post-Secondary Recruitment
- Public service jobs for military and veterans
- Recruitment of Policy Leaders
- Second language evaluation in the public service
- Self-assessment tests
- Student employment
- Temporary work assignments
Highlights from the “Preparing for a Government of Canada Interview” Webinar (Simon Fraser University) [Article]
This article shares key points from a webinar hosted by the Public Service Commission of Canada for Simon Fraser University students. It covered types of assessments at the federal government, competencies, interview questions, accommodation and Official Languages, and other tips.
Newfoundland and Labrador Career Centre [Guide]
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provides tips for resumes and interviews, and links to current opportunities.
Ontario Public Service: Interview Tips [Tip sheet]
An overview with preparation advice and what to expect before, during and after the interview process with the Government of Ontario. Much of the advice – including reading the budget and Speech from the Throne to get up to date on government priorities – would also be useful for other public sector jurisdictions.
Yukon: Apply on a job [Tip sheet]
Guidance on sending applications, the interview process and information on hiring are available on the Government of Yukon website.
Career change
From the private sector to public service: What ex-US corporate executives need to know (McKinsey) [Article]
An article presenting four tips from American federal leaders who transitioned from corporate boardrooms to government service.
Government of Canada: Employment in the public service [Programs]
A list of available information and programs on employment with the federal government. It has links to student recruitment, post-secondary co-op and internships, as well as opportunities in specialized work such as IT, research, finance and law.
Transitioning from private to public sector: Lessons learned from those who experienced it (Project Redesign) [Article]
This article explores the experiences and lessons learned from Americans who made the transition from the private tech space to the public sector.
Public service job boards
Canadian Public Health Association Job Board
Features public health openings across the country, including roles with universities, social services and health networks.
CivicJobs.ca: Canadian municipal job board
A listing of local government opportunities from various government-related sectors. The postings are for a range of jobseekers, including students and experienced professionals.
Government of Canada Job Search
The job board for opportunities throughout the federal government. It has updated postings for jobseekers at any stage in their career – from students, to mid-level experts, to seasoned professionals.
GovJobs.ca: Canadian Government Jobs
GovJobs.ca is a private, for-profit enterprise that provides federal, provincial and municipal job postings. It is not affiliated with any level of government.
Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Job Board
IPAC’s job Board provides the employment opportunities from all government levels, ministries, agencies and other specialized fields in the public service.
Provincial government job boards have openings across various specializations within the public service:
- Alberta Government Jobs
- BC Public Service
- Manitoba Government Job Opportunities
- New Brunswick Public Service
- Newfoundland and Labrador Career Centre
- Northwest Territories Government
- Nova Scotia Government Careers
- Nunavut Jobs
- Ontario Public Service Careers
- Prince Edward Island Public Service careers
- Quebec Government Careers Portal
- Saskatchewan Government Opportunities
- Yukon Government Opportunities
Other
Empowering public servants through effective career management (Policy Options) [Article]
A feature co-written by the author of CERIC’s playbook Retain and Gain: Career Management for the Public Sector. The article discusses the importance of retention and career growth in ensuring Canada’s public service workforce rises to the challenges of a post-pandemic world.
Changing the conversation: Millennials in the federal government (Deloitte) [Report]
This report explores the necessity of effectively integrating, developing and involving every generation to build a public service workforce that is agile and responsive to society’s needs.
Retain and Gain: Career Management for the Public Sector (CERIC) [Book]
Career management – at every level of government – offers a strategic lever for stronger organizational performance and success. This book, written by Lisa Taylor, offers leaders practical tools and pathways for recruitment, retention, capacity building, and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion. It is available for free download in a PDF format, as well as for purchase in print or as an e-book.
