Although different departments demand different expertise, the following is a list of characteristics that are required in every department:
To become a public servant, as in any other interview process, it is imperative that you know how to sell your skills set and work experience.
What’s in it for me?
Regardless of which department you work in or what your position is, you will need a lot of patience. Remember that you will be working in a bureaucracy and a hierarchical work environment. Processes move slowly and multiple levels of approval and corrections are commonplace.
Career
- Several employment opportunities based on experience and interests – Move from department to department based on topics and subject matters that interest you. No need to
get another degree, learn by working! - Paid development training
- Regular on-site training – enjoy pertinent customized courses suited to the needs of your job.
- Development program (depending on the substantive group and position)
- Ability to make a difference in the daily life of Canadians
- Ability to learn English or French (and depending on your job foreign languages) and be paid to do it!
- Possibility of working in various locations across Canada and abroad
Personal
- Permanent position: After your one year probation period, you will have a permanent job. No more worries! • Paid vacation (starting at 3 weeks) in addition to 11 paid statutory holidays each year.
- Paid maternity leave/ parental leave – Most Canadian companies provide you with the regular 55% up to a certain salary for one year. In the large majority of positions in the government, women will receive 93% of their salary while on maternity leave. In fact, because of work deductions and taxes, the check will actually be higher than when you are at work! The federal government provides for its employees what is called a “top-up”. This “top-up” (the additional percentage between the 93% and what Employment Insurance (EI) provides and the federal government pays) provides a comfortable economical cushion for families who decide to have children.
- Dental and health insurance
- Self funded leave
- Leave for the care of preschool children
- Leave with income averaging
- Leave for the long-term care of a parent
- Leave for the care of preschool children
- Leave with income averaging – I had a very close worker that took advantage of this option. Every year, he and his wife of 5 years (also a government worker) would take a 10 week vacation (yes, you read correctly) to visit some new exotic destination. One year they went to South America- saw Machu Pichu, dined on Grade AAA beef in Argentina, danced Samba in Brazil and still had their paycheck deposited into their account every two weeks. Now they’re planning a 12 week vacation to South East Asia. The best thing about income-averaging is that it does not
affect your salary. You simply take a slightly smaller paycheck every month and then take the accumulated time to extend your vacation. Whether it be travel, summer off with the kids,
volunteer projects, or simply because you want some time for yourself. It is all possible with the federal government. While you are enjoying this time off, your salary continues to be paid into your bank account. - Leave for personal needs
- Educational leave
- Flexible work arrangements (i.e. telework, part-time)
- Work on programs and policies that improve the lives of Canadians
And many more !!!