TasGraD

Applicant Guide
2023 Tasmanian State Service
Graduate Development Program
CONTENTS

OUR PROGRAM ................................................................................................................... 3

What’s in it for you? ......................................................................................................................................... 3

AM I E LIGIBLE ? ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
DIVERSITY ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

The Recruitment Process ................................................................................................................................ 5

SUPPORT ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Stage 1: Initial Application & Written Responses ......................................................................................... 6

How do I apply? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Application Acknowledgement................................................................................................................................................... 6
Academic Transcript ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Overseas Qualifications ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Note for interstate applicants   .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Your Resume .................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Written Responses ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Stage 2: Online Assessments .......................................................................................................................... 9

Interviews without bias ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Cognitive Ability - Online Assessment ................................................................................................................................... 10

Stage 3: Behavioural Profile .......................................................................................................................... 10

Stage 4: TasGrad Pool ................................................................................................................................... 11

Stage 5: Agency Interviews ........................................................................................................................... 11

Stage 6: Offer of Employment ...................................................................................................................... 12

Feedback......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Other Graduate Vacancies ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

2 TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023.

Our Program
As a generalist graduate in the Tasmanian State Service (TSS), and a
participant in the Graduate Development Program, TasGraD, you will
gain the foundation skills and knowledge to have a successful career.

TasGraD welcomes Graduates from the full range of academic disciplines, so it doesn’t matter
what you studied at University, we have a variety of roles that will challenge, inspire and
encourage you to explore the many opportunities available across the TSS.
We are looking for graduates who are adaptable, willing to learn, collaborative and can work as
part of a team. Our program is particularly suited to graduates who are open to working in any
area across the TSS and enjoy networking with graduates from other service areas and locations.

What’s in it for you?

You will participate in a structured learning and development program with your fellow TasGraDs
and work in an Agency where you may have the opportunity to rotate through different teams or
support a specific business area.
TasGraD offers:

• Meaningful work in which your perspective is valued;

• An environment to learn more about yourself and working in the TSS;
• The opportunity to contribute to key projects within Government and play a part in
developing and delivering key policies, programs, and services to the community;
• The ability to work across different areas, allowing you to experience different
environments, people and work types;
• Training and development to enable you to build the skills to enhance your career;
• Excellent employment conditions, including a competitive salary, flexible working
arrangements and contemporary leave entitlements; and
• A supportive environment where you meet and connect with a variety of people including
other graduates.

TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023 3

AM I ELIGIBLE?
To qualify for the 2023 TasGraD Program you must:

• Have graduated with a minimum of a three-year undergraduate or postgraduate degree in

the last three years or have graduated by the end of January 2023 (qualifying degrees as
rated by the Australian Qualifications Framework are at level 7 or above).
• Postgraduate degrees will only be accepted provided that a three-year undergraduate
degree has also been obtained.
• Be either:
o an Australian citizen;
o a permanent resident of Australia;
o a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand passport; or
o hold a current visa1 that allows you to work full-time in Australia for a minimum of
two years.
• Be able to commence work by February 2023.

DIVERSITY
We are committed to providing a flexible and respectful workplace that welcomes applicants with
diverse skills, experiences, abilities, and backgrounds to apply. In addition to providing
opportunities for all diversity groups, we offer targeted roles to build on the successes of our
Aboriginal Employment Strategy and Accessible Island—Tasmania’s Disability Framework for
Action. Targeted roles are mainstream roles for Aboriginal and Disability graduates ensuring
access to and inclusion to join our workforce.
If you are eligible to apply for one of these targeted roles, you will also be able to opt-in for
additional support throughout the process. For more assistance with your application, please
contact us at [email protected].
Note that even if you choose a targeted role, you will be considered for all, of our available
graduate roles.
If you haven’t already been through the eligibility process to participate in TSS Aboriginal
programs and services in the past, we encourage you to start this process as soon as possible as it
can take some time. Visit the Eligibility information on the Office of Aboriginal Affairs webpage as
a starting point.

1 The Tasmanian State Service is unable to offer sponsorship of Visa’s for a role within the TasGraD Program.

4 TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023.

The Recruitment Process
Applying for the TasGraD Program involves capability-based assessments designed to assess your
suitability for a State Service Graduate role. These assessments build on your application and help
us learn more about your motivations, general abilities and values. The recruitment process will
involve the following:
• Initial Application / Eligibility
• Video Interview
• Cognitive Ability Testing
• Psychometric Behavioural Assessment
• Written Responses
• The TasGraD Pool
• Agency specific interviews
• Offers

SUPPORT
For applicants who have opted-in via the application form for additional support and identified
themselves as either being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander descent or a person living with
disability, a Graduate Recruitment Consultant will contact and liaise with you directly at each stage
of the assessment process.

For applicants who have chosen not to identify for the above or who may be experiencing
difficulties, you can contact us via email [email protected] and one of our
consultants will assist. For technical support with a particular tool there may be a separate helpline
or support (see later).

For all other applicants - University of Tasmania (UTAS) students who require assistance with
your application you can contact Career Connect at [email protected] or book an
appointment with UTAS Career Advisers via Appointment Hub. All other students can contact
their university career counselling service for assistance.

Please note Hill Consulting HRS will be running the recruitment campaign on behalf of the
Tasmanian Government until early September 2022. Once at interview or offer stage any queries
should be referred to the relevant agency e.g. about interviews or reference checks and or to
[email protected].

TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023 5

Stage 1: Initial Application & Written Responses
The first stage of the application process is online. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete the
online application. You will be asked to provide information about your eligibility; personal details,
tertiary education (including what field of education your degree is under and your Grade); your
top areas of interest; a response to two individual questions (150 to 200 words per question),
upload a Resume and your academic transcript.
The application form is used to collect a broad range of information up-front, including your
written responses, once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to edit or
adjust your responses. Due to this, please take the time to consider your responses carefully and
ensure you articulate yourself well.
At this stage, we are confirming your eligibility.

HOW DO I APPLY? Initial Application Tips

You will submit an online application through the
Tasmanian Government Jobs Website at Start uploading your application as
www.jobs.tas.gov.au before applications close. You will early as possible. If you have issues on
be asked a number of questions using an online the closing date, you may not be able
application form and you will need to upload: to resolve these in time to submit your
application. It will not be possible to
• A resume; and
submit your application after the
• Your most recent academic results.
closing date.
APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT You can save your application at any
Once you have successfully submitted your application point and return to it.
online, you will receive an automated email
We recommend that you prepare your
confirmation. We recommend that you check any spam
written responses in a word document
folders on your email account, in case the email is
and copy and paste it into your
within this folder.
application form, to avoid losing any
ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT information if you experience technical
issues.
Your academic transcript must prove your eligibility for
the Program. Your transcript must contain: Proof read your application, your
writing skills are assessed as well as the
• Your name
content in your responses.
• Qualification name
• University logo or name Your Grade can be found on your
• Majoring subjects Academic Transcript. If you are yet to
graduate you will be able to select this
An online course record that includes university insignia
option.
is acceptable. If you have not yet completed your
degree, you can submit your most recent transcript, containing your name, qualification name,
university logo, expected date of graduation.

6 TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023.

OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS
If you have an overseas qualification, you will be required to provide Overseas Qualification
Recognition for your undergraduate degree at the application stage. If you do not have overseas
qualification recognition at the time of application, you must submit proof that you are undergoing
the process. It can take up to three months to obtain overseas qualification recognition. A receipt
of submission is acceptable proof that you are undergoing the process.
If you have obtained a postgraduate degree or are currently undergoing a postgraduate degree in
Australia, you are not required to obtain overseas qualification recognition. Your entry into an
Australian postgraduate degree is recognition of your overseas undergraduate degree.

NOTE FOR INTERSTATE APPLICANTS  

We welcome interstate applicants to apply for our program. Our recruitment process is mostly
online, and online interviews are also available. You will need to be able to commence work in
Tasmania by February 2023. 

YOUR RESUME
Consider the following elements when preparing your resume:
Personal Details Include your name, contact email address and phone numbers. There is no
need to include personal information such as marital status, age, or gender.
Education Provide details of your undergraduate degree or postgraduate studies that
you have completed or are completing.
Work Experience Include all work experience and outline the main responsibilities and
achievements that are relevant. Organise your employment history in
chronological order, starting with the most recent, and indicate actual dates
of employment. Make sure to explain any gaps in time.
Other experience If relevant, briefly mention any extra-curricular activities, interests, or
volunteer community work that you have participated in and highlight what
you gained from the experience.
Referees Include the name and contact details of two professional referees who can
validate and support your application.
Layout The standard resume is between two and six pages. Use an easy-to-read
font and a simple, consistent format. Use bullet points to break up the text.
Place key information on the front page where it can be noticed. Highlight
important facts and ensure that you can back them up with examples if
asked at interview.

TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023 7

WRITTEN RESPONSES
The written responses you provided in your application form will be assessed during the
recruitment process.
Within the application form you will be requested to answer the following questions. We ask that
your responses be 150-200 words per question. Your written English skills and the ability to be
succinct will be assessed.
1. Please describe your motivation for applying for the Tasmanian State Service Graduate
Development Program (TasGraD). What do you hope to gain and what do you think you
can contribute?
2. Tasmanian State Service employees serve the Tasmanian Community, with this in mind
what key factors do you think make a good customer experience?
It is recommended that you take the time to consider your responses carefully, as your spelling,
grammar and overall writing ability will be taken into consideration as well as the content of your
answers.
It is suggested that you write your response in an external document, and then copy and paste
your answers into the application form.

Tips for Writing your Answers

We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds and academic

disciplines and welcome responses that show your personality and interests.
We understand that as a graduate you may not have work experience to
draw on for examples, this is not an issue, we encourage you to use
examples from any area of your life and experiences.

Your responses do not have to directly relate to a work or University

environment.

8 TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023.

Stage 2: Online Assessments
During stage 2 all eligible candidates being progressed will be invited to participate in an online
video interview and a cognitive ability test (potentially in the same week).

INTERVIEWS WITHOUT BIAS

For the interviews we will be using AI technology called “myInterview”, which allows you to
undertake a short video interview. Links to commence the myInterview tool will be sent via email
invitation.
The video interview process is designed to give you a fair opportunity to shine through a short
video interview and assesses key behavioural traits. This significantly reduces human biases
compared to traditional recruitment approaches. We only look at what you say during your
interview. The AI interviewer is blind to factors like accent, pitch, gender, age and does not use
facial recognition to reduce bias.
Benefits for candidates:
• No Bias. The video interview and supporting AI does not assess your accent, pitch, facial
expressions, or features.
• Easy to access. You can do on your PC, laptop, or phone (a device with a camera) for the
interview.
Undertake at a time that suits you - Open 24/7. Interview from anywhere at any time (within the 5
days allocated). We recommend a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.

The video interview invitation email will be sent from PageUp or the myInterview platform.

Candidate Information:
myInterview Support Services
Learn how to complete a video interview on the platform

Video interview questions

Interviews will take between 12 and 15 minutes to complete. Questions are timed and will appear
on the screen. You may need to answer each question succinctly e.g. within 2 minutes.
If you run out of time don’t worry if this happens during your video interview. The most
important thing is to focus on answering the next question. The AI interviewer will be evaluating
your response in relation to the new question, so you shouldn’t continue elaborating on your
previous answer.
For those that are unable to undertake a video-based interview, e.g. candidates with a speech
impairment, an opportunity to gain extra assistance and or an alternative interview will be made
available at the time.
The myInterview tool uses a modern scientific and data-driven approach to reading the content of
candidate spoken responses to provide an assessment of behaviour to insights into how well the

TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023 9

candidate will fit the role. The technology ‘reads’ the candidate’s personality using the well-known
and validated Big 5/Five Factor Model of Personality Traits.

COGNITIVE ABILITY - ONLINE ASSESSMENT

This online assessment will help us to measure your verbal, numerical and deductive reasoning and
will take approximately 21 minutes to complete. You will be able to do some practice questions
prior to each section of the assessment. You can complete the assessment on your smart phone,
tablet or PC. Please make sure that you have a reliable connection prior to starting and please
follow all instructions.
There is nothing you need to do to prepare, as the assessment is designed to measure your
current verbal, numerical and deductive reasoning abilities.
You will receive an email invitation from Testgrid, which will contain the login link and some initial
instructions. If you have any issues logging into the testing platform or any technical issues once
you are in the platform, please contact Testgrid’s Technical Support Team on 1300 878 473 or
[email protected].
You will have five days from receiving your invitation to complete the test.

Stage 3: Behavioural Profile

Candidates deemed to be the most competitive at Stage 2, will be invited to complete an online
behavioural profile. The Behavioural Profile will provide us with additional information about the
types of tasks that you enjoy doing and the kind of environment that you are likely to enjoy
working in.
The assessment is behavioural based with no right or
wrong answers only your preferred response to each Behavioural Assessment Tips
statement.
The assessment will take approximately 30 minutes to Check your email inbox regularly (including
complete. You will require a reasonable internet junk/spam folders) as the assessment must be
connection and a quiet place free of interruptions or completed by the specified time.
distractions. You can complete the assessment on Ensure you are alert, in a comfortable
either a smart phone, tablet, or PC. environment free from distractions and have a
You will receive an email invitation from Testgrid, reasonable internet connection.
inviting you to log back into the Testgrid Assessment Be as honest as you can and try to answer
Platform to complete the Behavioural Assessment. from a work perspective if possible.
You will be able to use your login and password from
the cognitive ability assessment. If you have any issues There is no right or wrong answer, so try not
logging into the testing platform or any technical to overthink your answers and go with your
issues once you are in the platform, please contact first instinct.
Testgrid’s Technical Support Team on 1300 878 473
or [email protected].
You will have five days from receiving your invitation to complete the test. Once you have
completed the online assessment your results will be considered as part of the process.

10 TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023.

Stage 4: TasGrad Pool
If you were successful throughout the previous stages, you will be placed into the 2022 TasGraD
Pool. Only the most competitive applicants throughout the process will be placed into the pool
and will be considered for Agency interviews. Not all applicants who make it to the pool will be
invited to attend agency-specific interviews.
However, applicants will remain in the pool throughout 2022 to be considered for graduate
vacancies that may arise throughout the year. The Graduate Recruitment Team will send out
regular communications to confirm you still wish to be a part of the pool.
If you no longer wish to be considered for the Program, please notify us immediately via email and
do not wait for our confirmation email. This will ensure we are not contacting you unnecessarily
and agencies are not considering your application when you are no longer available.

Stage 5: Agency Interviews

The final step in the process is agency-specific interviews, this is the point at which agencies
review your application pack and invite applicants for an interview. You may be invited to attend
one or more interviews with individual agencies during the interview stage.
There are a number, of different factors taken into consideration when selecting applicants from
the pool for an agency interview, including but not limited to your written scores, your overall
assessment scores, and your field of study.
Participating agencies will be provided with the pool of applicants, and they will review the
applications and decide which applicants they wish to invite to an interview. The duration of
interviews will vary, and each agency will have their own set of questions, these are likely to be
different between agencies.

REFEREE CHECKS
Referees may be contacted again prior to an offer of employment.
During this stage, the two referees you nominated may be contacted to provide a referee report
over the phone, or via an online request. If you require a change to your referee details at this
stage, we advise you let the contact officer in the interviewing agency know or contact the team at
[email protected] for assistance.

TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023 11

 Interview Tips

Be presentable and arrive on time, you want to put your best foot forward.
Allow yourself a little extra time to calm yourself and review any notes before your interview.

You may want to read about the agency beforehand, via their website or media. Look for
anything you may relate to that you can use in your interview.
Make notes to jog your memory about your achievements, examples, knowledge of the Agency
or the State Service.
Use the STAR technique to assist you in answering questions (Situation, Task, Action, and
Result)

Consider the selection criteria and the broader Statement of Duties in your responses; it may
help to re-read your answers from the written component prior to your interview.
Use your experiences to your advantage when answering. Draw on all, of your life experiences
including, study, work, volunteering, sport, community events, or any other activities you may
have undertaken. You may be surprised to see that you have demonstrated the selection criteria
in a non-traditional work setting.

Stage 6: Offer of Employment

If more than one agency wishes to offer you a place on TasGraD, you will be provided with all
offers in a telephone call from a Program Coordinator. Where possible, you will have up to 24
hours to indicate your intention to accept a written offer of employment. This offer will be subject
to satisfying pre-employment checks outlined in the pre-employment checks and essential
requirements section below.
If successful, you will be employed by that Agency and that will be your home Agency. Rotations
within your home Agency, or to another Agency may be negotiated.
If you do not receive an offer of employment for the Program you will be notified via email. The
email will contain instructions for you to request feedback.
If you do not receive an offer of employment for the Program you will be notified via email. The
email will contain an invitation for you to request feedback. You will also remain in the TasGraD
Pool that will be open for appointments throughout 2023.

12 TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023.

COVID-19 VACCINATION
If you are offered a role in the TasGraD Program, you may be required by the agency offering the
role to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and to provide proof of vaccination.
Not being fully vaccinated (or providing proof of vaccination) where it is required may result in an
offer of employment being withdrawn.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS AND ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Depending on the agency you are appointed with, you may be required to satisfy/acquire one or
more of the following pre-employment checks prior to appointment:
• Current Tasmanian Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (Registration Status –
Employment)
• Pre-employment checks (e.g. conviction, identification and disciplinary action in previous
employment)
• Be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in accordance with the Tasmanian
Government Aboriginal eligibility guidelines.
• Be a person with a disability as set out in the Disability Services Act 1992.

The Statement of Duties lists all the requirements relevant to the participating agency. This can be
found with the job advert on the Tas Government Careers site. The agency will speak to you
about any checks that may be required during the agency interview stage.

FEEDBACK
If you do not receive an offer of employment for the Program, you are able to receive feedback.
Information on the feedback process will be provided in your application outcome email at the
end of the process. Applicants will be notified if they are successful/unsuccessful at each stage of
the process.

OTHER GRADUATE VACANCIES

Applicants who join the TasGrad pool will remain in the talent pool throughout 2023, to be
considered by Agencies for graduate roles that may arise throughout the year.
Applicants who are successful in obtaining a role will be removed from the pool. If you accept an
offer of employment and resign, you will not be placed back into the pool.

TasGraDs Applicant Guide 2023 13

Email during application and assessment:
[email protected]
Email after interviews and first round
offers: contact hiring Agency.
For all other queries:
[email protected]