Guidelines for Applicants

NZ Ministry of Health Web Page
Printed 11/25/2009 08:25:13 AM Back Print

Vacancies at the Ministry of Health
Guidelines for applicants

This page provides information about the recruitment and selection process at the Ministry of Health.

How to apply for a job vacancy

Please submit the following two items.

The application form provided below.
Your curriculum vitae.

In addition, you may be asked to prepare a self-assessment of experience and competencies matched to the selection criteria for the position.

Application form

The purpose of the application form is to identify the position you are applying for and gather some basic information in relation to your application, including Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) data. Secondly, it allows the Ministry to undertake referee checks.

Download the application for appointment form below fill it out and email it along with your CV to recruitment@moh.govt.nz.

Application for Appointment form (Word, 150 KB)

Curriculum vitae (CV)

A curriculum vitae contains a short outline of your career that focuses on your skills, experience and achievements. Your CV will be used to help the selection panel identify your eligibility for the advertised position. Include the following information:

ü Name and contact information
This is also requested in the application form. However, if you will be away from those numbers during the selection period, please give other contact details.

ü Educational qualifications
Please give your most relevant qualifications for the position. You may wish to include external or internal training courses you have attended, but it will be helpful if you focus mainly on those courses which have most relevance.

ü Summary of skills, experience and qualifications
Relevant to the position being applied for.

ü Work history
Prepare a list of your work history beginning with your current position. Name the organisations or places you have worked, and the positions you have held. Your work history should include both paid and unpaid work, and for each position you have held include a summary of the tasks or duties and the level of responsibility you had. Your CV should also cover your major results and achievements in recent positions.

ü Referees
This is also requested in the application form. Please provide the names and contact numbers of at least two work related referees and indicate the areas of your experience and skills they can comment on. If you are interviewed, we may contact your referees shortly afterwards, so please ensure that they are briefed about your application in good time.

Acknowledgement and processing of applications

Your application will be acknowledged by return mail.

The position may have been advertised over several weeks, and in several locations nationally and occasionally internationally. Our goal is to make a sound decision as soon as we are able. We will be in touch again if there are going to be any significant delays.

Competency self assessment form

In some cases, you may be asked to complete a competency self assessment form. The self assessment is designed to assist the process of evaluating candidates against the selection criteria identified in the position description.

The selection criteria in the position description have been identified as being the most important ingredients for the job to be completed effectively. It is important that you consider if and how you meet these factors.

You will need to prepare a self assessment against each of the selection criteria for the position, as set out in the position description.

Key steps in the selection process

The selection process normally consists of two main decision phases:

Short-listing is based on the written applications received from applicants. This is to identify the leading contenders for the position from all the applications, and uses the documentation you provided. If you are successful in the short-listing process, you will be invited to an interview with the selection panel. Once the short-list has been drawn up, if you are unsuccessful, you will receive a letter of notification.

Recommendation by the selection panel of the preferred candidate following an interview, possibly work related tests, and referee checks. If you are unsuccessful you can expect a letter of notification, and verbal feedback from the appointing manager.

Short-listed candidates may be required to undertake some further form of competency-based assessment. This assessment may include psychometric testing, analytical exercises, role-plays, or delivery of a presentation on a relevant topic.

Through all the stages the appointment panel will be looking for ‘evidence’ that you meet the competency and experience requirements of the position you are applying for. They will gather this evidence from the information you have provided in:

Your written application
Your interview
Tests, a role-play or simulation you have been asked to complete
From your referees (referees will usually only be contacted if you are the preferred candidate following interview).

Responsibility for making the appointment decision rests with the appointing manager.

Unsuccessful candidates will receive notification from the appointing manager. There will be an opportunity for feedback to unsuccessful candidates.

Candidates’ curricula vitae will be returned, and other personal information collected during the appointment process will be destroyed.

Thank you for your interest in the Ministry of Health

We appreciate your interest in the position and look forward to your application.

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