City of Greater Shepparton

City of Greater Shepparton

URL: http://www.greatershepparton.com.au/council/employment/advice_for_applicants

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Advice for applicants

Read the position description and any other related documentation carefully and dont be afraid to ring the contact person for the position if you have any questions.

Thank you for considering applying for a position with the Greater Shepparton City Council. It's great to have you consider us as your new employer, but before you press the send button, we ask that you please read the information on this page so that you frame your application in the way we prefer to see it, saying the things we'd like to hear and demonstrating the things we want you to do.

Presentation

We'd prefer electronic applications but if that can't happen you can post it or drop it in. If it's not electronic don't put it in a folder or binder, just staple it or put a paper clip on it in the top left hand corner. Do not include original documents, such as qualifications, in your application as your application will not be returned to you. It's also important that you keep a copy for your own reference.

Preparation

Read the position description and any other related documentation. If there is a contact name for the position you are encouraged to ring them so you are sure that the position is what you think it is. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the contact person. Ring them more than once if you need to. They're there to help. Use your own resources to find out further information, e.g. look at our website. You can then use this information to prepare your application.

There should be at least three parts to your application:

1. A covering letter;
2. A current Resume; and
   
3. A statement or statements about how you meet the requirements of the position.
   

Covering Letter

First impressions count. The covering letter is you introducing yourself to us. It should be concise, provide a summary of the reasons as to why we should consider you for the position and be written in such a way that will make us want to read more about you. Be bold, be inventive - grab our attention. The covering letter should include:

• The title of the position you are applying for;
• The date and media source (ie where you saw the ad); and
• A brief summary of why you are applying for the position and what qualifications and experience you have that is relevant to the position;

Resume

A resume is a short chronological statement of your work history and your qualifications. Your resume can include other relevant information. As a minimum it should cover the following areas;

• Your employment history.
  Starting with your current or most recent position including details such as employment dates, the capacity in which you were employed, your position and brief outline of your main areas of responsibility. Don't put information here that can't be supported. 
• Your qualifications.
  If the position asks for qualifications and / or training you must identify that you have them. If you have any other formal qualifications - list them. Again, the most recent first identifying title, year awarded and Institution. You will be asked to prove these if you are offered the job. 
• Other information.
  Such as referee details (make sure you seek their permission), your hobbies, any achievements and any other information you want us to know about you. We don't need to know everything about you, just the things that relate to the job. Again keep it short, preferably in dot point form.

Statements(s) about the job

You've read the position description, you've contacted the contact person and your resume is up to date. It's time to tell us why we should appoint you.

There is no right or wrong format for this, just be sure that you demonstrate to us that you can do the job. As a suggestion, the position description contains information clustered under various headings. For each of these headings think about what you have done, how you have done it and what you achieved.

Write it all down as if you were telling someone about it and then cut it back by at least half. Be concise and tell us the most relevant information - not everything. Depending upon the job, about half an A4 page per heading is sufficient. The more senior the position, the more detailed the response.

What we will do

• We will acknowledge your application;
• We will keep your application confidential and we will not discuss it with anyone outside of the process;
• We will assess your application on merit; and
• We will notify you of the outcome.

Good luck with your application and if you need clarification or advice or if there's a problem please contact Council's Human Resources department on (03) 5832 9875 or via email recruitment@shepparton.vic.gov.au.

Now that you're in the know, view all current positions vacant at Greater Shepparton City Council.