Civil Svc/ Statboard - Typical Timeline for making a Hiring Decision

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello.

I am just curious - how many job applications did you all send out on CareersGov before receiving an offer, assuming that you have tailored your application details to the job to the best of your ability?

I am asking this because:

(a) when I was still a fresh grad (NUS Arts Hons 2:1) about 2 years ago, I sent out 20 applications on C@G and got 2-3 offers. Took one of them and yeah stayed for about 1 year 6-7 months before moving to the private sector. Am thinking of applying back to the public sector after 6 months in my job.

(b) I have heard some of my friends saying that they applied to like 100+ positions over the course of a year and still no offers. They aren't that bad in terms of academic credentials by the way, with local uni hons (2:1).

(c) Some of the titles and advertisements are perplexing. Entry positions for some ministries can range from Executive to Assistant Director. For Some stat boards, the entry position is Assistant Manager while for others its Manager.

Come tell us your story!

what is the point of your question?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what is the point of your question?

Agree. Pointless. Don't understand.

hahaha what a stupid person

My teacher say there is no stupid question...



Just stupid people..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No change in status. Did yours change?

'In Process' for more than a month but no calls for interview

For a typical job in the civil sector, may I know what is the actual procedure:

Interview -> Shortlisted -> Security/Medical Clearance -> Salary Negotiation -> Offer
Interview -> Shortlisted -> Salary Negotiation -> Security/Medical Clearance -> Offer

My question is actually whether I need to wait 2-3 months until after security/medical clearance results before I know my expected salary, and then decide whether I should quit my current job for this new job? Or I can quit my current job while waiting for security/medical clearance.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

For a typical job in the civil sector, may I know what is the actual procedure:

Interview -> Shortlisted -> Security/Medical Clearance -> Salary Negotiation -> Offer
Interview -> Shortlisted -> Salary Negotiation -> Security/Medical Clearance -> Offer

My question is actually whether I need to wait 2-3 months until after security/medical clearance results before I know my expected salary, and then decide whether I should quit my current job for this new job? Or I can quit my current job while waiting for security/medical clearance.

Different role and different board has different requirement on clearance. Verbal offer will come in when they decided to pick you. Then you will wait for the LOA. Once you signed, you can quit or you may risk the last minute pull out by either party.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello.

I am just curious - how many job applications did you all send out on CareersGov before receiving an offer, assuming that you have tailored your application details to the job to the best of your ability?

I am asking this because:

(a) when I was still a fresh grad (NUS Arts Hons 2:1) about 2 years ago, I sent out 20 applications on C@G and got 2-3 offers. Took one of them and yeah stayed for about 1 year 6-7 months before moving to the private sector. Am thinking of applying back to the public sector after 6 months in my job.

(b) I have heard some of my friends saying that they applied to like 100+ positions over the course of a year and still no offers. They aren't that bad in terms of academic credentials by the way, with local uni hons (2:1).

(c) Some of the titles and advertisements are perplexing. Entry positions for some ministries can range from Executive to Assistant Director. For Some stat boards, the entry position is Assistant Manager while for others its Manager.

Come tell us your story!

Applied for 50+, landed 10 interviews, 5 of which were successful w offers.
(a): Be prepared to answer well why you left and decided to come back. Given your short stints in the prev PS agency and private sector, they may think of it as job hopping, especially since public sectors do favor long-serving candidates and loyalty to the organization. The 6 months stint in private does look quite...odd.
(b): Really depends on availability, timing, candidate pool and opportunity
(c): Execs are usually for diploma holders if im not wrong? Entry lvl fresh grads usually Asst. Managers - Mangers, substantive grade from MX13-12.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Applied for 50+, landed 10 interviews, 5 of which were successful w offers.
(a): Be prepared to answer well why you left and decided to come back. Given your short stints in the prev PS agency and private sector, they may think of it as job hopping, especially since public sectors do favor long-serving candidates and loyalty to the organization. The 6 months stint in private does look quite...odd.
(b): Really depends on availability, timing, candidate pool and opportunity
(c): Execs are usually for diploma holders if im not wrong? Entry lvl fresh grads usually Asst. Managers - Mangers, substantive grade from MX13-12.

To add on to my point wrt (a), if it's not specifically a contract job, i would deem it a short stint because HR once told me they usually like for newcomers to stay for at least 3 years to gauge their performance and ability. In her words, "it takes about 3 years for you to really learn everything on the job." My leaders also pointed out the same thing for minimum duration. I've also seen headhunters point out that 1 year+ is considered short stay.

Yes,that's correct.

If you keep changing jobs every 6 months or so and if it is a contract position, then its not considered job-hopping due to the nature of the position (even if u dont want to leave, u have to leave after 6 months).

Especially as a fresh graduate, you can just say u want gain more exposure and experience to different environment, office culture and structure as well. Some company is more structured,some is more flat. Whereas in terms of culture, you get to communicate/liase with people from all sorts of culture and management level as well. In addition, some have more clear work process, some requires you to hands on yourself.

All these is quite a decent reason during the interview where u explain to them that all ur previous positions is contract-based at the start. After that, just use the reasons i've given above. After that, let them know this would benefit yourself when u finally get a permanent role (basically the position you apply for).

However, for the above reasons, i would think if would only be viable if all your contract position all up to 2 years or lesser. Do contract position for very long can be a double edge sword too but given the corona virus period, it would still be fine. These reasons would even be better if your working in the HR industry as hr is about communicating with people.