Government of Canada jobs When and How to Apply – What to expect

Find available Government jobs in Canada and how to find a high-paying job in Canada. There are many steps you need to learn before getting a federal public service job in Canada. Here’s what you can expect (though not necessarily in this order):

Apply to a job

• Check your GC Jobs account to see if you have been screened in
• Take a written test, or go to an interview if required
• Provide references to the manager and go through security screening
• Check your GC Jobs account/email to receive updates on the process

Testing, interviews, and accommodation measures

After you’ve applied, if you’re screened in, you may be asked to write a test or series of tests. You may also be invited to an interview. Let the person inviting you to the test or interview know, as soon as possible, if you think assessment accommodation measures could make tests or interviews more accessible to you.

• Federal Skilled Worker Needed in Canada
• Jobs for Foreigners in Canada
• Study in Canada

Learn more about testing and accommodation measures.

Types of work

There are several ways you can get hired into the federal public service:

• permanent employment is referred to as indeterminate
• shorter employment opportunities can be either term or casual (usually 90 days or less)

What Next to Apply

Before you can apply for Government jobs in Canada you must create a GC Jobs account (Read the privacy notice, then click on the blue Continue button at the bottom of the page to go to the GC Jobs account page.)

Foreign credential validation against Canadian standards

If you were educated outside of Canada, you’ll need to have your certificates or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Learn how to get foreign credentials assessed by a recognized credential assessment service so that your educational credentials can be recognized by the federal public service.

How to Apply For Government of Canada jobs

These are things you need to do to apply for a government of Canada job.

• Login to your account to apply for a job or to review the status of your application
• Search for available public service jobs
• Use filters to refine your job search
  • See our tips on getting the best results from your search, including leaving the job field blank
• To make your job search easier, you can:
  • create a saved search
  • sign up for email alerts, where the search criteria you have chosen will be applied and will be saved to your account
• On the job advertisement, select the Apply online link
• Work your way through the list of Requirements, completing each section and saving as you go
  If you identify as a woman or are an Aboriginal person, a member of a visible minority, or a person with a disability, you may self-declare in the Employment Equity section of the Requirements, using consent option 3.
• Submit your application before the closing date and time listed on the job advertisement, using the Submit application link

Employment equity: Count yourself in!

The Government of Canada hires people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes the public service even more talented, inclusive and diverse. Self-declaration is voluntary, but by self-declaring as a member of one of the 4 employment equity groups, you’ll be considered for job opportunities where belonging to one of these groups is a requirement. Your information will be kept confidential.

Join us in building an accessible, inclusive, and barrier-free public service. Learn more about employment equity and how the Public Service Commission of Canada is building a representative public service.

Test and accommodation measures

We want to make sure that you have the support you need to fully demonstrate your abilities.

After you’ve applied, if you’re screened in, you may be asked to write a test or series of tests. You may also be invited to an interview.

Let the person who invites you to the test or interview know, as soon as possible, if you think that assessment accommodation measures could make tests or interviews more accessible to you. This information will be kept confidential.

Accommodation measures during testing will be tailored to your own situation and could include working with sign language interpreters or reader services, using alternative formats, technical support, or attendant services.

Learn more about accommodation measures, how to request them and how they work.

After you apply for Government of Canada jobs

• Your application will remain in the Submitted job applications section of your account until the closing date
• If you need to edit or update your application, you can select Retrieve application up to the closing date of the
• process and make your changes
• Ensure you re-submit your application by the closing date or you will not be considered for the job

Results

• Use the Status of job applications page to review the initial screening results of your application
• The hiring department or agency will follow up with you regarding the next steps
• If you have any questions about the hiring process, contact the hiring department or agency (the person listed at the bottom of the job advertisement)

Security clearance

All positions within the Government of Canada require a security status or clearance. In the final stages of a job process, if you don’t have the required security status or clearance, the hiring manager or HR advisor will launch the process, and you’ll receive forms to fill out. Some departments and agencies might require you to go through an enhanced security process.

There are 3 levels of security:

1. Reliability Status
2. Secret (Level II)
3. Top Secret (Level III)

Criminal record check

This is a mandatory step under the security status/clearance process. All successful candidates are required to undergo a criminal record check (fingerprinting) through the department (or agency) before being hired. The hiring manager will contact you about this process.

Contact and Help

For questions about a particular job (working conditions, nature of the work) or the status of your job application after you’ve been screened in, contact the person listed at the bottom of the job advertisement.

For questions about your GC Jobs account, password, email alerts, or about a test, use the Contact us link at the bottom of each GC Jobs page.