• About PSMD
• Professional Development
• People Management
  • Recruitment
    • Appointment Pool Guidelines
    • Attraction
    • Employment Programs
    • Rethinking Recruitment
    • Recruitment Advertising Management System (RAMS)
  • Employment
  • Redeployment & Severance
  • Cessation of Employment
  • Change Management
• Workforce Planning
• Organisational Reform
• Governance
• Publications & Resources

Rethinking Recruitment provides a series of tools and initiatives to assist agencies to review their recruitment practices and implement change. Whilst largely directed at human resource officers, all staff and line managers will find these resources useful.

The tools will enable you to:

• think creatively;
• tailor recruitment processes to your agency’s needs; and
• be confident when conforming to the public sector’s recruitment standards for merit, equity and probity.

Each stage of the recruitment process can be improved - there is significant room for creativity and innovation within the existing public sector recruitment framework. The Rethinking Recruitment suggestions can be implemented straight away, depending on the internal policies of your individual agency. In many cases, agency policies are far more restrictive than the sector-wide standards.

The Right Path to the Right People, produced by the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner, provides a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of recruitment in the public sector.

If you have any doubts as you develop your recruitment process, check with your agency’s human resources section, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet or the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.

Remember - the recruitment process is based on merit, equity and probity. It is vitally important to document the various stages of the process, as you must be accountable for your decision and the process must be reviewable.

Reviewing Your Agency's Needs

• Streamlining Your Recruitment Process (PDF - 243kb)
  These practical tips and case studies demonstrate contemporary recruitment processes that achieve the best possible outcomes - attracting and appointing the most suitable staff.
• Tapping into Employee Networks (PDF - 253kb)
  Provides agencies with advice on the benefits, risks and minimum requirements to access employee networks for recruitment.
• Cross-Agency Recruitment Pools (PDF - 245kb)
  Outlines a 'step-by-step' process for agencies to undertake cross-agency pool recruitment activity to fill specific vacancies.
• Targeting the Strongest Candidate (PDF - 263kb)
  Highlights existing flexibility within the selection process to progress assessment of the strongest candidate before less competitive applicants.
• Exemptions
  In certain circumstances, agencies can apply for exemptions from conditions specified in the Public Sector Management Act 1994. For more information on exemptions, including guidelines, applications forms and case studies, see the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.

Designing the Job Application Package

• Capability Profile: Levels 1 – 6 (PDF - 437kb) or Capability Profile: Levels 1 - 6 (Word - 104kb)
  This document is a guide for anyone involved in a recruitment process and provides a capability profile for public sector positions from levels 1 to 6. This builds on the existing Leadership Capability Profile and creates a complete framework to identify critical capabilities at each level.
• JDF Templates: Template 1 (Word - 95kb) & Template 2 (Word - 47kb)
   Rethinking the way your agency develops job descriptions can assist you to review the need for and relevancy of the job, the ability to attract and develop people into the role. Two suggested templates are provided to assist with the development of your job application package.

Advertising the Position

• Tips for Recruitment Advertising (PDF - 350kb)
  Assists public sector agencies to understand their options when considering recruitment advertising.
• Guide to Advertising Policies, Standards and Legislation (PDF - 231kb)
  Assists agencies to understand current policies, standards and legislation that apply to recruitment advertising in the public sector.
• The Role of the Job Contact Person (PDF - 538kb)
  The Job Contact Person is a crucial link to potential job candidates, providing them with important information about vacancies and promoting a workplace. A list of applicants’ Frequently Asked Questions (Word - 56kb) is provided to assist in preparing for the role.

Candidate Care

• Tips for Candidate Care (PDF - 1.52Mb)
  This information sheet provides tips for HR and line managers to better look after applicants during a recruitment process.
• Tips for Induction Programs (PDF - 832kb)
  An effective introduction to a workplace instils a sense of inclusion in new appointees and clarifies both parties’ expectations regarding the employment relationship. It can also increase productivity immediately following commencement. These guidelines and tips can be used by line managers developing induction programs for new employees.
• Induction Checklist (PDF - 128kb)
  This checklist will assist line managers to contribute to positive first impressions of a workplace. It is designed to be used as part of an induction program to quickly and effectively integrate new employees.

Queries or feedback?

Please email comments or queries to rethinkingrecruitment@dpc.wa.gov.au.