Application tips
To apply online follow these tips:
- Complete all the fields in your application form.
- Use a valid email address so we can contact you.
- If asked send an up-to-date resume. You may also like to send a cover letter.
- Check your application before you submit it. You can save it then print your answers for a hard copy review.
- Once the application is completed, click ‘Submit’. We will send you a confirmation email after receiving your application.
- Check your telephone messages and emails regularly as this is how we'll contact you about your application.
In most cases now we don’t ask you to formally address selection criteria. However, if you’re asked to, read the selection criteria tips.
Managing your application
If you want to be considered for roles in Council beyond the specific role/s you are applying for:
- make sure your resume reflects your skills, qualifications and experience. This will help us match you to other vacancies
- update your existing applicant login
Support for people with a disability
Reasonable adjustment policy
Tell the recruiter if you need any assistance with attending an interview.
Resume and cover letter
Brisbane City Council’s recruitment and selection process is based on equity and merit. This means that when you apply for any position, you will be judged on your:
- abilities
- skills
- qualifications
- experience
Your resume
The resume is your advertisement and should contain details of your:
- education
- training
- employment history
- experience
Make sure you ‘tailor’ your resume to the job you are applying for. Emphasise experience that relates to the position.
It is easier to continually update your resume than to start from scratch each time. Get into the habit of checking it every six months. It will be easier to remember initiatives and achievements if you update regularly.
There is no perfect way to set out your resume. It should be easy to read using:
- consistent fonts and type size
- highlight selected text in bold
- underline points to make then stand out
Information in your resume
Your resume should include the following:
- Personal details
- name
- address
- telephone number or other contact number
- professional membership/s
- Profile/Career goals
- an optional element that provides a brief outline of your skills, experience and aptitudes
- Education
- list any qualifications gained since leaving school
- state the institution and the year you graduated
- if you have not been in the paid work force long, then state your highest level of schooling gained
- list any other relevant and significant training undertaken,(eg computer courses, First Aid training, licences or tickets to operate machinery)
- list subjects studied that may be relevant to the position
- copies of academic results or certificates are not necessary unless you are specifically requested to bring them to the interview to be sighted
- Work experience
- list details starting from the most recent
- include both paid and unpaid work
- include any periods of service in the forces
- state employer's name, address and dates of employment
- state the name of the position you held
- briefly outline the key duties involved
- list details of achievements whilst in the position
- Additional skills
- list any additional skills or abilities such as typing speed and accuracy, shorthand, licences or tickets, software packages you can operate
- Referees
- be able to nominate at least two current referees who can comment on your skills, knowledge, and abilities in relation to the position. Provide the full name, position, title, Department or Branch, contact telephone numbers and/or addresses of your referees when you are asked to supply them
Resume checklist
- Appearance
- Is it well typed?
- Do the margins have sufficient space for potential interviewer comments?
- Is it a realistic length?
- Is it easy to read - white space, dot points?
- Does it have logical page breaks?
- Is it a good personal advertisement for you?
- Clarity
- Is the spelling and grammar correct?
- Is it jargon-free?
- Are all the words used in their simplest form?
- Is there a logical flow to the document?
- Does the list of qualifications and work history begin with the most recent?
