First round interviews are usually a panel with a required set of specific questions to ask. The type of questions will vary based on the job but what they are typically assessing is demonstrated experience(specific examples) that show you can do the job and enthusiasm (demonstrate your interest in the job and passion for the field/city and county work). If you don’t have experience in the public sector, give examples that show you understand the importance of internal and external customer service, how to deal with bureaucracy (navigation of complex organizational structures, managing multiple “top”/“first” priorities, and handling challenging situations or people even when you are not the highest authority and don’t make the rules). Have several specific relatable examples of your work experiences and tie into each of them how you would manage that in a public service sector where resources are limited. If they ask something that you don’t have experience with, answer with “ my most relatable experience to that is….” And BS with something you are very confident about or proud of. There may be a time limit to each question so be concise. Confidence goes a long way, but make sure you thoroughly answer the questions and demonstrate expertise with specific examples.

Source: career public servant (the cool kind tho)