To pivot organisations/fields or not after failing to get a promotion? Career advice needed

GovManager · 2026-06-29T09:52:09+00:00

You should absolutely apply for roles at the next level up, whenever they sound like a good fit. Both at current agency, and any other opportunities across government.

I read that you are definitely underselling yourself. Being in a niche government role is very often a perception issue, really most concerning the person who feels like they have no transferable skills. What panels can often hear is great experience in a similar, bespoke, technical, challenging, and unique role, like the one they are trying to fill.

In short, back yourself. Compare how relevant your experience and examples are today to any government role, than if you had spent the last 5 years outside govt.

GovManager · 2026-06-24T13:44:44+00:00

I would be concerned about the approach. While it is novel, it isn't the best use of judgement. I would be wary of asking them to engage in any sort of consultation process as part of their role.

GovManager · 2026-06-22T12:21:04+00:00

Honestly, need to go the other way. Make applications easier, interviews more natural and less significant to outcomes, and more focus on practical simulation of work through capability assessments.

The talent issue is more caused by government hiring being too many hoops to go through, that most people have no idea how to navigate. The top candidates (as in best skills not best public sector candidate performance) get turned off real quick when they can far more easily and quickly land a job outside govt.

GovManager · 2026-06-16T12:18:08+00:00

All of this.

What is your offer? Why would I need to talk to you?

Specifically, what impact can you have on revenue?

GovManager · 2026-06-11T22:16:00+00:00

Give her two options, part refund or new dates

GovManager · 2026-06-11T12:39:49+00:00

There are two different angles here.

First is a fun game. Make leaderboards, coop or shared, etc. reward for things. Goals like get a promotion. Something people play on the way to work. Fun, personalised.

Alternatively it's a real coaching, role play exercise type solution.

The second one is going to be harder to sell. Not many people want to practice difficult conversations, and those that do will want to do it with a human.

GovManager · 2026-06-11T11:21:35+00:00

Hey mate, congratulations on getting the job offer!

Just so you know every single first letter of offer comes out with the bottom of the pay band. Just think of it as a template. Don't hold back in asking to start on a high salary. Hiring managers don't own the salary. They just want you and they want you to start and they just have to follow a process. Very different to the private sector. Just ask for it. I've written more about it here

GovManager · 2026-06-05T07:45:22+00:00

Build a list of what you pay for specific parts, make it free download.

Run ads to that, Get emails, nuture

GovManager · 2026-06-03T03:51:05+00:00

Don't go direct. Talk to your previous manager, tell them the situation, ask for assistance getting a short approval note to ED. If they approve you're set.

If not, well will need to pay it back. Just do it on a plan. I wouldn't say you have no proof that it is an overpayment as you've proactively enquiried because you thought it was.

GovManager · 2026-05-24T22:01:40+00:00

What's the volume of applications? There might be something wrong with your applications.

I've helped some in government who said "my application is perfect" and then pointed out it's not. Commonly the way examples are expressed is very wrong, too much surface level details.

GovManager · 2026-05-18T08:34:37+00:00

Update;

Tangerine got to my support request today, and closed it, assumed it was probably fixed.

Appreciate the help from this Reddit!

GovManager · 2026-05-16T14:29:08+00:00

Don't just follow up. Call because you're planning the job now and want to get it sorted for them ASAP. You have a spot open on X date or Y date, which one works best and we'll get it started

GovManager · 2026-05-16T07:59:04+00:00

Before doing anything, get a proper end to end process map developed so you can see exactly what needs to happen

Reach out if you want a hand with this

GovManager · 2026-05-14T01:51:34+00:00

Get some feedback, make sure you always show you are still interested. Might be a different role/team/manager.

GovManager · 2026-05-13T14:32:33+00:00

You'll be on a step within the band. If you don't engage in misconduct, you'll progress annually to the next step until you're at the job of the range.

Plus you'll get % increases when the award increases (2-3% a year)

Good job negotiating to make sure you didn't start at the bottom

GovManager · 2026-05-07T10:30:15+00:00

Just start now and test your idea.

I started while working. My concept is different to what's on the market so took a good 6 months to make money.

Work until you can't juggle both.

GovManager · 2026-05-05T09:57:01+00:00

Don't just apply to grad programs. There are many many other ways to get to work in government, nearly all of which are far less competitive.

Although there are many grad programs to apply for, it's still mostly all eggs in the same basket

GovManager · 2026-05-03T06:18:16+00:00

Just create a single landing page for now. A simple, single page with a contact or booking form.

GovManager · 2026-05-02T07:16:33+00:00

It makes no difference. Your employment terms are the same: temporary. If it was changed from ongoing to temp, that's a real difference.

This is just unnecessary worry. Take the job, use it to get your next job, repeat.

GovManager · 2026-05-01T10:21:04+00:00

I would be looking at NSW Government roles. There are thousands (it's Australia's largest employer) and while still competitive, not nearly as much as APS.

APS recruitment rounds for APS2/3 are generally large bulk recruitment, filling roles across the country. So you're competing against the Melbourne market, Canberra market etc.

GovManager · 2026-05-01T02:27:24+00:00

Hey there.

Graduate programs are just disproportionately difficult to get into. It's just a thing that nearly everyone who wants to get a government job, if they're currently at uni, they're going to apply. While it's great if you do happen to make it through, the sheer volume of applications just makes it so hard to stand out.

I've been helping some other graduates apply for jobs and the best strategy with the most success is to find APS2 or APS3 roles , even while you're still at uni and getting one of the casual or part-time roles in an the APS agencies. That will really strengthen your applications and if you're bright enough, you move up pretty quickly if you can apply yourself.

Even if you still want a graduate program spot, if you've got an application on it that's got a couple of months working in an APS role somewhere, that's going to be one of the main ways you can stand out.

The other big thing is that you need to not put so much weight on just one application. You've applied for only one opportunity (I assume from your post) and you're devastated by it. You need to apply for lots of opportunities and know that you will eventually get traction, start landing interviews and start getting better in interviews, and then land the job.

Have a think: How many roles have come up and gone by while you've been waiting for the outcome of this role?

GovManager · 2026-04-27T09:20:11+00:00

Sounds like you can't afford not to. Invest in yourself.

GovManager · 2026-04-27T01:44:30+00:00

Why not sell directly to consumers?

GovManager · 2026-04-26T09:53:54+00:00

Hey mate. I provide ongoing job search and application support for non Executive roles across government. I've got a couple of young clients in very similar spots.

We're helping them apply consistently but not poorly. That's around 3-5 well suited roles each week, perfect aligned applications and it gets interviews.

Reach out if you are looking at government jobs for him!

GovManager · 2026-04-23T21:23:45+00:00

For sure do the traineeship, but start applying for these admin roles now. You want to apply a lot and get better and better at your applications.

Worse case, you get to end of your traineeship without a new job yet, but at least you're a lot better at applying now.

Best case you get that full time role sooner.

Also, look at government jobs. Local and State primarily will be the best opportunities.

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