Any tips on interviewing for the federal government?

[capitalttruth]

Hi there,

I have an upcoming interview with the DOJ for the Legal Excellence Program. I have wanted to work in government for as long as I can remember. Does anyone have any tips/advice on how to prepare for the interview? I would sincerely appreciate any advice.

[Ribbons]

I imagine it might be too late, but here are some resources for you/anyone who stumbles on this thread based on my prep and experience as a successful candidate:

Find the jurisdiction you're applying for (and/or closest offices) and practice answer all the questions https://studylib.net/doc/9521997/sample-government-interview-questions

Read some articles from here: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/index.html and be prepared to talk about one of them.

Read these and understand ethical obligations of DOJ lawyer:

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cp-pm/vec-cve/vec-cve.pdf

https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=25049

Read a couple cases from here (or elsewhere that has some recent interesting case law from SCC): https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/cb/index-eng.aspx and prep a case brief for a case (preferably something connected to mandate of DOJ and that personally interests you). 

Read this: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/abt-apd/index.html (get your head around the role of the DOJ).

 

If you do this, you will be more than prepared from a content perspective. Doesn't hurt to also review basic admin law and criminal law concepts. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by Ribbons
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