To help you decide whether or not to apply for a position at the municipality, ask yourself:
Can you do the job?
Ensure that you meet the requirements described in the job posting. These are listed under the qualifications section of the posting. You should have skills and strengths that would be relevant to the position.
Are you interested in the work of the area you are applying to?
Research the municipality, the department, and the specific position to help determine your interest.
Is the work environment a good fit?
- Ensure the described job environment fits your personal situation and expectations.
- Do your research to see if the commute and work schedule (e.g. night shift) will work for you.
What to expect from the hiring process
Background: Merit-based hiring
The Halifax Regional Municipality strives to attract, hire, and retain qualified candidates to meet organizational objectives and to provide excellent service to the public. To support this goal, all hiring activities are based on merit and a candidate’s ability to perform effectively in a position.
Merit-based hiring assesses:
- education
- experience
- skills
- knowledge
- past work performance
Applications are screened to ensure they meet the minimum requirements advertised for the position.
Step one: Apply online
To apply for a position, you will need to create an online profile. The system will take you through the steps after you click on the job you are applying for.
As you prepare your application for a particular position, be sure to:
- Demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and qualifications required for the position you are applying for in your work experience.
- Highlight relevant training, experience, accomplishments, and/or education that you have to substantiate the skills, knowledge, and qualifications that you outline.
- Provide full details of your education, work experience, and credentials, indicating how you meet the requirements specified in the job posting.
- Include your current contact information, phone, and/or email, on both your online profile and on your résumé.
Step two: Application review
Once the job posting has closed, applications are reviewed and screened by a human resources analyst and the hiring manager for that position.
If you are selected for an interview or testing/assessment, you will be contacted either by phone or the email address you provided.
If the job posting is a union position, external applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified, internal union candidates.
If you have a disability and require an accommodation, you must advise the Recruiter as soon as they contact you. Medical documentation indicating the type of accommodation required must be submitted in order to be considered for an accommodation.
Step three: Candidate interviews and/or testing
Depending on the position, candidates may be asked to partake in testing/assessments in addition to an interview. These are based on job-relevant criteria and will vary depending on the position.
A variety of selection tools may be used and could include tests such as:
- Word, Excel, Power Point
- presentations
- online customer service assessments
- physical fitness
- aptitude testing
These tests may be in addition to structured interviews comprised of situational and behaviour- based interview questions.
Step four: Selection
If selected, and depending upon the requirements of the job, your job offer may be contingent on:
- educational verification
- security clearance requirements (i.e., criminal records check, enhanced background check, etc.)
- valid driver’s license
- medical assessment
- reference check
Step five: Receiving an offer
If you are the successful candidate, a verbal offer of employment will be made with details on the terms and conditions of employment and any other information that may be important to assist you in making your decision.
If you accept your verbal offer, a written offer of employment will be provided to you that you will need to sign.