How we select our people

NHMRC advertises all employment opportunities via eRecruit, our online recruitment system as well as on APSJobs.

How to apply

Applying for a job with us is simple – just submit an online application for the job you are interested in through our current vacancies page.

Applicants are asked to prepare a written response, usually with a maximum length specified, such as two pages or a word limit, and attach a resume and details of at least two referees.

What to include in your resume

The quality of your resume creates the vital first impression we have of you. As a minimum, you should ensure that you include the following elements:

• Personal Details – include your name, contact email address and phone numbers.
• Education – provide details of any education and qualifications that relate to the job you are applying for.
• Work Experience – include relevant work experience and outline the main responsibilities and achievements that relate to the job you are applying for. Organise your employment history in chronological order, starting with the most recent, and indicate actual dates of employment. Make sure to explain any gaps in time.
• Other Experience – if relevant, briefly mention any extra-curricular activities, interests or volunteer/community work that you participated in and highlight what you gained from that experience.
• Referees – include the name and contact details of two professional referees (at least one should be your current manager/supervisor) who can validate and support your application.
• Layout – the standard resume length is between two to six pages. Use an easy to read font and a simple, consistent format. Use bullet points to break up text. Place key information on the front page where it can be noticed. Highlight important facts, and ensure that you can back them up with examples if asked at interview.

What to include in your written response

Your written response is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job. We want to know why you want to work at NHMRC, why you are interested in the role, what you can offer us, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the role. In a nutshell – why should we hire you?

Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your resume, but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

Assessing your application

Your application will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate that you possess, or have the real potential to develop, the required skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to perform the role. These requirements are based on the information provided to you as part of the job advertisement.

If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment to test your ability to perform the role.

Assessment

We use a variety of techniques to assess and validate key knowledge areas, critical skills, motivation and fit for the role. This may include:

• written applications (including your resume)
• phone, face to face, Video Conference interviews – structured or informal
• group assessment centres
• work sample testing (such as work simulations and technical aptitude testing)
• referees reports - either verbal or written

Referees

Your referees may also be contacted at any stage of the assessment process to validate your claims in your application and at interview.

For this reason, it is important that you advise them you have applied for a role at NHMRC, and that you feel confident they will be able to support your application.

Selection

We make all selection decisions based on merit, which means that:

• the assessment process is fair and consistent
• assessment is based on job specific requirements – things that are genuinely required for someone to perform the role
• based on the assessment, the best person for the job gets the job.

If you are selected as the successful candidate – congratulations! You will be contacted to discuss things like classification, salary, conditions of engagement and start date, as well as asked to complete any relevant new starter paperwork.

If you are not selected as the successful candidate – don’t despair! It doesn’t mean that you can’t do the job, it just means that someone else demonstrated that they could do it better. Remember you are able to ask for feedback to help you improve your chances in the future.

In some cases, when you are notified that you didn’t get the job you may be told that you have been placed on a merit pool. This is great news as it means that you may be considered for similar roles in NHMRC as they become available over the next 18 months.

Our responsibilities

NHMRC uses a streamlined recruitment and selection process which aims to fill a vacancy in the quickest practical timeframe.

Applications must be submitted before the closing date and time. Selection committees are not obliged to accept late applications. Once your application is successfully submitted via the online system, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

We notify all applicants, in writing, of their progress in the selection process. We aim to provide you with at least two days' notice of your selection for interview.

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our Recruitment Team via email: recruitment@nhmrc.gov.au

NHMRC welcomes applications from people of all abilities and from diverse communities.

If you need an interpreter, or have other accessibility requirements, please email recruitment@nhmrc.gov.au with your request.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service (NRS) to make a call. You can visit the Access Hub website or call 1300 555 727 for more information.