So, you’ve scored an interview for a job in the APS. Nice work! Your pitch clearly hit the mark, and now the panel wants to know more about you.The application process is no walk in the park, so just getting to this stage is something to be proud of.
Now comes the fun part — the interview. Okay, maybe not “fun,” but definitely the part where you get to show who you are beyond your resume and pitch.
If you’re not sure what to expect or how to prepare, here’s a rundown of the most common questions people get asked in APS interviews, plus how to answer them without sounding like a robot.
1. “Can you tell us about a time you showed leadership?”
Now, before you panic, this doesn’t mean you need to have been someone’s boss. APS roles, even at the APS6 level, often involve leading in less formal ways: mentoring a new team member, running a project, improving a process, that kind of thing.
What they’re looking for: That you’re someone who takes initiative and helps others move things forward.
What to do: Think of a time you stepped up. Maybe you saw something wasn’t working and fixed it. Maybe someone needed support and you gave it. Keep it simple and explain what happened, what you did, and how it worked out.
Example: “Sure. Last year, I noticed a couple of newer team members were struggling to keep up with our reporting system. It was slowing them down and affecting turnaround times.
I wasn’t in a supervisor role, but I took the lead on creating a quick how-to guide and ran a short informal session to walk them through the process.
It wasn’t anything formal, but it really helped. They picked it up quickly, and we started meeting our internal deadlines more consistently. It also took a bit of pressure off the rest of the team.”
2. “Give an example of when you worked under pressure.”
This one comes up a lot. And again, don’t overthink it. They’re not looking for a superhero story. They just want to know how you handle busy periods or unexpected stuff being thrown at you.
Tip: Talk through how you managed your time, how you stayed calm, and what the end result was. Maybe you had to juggle multiple deadlines, or pick up a task at short notice. The key is showing that you can stay steady when things get hectic.
Example: “During our end-of-financial-year reporting period, we had a few team members off sick, and a bunch of reports landed at once.
I had to juggle my own workload while helping with the backlog. I made a quick priority list, flagged anything urgent with my manager, and spoke with a few stakeholders to manage expectations on timeframes.
It was a bit chaotic for a few days, but we got everything submitted on time without compromising quality. Looking back, it taught me a lot about staying calm, being organised, and asking for support when needed.”
3. “Tell us about a time you improved a process or made a suggestion that helped the team.”
Even small changes count here. You don’t have to have redesigned a whole policy. Maybe you created a new template that saved people time or suggested a way to cut down on back-and-forth emails.
Why they ask: The APS really values people who think about how things can be done better, not just doing the same thing because that’s how it’s always been done.
How to answer: Keep it practical. Explain the problem, what you did to solve it, and what difference it made.
Example: “I was working in a team that handled internal requests via email, and the process was really clunky. Lots of double-handling and missed details.
I suggested moving the requests into a shared spreadsheet with dropdowns and status tracking, so we could easily see who was working on what.
It took half an hour to set up, but it made a huge difference. The team loved it, and we cut down our response time by about 30%. Plus, it made handovers way easier.”
4. “Have you ever dealt with a difficult stakeholder or customer?”
This is about how you handle tricky situations. Whether that’s an angry member of the public, a colleague with strong opinions, or a manager who kept changing the goalposts.
What they’re looking for: That you can stay professional, listen, and work towards a solution (even if it’s not perfect).
Pro tip: Don’t throw anyone under the bus. Even if the person was difficult. Focus on how you managed the situation and what you learned from it.
Example: “In a previous role, I worked with an external partner who would often call last-minute with urgent requests, and it caused a lot of pressure for the team.
I set up a time to chat with them and asked if we could work on a more consistent schedule. We agreed on a weekly check-in where they could flag upcoming work early.
It wasn’t perfect, but it really helped. Things felt more predictable, and the relationship became much easier to manage. I think they appreciated the open conversation, too.”
5. “Why do you want to work in the APS / in this Department?”
This one’s easy to overthink. Just be honest. Why this role, why now, and why here?
Maybe it’s the purpose behind the work. Maybe you want more stability. Maybe you’re keen to move into policy. Whatever it is, make sure it connects to something real.
Quick tip: It helps to know a bit about the Department you’re applying for. Read their website or annual report. Just enough to show that you’re genuinely interested.
Example: “I’ve always been drawn to public service because I like knowing the work I’m doing has a broader impact. I’m particularly interested in [insert Department] because of the work you’re doing in [reference something specific — a reform, a service, an initiative].
I also enjoy roles where I can write clearly, work with stakeholders, and help make processes more efficient, which I know is a big part of this position.
It just feels like a good match for where I’m at professionally and where I want to grow.”
A Few Final Tips (From Working With Thousands of APS Applicants)
- Use the STAR method when answering: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Sounds cheesy, but it works. It keeps your answers structured without going off-track.
- Practice out loud. Seriously. Even if it’s just to your dog or the mirror. You’ll hear what sounds natural and what doesn’t.
- Don’t try to be perfect. Be clear, be real, and focus on what you did. That’s what the panel wants to hear.
You’re Closer Than You Think
APS interviews can feel formal, but at the end of the day, it’s just a conversation about your experience. The people on the panel have sat where you are — they get the nerves. So take a breath, prep your stories, and go in there ready to share what you’ve done and what you’re capable of.
✅ Ready to Land That APS Interview?
If you’ve made it this far in the article, you already know how important it is to nail your pitch. It’s often what gets you through the door and into that interview chair.
A strong pitch doesn’t just tick boxes. It tells your story in a way that’s clear, focused, and tailored to the role. If writing about yourself feels overwhelming (or you’re stuck staring at a blank page), we’ve got your back.
📄 Need help crafting a pitch that gets results?
Let’s work together to turn your experience into something the selection panel wants to read.
