In my presentations about competing for public sector jobs, one thing I talk about is the idea of landing the “dream job” even though it is way out of your current classification. That doesn’t mean you’re not qualified, it just means that it’ll be a challenge. Here’s an example:

• You work in administration at Health Canada (AS-02);
• Your dream job in agriculture comes up at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and it’s one level higher (AG-03).

Now maybe you have enough experience to apply, etc. Here’s the challenge (think of it like figure skating, gymnastics or diving):

• Switching departments usually is about half- to one-degree of difficulty…there’s always at least some bias towards internal candidates because they already know the department;
• Aiming for a promotion in level is always at least one degree of difficulty; and,
• Switching categories is always at least one degree of difficulty and is often two degrees.

So the AS-02 trying to get an AS-03 in the same area would only be one degree of difficulty, but switching categories, increasing level and changing departments raises your challenge to four degrees of difficulty.

Does that mean you have no chance? No, it just means you need to prepare and practice a lot before trying to land it in competition.… Read the rest