Application Process & Interviews at Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

It was a long process but well communicated.

CV stage, IQ test, One way interview, Assessment day with in person interview, references check

Interview processes and assessments were fine don't have any strong feelings about it all.

The process was extremely lengthy and contained a number of assessments. Communication could be unclear which made it very confusing at times, particularly when reaching the final hurdle.

The hiring process is extremely tedious and can span a period of 3-5 months before confirmation is given that a candidate has been successful. While it is understandable that the process is so thorough given the number of candidates, I believe it could be improved by being streamlined so that candidates finish the assessments in a more condensed period of time.

First you fill out the application form and upload your CV like any job application. There was an online video interview, psychometric testing, a written assessment, and an assessment centre (with team exercises, and a panel interview).

A lot of steps in the assessment process. First have to submit your CV, then submit a video recording answering some standard interview questions. Next is psychometric testing followed by a written assignment where you have three hours to answer questions based on a fictional scenario. The final stage is an in-person assessment centre which consists of a group interview and an individual interview.

The hiring process was long. It included a written assessment, recorded 'interview' questions, aptitude testing, and an in-person assessment day with panel interviews and group assessments.

The interview and assessment process was too long. Although everyone involved was lovely, the communication at times was lacking and there were big delays.

Relatively inflexible.

The interview process was staged with each activity 1 week apart (contingent on passing through to the next stage), usually with a window from Friday night - Sunday Evening to complete. This process was during COVID so all aspects were virtual, in-person experiences may vary: Applications open: CV/Cover Letter submissions Week 1: Aptitude testing (word association ,numerical and abstract reasoning) - 45 minutes Week 2: One-way recorder interview - 15 minutes Week 3: Problem Question answer - 3 hours Week 4-5: Virtual interview focused on behavioural questions- 45 minutes 2-4 weeks after interview: Acceptance/decline call and email

Very intense, long and arduous. A stressful experience.

long, many MANY steps.

1. Initial application - very standard, not unreasonable (esp. as very similar to anything else one might be applying for) 2. Testing - both the problem-solving and the language-based questions felt a lot less arbitrary than similar tests for other applications, like the law firm/other ministry ones my classmates were applying for, which I appreciated 3. Video interview - this was the worst part of the process for me; it's nerve-wracking without having someone to steer you in the right direction and there's more of an element of luck in how you prepare 4. Zoom interview - really nice for a zoom interview! The interviewers were lovely and empathetic to nerves.

It was long but that was mostly due to COVID. There was an initial application, then a cognitive test, then a verbal assessment, then a written test, then a final panel interview. It was very formal and un-personable until the final interview which was great.

Application -> -> Pre-recorded Video interview -> Written assessment -> Zoom interview -> Reference checks -> acceptance.

There are a lot of interview steps, verbal, written and numeric tests, group interviews and individual interviews.

Intensive. CVs, cover letters, psychometric testing, writing exercise, one-way video interview, online interview.

The process for the grad recruitment is very long. It includes testing, a video interview, a written exercise and an interview or assessment day (COVID depending).

Long and hard. Psychometric was a bit of a joke. Interviews were great, I felt comfortable. Assessments were challenging but they provided ample support.

STAR questions and why I felt that MFAT was the right ministry for me.

topical foreign policy issues, M?tauranga M?ori, reasons that I would be interested in joining.

More scenario-based questions to show leadership, conflict resolution and stress management

Lots of STAR questions

My knowledge of foreign policy, what I had achieved in my previous work, etc.

Why do you want to work at MFAT? What is the biggest upcoming issue for New Zealand in your opinion? How do you embody Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your everyday work? How would you approach interacting with people from a different culture than your own?

Asked about how I preferred working to deadlines, what place I thought te ao M?ori should have in our work, a time when I have shown resilience and how I have engaged with other cultures in my life.

Tell us about yourself/introduce yourself Why/what motivated you to want to work here? How do you think your previous experience/studies will help you to work here? STAR type questions like: Tell us about a time you used problem solving at work. Tell us about a time you had to manage your time. Tell us about a time you used tikanga M?ori in the workplace. Tell us about a time you had to work with others/a range of stakeholders.

How would you incorporate tikanga into the workplace? Why do you want this job? What skills could you bring to this role? Describe a time that you worked in a team - what went well and what didn't?

Perspectives on what MFAT does, personal motivations for joining, STAR based behavioural questions

Why do you want to work for MFAT. Plus behavioural questions.

Big picture global perspectives

- What exactly does the job entail? (What do you expect your work will look like?) - What does MFAT do? - What in your view should be MFAT's two main concerns/priorities (economically?) at the moment/going forward - Talk about a time you had to get someone on your side - Talk about a time you had to adjust/change direction quickly on something

Big picture strategic thinking questions

The interview was the most chill part of the whole process. At this stage you just have to not screw up. I was asked generically about my skills, interests and the role itself. There were a few scenario (STAR) based interview questions. Overall a very good/easy interview for such a long process.

About the values of organisation, STAR method. I remember one about conflict, and one about convincing others.

Typical questions, why you would be good for the role, what interests you about the work etc.

Generic interview questions

The video interview questions are more around motivation and then the 'real' interview is largely situational questions (tell me about a time when etc.).

Describe a time when plans changed and you had to adjust?

Make sure to have some interesting personal anecdotes that showcase your interest in small issues, not big issues necessarily. For example, I talked to my interviewer about the cheese market in Ethiopia which we connected on a lot more than vague reckons about some larger issue.

be up to date on foreign policy issues and be open, collaborative and honest in the interview and group assessment sections.

Prepare ahead and get someone to proofread everything. Really consider whether this is a career you would like to do and meet people who are currently in this role or have been working there or have worked there before so you can make an informed decision.

Stay patient throughout the whole process, don't get your hopes up

Be as authentic as possible. Be passionate, and understand what unique experiences and perspectives you can bring to the role.

Prepare answers in the STAR response. Try your best to show case your diverse range of talents/perspectives. Be yourself.

Find someone who has successfully been through the application process and works here, or at a similar organization, and ask them for advice, coaching. Prepare and familiarize yourself with STAR interviewing.

Read about the Ministry on the MFAT website, particularly the strategic framework and the Ministry's mission statement. Use these to frame your answers. Also make sure that you have basic understanding of tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Have useful questions prepared to ask the interviewing panel that show you are genuinely interested and have also researched MFAT.

MFAT likes candidates that have volunteering and overseas experience.

Prepare for the STAR based behavioural questions well

Be yourself and show your personality where appropriate in the interviews. You don't need to know everything about foreign affairs, or even much at all. It's more about your personal experiences and how you draw on them.

Read the strategic plan; try to actually get a clear answer out of current POs as to what they actually do (a very hard ask - "oh it's different everyday" is not a helpful answer"); reflect on times you have done things that were challenging to you/not 'in your wheelhouse' so to speak

No it was rather closed book

If you want this job spend time on each round of the application, it shows. Show your skills and talent but don't forget to be personable, being likeable and interaction skills are number one. Look at the values and work of MFAT and talk about these. Do your research before each stage.

Prepare by reading up on the different work programmes that MFAT does, think about what you would get out of/bring to each sector of the org. You're applying for a rotational role so you should try show interest in all.

Have broad life experience. Having a previous career.

Have a good read and explore of the website, go to the events MFAT hosts in advance where you can chat to current policy officers or HR staff about the roles, prepare questions you can ask the people who interview you (this shows real engagement), prep some examples you can draw on for the questions as well.

Be yourself. Don't try pretend you are somebody else. Think of what you and your experiences can bring to the Ministry, not what you think the Ministry is looking for.