Public sector applications that give you the best chance of an interview.
Public service, Crown entity and local council roles are usually assessed against a position description and the competencies it sets out. We write your CV and cover letter from scratch, with you, to show the evidence a shortlisting panel is looking for.
★★★★★4.9/5 from 737 Trustpilot reviews60,000+ careers since 2011Who uses our public sector application service?
Many New Zealand public sector roles ask you to show how you meet the position description, the key competencies and sometimes a set of written application questions. A general CV rarely does that well. Our consultants are specialists in public sector applications and write every document for the role you are applying for.
Public service departments
Applications for ministries, departments and agencies, written against the position description and the competencies set out for the role.
Crown entities
Roles across Crown entities and other state sector organisations, including health, education, transport and regulatory bodies.
Local and regional councils
City, district and regional council roles, from policy and planning to operations, customer services and infrastructure.
Every part of a public sector application.
Tailored CV
A CV written against the position description, with your experience and achievements matched to the key accountabilities of the role.
Cover letter
A targeted cover letter that shows how you meet the competencies for the role and why you want to work for that organisation.
Application questions
Where an application form asks written questions, we draw the right examples from your experience and structure them using STAR within the word limit.
Competency evidence
Leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, analytical thinking and delivery, shown through specific examples rather than general claims.
Values and public service
Many agencies and councils look for alignment with their values and a commitment to serving the community. We make yours genuine and specific, not generic.
Interview preparation
Public sector interviews are often behavioural. Your consultant can point out the examples in your application that are worth preparing to talk through.
Applying for a senior leadership or executive role? Careers Expert Group specialises in executive CVs, branding and transitions.
Four steps to a submission-ready application.
Send us the job ad
Share the job advertisement, position description and any application questions. Your consultant reviews them before your call.
One-to-one Zoom consultation
A focused call to find the strongest evidence for each competency and map your career history to the role.
Written and delivered
Your CV, cover letter and any application answers written from scratch and properly structured. First draft within 3 business days of your call.
Revisions until it's ready
Unlimited revisions. Most clients are ready to submit after one round of feedback.
Written by a public sector specialist, to the panel's standard.
Everything from your first consultation call to your final submission-ready documents, quoted to what your application actually needs.
What our clients say.
★★★★★4.9/5 from 737 reviews"I had CV, letter and LinkedIn all reviewed by Arran, starting with a conversation about what I wanted. The result was 3 media texts that professionally framed my story and strengths, rather than just a list of achievements."
"The turnaround time was incredibly fast and the service was consistently professional from start to finish. The final CV aligned perfectly with my skills and experience."
"Had a top-class service from Arran N. The phone call to discuss my work history and goals was a huge benefit as he perfectly tailored my CV in a way that I couldn't have expressed myself."
"My CV and cover letter have transformed the way I see and value myself, especially within the workforce. I will never underestimate the value and power of a great CV and cover letter ever again."
"Was put in contact with Diana who reached out quickly to better understand my skills and experience and begin work on my documents. Diana's work was excellent - concise whilst still containing good detail."
"The consultation questions really pulled out abilities and achievements I had been diminishing. The finished CV has given me confidence as I seek to transition out of my current industry after a career break."
Frequently asked questions.
What does a public sector application usually involve?
It varies by organisation. Most ask for a CV and cover letter, assessed against the position description. Some also include written questions in an online application form. Send us the job ad and we'll advise on exactly what your application needs.
What does the consultation call involve?
A focused Zoom or phone call with your consultant, who will have reviewed the job ad and position description beforehand. Together you find the right examples from your career and match them to the competencies the role asks for.
Do I need an existing CV to use this service?
No. A current CV is helpful context, but the consultation provides everything needed to write your application.
How quickly can you turn it around?
Your first draft is delivered within 3 business days of your consultation call. Tight closing date? Contact us before booking and we'll advise on expedited turnaround.
Can you help me prepare for the interview too?
Yes. Many public sector interviews use behavioural questions, so the examples in your application are a good place to start. See our interview coaching.
Get a free CV review. Same day. No obligation.
A public sector specialist will review your CV personally and tell you exactly what needs to change. Or book a free consultation to talk through your application.