Recruitment and application process

This is a brief summary of your details including:

• Personal details
• Educational background
• Work history and experience
• Additional licences, tickets or certificates
• Referees (2 work related contacts with at least 1 of these being a current or most recent supervisor)

Here are some useful tips to assist you with this process

• Use a resume template which makes it easy for us to read and review your application.
• Ensure you have consistent formatting and correct spelling and grammar.
• Include a simple and succinct personal summary explaining your career objective and value to our organisation.
• List your most recent and relevant work experience first to showcase your skills and knowledge:
  • Provide clear descriptions of your previous roles or experience
  • Include any achievements
• Clearly highlight your core skills relevant to the role.
• Your referee details should include their title and organisation they work for.

A cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself and highlight your experience as it relates to the role.

You can use your cover letter as an opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants – Take your time to explain what excites you about the role and company.

• Address your letter to the hiring manager (their name will be under ‘Position Enquiries’ in the advertisement)
• Clearly articulate your strengths
• Connect your skills to the role and organisations needs
• Convey enthusiasm
• Keep it short 
• Provide examples of previous experience using the STAR method
• Check your letter for spelling and grammar

Useful resource: What’s the purpose of a cover letter?   This shows how to write a cover letter with examples and templates, and includes things to avoid and frequently asked questions.

North East Water’s roles may include one to five key selection criteria questions.

Key selection criteria are used to identify important skills, knowledge or experience relevant to the role. Your response or responses are used to assess your suitability for an interview. This method of assessment ensures that the selection of applicants is merit-based.

We suggest using the STAR method when addressing the Key Selection Criteria:

• Situation: Set the scene and provide the necessary details of your example
• Task: Describe the purpose (your responsibility in the example)
• Action: Explain what you did (the steps you took)
• Result: Share the outcome (achievement)

Hint: Your responses can serve as valuable preparation for your interview, providing ready-made answers to reference and expand upon.

Applications are reviewed against the key selection criteria for the role. This method of assessment ensures that the selection of applicants is merit-based.

Your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager (manager of the advertised position) in conjunction with the People & Culture Recruitment Officer and any other relevant personnel.

What to expect during this process:

• Please allow up to 4 days for shortlisting. Candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted directly.
• As part of the shortlisting process, you may receive a brief phone call to discuss your application and address any questions the hiring manager may have.
• If you progress to the interview stage, our People & Culture team will contact you via phone to schedule your interview.
• If your application does not progress to the interview stage, you will receive an email notification from the People & Culture team.

If you would like feedback on your application, please contact our People & Culture team at hr@newater.com.au.

A member of our People & Culture team will contact you to schedule a face-to-face interview. If attending in person is not possible, we can arrange an online interview via Microsoft Teams.

Interviews are an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to gain a deeper understanding of the role you’ve applied for.

We are committed to fostering a supportive, equitable, and inclusive environment for all candidates. If you require specific supports or adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact hr@newater.com.au in advance so we can accommodate your needs.

Interview preparation tips

Following your interview, please be prepared to provide the details of two work related/professional references who we can contact to confirm your experience. 

At least one of your references should be a current or most recent supervisor.

The successful applicant will be verbally offered the role.

This is where you will have the opportunity to discuss your preferred start date and confirm your employment details.

Once you verbally accept the offer, we will send you a formal offer of employment along with pre-employment documentation, in preparation for welcoming you to North East Water!

Your offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of the following pre-employment checks:

• All positions require a Fit2Work clearance, which will be completed and paid for by North East Water.
• Operations positions requiring field-based work will require a pre-employment medical and functional assessment prior to commencing.

Our Wellbeing & Injury Management Advisor will be in contact to arrange your assessments.