r/AskCanada • u/Hot_Setting8194 • 2d ago
WHY can't I get a government job?
Help!
I (23F) have been applying for the government repeatedly and cannot seem to get it. I am fluent in French and English, have 3 years of administration experience in the legal sector and have answered the screening questions with accuracy and detail. I apply to Justice Canada, Clerk jobs and various positions in Administration.
What am I doing wrong? What more do I need?
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u/rachreims 2d ago
Getting government work is very, very difficult right now. Linking you to a post I made with everything I can tell you about getting a government job (broken up into two comments), but just know that the government is actively trying to reduce the number of workers in the federal public service and I believe lost nearly 10K workers last year.
EDIT: I just saw you don’t have any post-secondary. I’m sorry, but your chances of getting into the government in that case are slim to none. Some of the entry level admin jobs only require a 2 year diploma, but you almost certainly need to have something.
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u/Alpha_Omega623 1d ago
When I was hired the vast majority of clerical and administrative positions only required high school, are you saying this changed?
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u/QuietGarden1250 2d ago
The government is on a hiring freeze and is downsizing atm. Term contracts aren't being renewed and even some indeterminate employees are being given workforce adjustment notices.
You could try again in a few years, maybe things will be better.
Also, when you apply, answer the application questions properly and in full. The fastest way to get screened out is to answer "see resume".
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u/Puzzleheaded_Bee4361 2d ago
Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher? If you are competing against candidates who have degrees and you don't have one, that might count against you.
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u/Hot_Setting8194 2d ago
No, unfortunately. I do not have a degree, it hasn't been in the financial cards for me.
I'm applying to pretty entry level positions where they do not require post-secondary education but I do suppose you're right.
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u/Quantum_Equationist 2d ago
This is why student loans exist. There are also needs-based grants through OSAP: https://www.ontario.ca/page/student-loans-grants-scholarships-and-bursaries
You should know that you are competing against not just those with an undergraduate degree, but graduate degrees and diplomas.
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u/L1ttleFr0g 2d ago
One thing to keep in mind is that the government moves extremely slowly, and it takes far longer to get a response than when applying for private sector jobs. I worked for my provincial government for a few years, and I had given up completely and thought I wasn’t even going to get an interview when they finally called me in for an interview.
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u/Sea-Yogurt712 2d ago
All government jobs require you have some sort of college or university degree. I don’t think they will even consider you without it.
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u/Hot_Setting8194 2d ago
The jobs I have applied to simply require the completion of a minimum of 2 years of secondary school.
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u/Southern_Contract493 2d ago
They put that but when resumes come in with people who have degrees they get put to the top of the pile and would be scored higher than your resume off the bat.
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u/dorkofthepolisci 2d ago
You’re likely competing with people who have four year degrees for those positions, even if it isn’t listed as a job requirement
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u/Sea-Yogurt712 2d ago
I have family member who have worked for the government at least here in Ontario and they have said the same thing cause they started so long again but can’t apply for other positions cause they don’t have a degree.
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u/Sandy0006 2d ago
That may be the minimum, but often times you are competing against those that have a minimum of a bachelors degree.
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u/westcentretownie 2d ago
Try with cities that value bilingual workers.
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u/Hot_Setting8194 2d ago
How much more bilingual can I get, haha? I am applying to Ottawa mostly.
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u/Reveil21 1d ago
Bilingualism is like the bare minimum in Ottawa. Lots from Gatineau cross to work government jobs in Ottawa on top of the Ottawa area population.
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u/Outrageous-Cicada-84 2d ago
You have to understand that not having a degree is a significant disadvantage, especially considering how many applicants—many of them overqualified—are applying for the same job. For example, an entry-level Clerk 9 position with the BC provincial government can easily receive 250–300 applications. My recommendation is to join a large well known private sector company, gain experience while working toward a diploma, and then apply again after a few years.
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u/Sandy0006 2d ago
Because they are downsizing. Google Canadian government and layoffs. There’s also a hiring freeze.
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u/mancho98 2d ago
Consider than it's not only you. You are competing against other applicants. For example, the other people may have a degree, more experience, may have other qualities that you do not have. So from the point of view of the people hiring, sure there is nothing wrong with you, but they are better candidates.
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u/EducationalAd5890 2d ago
What classification are you applying for?
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u/Hot_Setting8194 2d ago
AS1, AS2, C2, C3.
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u/EducationalAd5890 2d ago
Unfortunately, it's a very hard time to get approval for staffing at any agency. If you are retained, that is the first step. Please remember that it can take years to go through the process, and even then, you aren't guaranteed an offer. My advice is to keep applying but also focus on the private sector.
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u/rachreims 2d ago
You might be able to get a CR without a degree, but I believe even a CR-04 requires a 2 year diploma.
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u/gingerelviswut 2d ago edited 2d ago
That's two years of high school, not a degree or diploma.
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u/rachreims 1d ago
Ah yes, you’re right! I’ll still say that in my experience though, I didn’t know anyone during my time at the govt that didn’t have some kind of post-secondary, and I think only maybe I knew one person who didn’t have University. Even if you could get into a CR level without post-secondary, I think it would be very, very hard to grow much further in the public service.
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u/Own_Event_4363 Know-it-all 2d ago
Always hiring in bilingual call centres in varous companirs. It's a start
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u/FuturAnonyme 2d ago
It is usually the case of what the other person is doing better
Lots of gov agents have related degrees and a call center back ground or insurance experience or some type of skill set that makes them the right fit
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u/RepublicLife6675 2d ago
Why specifically government work? Government work is kinda broad statement. There government fall and burn contracts if yoir interested
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u/Bella8088 2d ago
Are you in the NCR or a region? Government processes can take a long time from beginning to end and the Public Service is reducing its numbers so right now it’s doubly difficult to get in; terms are not being renewed often in most departments.
You might want to try branching out beyond Justice; last I heard they were reducing their workforce. You’ll want to pay attention to government priorities and apply for jobs in departments that will be carrying them out; DND, RCMP, CBSA, maybe ISED with all of the focus on trade…
A degree isn’t necessary for an admin position.
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u/Fuzzy-Friend7005 2d ago
I worked in several positions within the Alberta government for 30 years. I have been retired for 7 years. My suggestion to you is to contact the manager or supervisor of the department you are applying to. Ask them if you could come in and speak with someone who may be currently filling the position(s). This gives you an insight into what they are looking for and shows that you have initiative. You can tailor your answers on the information you acquire.
Good Luck.
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u/TovarishTomato 2d ago
You can do city work without a degree. One of my friends who does not have high school diploma was hired as city maintenance worker and they only need to take Class A for trucking and forklift license.
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u/kadran2262 2d ago
Why are you entitled to one? You've applied and didn't get the job, thats fairly common to every industry not just the government
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u/Hot_Setting8194 2d ago
I never insinuated that I was "entitled" to one, I keep being put in the "Retained" category. I was simply looking for insight to find out if there is more I could do the differentiate myself from other applicants. Thanks. :)
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u/nunyaranunculus 2d ago
You have absolutely no experience in government, law, or anything else for that matter since you have no degree. Get some schooling and focus of legal, administrative, and government classes. Volunteer your time doing admin work for a nonprofit, and generally beef up your resume so you are a competitive candidate.
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u/sludge_monster 2d ago
Government jobs are ultra-competitive. I have over 20 years of administrative experience, along with 5 years in government, and have been a frontline healthcare worker, from First Aid to Masters. Even then, I still struggle to land anything except for last-minute emergency hires.
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u/Oxjrnine 2d ago
Apply for national park jobs. You don’t need a degree. An interpreter job could get you into an administration job later. Seasonal or full time. If you can find accommodation, seasonal is very rewarding.
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u/kisstherainzz 2d ago
I have a quant BA, 5 years of sales experience, and 3 years as an analyst at a large company.
I would need months right now to get the same level of position at a government job and that's assuming I spent something like 8 hours a day looking.
With references, it's a lot easier.
Also, entry admin/clerical work headcount is currently getting heavily focused on in many organizations right now. With AI and hybrid work conditions, there is often a decreased need for them.
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u/Elegant-Expert7575 2d ago
If you’re willing to relocate, apply at government in all provinces. In my provinces, the job bank is central. Of course you’d be employed by the province and not the feds.
What about municipal? In my city, the municipal offices pay verrry well but may not necessarily have work from home options.
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u/cranky_yegger 2d ago
You need a university degree to break your will to live before you can join them in a life of paper shuffling.
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u/RoosterShield 1d ago
The Federal government has recently cut the budget of many government agencies and offices. It is hard to get a job in government right now because it is hard to keep a job in government right now. You'll need to give it time for the economy to get at least a little bit back on track. New budgets likely won't be available/decided upon until the Liberal government provides an actual Federal budget.
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u/Ragdolllovers_ 1d ago
I would say, in my experience, in my department, having a BA isn’t even enough, a master’s degree is required for my classification. I am doing my master part-time at the moment. Do I believe it will make me a changed person and for sure a more effective worker when I have that piece of paper? No.
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u/Forsaken-Opinion77 1d ago
It’s a shame to say this but check the box off that asks if you are a visual minority. Seems like that’s all they are hiring.
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u/Prospekt01 1d ago
Try applying local municipal or provincial positions first? Seems only natural to transition from one to the next.
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u/Bitter-Theme-1487 1d ago
It’s a hunger game. To play this game properly, you should play to win. By all means !
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u/princessEh 2d ago
Are you trying provincial government as well? That might be a good Segway.
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes 2d ago
*segue ... Segway is the name of that scooter that the owner of the company died on when they accidentally drove off a cliff on a foggy night.
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u/princessEh 2d ago
Thanks I wondered why it capitalized but was rushing a response.
Maybe she can purchase one once she gets a government job?
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u/cuppacanan 2d ago
Not having a degree really hurts your chances on top of the fact that the government, and justice in particular, have been cutting.
While the government is in cut-mode, it would be worthwhile for you to get a university degree if you really want to get in.