Overview
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework (Capability Framework) is a foundational tool that helps the public sector attract, recruit, develop and retain a skilled, adaptable workforce. This guide helps you to use the Capability Framework to assist you in applying for roles and to further develop your capability.
This factsheet covers:
- Applying for a role in the NSW public sector
- Starting a new role
- Developing your capability in your current role
Applying for a role in the NSW public sector
The Capability Framework gives the NSW public sector a shared language to define the capabilities needed for work at every level across its large and diverse workforce. These capabilities are generally assessed during public sector recruitment processes.
The Capability Framework can be used to help you craft a strong application and prepare clear and well-structured responses at interview to effectively demonstrate your capability against the role’s requirements.
Explore your options
- Visit the I Work for NSW website to find roles that that match your skills, experience and interests.
- Once you have found a role you’re interested in, review the role description to check whether you meet the essential requirements, knowledge, experience and focus capabilities for the role.
Tip: Occupation Specific Capability Sets outline the professional, technical or trade-related skills. Make sure you review and consider any occupation specific capabilities in the role description.
Apply
Once you’ve found a role that aligns with your capabilities, experience and interests, it’s time to apply. Follow these tips to help you in the application process:
- Visit the how we recruit page for detailed information on public sector recruitment processes and an overview of common assessment types.
- Check the writing your application page for guidance on crafting a cover letter, updating your CV and responding to targeted questions.
Tips:
- Include examples in your application that show how you’ve demonstrated the behaviours linked to the focus capabilities.
- Contact the person listed in the job advertisement if you need workplace adjustments during the recruitment process.
Prepare for your interview
The Capability Application Tool can support you at the interview stage by providing practice questions on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.
Tips:
- Identify examples that will best highlight your capabilities.
- Practice using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or SAO (Situation, Action, Outcome) methods to structure your response to interview questions.
- Be prepared to discuss in your interview how your capabilities can be applied in different contexts or environments.
Starting a new role
When you start in a new role, it is important to talk to your manager about how your role contributes to your agency’s goals and the broader NSW public sector priorities.
Once you understand how everything connects, use the Capability Framework to identify the capabilities you need, assess your strengths, and plan how to grow in your role.
Tip: Let your manager know if you need workplace adjustments to perform your role.
Discover and improve your capabilities
- Use the Capability Discovery Tool to assess your current ability to meet the focus and complementary capabilities required in your new role.
- Share your Capability Discovery Tool results with your manager to identify work tasks that play to your strengths and will develop your capabilities.
- Work with your manager to agree on your goals, focusing on:
- What outcomes you need to achieve.
- How you can best demonstrate your capabilities in your role.
- Where you want to concentrate your capability-building efforts.
Reflect on your strengths and challenges
- Schedule regular check-ins with your manager to discuss progress against your goals and ask for feedback.
- Discuss challenges and obstacles openly with your manager and seek advice on how to overcome them.
Developing your capability in your current role
Use the Capability Framework to guide your growth in your current role. Using the Framework will help you pinpoint areas to strengthen, set clear goals, and plan practical steps to build the capabilities that are most critical or require further development.
Explore your capability development
Tip: You may also require development in the Occupation Specific Capabilities.
Set goals
- Work with your manager to identify growth areas that align with team priorities and strengthen your capabilities.
- Use the development tips from the Capability Discovery Tool to close any capability gaps identified.
- Plan your development activities, considering:
- on-the-job experiences such as stretch tasks or temporary assignments
- learning from others through feedback, coaching or shadowing
- structured learning including formal courses or reading.
Reflect and review
- Discuss progress with your manager against agreed deliverables and goals.
- Ask questions and seek feedback on how you meet the required capabilities of the role.
- Revisit the Capability Discovery Tool to track your progress.
- Meet regularly with your manager to adjust your goals as your capabilities improve.
