Graduate Recruitment at DVA
2012 Graduate opportunities
Applications for the 2012 DVA Graduate Program will open on 21 March 2011.
Further information:
About the graduate program
The graduate program builds on the skills and knowledge you have gained at university. Throughout the program (starting February) you will:
- Take part in three work placements designed to give you experience with the different functions and activities of the sections within the department and allow you to build your professional network
- Participate in on-the-job learning and development, as well as relevant formal training in areas such as project management and government policy
- Contribute to the development and delivery of department policies and programs which directly benefit the clients we support.
Graduates have the opportunity to be placed in several business areas within DVA, including:
- Support Division
- Services Division
- Business Integrity & Legal Services Group
- Corporate Division
- Executive Division
- Organisational Change Group
- Commemorations Group
- Office of Australian War Graves, and
- the Minister’s office located at Parliament House.
The majority of graduate places are located in Canberra but occasionally positions will be available in a Capital city location where there is a business need. Generally, it is expected that Graduates relocate to Canberra.
Thinking of applying?
Lisa and Rebecca, our 2010 graduates share with you their experiences relating to the recruitment process.
The Application
Lisa: If you decide to commit to applying for graduate program(s) I offer this advice: arm yourself with patience. There's no escaping that the application process for a graduate program takes time and effort.
Bec: After reading through the DVA recruitment website and past graduate stories I decided to apply. At 27, completing a PhD, I was a little concerned I might be considered ‘too old’ or ‘overqualified’ for a graduate program, after all it had been a few years since I finished my undergraduate degree, I wondered if I would still be considered a graduate. I had no need to be concerned. DVA values graduates with diverse backgrounds, so I would encourage anyone with similar concerns to apply, these experiences turned out to be an asset in my application.
The interviews
Bec: About a month after submitting my online application I was invited to attend an all day assessment centre. I was a little nervous about it as I had never attended an assessment centre before but I was surprised to find I really enjoyed the process. Unlike an interview it was an opportunity to show what I was capable of rather than simply telling an interview panel why I thought I could do the job. The panel and Jen, our recruitment officer, were friendly and genuine. It was not an intimidating process and as a result I was relaxed and able to perform to the best of my abilities. I walked out of the assessment day excited at the prospect of working for the DVA.
The waiting game
Bec: The final decision on selection took quite a long time and I did begin to wonder if I had performed as well as I thought! However, occasional email updates on the progress of the selection process relieved some of the waiting stress.
Lisa: It was over five months from the initial online application, to being told I was successful in gaining a graduate placement with DVA. In between, I prepared for and participated in a group interview with other applicants in my home state of South Australia, and got on with my daily life. Some departments are better than others, and what was really pleasing about DVA was the communication about what was happening behind the scenes and updated timelines of when we would find out if we were successful. Other departments are quite poor communicators with their applicants, even if you get to the final round. Rake your Japanese sand garden, listen to bad jokes about having the 'patience of a saint', meditate like a zen monk or at the very least listen to my advice: arm yourself with patience.
The outcome
Bec: Finally in late October, two months after the assessment centre day, Jen called and offered me a position in the 2010 graduate program. I have never been happier to hear my mobile phone ringtone! I accepted the position immediately and am now looking forward to beginning my career in the DVA. I would strongly encourage anyone considering applying for the DVA to do so. Even if you think, as I initially did, that you might not be considered a graduate.