Learn the Rules. Gain Clarity. Play with Confidence.
A practical guide to navigating APS recruitment with clarity, structure and confidence.
Applying for APS jobs can feel confusing and frustrating. Whether you’re trying to write a stronger pitch, prepare for interviews, understand merit pools or navigate promotion opportunities, The APS Recruitment Game provides practical guidance to help you approach the process with greater confidence.
Who Is This Book For?
APS Employees Seeking Promotion
Practical guidance for strengthening applications, writing clearer selection criteria responses, and preparing for interviews with greater clarity and confidence in APS recruitment processes.
People Applying for APS Roles
Insight into how APS recruitment processes work, what selection panels are looking for, and how to approach applications in a way that aligns with merit-based assessment.
Managers, Coaches and Career Practitioners
Useful for those supporting others through recruitment processes, including career coaches, mentors, supervisors and managers involved in selection or talent development conversations.
What Readers Are Saying
“This is a succinct, readable, and practical guide to the unwritten rules of the APS recruitment game. Highly recommended both for the players: those who want to take charge of their public service career, and for the coaches: who cheer them on and support from the sidelines.”
Tim Collins
Coach, Facilitator and Strategic Adviser
★★★★★
“I learnt so much from chapter one alone, despite having spent nearly 30 years in the APS. I already feel more confident about applying for jobs and can’t wait to see where this book takes me. I highly recommend this book. A great gift for a hard working friend or family member who just can’t seem to catch a break, and a must for the office library.”
Sharon
★★★★★
“This is a great book for people looking for practical tips and strategies to better understand APS recruitment. Highly recommend!”
Sarah Q
★★★★★
“A super practical book for those looking to explore where to from here in the APS. The material is clear and concise and you can go where you need to get what you need help with. A book for hope for a complex system. I recommend it for APS people and career coaches alike.”
James Young
How This Book Helps You Through APS Recruitment
This is not just a guide to recruitment. It is a practical system to help you approach APS job applications with clarity and confidence.
Inside the book, you will learn how to:
- Understand the APS recruitment process and what panels are really assessing
- Use the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) to position your experience at the right level
- Write strong applications using clear, evidence based examples
- Prepare for interviews with structure and confidence
- Reflect, learn, and improve after each process
Whether you are applying for your first APS role or aiming for EL positions, this book gives you a clear, repeatable approach that you can implement in your next APS recruitment journey.
Want Personalised Coaching for Your APS Career?
The APS Recruitment Game provides the framework. Coaching helps you apply it to your own career, whether you’re preparing for your next opportunity or navigating an important career decision.
Coaching can help you:
- Decide whether you’re ready for APS6, EL1 or EL2 opportunities
- Translate your experience into stronger applications and pitches
- Prepare structured, evidence-based interview responses
- Position yourself for promotion with greater clarity and confidence
If you’d value tailored support, coaching provides practical guidance that is specific to your goals, experience and the roles you’re targeting.
Explore APS Career CoachingBuilt from real experience.
About Brendon
Brendon Le Lievre is a leadership coach, facilitator and former APS professional who has supported hundreds of candidates through recruitment processes.
He brings a practical, experience based approach to career development, combining:
- real panel insights
- coaching expertise
- deep understanding of APS systems
His focus is simple: helping capable people present their value clearly in structured environments.
“Most people are unsuccessful in recruitment not because they lack ability, but because they haven’t learned the rules of the game.”
Brendon Le Lievre
This book is based on Brendon’s real experience of APS recruitment processes, drawn from:
- Panel Chair, panel member and scribe experience
- Coaching professionals across all APS levels
- Supporting candidates through successful applications, interviews and promotions
Get your copy of The APS Recruitment Game
Available in paperback and Kindle. Start learning the rules and preparing with confidence.
Free Resources to Help You Play The APS Recruitment Game
APS6 to EL1 Comparison Table
This resource provides a side-by-side comparison of the APS6 and EL1 Integrated Leadership System (ILS) capabilities. It is designed to help APS employees, managers, and aspirant leaders better understand the shift in responsibilities and expectations when moving from APS6 to EL1.
This table is based on my interpretation of publicly available APSC resources, APS6 and EL1 ILS documents. It is my view of the world and is not endorsed by the APSC.
The table highlights key differences in line with the comparison table produced by the APSC for other levels:
- Bold text indicates major differences between APS6 and EL1 responsibilities.
- Italicised text indicates minor nuances or wording differences.
This resource can be used for self-assessment, career planning, team discussions, or coaching purposes. It is intended to provide insight and stimulate reflection on leadership expectations, rather than serve as an official guide.
I recommend grabbing a cup of tea or coffee and a quiet space to review this table over the next few days.
You don’t need to buy the book to get value, these tools are designed to help you apply the concepts immediately.
Career Moves Worksheet
Define what the next move is for you in your career
Three Fits Worksheet
Clarify whether a role is right for you across role, level and lifestyle.
The Contact Officer Call
Prepare to call the contact officer to get further information on the role
The Funnel
Get clear on why you want the role and what you’ll bring to it
Post Interview Journal
Reflect on what went well and what to do different next time
Referee Preparation
Get clear on what you’d like your referee to mention when contacted
Book one of my career coaching programs to support your journey
Coaching Pathways
Coaching is structured around the different stages of an APS career, from performance in role through to transition and progression.
Managing workload & complexity?
Excel in Your APS Role
Preparing for APS recruitment processes?
Secure Your Next APS Role
Stepping into a new role?
Start Strong in Your New APS Role
Have a specific challenge or opportunity?
Flexible Coaching
Supporting Others Through APS Recruitment?
Whether you’re a coach, manager, HR practitioner or learning and development professional, The APS Recruitment Game provides practical frameworks to support people navigating APS recruitment.
The book has been used by career coaches, internal coaches and leaders to strengthen conversations around career planning, applications, interviews and promotion readiness.
It can also be incorporated into workshops, mentoring programs and leadership development initiatives.
Ways organisations use the book
- ✓ Team learning resource
- ✓ Workshop participant guide
- ✓ Career coaching resource
- ✓ Promotion readiness discussions
- ✓ Manager development
Ready to Navigate the APS Recruitment Process with Greater Confidence
The APS Recruitment Game provides practical strategies for applications, interviews and understanding selection processes so you can present your experience clearly and align your approach with what selection panels are looking for.
Buy Paperback Buy Kindle EditionExplore interview expectations across APS levels
Each level assesses different capabilities. Explore the expectations at each stage to understand how responsibility, judgement and leadership develop across an APS career.
APS4 APS5 APS6 EL1 EL2Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book suitable for APS6 and EL1 roles?
Yes. The book is designed to support candidates applying for all levels especially at the APS6, EL1, EL2 and SES level. Particularly those applying for competitive roles where written applications and interviews play a significant role in selection outcomes.
Does the book cover interviews?
Yes. It includes practical guidance on how APS interviews are structured, what panels are assessing and how to prepare responses that clearly demonstrate capability and evidence against selection criteria.
Is this useful for people outside the APS?
Yes. While the examples are drawn from APS recruitment processes, the principles of merit-based selection, structured interviews and evidence-based applications are relevant across many public sector and organisational contexts.
Does the book include advice on writing applications and pitches?
Yes. It provides practical strategies for interpreting job advertisements, identifying key requirements and writing concise, evidence-based responses that align with what selection panels are looking for.
Is the advice based on real APS recruitment practice?
Yes. The book draws on recruitment experience, coaching conversations and facilitation work with public sector organisations to reflect how selection processes operate in practice.
Does it address the use of AI in applications?
The book focuses on core principles of effective and ethical use of AI in applications and interviews. These principles remain relevant as AI becomes part of recruitment preparation, particularly in relation to clarity, evidence and authenticity.
Latest thoughts on recruitment from Brendon
- Finding Your Next Career Direction After Organisational Change
- How Long Should Your APS Interview Answers Be?
- Should I Apply for SES? Seven Questions Every EL2 Should Ask Themselves
- Can APS departments pay for coaching without a procurement panel provider?
- How Many Coaching Sessions Do I Need? | APS Coaching Canberra