Applying for Government of Canada jobs: What happens next
After you apply
- Your application will remain in the Submitted job applications section of your account until the closing date
- If you need to edit or update your application, you can select Retrieve application up to the closing date of the process and make your changes
- Ensure you re-submit your application by the closing date or you will not be considered for the job
Results
- Use the Status of job applications page to review the initial screening results of your application
- The hiring department or agency will follow up with you regarding next steps
- If you have any questions about the hiring process, contact the hiring department or agency (the person listed at the bottom of the job advertisement)
Security screening process
Background checks are often required for employment. Before starting a job in the federal public service, everyone, including students, needs to be security screened.
Security screening ensures that people are trustworthy and reliable before they can access sensitive information or positions within the federal public service. It also helps protect national security and maintain public trust.
If you don’t have the required security status or clearance for the position being staffed, the hiring department or agency will contact you to start the process.
Documents required
The security screening application and consent form is one method to collect required information, but some departments may use other methods.
You’ll need to provide 2 pieces of identification:
- one must be a photo ID (for example: passport, driver’s license)
- the other can be a secondary ID (for example: birth certificate, health card)
Information required
In filling out the form, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- personal information: full name, previous names, current and past addresses
- time spent outside of Canada: if you’ve lived out of country for more than 6 months consecutively within the time period required by the security status or clearance, you may be asked for more information; depending on the country, this may affect the ability to validate the information, which may impact your ability to obtain a security clearance
- educational history: schools attended, degrees obtained
- employment history: previous employers, job titles, duration
- family and friends: names and details of close contacts
- criminal records: any past criminal activities or legal issues
- fingerprinting: this is mandatory and will be coordinated by the hiring department or agency
- financial situation: credit check
Depending on the security screening level, you’ll be asked to provide information for the past 5 (Reliability and Secret) or 10 years (Top Secret).
Types of security clearances
- Reliability Status: Minimum requirement for all federal positions.
- Secret Clearance: Allows access to information classified up to Secret.
- Top Secret Clearance: Allows access to information classified up to Top Secret. Only available for those with Canadian citizenship.
Quick tips
- Start early: Familiarize yourself with the format and the type of information you’ll need to provide; begin collecting the necessary information now
- Get organized: Keep all your documents and information in one place to make the process smoother; you’ll need at least 5 years of information
- Be honest: Provide complete and accurate information to avoid delays
- Ask questions: If you’re unsure about any part of the process, ask for help from the hiring department
- Protect your information: Only share your personal information with the hiring department, human resources advisor, or the security screening officer managing your file
If you have any questions about applying for a security status or clearance, contact the hiring department or agency’s security management group, or the hiring manager.
For more information, please visit the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat security screening website.
Tips and tricks
Being found qualified or placed in a pool
- Network!
- Being found qualified means that you’ve met some or all the qualifications needed to do the job
- The email that the department or agency sends you usually indicates if a pool of candidates has been created
- Being found qualified or placed in a pool doesn’t guarantee a job offer, but hiring managers may draw from pools of qualified candidates to fill vacancies months or years later
- Other hiring managers may get your name from the pool to hire for similar jobs
- Use the fact that you’ve been found qualified to network with contacts and on social media… you might find your next job this way!
Tips and tricks
Results
- Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted
- Look for opportunities and apply again. Each application gets easier!
If you’re in a pool: network!
- Getting into a pool means that you’ve met some or all the requirements needed to do the job
- Pools usually last for one year or more
- Managers may get your name from the pool for a related job
- Being in a pool makes it easier for hiring managers from all the federal departments and agencies to hire you
- Use that information to network with contacts and on social media
Page details
- Date modified: