Online application and eligibility

How do I apply? What is this year's application deadline?

Applications for the Economist and Policy Analyst stream must be submitted online through Finance Canada's website. For the 2011 campaign, applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 24, 2011. Applications submitted by other means (e.g., mail, fax) and those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If you are unable to apply online or are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us at 877-921-0707 or by e-mail. Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time from September 21 to October 24, 2011. Your message will be returned by two business days. If possible, we recommend that you communicate with us by e-mail as we might not be able to reach you by phone.

What are the essential qualifications?

To be eligible, you must:

• Be allowed to work in Canada. Applications from persons who are not Canadian citizens will be accepted, but preference will be given to Canadian citizens.
• Have completed or be working on a Master's degree from a recognized university in economics, public policy or public administration, international relations or international studies, or finance. Candidates must be in a position to complete their Master's degree by December 2012.
• Demonstrate an acceptable specialization in economics (the equivalent of three full-year courses). Candidates who have a concentration in finance at the Master's level and three or more half-year post-secondary courses in economics will be considered.
• Have a grade of 75% or equivalent in your last completed degree.
• Meet the needed writing requirements, and have the ability to analyze and synthesize information.

What is required to achieve an "acceptable specialization in economics"?

Finance Canada's economists and analysts contribute to a range of important and interesting policy issues, many of which do not require expertise in economics. However, as we advise the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister on issues from an economic perspective, we require all analysts to have a good grasp of economic principles.

Finance Canada requires applicants to have the equivalent of three full-year economics courses (e.g., six half-year courses, or two full-year courses and two half-year courses). Applicants who are pursuing a graduate degree in finance will require three or more half-year courses in economics to be considered. We will accept economics courses at either the graduate or undergraduate university level. We do not accept courses at the college or CEGEP levels.

However, we will accept courses that are offered outside of a school's economics department, as long as they are grounded solidly in economics. We reserve the right to make this decision. Your transcripts will be used to validate the number of courses completed.

Finance canada lists four specific target disciplines (economics, public policy/administration, international relations/studies, and finance). I am graduating from a program that is not specified among these four. Am i eligible to apply?

It is important that you ensure you meet the educational requirements for the position. You are required to meet the essential qualifications in order for your application to be considered.

However, we are willing to consider applicants from programs that are similar to our target areas. For example, we may consider your application if you are graduating with a degree in "international economics" or "economic policy" as the title of the degree can vary for one university to another. We reserve the right to make this decision.

What is the purpose of the written assignments?

The written assignments are intended to evaluate your written communication skills and abilities. The first written assignment must be submitted as part of the online application. Based on the job poster, your online written assignment will assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing, analyze and synthesize information, understand issues, and identify their economic, social and/or financial implications. We may proceed with a second assignment which will assess other abilities and will be conducted as part of the interview process.

If i meet the essential qualifications, will i be invited to an interview?

Not necessarily. Hiring managers will conduct a more thorough screening of applications. Our staffing process allows each hiring manager to identify specific qualifications that are relevant to the position they are looking to fill. The qualifications may differ from one position to another. Only candidates who meet the required qualifications for our current/upcoming vacancies will be interviewed in January.

However, in previous years, hiring managers within the Department of Finance have interviewed and hired candidates throughout the year. Candidates identified in our screening process who meet the essential qualifications will be included in a pool of partially assessed candidates, which hiring managers from the Department of Finance and other federal government organizations may draw on until December 2012.

How are candidates selected for interviews?

Candidates are selected for interviews based on their qualifications (e.g. Master's degree, grade point average, writing ability) and their online application. Also, one or more of the asset qualifications (i.e. relevant experience, professional designation) may be used as well as other criteria such as citizenship, official languages and organizational needs.

Economist and policy analyst stream: interviews and job offers

When and where do the interviews take place?

The interviews take place over two days in mid-January in Ottawa. Finance Canada may provide for transportation to and from Ottawa as well as accommodation for the duration of the interview process. Candidates residing outside of Canada may be required to fund their own travel arrangements. Additional information will be provided to candidates being interviewed. Alternative interview approaches such as videoconferencing (via Skype) or phone interviews may be considered.

Occasionally, individuals choose not to attend the interviews. Should this occur, we may invite other applicants.

When will I learn whether I have been invited to an interview? How will I be contacted?

By December, only applicants who meet the essential qualifications will be advised by e-mail that they have been placed in the pool of partially assessed candidates. Invitations for interviews will also be sent by December. Applicants who did not meet the essential qualifications during the online application process will not be contacted.

What is the focus and format of the interviews?

The Ottawa interviews provide candidates with the opportunity to discuss their qualifications with one or more hiring managers from Finance Canada. As part of the interview, candidates will also be required to complete a written assignment. The assignment will follow a similar format to the assignment submitted as part of the online application.

The purpose of the interview process is to evaluate whether a candidate possesses the competencies necessary to work at Finance Canada. Hiring managers may discuss and validate your experience based on your online application and/or assess additional qualifications.

The interviews also offer you the opportunity to learn about the different areas of the Department, and to determine which area best matches your interests. At the end of the interview process, you will be asked to indicate which teams you would most like to join.

The interview will take place in the official language of your choice.

How many applicants do you get each year? How many do you plan on hiring this year?

In 2010, there were 134 qualified applicants, 41 of which were invited to an interview.

This year, Finance Canada expects to hire 10 to 15 economists and policy analysts.

When are job offers made?

Managers begin to make offers of employment 1–2 weeks after the Ottawa interviews. These offers are conditional on obtaining your secret security clearance and completing your required coursework. When a verbal offer has been accepted, the Department will begin to process the required paperwork.

When do most recruits start?

Your start date is based on your availability and your new manager's operational requirements. While some recruits start right away, many choose to begin over the summer or in the early fall.

Online application and Eligibility

How can I apply? What is this year's application deadline?

Applications for the Doctoral Research stream are submitted online through Finance Canada's website. For the 2011 campaign, applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 30, 2011. Applications submitted by other means (e.g., mail, fax) and those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If you are unable to apply online or are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us at 1-877-921-0707 or by e-mail. 

Who meets the Essential qualifications?

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be entitled to work in Canada. Applications from Permanent Residents and those with work permits will be accepted, but preference will be given to Canadian citizens.
• Have completed, or be scheduled to complete by December 2012, a Doctoral degree in economics from a recognized university.
• Have passed your comprehensive exams (micro, macro, and econometrics) and be willing and able to defend your thesis by December 2012.

How do I know if my Experience is relevant to Finance?

Economists hired through the Doctoral Research stream usually work in a Division with a broad mandate to conduct in-depth policy-relevant economic research to provide strategic advice to the Minister on issues that are of medium- and long-term significance. The Division conducts policy research on a number of economic issues, including economic growth, sources of productivity growth, population aging, public finance, trade, economic analysis of environmental policies, pension systems and human capital.

How do I choose which research document to submit?  Can I send multiple research documents?

The research document submitted should be whichever best demonstrates your abilities as a research economist who might work at the Department of Finance. This does not necessarily have to be part of your dissertation nor does the document have to be complete. However, the document will be used to assess your written communication, as well as your ability to conduct high quality research in a relevant field of economics. Only one paper will be read per candidate, it is incumbent on the candidate to select what they feel is the best example of their research. Candidates are encouraged to highlight any other research documents by attaching abstracts to their CV. The research document you submit will be a central topic of discussion during the first round interview.

Doctoral Research stream: interviews and job offers

When and where do the First round interviews take place?

First round interviews will take place at the Canadian Economics Employment Exchange being held December 2nd and 3rd at the Toronto Four Seasons. Additional information will be provided to candidates being interviewed. Alternative interview approaches such as phone interviews and video conferences may be considered for candidates not able to attend scheduled interviews. An interview date in Ottawa may also be considered.

When will I learn whether I have been invited to a First round interview?
How will I be contacted?

By December, only the candidates, who meet the essential qualifications in our screening process, will be contacted by e-mail to schedule an interview time at the CEEE. Applicants who did not meet the required qualifications during the online application process will not be contacted.

What is the focus and format of the First round interviews?

The interviews provide candidates with the opportunity to discuss their qualifications with one or more hiring officials from Finance Canada. The focus of the interview process is to evaluate whether a candidate possesses the competencies necessary to work at Finance Canada as laid out in the Statement of Merit Criteria.

The interviews also offer you the opportunity to learn about the structure and the different areas of research undertaken by the Department.

To ensure consistency and fairness, all candidates will be offered the same set of general questions and will be evaluated using a common template. Follow up questions on the technical aspects of your research will obviously vary between candidates. The interview will take place in the official language of your choice.

How can I prepare for the interview?

Doctoral Stream candidates should be well prepared to present and discuss their research document and any relevant experiences. This should include the ability to relate their research to public policy issues.

When will I know if I have been placed in the partially assesed pool?

All Candidates who received first round interviews will be contacted by December 20th indicating whether they are included in the partially assessed pool of candidates.

When and where do the Second round interviews take place?

Selected Candidates will be invited to Ottawa for second round interviews in late December or early January. Additional information will be provided to candidates being interviewed. Travel expenses incurred during second round interviews will be reimbursed by the Department of Finance, except for Candidates travelling from overseas. Alternative interview approaches such as phone interviews may be considered for candidates not able to schedule a visit to Ottawa.

When will I learn whether I have been invited to a Second Round interview?
How will I be contacted?

The scheduling of second round interviews will begin in late December and continue into January. It is also possible that additional candidates will be invited if a need is identified.

What is the focus and format of the Second ROUND interviews?

The second round interviews will include:

• seminar presentation to the Division,
• informal one-on-one meetings with various researchers
• lunch with a small group
• formal interview with a management hiring committee

The focus of the second round interviews is to assess how well the Candidate fits in with the Divisions research agenda. The interviews also offer you the opportunity to learn about the structure and the different areas of research undertaken by the Department.

How many applicants do you get each year? How many do you plan on hiring this year?

In 2010-11, 148 applicants submitted application of which 36 were screened in to be interviewed. Only 5 Candidates were invited to Ottawa for second round interviews.

This year, Finance Canada expects to hire up to 1 economist through the Doctoral stream.

When are job offers made?

Managers will begin to make offers of employment after conducting second round interviews. These offers are conditional on obtaining your secret security clearance. When a verbal offer has been accepted, the Department will begin to process the required paperwork.

When do most recruits start?

You have flexibility when determining your actual start date, based on your availability and your new manager's operational requirements. While some recruits start right away, many choose to begin over the summer and in the early fall.