Frequently Asked Questions: Finance Canada's University Recruitment Campaign

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding our university recruitment campaign. If you have questions that are not addressed below or elsewhere on our website, please contact us at: UR-RU@fin.gc.ca.

General

What are the different recruitment streams?

Finance Canada hires university recruits through three streams. Most recruits are hired through the Economist and Policy Analyst stream, which is open to recent graduates at the Master's level in our four target disciplines:

• Economics.
• Public policy/administration.
• International relations/studies.
• Finance.

The two other streams are highly specialized. The Tax Legislation stream is open to those with training in law, taxation or accounting and who wish to pursue a career as a specialist in income or sales tax. The Doctoral Researcher stream is aimed at recent Ph.D. graduates who wish to conduct theoretical and empirical research. Information about the application process for these two streams can be found here.

Does Finance Canada hire summer students?

Finance Canada does not generally hire summer students as policy analysts or economists. Occasionally, some managers hire students temporarily to work on specific projects. These are not part of the university recruitment campaign.

Economist and Policy Analyst stream: online application and eligibility

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

Applications for the Economist and Policy Analyst stream are submitted online through Finance Canada's website. For the 2009 campaign, applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2009. Applications submitted by other means (e.g., mail, fax) and those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Who is eligible to apply to the Economist and Policy Analyst stream?

The official requirements can be found here. To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or reside in Canada (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.
• Have graduated from your Master's program after September 2008, or expect to graduate before December 2010. There is some flexibility for individuals who have started their Ph.D. program.
• Demonstrate an acceptable specialization in economics (the equivalent of three full-year courses, or a concentration in finance at the graduate level).

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 traditional 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 may be eligible even if they do not have the equivalent courses in economics. We will accept economics courses at either the graduate or undergraduate university level. We do not accept courses at the college or CEGEP levels.

We will accept courses that are offered outside of a school's economics department (e.g., through a business school), as long as they are grounded solidly in economics. We reserve the right to make this decision. If you would like us to take into account a course that is offered outside of an economics department, we highly recommend that you provide us with a description of the course from your school's course calendar or syllabus.

What do you mean that "preference will be given to Canadian citizens"?

Residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens may apply through our Economist and Policy Analyst stream. We first invite eligible Canadian applicants to interview with us. Non-Canadians will be interviewed only if we are unable to meet our recruitment needs from the pool of Canadian applicants.

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?

Generally, if you are graduating from a discipline that is not among the four specified, you are not eligible to apply to our Economist and Policy Analyst recruitment stream.

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". 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, analytical thinking, and knowledge. You will be asked to respond to a general question, as well as some follow-up questions. The first written assignment must be submitted as part of the online application. The second assignment will be conducted as part of the second round interview process.

Economist and Policy Analyst Stream: First-Round Interview

When and where do first-round interviews take place? What if I am unable to attend the interview?

The first-round interviews occur in late October or early November at most major universities in Canada. We decide where to send recruiters based on the number and location of this year's applicants. We will arrange a phone interview for candidates who are unable to interview at one of these campuses (e.g., if you are applying from overseas). Interviews take place in the candidate's official language of choice.

Our recruiters are usually on each campus for a day or two. While we will attempt to work around your commitments, such as an exam, we ask you to be flexible due to our tight timelines. For example, we may ask candidates from one university to interview at another university nearby (e.g., we may ask Concordia students to interview at the Université de Montréal).

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

Our recruiters will contact you in mid- or late October to invite you to a first-round interview. Some recruiters may contact you directly, based on the information you provided through your online application. Others may arrange interviews through your university's career services centre or departmental/graduate coordinator. When and how we contact you will differ among schools. Applicants who are not invited to continue with the recruitment process will not be contacted.

What is the format of the first-round interviews?

The first-round interviews consist of an oral interview lasting 45 minutes. You will interview with two recruiters, who will ask questions designed to evaluate the competencies necessary to work at Finance Canada. To ensure consistency and fairness, candidates will be offered the same set of questions and will be evaluated using a common template. The interview will take place in the official language of your choice.

What is the focus of the first-round interview? What are you testing at this stage?

The focus of the first-round interview process is to evaluate whether a candidate possesses the competencies necessary to work at Finance Canada. These competencies include:

• Analytical thinking: The candidate understands, analyzes and synthesizes complex information and abstract variables, draws logical conclusions, provides sound alternatives and makes coherent recommendations. More specifically, the candidate should demonstrate the ability to analyze problems and identify their economic, social and financial implications.
• Communication: The candidate communicates in a clear, compelling and persuasive manner, and listens attentively to understand fully.
• Teamwork/relationship building: The candidate works effectively and collaboratively with others.
• Results management: The candidate organizes time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way.
• Creative thinking: The candidate responds to challenges with fresh approaches, new strategies and innovative solutions.
• Knowledge: The candidate understands and is able to apply economic, fiscal and finance theories and principles, as well as quantitative methods and analytical techniques, to public policy issues.

How can I prepare for the first-round interview?

To help you prepare for the interview, we recommend that you review our "Candidate Tips and Tricks".

Economist and Policy Analyst stream: second-round interviews and job offers

When and where do the second-round interviews take place?

The second-round interviews take place over two days in mid-January in Ottawa. Finance Canada will provide for reasonable transportation to and from the city, as well as appropriate accommodation for the duration of the interview process.

Occasionally, some invited individuals choose not to attend the second-round interviews. Should this occur, we may contact others from the first-round process during, or even after, the holidays and invite them to join us.

What is the focus and format of the second-round interviews?

The focus of the second-round interviews is to determine how each candidate's specific skills, interests and aptitudes match the needs of Finance Canada—we are trying to determine the "best fit" between candidates and our teams.

You will interview with one or more teams across the Department and each interview will last about 45 minutes. Each interview may vary in style and format as it is hosted by a different manager or team.

The second-round 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 your preferences regarding which teams you would most like to join.

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

In 2008, Finance Canada received 350 initial applications. Of these, 179 were invited to attend a first-round interview and 71 were invited to attend a second-round interview.

Each year, Finance Canada hires between 25 and 30 strong candidates through our Economist and Policy Analyst stream.

When are job offers made?

Managers begin to make employment offers 2-3 weeks after the second-round interviews. These offers are conditional on a few requirements (e.g., having graduated, achieving your secret security clearance). When a conditional offer has been accepted, we 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.