Jobs surgery: finding and applying for roles in the public sector

Government cuts are are changing the public sector fundamentally. From the police to the civil service, efficiency is now a central tenet.

You might think that the cuts render the sector an impossible career option. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2011 more than a quarter of a million posts were cut, reducing the workforce by almost 7%.

But even then, the number of people employed in the sector was 5.94m, and some areas of government are actively recruiting after redundancies left them with a skills shortage. And because many roles help provide key services to people, a career in the sector can be an exciting prospect with very direct results.

But how do you find the best job vacancies? And what skills and personal attributes will you need to show?

If you need help finding a job in the public sector, join our live advice clinic on Tuesday 12th March from 1pm to 2pm. The Q&A is the second in a series of daily discussions for Guardians Jobs Week.

Topics to be discussed will include:

What kind of roles are available

The key ingredients for a strong job application

How the recruitment landscape is shaping up

How public sector changes affect your career prospects and the roles available

Our panel

Alan Simmons is a careers specialist at NHS Careers. Alan joined NHS Careers in 1999 after a broad background of careers advisory work with clients of all ages and backgrounds. In his current role he is the careers information, advice and guidance expert, offering specialist advice and support to the NHS Careers Service and the NHS Employers organisation.

Dawar Hashmi is the founding partner of executive search firm Peridot Partners. With over 14 years' experience in public sector recruitment, he heads up Peridot's local government practice. He also runs Peridot's social care leadership development programmes and is a trustee at Age UK Brent.

Daryl Maitland is senior HR business partner with Cafcass, a national children's social work organisation that is the biggest employer of social workers in England. He has extensive experience of recruiting in both the public and private sector, including CV and interview coaching for those looking to make the next step in their career development.

Tarik Chawdry is assistant director of HR at Birmingham City Council. His duties include: recruitment policy and operations; senior recruitment, pay and progression; performance appraisals and monitoring. Overall, Tarik enables and supports people to work well with each other, building trustworthy relationships and offering constructive advice.

Tom Storer has five years' experience within the recruitment industry, initially working with the third sector and now with Guardian Jobs. He specialises in public sector recruitment with a broad brief across central government, local authorities and public facing consultancies.

The Q&A takes place in the comments section below this article and taking part is easier than ever. You can create a free Guardian account, or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profiles. Alternatively, you can tweet us on @GuardianCareers or email your questions to Martin Williams.

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