Our client manages the security and integrity of Australia’s borders. It works closely with other government and international agencies to detect and deter unlawful movement of goods and people across the border. The agency is a national organisation employing more than 5500 people in Australia and overseas, with its Central Office in Canberra.

In March of 2009 our client commissioned Chandler Macleod to manage their Graduate Trainee program intake. Customs were seeking 12 recent university graduates from a range of disciplines to take part in their 12 month graduate program.The roles were based in Canberra and applications were to be sourced from around the country. The Graduate Trainee program has been in existence within Customs for a number of years and a highly competitive field of applicants was expected.

Through the use of a sophisticated online application database and a specifically tailored application form, Chandler Macleod was able to effectively screen, score and rank over 700 applications automatically. Following this automated scoring,eligible applications were then assessed for their merit against selection criteria comprising of a number of free text responses within the application form. Successful applicants were then invited through to telephone interview, online psychometric assessment and finally an assessment centre in Canberra.All candidate scheduling was facilitated by an online event scheduling system that enabled candidates flexibility to schedule their own events online. This greatly enhanced efficiency and the overall candidate experience.

Chandler Macleod rigorously screened many hundreds of applications within a short time frame to facilitate the selection of Best Fit candidates. The 2009/2010 Graduate Trainee intake was successful in delivering 12 high calibre graduates and received praise from both client and candidates alike for the efficient and effective screening and selection process. Chandler Macleod was again commissioned to manage the 2010/2011 intake, with the process expanded to recruit 6 graduates for the IT Graduate Trainee program in addition to the 12 Graduates for the General Program.