public service!
sigh...i must be getting old...couldn't quite communicate with my cousins (who are between 18-23) during a family dinner! yikes, generation gap is getting bigger! am having problems understanding my j1 kids too...sigh...hopefully they become more mature in j2 :P
anyway, i've been wanting to post this article in case anyone's still applying for scholarships... i'm not a big fan of psc 'cos they didn't give me a scholarship (ha, still upset after so many years :)) also wanna know whether those of you who are on psc scholarship think this article is really true?
Want a PSC scholarship? Be yourself
| The Straits Times 25/07/2009 |
Politically correct replies undermine applicants' integrity, says chairman
BY GOH CHIN LIAN
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
GIVE us the real you, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has urged youths aspiring to be government scholars.
In an open letter to schools, PSC chairman Eddie Teo described how some would give "politically correct" answers and appear to be pro-Government, thinking that would impress the interview panel.
In doing so, "they often end up giving the impression that they have no integrity", he said yesterday in a letter that spelt out how scholars are selected, the qualities the panel looks for, and how to prepare for the interview.
Topping the list of desired qualities is integrity, followed by commitment. Skills such as leadership and emotional quotient, or EQ, matter too.
Mr Teo's eight-page letter gives a rare glimpse into the selection process for what many see as some of the most prestigious awards in Singapore, showing especially how the civil service finds its top talents. It comes ahead of today's PSC scholarship ceremony when 84 will receive their awards from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Teo, a former intelligence chief and permanent secretary who was appointed PSC chairman last August, elaborated on his letter in an e-mail reply to The Straits Times.
He said "quite a few" candidates grew uncomfortable when asked if they would act against someone in authority.
One candidate, for instance, was asked what he would do if he found his superior was corrupt. He refused to answer, "saying he disliked dealing with such a case".
Most of the Don'ts Mr Teo highlighted had to do with candidates trying to second-guess the interview panel.
His main tip to 18-year-olds being interviewed: Be yourself – even if it means revealing a critical and sceptical side.
"Being critical means you care about our nation and want to improve things and correct what you think is wrong. Being sceptical means you are not naive and do not accept everything you read or hear."
The public service is not looking for conformists and "yes-men", he said, but people who dared to think and question existing policies.
"Even a few mavericks – people with unconventional viewpoints who are willing to challenge assumptions – will be useful because they will add vitality and diversity to the service."
He added: "We need to know the real you to decide if you have what it takes to be a good public servant and a potential public sector leader."
An "interesting conversation" is really what the PSC hopes for. He said: "We will begin to take notice when we hear something genuine and spontaneous being said which reflects your personality."
This year, more than 2,500 students applied for PSC scholarships and 350 were shortlisted for an interview. Finally, 84 made the cut.
Besides the interview, often lasting about 30 minutes, the PSC also pored over reports from teachers and test results of psychologists.
Mr Teo reminded teachers in particular to be objective in their assessments.
"They should not exaggerate the strong qualities they see in their favourite students as it could be counter-productive, raising our expectations of the candidate when the reality does not fit the hype.
"Nor should teachers be over-critical just because a student is a bit of a maverick. As long as they do not have a problem with integrity, these are talented outliers whom our system must be flexible enough to fish out eventually."
He assured candidates, parents and schools that the selection process was "impartial, robust and meritocratic".
At stake is the kind of leaders Singapore would have in the public service in 15 to 20 years' time, said Mr Teo.
If the selection is done well, many of the scholars will helm the public service as permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries, he added.
Still, some may get derailed in their careers due to poor supervisors or a bad job fit. "But the PSC must share responsibility if we miss a fatal character flaw or are misled by false pretences," he said.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR 'YES-MEN'
"The worst case of someone who was trying to be 'politically correct' that I can recall was a candidate who said he would obey authority even if he disagrees with a particular instruction given to him. I was appalled when the candidate went on to reply that if he were to work in a government ministry and was told by his superior to award a development contract to his superior's friend, he would comply because it was an instruction from a person in authority. Clearly, he thought the PSC is looking for someone who is totally compliant and completely obedient."
PSC chairman Eddie Teo
MR TEO TELLS WHAT THE PSC LOOKS FOR
INTEGRITY: Integrity is vital. Although pragmatism is a pillar in the governance of Singapore, it is dangerous to have the country governed by public servants who are unprincipled pragmatists.
The person with integrity will challenge the rules if they go against his values and principles. But how he challenges the rules is also important, for it reveals how shrewd and street-savvy he is and the level of his Emotional Quotient or EQ.
COMMITMENT: The candidate's level of commitment in serving the community serves as a proxy indicator of his commitment to public service. How committed is he to his community involvement programme? What is his motive for taking part in it? Does he truly enjoy serving the less fortunate or is he doing it primarily to make his CV look good? What reasons does he give for wanting to join the public service? Do they ring true or is he saying what he thinks we want to hear?
ABILITY: A person of integrity and commitment will make only a limited contribution if he does not have innate ability: the ability to analyse issues, to come up with creative ideas, to perceive opportunities, to solve problems, to motivate others, and to get things done. But ability is not measured only by academic results.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Is he a consultative and nurturing leader or is he an assertive and task-focused one? We favour no single leadership model because the public service is looking for a diversity of leaders.
EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT: EQ - the ability to understand yourself and to interact well with your environment - is increasingly recognised as a vital ingredient for successful leaders and managers. Studies have shown that successful corporate CEOs do not need to have the highest IQ, or even relevant experience, to reach the top and be successful. But without EQ, they often fail.
BY GOH CHIN LIAN
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
GIVE us the real you, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has urged youths aspiring to be government scholars.
In an open letter to schools, PSC chairman Eddie Teo described how some would give "politically correct" answers and appear to be pro-Government, thinking that would impress the interview panel.
In doing so, "they often end up giving the impression that they have no integrity", he said yesterday in a letter that spelt out how scholars are selected, the qualities the panel looks for, and how to prepare for the interview.
Topping the list of desired qualities is integrity, followed by commitment. Skills such as leadership and emotional quotient, or EQ, matter too.
Mr Teo's eight-page letter gives a rare glimpse into the selection process for what many see as some of the most prestigious awards in Singapore, showing especially how the civil service finds its top talents. It comes ahead of today's PSC scholarship ceremony when 84 will receive their awards from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Teo, a former intelligence chief and permanent secretary who was appointed PSC chairman last August, elaborated on his letter in an e-mail reply to The Straits Times.
He said "quite a few" candidates grew uncomfortable when asked if they would act against someone in authority.
One candidate, for instance, was asked what he would do if he found his superior was corrupt. He refused to answer, "saying he disliked dealing with such a case".
Most of the Don'ts Mr Teo highlighted had to do with candidates trying to second-guess the interview panel.
His main tip to 18-year-olds being interviewed: Be yourself – even if it means revealing a critical and sceptical side.
"Being critical means you care about our nation and want to improve things and correct what you think is wrong. Being sceptical means you are not naive and do not accept everything you read or hear."
The public service is not looking for conformists and "yes-men", he said, but people who dared to think and question existing policies.
"Even a few mavericks – people with unconventional viewpoints who are willing to challenge assumptions – will be useful because they will add vitality and diversity to the service."
He added: "We need to know the real you to decide if you have what it takes to be a good public servant and a potential public sector leader."
An "interesting conversation" is really what the PSC hopes for. He said: "We will begin to take notice when we hear something genuine and spontaneous being said which reflects your personality."
This year, more than 2,500 students applied for PSC scholarships and 350 were shortlisted for an interview. Finally, 84 made the cut.
Besides the interview, often lasting about 30 minutes, the PSC also pored over reports from teachers and test results of psychologists.
Mr Teo reminded teachers in particular to be objective in their assessments.
"They should not exaggerate the strong qualities they see in their favourite students as it could be counter-productive, raising our expectations of the candidate when the reality does not fit the hype.
"Nor should teachers be over-critical just because a student is a bit of a maverick. As long as they do not have a problem with integrity, these are talented outliers whom our system must be flexible enough to fish out eventually."
He assured candidates, parents and schools that the selection process was "impartial, robust and meritocratic".
At stake is the kind of leaders Singapore would have in the public service in 15 to 20 years' time, said Mr Teo.
If the selection is done well, many of the scholars will helm the public service as permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries, he added.
Still, some may get derailed in their careers due to poor supervisors or a bad job fit. "But the PSC must share responsibility if we miss a fatal character flaw or are misled by false pretences," he said.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR 'YES-MEN'
"The worst case of someone who was trying to be 'politically correct' that I can recall was a candidate who said he would obey authority even if he disagrees with a particular instruction given to him. I was appalled when the candidate went on to reply that if he were to work in a government ministry and was told by his superior to award a development contract to his superior's friend, he would comply because it was an instruction from a person in authority. Clearly, he thought the PSC is looking for someone who is totally compliant and completely obedient."
PSC chairman Eddie Teo
MR TEO TELLS WHAT THE PSC LOOKS FOR
INTEGRITY: Integrity is vital. Although pragmatism is a pillar in the governance of Singapore, it is dangerous to have the country governed by public servants who are unprincipled pragmatists.
The person with integrity will challenge the rules if they go against his values and principles. But how he challenges the rules is also important, for it reveals how shrewd and street-savvy he is and the level of his Emotional Quotient or EQ.
COMMITMENT: The candidate's level of commitment in serving the community serves as a proxy indicator of his commitment to public service. How committed is he to his community involvement programme? What is his motive for taking part in it? Does he truly enjoy serving the less fortunate or is he doing it primarily to make his CV look good? What reasons does he give for wanting to join the public service? Do they ring true or is he saying what he thinks we want to hear?
ABILITY: A person of integrity and commitment will make only a limited contribution if he does not have innate ability: the ability to analyse issues, to come up with creative ideas, to perceive opportunities, to solve problems, to motivate others, and to get things done. But ability is not measured only by academic results.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Is he a consultative and nurturing leader or is he an assertive and task-focused one? We favour no single leadership model because the public service is looking for a diversity of leaders.
EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT: EQ - the ability to understand yourself and to interact well with your environment - is increasingly recognised as a vital ingredient for successful leaders and managers. Studies have shown that successful corporate CEOs do not need to have the highest IQ, or even relevant experience, to reach the top and be successful. But without EQ, they often fail.
posted by HP at 11:07 PM
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