RPL step-by-step 

There are 7 essential steps to the RPL application and assessment process.  While timelines shift from year to year depending on the number of applicants and other external factors, the description below will give you a general sense of what to expect from this process:

1. Application Window: each fall, the RPL Campaign is open to accept applications for approximately two weeks.  In past years, the number of applications has ranged from 800 -  over 1,200.
2. Screening: All applications are evaluated in a double-blind process that begins after the advertisement closes.  This screening process takes between 2 to 3 weeks, following which all candidates are notified in writing on the status of their application. 
3. Interview: Candidates who meet the requirements of the RPL program are invited to an interview.  The interview phase takes between 2 – 3 months, depending on the number of candidates and their locations.  In some years, 200+  interviews are conducted across Canada, and around the world.
4. References and Written Sample: At the end of the interview period, candidates who qualified are asked to provide references and a written sample.  It generally takes between 1 – 1 ½ months to assess the documents from candidates.
5.  Notification: Once the final candidate pool is determined, all candidates are notified in writing of the outcome.  Successful candidates are placed in what is called a "partially-assessed pool of qualified candidates", indicating they are eligible to be hired directly into a permanent position in any Government of Canada department.
6. Ottawa Interviews: The RPL program matches successful candidates with a previous RPL recruit, who will help ‘market’ individuals to hiring managers across Government.  Ultimately, candidates are brought to Ottawa to meet in-person with potential hiring managers, who are then responsible for making the final offer to candidates.
7. Post-Recruitment: While RPL is formally a recruitment program, the RPL network continues to grow each year, and recruits are encouraged to take advantage of orientation, social events, and other policy development opportunities that are informal elements of the network.