Lake Macquarie council has received an unprecedented number of applications for a small number of advertised positions amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The demand for the roles comes on the back of industry shutdowns and jobs losses sustained more broadly during the crisis.
"We've had more than 400 applications in the past two weeks for a single administration officer position, more than 300 for another admin role, and almost 200 for a civil works labourer position that still has a week before applications close," the council's director organisational services Laura Kendall said.
"Customer service and civil works roles often get large numbers of applications, but the volume received for the admin roles is unusual."
The council has started using a video system to streamline its interview process.
It allows shortlisted candidates to record a one-take video of themselves answering interview questions.
Applicants can do practice videos before hitting record to film their official take, but the one-take approach aims to elicit the responses of an in-person job interview.
The video responses are then uploaded for a council selection panel to consider.
"We are getting so many applications at the moment, so one of the biggest benefits is this allows us to give more people the opportunity to present themselves in an interview format," Kellie Reeves, council's manager of people, culture and risk, said.
"We get a better idea of someone that you can't get by just looking at a resume, and it helps us make sure we get the right fit for the role.
"While we still review applications and conduct live interviews, reviewing video interviews helps make sure we invite the most suitable applicants for live interviews, and we use the time we have with each candidate really effectively.
"Innovations like this are a win-win for us as an employer, and job applicants who have a greater opportunity to demonstrate why they are suitable for the role."
The council, which employs more than 1100 staff, has nine job vacancies advertised on its website.
