Happy new year and Merry Christmas to you all!

With a new year upon us and great new opportunities coming everyday, there has never been a better time to jump in and get yourself a new position or a just move up a level.

I’ve seen literally masses of selection criteria applications advertised and hopefully you have too, so get in there and have a crack at it.

In 2012 you can expect some exciting changes for myselectioncriteria.com.au.

We’ve been keeping all of your emails and ideas on how to make this site a better resource and we plan on implementing those ideas very soon.

Keep your eye out and good luck for 2012, to your success

Dustin

Centrelink is one of Australia’s foremost, essential government agencies. With more than 25,000 employees, Centrelink works tirelessly to distribute products and services to approximately 6.5 million customers throughout Australia. The filling of vacancies within Centrelink is very competitive. As such, potential candidates need to prepare top-quality written responses, including a well-written selection criteria statement.

Vacancies within Centrelink are filled upon merit. In other words, positions are won based upon the best candidate for the role. One way of demonstrating that a candidate is the most qualified is that of the selection criteria statement. This is where many applicants fall short. Although, the candidate may possess all the necessary knowledge, skills, qualification and personal attributes, a poorly written selection criteria statement might not demonstrate this.

The Centrelink Job Application

Although general selection criteria writing principles should be adhered to when applying for a job with Centrelink, there are also a number of specific requirements that should also be considered, such as:

• Two referees. You should provide two referee names and contact information. For the Centrelink application, be prepared for these two referees to be contacted by the selection panel. They might be asked about your claims in regards to the selection criteria.
• Resume. As is common in job applications, Centrelink requires that your resume firstly display the latest positions and qualifications you have attained.
• With the Centrelink application, the Application Cover Sheet attached in the application pack is essential. This includes the vacancy details; your personal details; employment in the APS; and, referees.
• Many positions at Centrelink revolve around customer service. As such, depending upon the position, it should be a focus of your selection criteria statement. Candidates should provide relevant and concrete examples of customer service.
• Many of the roles at Centrelink also center on the use of computers. Employees are required to use Centrelink’s elaborate database system and need to conduct research. As such, your written application should be tailored towards this.
• Talk to the Contact Officer if you require further information. The Contact Officer’s name and phone number will be prominently displayed in the application pack.
• The Role Profile in the application pack. This will inform the candidate of the Branch that they will be working in. Rather than referring to the actual physical location, it relates to an arm of Centrelink, such as the Records Management Unit. This will help tailor your application even further.
• Duties. The duties are your responsibilities. They display what you will be required to do. These can also be drawn into your selection criteria statement to further provide focus.
• Additional Information. This is typically included in the department’s job description and can include anything pertinent to the job.

Interview panel members are particularly interested in an applicant’s ability to provide customer service in challenging environments so it is essential that the written application provide compelling evidence of strong customer service and interpersonal skills through well written practical examples.

Important Tip - When developing your customer service examples, ensure that your language uses active clear phrases and make sure that actual phrases from the selection criteria statements appear in the responses developed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3219257

need help addressing the selection criteria?

Selection criteria are statements that describe the qualifications, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience that are required in a job. When you are asked to respond to selection criteria, you are being asked to describe how you meet the requirements of the job, providing examples.

Types of criteria

The kind of responses you will write for selection criteria will depend on the kind of job you are applying for. Different employers will ask different kinds of questions.

Some employers will focus on your qualifications or your work skills. Others will be experience-based, and will ask you how you have responded to specific situations. For example, you may simply be asked if you have attained a specific qualification or if you have a licence for a certain kind of vehicle. Or you could be asked to explain how you have met deadlines and prioritised tasks, how you have dealt with difficult people, or how you have demonstrated leadership.

In many job applications, written selection criteria are broken down into ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ qualities. You must be able to demonstrate the essential qualities to be considered for the position. If you can also demonstrate the desirable qualities, this will strengthen your application……… To read the full article here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Ayrton

Selection Criteria Writer Review

Selection Criteria Writer is described as the first software program that enables government job applicants to follow a type and click process to address selection criteria responses.

The designer and creator states that this software is suitable for applicants applying for positions at local, state and federal government.  We’ve test driven this software and report on our findings below.
On being directed to the Thank You page, the download functionality was easy to use and installation of the software took under 3 minutes, with an icon appearing on the PC desktop.

We found the menu easy to use with a handy link to a Frequently Asked Questions page and a Video tutorials page with click to play videos.  With the Selection Criteria Writer videos feature onscreen capture demonstrating the software and are of good sound and video quality.

The bonus reports were able to be quickly downloaded and are in PDF format.  We found the Keyword and Phrases report at 14 pages a very good resource with categories.

A total of four audio interviews are available for listening and can be saved by users.  These interviews contain very good content and feature nationally known experts in their respective fields.

A ten week email support program is also provided.

Using the Selection Criteria Writer Software

We completed one selection criteria response and found the software very easy to use with very clear instructions at every step. The designers have gone to significant effort and provided an online User Guide that also outlines each step with additional instructions and examples. At the completion of the task, it was easy to copy and paste the text into a word document.

We reviewed the first of 10 weekly emails that included a seven minute video featuring a detailed overview in relation to selection criteria interpretation.  The content of this video was very useful and provided clear examples that in our opinion would assist job applicants in any sector of government. In conclusion, this product does deliver and successfully meets it’s claim to save time and assist job applicants in any sector and level of government and I would reccommend anyone who is serious about using a Selection criteria writer to consider the software first.

Understanding How to write a cover letter

A cover letter should be planned, focused and directly related to the position  you are applying for.

To give you a bit of an understanding of the purppose of a cover letter, firstly you must understand how it is used and why. So you need to know that a cover letter is used to analyse or market yourself for the role you are applying for and may be the only reason the hiring manager even opens your resume.

Recruitment and PR will have many applications to go through and your Cover letter is the first thing they will see. If written effectively then they will read your resume. So you can see why knowing how to write a cover letter can make or break your application.

How to write a cover letter

Your cover letter should demonstrate that you have read and fully understand the position, further more that you are not only interested but determined to get the position. This is your opportunity to really grab the hiring managers attention and draw them into your resume.

Your cover letter should be succinct or straight to the point but not blunt, say what you are trying to say and then go back and see what you can remove by replacing long sentences with action words some smart verbs.

A cover letter should not be more than three to four well thought out paragraphs, if written correctly the hiring manager will identify that you know how to write a cover letter and this will place you in a better light.

Try to be positive, if you find that you have written something that’s a bit doom and gloom try to change the angle to a more positive tone. For example

(how not to write a cover letter)“I finished my masters degree in XYZ then fell pregnant and haven’t had the chance to work in the field and I really need this job”.

This example is a bit over the top but you get the point, you can change the tone by simply changing perspective see below.

(How to write a cover letter)“I mastered in XYZ then me and my partner decided we would like children, as my daughter XYZ has now started school I am excited to be able to offer my valuable knowledge to your company and look forward to establishing myself in the industry” etc.

here’s your next tip for how to write a cover letter, your covering letter should NOT be a repeat of your resume! make some statements that will draw the hiring manager into your resume and then reinforce those statements within the resume. And please do not use a standard cover letter for all of your applications, if you haven’t picked that up already then you will never know how to write a cover letter effectively.

Here’s an example for you of how to write a cover letter:

Dear Ms XYZ,

I am writing in response to your advertisement seeking a Administrative Officer for AQIS.

As you will see from my accompanying Resume, my experience and skills are a good match for the position as indicated by your office.

Of particular relevance is my 6 years experience working in a closely related role and several awards I have been rewarded with.

I’m aware of the high value AQIS places on service and believe I share the same philosophy on customer care.

I look forward to having an opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I could contribute to your team.

Yours sincerely,

Joe Citizen

Hope this article has given you a better understanding of how to write a cover letter, if you feel that you still need more info there is a information product that is available for less than $50 that just might make the difference. I think they are still offering a few Cover letter templates as well.

So if your still not sure how to write a cover letter I recommend: you check it out here at Amazing Cover letters.

For those of you who are asking yourself, “what do I do need to do when answering state government selection criteria?”

You are not the only ones, trust me! Every day more and more Australians are moving into the state government public sector to gain a more secure career. In light of the recent economic downturn, (I have saying that) we find ourselves struggling to understand what real job security is.

Is it staying with a large company for years? or starting your own business? well personally I think taking the time to at least try to start your own business will see you fail several times but at least you will learn valuable life lessons.

The reality is if your a classic 9-5er like a lot of us, then you will soon come to the conclusion that working for your state government can and will most likely be the safest option.  [disclaimer - I'm not a professional career advisor and recommend you seek proper advice before making any decisions regarding your employment] sorry have to make that clear.

So if you do decide to apply for a state government position, you will find yourself in a position were have to answer to key selection criteria. Now for most of us we’ve never even heard of a selection criteria’ however it is a skill you are going to have to learn in order to get anywhere in the state government selection process that we call “selection criteria”.

We have put together this site in the hope that it may ease your pain a little by providing some great reference to information that may and quite possibly will help you when applying to your state government selection criteria.

Please If you do one thing……. you need to be honest with yourself and ask one thing.

“Am I right for the position?“

Trust me when I tell you that the selection criteria at state government level is a tested and proven system which is put in place to make sure the right person for the job, get the job.

There’s no point putting in the time to answer the state government selection criteria only top find out your not suited for the position. Do your research, and if you find that you are confident in the position then go for it!

If you need help when answering your state government selection criteria then come here read the whole site and if you want to fast track your learning I recommend you try the selection criteria writer which has been developed for people in your shoes. If you cant find a link around here somewhere I’ll be very surprised, actually I’ll put a link in there for you.

Good luck to you!

Wishing you ultimate success

Dustin

You will be assessed against the following selection criteria throughout the application process.  You do not need to address these criterion specifically. The on-ine application includes questions directly relating to the criteria and allows you to demonstrate your skills and experience in your written response.

1. Qualifications

You must have completed (or be completing by 31 December 2009) at least a three year undergraduate degree from an Australian tertiary institution. If you have a degree from an overseas tertiary institution it must be recognised as being equivalent to a three year Australian degree by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) by 31 December 2009.

Assessment method: Application & sighting of official academic transcripts at interview

2. Knowing the environment

Everyone in DVA works in an often complex environment. It is important for graduates to have a general understanding of the role of DVA, and an appreciation of the needs of its broad range of clients and stakeholders.

Assessment method: Application / interview

3. Building our skills

We have a talented, experienced and skilled workforce and continuing to develop our organisations talent is an important part of the way we operate. Graduates will need to identify and pursue opportunities to learn and apply their skills and capabilities in the working environment.

Assessment method: Application / interview

4. Connecting with clients and collaborating with colleagues

The ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people of all ages, levels, backgrounds etc and contribute in a small team environment is key to the graduate role.

Assessment method: Written skills – application and written testing at interview / Oral & interpersonal communication skills – application and interview

5. Searching for solutions

You will be working in a variety of roles which focus on the development and delivery of solutions and services to internal and external clients. Well developed research and analysis skills are required along with the ability to show initiative and flexibility in a changing environment.

Assessment method: Application / interview

Article source: www.dva.gov.au

What are Selection Criteria and why are they used?

Key Selection Criteria are used to seek out the best possible applicant based on skills, abilities, knowledge and experience to fulfill the roles requirements. In order to be considered for a position you must be able to demonstrate through your application that you meet the key selection criteria. If you do not meet the key selection criteria, most likely you will not make it through to the interview process.

Your selection criteria statement will assist the selection panel to assess your application against your fellow applicants and the requirements of the position. Many applicants are overlooked because they don’t clearly address the key selection criteria, they assume that the panel will be able to read between the lines in the cover letter or Resume.

For a better understanding of the Key selection criteria i recommend you view the Selection Criteria Writer Package.