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Choosing and Preparing Examples For Your Written Application – Selection Criteria & KSAs

By Vanessa Jordan

One of the hardest parts of addressing selection criteria is coming up with appropriate examples to demonstrate your skills. Below are a few different pointers for coming up with and choosing the best examples to write about.

· Keep brainstorming lists and drafts of previous applications for future applications. Even better, keep a career journal (templates for keeping a career journal are in included in rthe ebooks The Selection Criteria Coach, The KSA Coach and Get That Job if you have these publications). Having a point of reference will make your example writing a lot easier than just starting with a blank page.

· Examples should not extend to more than five years in the past. The more recent the example the better, because the selection panel will see this is a current capability. Examples of events that have occurred within the past two years will provide more credibility.

· Only where you do not have relevant work related examples should you use examples from different aspects of your life, for example university, clubs, community organisations. It is acceptable to talk about volunteer work. But remember, you work examples should always come first.

· Select which examples to use, based on their relevance to the criterion and their strength. Remember that you are trying to prove that you are the best person for the job, not just an acceptable one, so make your examples strong ones!

Consider the following when using examples:

· What was the situation?

· What were you trying to accomplish?

· Was there a problem that you were trying to solve?

· What was your task?

· How did you address the situation or the problem?

· What strategies did you come up with?

· What tools did you use?

· What process did you follow?

· What was the result?

· Can you provide any specific measure of success (e.g. increased sales figures, quicker turn around times etc.)

· Ensure your example is pitched at the right level. Higher level jobs require complex skill sets and therefore high level examples. Every day tasks do not demonstrate great skills or consistent performance. Even the worst worker in the organisation can come up with one basic example, so try to establish that you have experience carrying out complex tasks or bringing about major changes or initiatives.

· Avoid examples that cannot be verified or claims that are not supported.

· It is acceptable to use one experience or example to satisfy the requirements of more than one selection criterion. However, it is important that you specifically mention this. Ensure that you still title each criterion separately and cite your example separately for each selection criterion, tailoring it to that criterion. Do not refer your reader to another part of your application.

Vanessa Jordan is the Director of Review Consulting, an HR consulting organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. Her qualifications are in organisational psychology, and her passion is recruitment.

For more valuable resources for applying for a government job, visit http://www.selection-criteria.com.au

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2492078

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

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

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

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/?expert=Glenn_Ayrton

Make sure you use English well! panels will often use your communication skills to judge your attention to detail so ensure there are no mistakes in your application.

Keep your acronyms to a minimum you need to convey exactly what you a trying to say to the panel even if you might know them personally.

To get in the right mind set imagine that every applicant that you are competing with has the same if not better qualifications than yourself. Now write the most relevant skills you  have which address the criteria requested of you.

Choose your tone and words carefully, try to use positive words as often as possible like, involved and consistently.

I’ll be back with some more tips for you soon.

Staying on track with your selection criteria is Key to your success! If you can harness your excitement just a little bit longer you will find that creating and submitting your selection criteria applications will be far easier than if you allow yourself to become negative about the application process.

Understand that the selection criteria process is there to assist the government to place the best people in our tax paying jobs as possible. If you consider this whilst chipping away at your selection criteria I believe your attitude will flow through your writing.

Good luck with your selection criteria applications! I wish you ultimate success.

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