How to Write Effective Written Responses

Key selection criteria (commonly referred to as KSC) are essentially road signs to guide both job applicant and the selection panel. They are core characteristics and qualities considered essential for carrying out the position competently.

These requirements also allow the selection panel to objectively choose the right candidate for the job. That is, the candidate that fulfils the position requirements the best is selected.

Types of Key Selection Criteria

There are a number of different types of KSCs that a candidate will come across in a job application summary. Those key selection criteria that relate to experience refer to the actual performance of a task.

You will need to provide specific details and relevant evidence demonstrating the level of experience you possess. It is important to also provide panel members with clear details regarding strengths, skills in a way that is familiar to them.

To achieve this level of impact it is essential that the keywords and phrases from the position description feature in written responses.

Knowledge and understanding are also common position requirements. In support of this claim, a candidate should provide concrete examples of when these skills were demonstrated. Skills and abilities should also be supported via the use of examples.

It is not enough to write that you possess these talents; you also need to show when and how they have been demonstrated. Once again, you can’t simply state you are honest or fair, you need to prop up your claims with compelling practical examples.

A Common Misconception: The Importance of Desirable Key Selection Criteria

Key selection criteria also come in two different types – essential and desirable. There is a common misconception that desirable key selection criteria are not all that important to the overall success of the application.

As such, candidates don’t often spend as much time writing and thinking about these requirements. This, actually could be the reason why a candidate misses out on their dream job.

Well written desirable key selection criteria are vital to the success of the statement and being awarded the job.

Although a candidate could still be considered if they lack desirable key selection criteria, it is misleading to believe that the strength of your essential key selection criteria will get you past that winning post.

That is, if the interview panel is having difficulties choosing between two candidates, it could very well be the desirable key selection criteria that makes all the difference.

Tips When Preparing Written Responses

Tip 1 Don’t have different fonts and layouts for each criterion. It will only make it look unprofessional

Tip 2 Key selection criteria statement should incorporate a heading that includes: the job name; position reference number and your name featured in the footer

Tip 3 Preferred font styles are Arial, Times New Roman, Tahoma and Verdana. The most common font size is 11 points. Written responses should feature minimum font size of 9.5 points

Tip 4 Carefully select the top 3 or four keyword phrases in the key selection criteria statement and ensure you use these phrases at least once in your written response

Is There An Easier Way?

There in no questioning that writing compelling written responses is tricky. There is a lot to remember; the actual writing process is time consuming; and, it can take frequent writing attempts to develop the required skills to write that job-winning statement.

Many government job seekers have discovered a much more effective and efficient way using software that guides job applicants with easy to use templates that make the job much easier.

The Importance of Getting Selection Criteria Examples Right

Landing that dream government job can sometimes feel like it is out of reach. Continual job applications and persistent knock-backs can be disheartening.

Instead of finding the real source of the problem, we often look to ourselves and wonder what is wrong with our abilities. Forget this.

Have you ever considered that you are looking in the wrong place? Perhaps you have all the prerequisites for the role, but the problem likely lies in the writing of your selection criteria examples.

Are your examples letting you down?

Although there can be a number of valid reasons why that ideal job is eluding you, the fact is that often the writing of selection criteria examples may possibly be ruining your chances.

The most common reasons for this are:

1. Poorly worded examples
2. Insufficient written evidence
3. Wording that is unfamiliar with the panel members

As long as you have the skills, qualifications, experience and personal qualities, there is no reason why you aren’t, at least, being shortlisted.

The common reason applicants are not making it to the interview stage is because they’re not writing compelling examples and evidence that directly relates to the position description.

Providing those all-important selection criteria examples are one area that often lets candidates down. Well written examples must achieve the following:

1. Written using language that is familiar to the panel members
2. Provide rich examples that address principles, strategies and benefits
3. Clear description of the step by step strategy that is crystal clear

Well written examples demonstrate to panel members that you are competent and possess the skills and abilities required for the position. In short, the response you want to achieve with all readers of your examples is that ‘this person can do the job’.

Employers want to know candidates have either performed the necessary skills in a prior role; that they’ve the knowledge to do so; or, that they can easily pick up the new skill. This is shown by selection criteria examples.

The Importance of Writing Good Selection Criteria Examples

• Selection criteria examples form a significant part of the STAR (Situation, Task, Actions, Results) method of writing a selection criteria statement. Your selection criteria example should include in which role or situation you performed the skill; what you actually did; how you performed it; and, what the outcome of you performing this skill was.

• The examples you write must support your claims that you meet a certain selection criterion. As such, you need to provide actual examples that you can elaborate upon in the interview.

• Examples can be sourced from almost any aspect of your life – even if not from a similar role as the one you are applying for. Draw selection criteria examples from anywhere you’ve shown these abilities or personal attributes. The key is to use language that panel members are familiar with and talk their language.

• Written examples must clearly describe the positive outcomes and benefits achieved. What was the result of you performing this action?

Here’s a list of top tips to help you write high quality selection criteria examples:

Tip 1 Use their words in your examples

Tip 2 Make sure your language is specific and active

Tip 3 Clearly articulate the benefits achieved at the end of each example

Tip 4 Choose examples that are as closely aligned as possible to the role you are applying for

Tip 5 Research carefully both the department’s webpage and the position description in order to carefully select the most relevant keyword phrases to use in your written examples

Many government job applicants have been relieved to discover that there is a much better solution to spending entire weekends writing selection criteria applications by using software templates that can reduce and simplify the task significantly.

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