Address what employers are looking for
Selection criteria are statements that describe the personal qualities, qualifications, skills, knowledge, abilities and experience that are required for a job.
In responding to selection criteria, you need to describe how you meet the requirements of the job and provide examples because:
- An employer would like a summary of how you meet their desirable and essential skills without having to tease this out of your resume/CV.
- Often a separate statement/document is required to formally and clearly address each of the criteria/how you meet each of the criteria that they are looking for.
What to do
In your CV
- Identify criteria and make each one a separate heading.
- Make sure you addressing each one (roughly a paragraph to half a page long).
- Draw on a range of evidence from University and other formal education, employment experience and extra-curricular activities.
In your statement/document
Structure your responses in the following way:
- Introduction (one sentence): Answer the question; introduce the example.
- Body: Support your answer by providing a relevant example. Demonstrate research of the company and role.
Use the STAR approach:- Situation: Brief outline of the situation or setting. Who was involved? What was your role?
- Task: What did you do? What happened next?
- Action or Approach: How did you do it?
- Result: What was the outcome? What was the feedback you received?
Also, make sure to apply the following tips when drafting your responses:
- Stick to the word limit.
- Answer the question.
- Proofread, check grammar, and spelling.
- Use examples from within the last two years, such as your employment, education and/or extra-curricular activities.
- Use examples that have a clear beginning, middle and end.
- Focus on your own involvement (use “I” not “We”).
- Link your transferable skills to the job and company.
- Keep your responses for future reference, as many jobs have similar selection criteria.
- Ask more information from employers about what they are looking for in the selection criteria, length of response and format.
- Have a friend read over it before submitting.