Addressing Selection Criteria

This particular client applied for the role of ABS Field Interviewer in the Australian Public Service (APS) – Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Five criteria required addressing at a maximum page length of half page each. They included Interpersonal Skills, Communication, Achieving Results, Technical Aptitude, and Past Experience. My client was called up for a job interview but was unable to attend due to a [...]

This repeat business client once again gained another job interview in the Tertiary sector in Victoria; this time it was for the role of Student Development Advisor. A total of seven criteria needed to be addressed for this application; the following is a full example of one of the criteria. Knowledge of current theory and practice of, and experience in applying a developmental approach to [...]

This client applied for the role of Assistant Consultant in State (Qld) Government and gained a job interview. A two-page statement required addressing the following 7 selection criteria: Customer Focus, Educating Others, Continuous Learning, Continuous Improvement, Problem Solving, Work Values, and Technical Knowledge. Following are full examples of two of the criteria. Customer Focus: In my most recent role as Assessment Officer at the HHH [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Student Wellbeing Counsellor in the Tertiary/Higher Education Sector and gained a job interview. As is typical with university applications, many of them require the addressing of numerous Essential and Desirable criteria. This application required the addressing of six Essential criteria; one of the rare few applications, where only a small number of criteria were stipulated. Overall, the [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Web Officer in State (Queensland) Government, gained an interview, was offered the role and gladly accepted. The stock standard five Capability Leadership Framework (CLF) criteria – Supports Strategic Direction, Achieves Results, Supports Productive Working Relationships, Displays Personal Drive and Integrity, and Communicates with Influence – required addressing in a two-page statement. Following are excerpts from two of [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Coordinator, Civil Law Legal Aid Scheme within State (Qld) Government, and progressed to the interview stage. Five selection criteria required addressing. Following is a full example of one of the criteria. You can analyse, comprehend, interpret and apply procedures and guidelines to make decisions. You ideally have knowledge of legal practices and process, particularly in relation to [...]

This client applied for a Project Officer role in State (Qld) Government, gained a job interview, was offered the role and accepted. As is commonplace with Qld Government applications for the past few years, selection criteria required addressing in a two-page statement. Following excerpts from two of the seven criteria. Demonstrated experience with all aspects of project coordination, preferably building refurbishment projects. In my 10 [...]

This client applied for a Finance Officer role in State Government in the Qld Health Department and gained a job interview. Instead of addressing the standard five criteria from the Capability Leadership Framework (CLF) – Strategic Direction, Achieves Results, Cultivates Relationships, Demonstrates Drive, and Communicates with Influence – the application called for the addressing of four specific criteria. Following are excerpts from two of the [...]

Across all roles in Australian State and Territory Governments, as well as Local and Federal Governments, prior to commencing the processing of drafting selection criteria responses, it is important you find out character/word length limit for each criterion, or an overall page length limit to address all the selection criteria. Producing a document that contains too little or too much information is a killer, plus [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Graduate Insolvency Services Officer in Accounting or Law in an APS/Federal Government agency and gained a job interview. A total of seven selection criteria required addressing in cover letter format at a specified two-page maximum. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Case Management Towards the end of my employment at ZZZ, I became more experienced [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Senior Investigator in the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS)* and was successful in progressing through to the job interview stage. The selection criteria component was lengthy and required addressing six criteria at a maximum of 500 words each. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Managerial and Planning I was responsible for managing XXX [...]

This client applied for and gained an interview for a role in State (SA) Government in the capacity of a Senior Change Management Consultant. A total of seven selection criteria required addressing; all were well addressed in a three-page document. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Proven experience to initiate and foster strategic partnerships and networks with stakeholders within and external to SA [...]

This particular client applied for a role in State (QLD) Government in the capacity of Senior Operational Capability Officer and gained a job interview. A two-page statement was required addressing the stock standard five QLD Public Service (QPS) Capability Leadership Framework (CLF) selection criteria: supports strategic direction, achieves results, supports productive working relationships, displays personal drive and integrity, and communicates with influence. As mentioned in [...]

This client applied for the role of EA to Dean & Head of School in the tertiary sector and gained a job interview. During the job interview, the selection panel commented on how highly impressed they all were with the written application. A total of five pages in cover letter format was developed to address selection criteria listed under Essential and Desirable sections. When I [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Locations & Film Services Manager in State (WA) Government and was successful in gaining a job interview. A two-page document was developed addressing six selection criteria. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Achieves Results. As the producer of a successful program (D&E) on the XXX television network, executives stipulated a change in direction/focus. I was [...]

This client applied for the role of Director/Head of School in the tertiary sector; he gained a job interview was offered the role and accepted. The selection criteria component involved the addressing of a total of seven criteria listed under Essential and Desirable sections. In addressing the five criteria listed under the Essential section, content/examples for each one was written and maintained at just under [...]

This client applied for the role of Investigator in an APS/Commonwealth Government agency, gained a job interview, was offered the role and accepted. The application required addressing a two-page expression of interest (EOI) demonstrating the standard APS Integrated Leadership Framework (ILS) selection criteria. The five criteria included Supports strategic direction, Achieve results, Supports productive working relationships, Displays personal drive and integrity, and Communicates with influence. [...]

This client applied for the role of Teaching Scholar (Mechanical) in the tertiary sector and gained a job interview. A total of 17 selection criteria required addressing which were separated into Essential and Desirable Sections. The Essentials section contained four key headings (Qualifications, Teaching, Other, and Personal Qualities); and the Desirable component contained three selection criteria listed under the heading ‘Experience, Knowledge and Skills’. It [...]

This client applied for the role of Executive Assistant in a state (NSW) government agency and gained a job interview. A total of eight criteria required addressing; following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Capacity to implement administration and procurement policies, procedures and instructions, document control and records management systems and processes. Recently, the QQQ Group introduced a complete new electronic travel expense database. [...]

This repeat business client applied for a role as Shift Supervisor in State (Qld) Government (Queensland Health). He was successful in gaining an interview, being offered the role and accepted. A two-page statement was required in addressing six criteria/competencies/ skill requirements. Following are full examples of two of the criteria. Technical capability: On a daily basis at TTT I adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) [...]

This client applied for the role of Transport Inspector within a state (QLD) government department. A total of 96 candidates applied; 15 were shortlisted and chosen for the interview phase including my client. The written application involved the preparation of a three-page statement in cover letter format addressing six criteria. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Demonstrated competence in undertaking and supervising complex [...]

This client applied for an internal Administrator role within Queensland Health (QH) and was successful in gaining an interview. A two-page statement required the addressing of six selection criteria (or competencies, capabilities, skill requirements) – these terms are used interchangeably across different roles and government departments. A full example of one of the criteria follows. Demonstrated ability to carry out a range of duties with [...]

Preparing selection criteria for tertiary applications is never fun and there are always Essential and Desirable criteria to address. I always advise clients to keep the document to a maximum of five pages – institutions do not typically stipulate word or page length limits. The less criteria to address, the less pages needed. You should always address all the selection criteria in the Desirable section; [...]

Many APS Government agencies are changing the manner in which selection criteria are addressed by asking a specific line of questioning, and of course they are continuing on with mandating a word or character length limit for each criterion. Take for example this most recent role – APS3 Information Officer within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection – which was advertised in April 2015. [...]

This client commissioned my services to prepare an Express of Interest (EOI) – Order of Merit for acting opportunities at APS5 level within an APS Government department. She was successful in gaining an interview and the feedback she received from the selection panel regarding her written application – in particular the EOI – was very positive; they advised that it was very impressive, one of [...]

This client applied for the role of Business Services Officer in state (NSW) government and was successful in reaching the job interview stage. Eight (8) criteria required addressing; following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Client engagement and customer service skills and capacity to establish and maintain effective working partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. While working for my current employer – the Department [...]

This client applied for the role of Team Leader Child Protection in state (WA) government. The selection criteria component involved addressing five criteria in three pages. Their application secured a job interview. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Advanced supervision, management, leadership skills and experience in working in a multi-disciplinary team setting. I have had extensive experience working in a multi-disciplinary team setting, [...]

This client applied for the role of Electronic Monitoring Surveillance Officer in state (QLD) government and gained a job interview. The majority of applications for QLD government departments/agencies stipulate the preparation of a statement addressing selection criteria in two pages. Following are excerpts from two of the selection criteria. Surveillance: In my most recent role as a marine specialist and Second in Charge (2IC) within [...]

This client applied for the role of Assistant Compliance Officer in state (NSW) government and gained a job interview. Six selection criteria required addressing; a statement of four pages in length addressing the criteria was developed. Following is a full example of one of the criteria. Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage difficult clients and negotiate outcomes. On one occasion, I prepared a [...]

This client applied for the role of Customer Service Officer in local government, a council in NSW. My client was successful in gaining a job interview. A four-page statement was prepared to address selection criteria covering both ‘Essential’ and ‘Desirable’ components with ten and three criteria respectively, 13 in total. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria in the Essential section. Skills in conflict [...]

This client applied for the role of Teacher Hairdressing within a TAFE institution in state (Queensland) Government. The application involved preparing a suitability statement addressing selection criteria based on the Queensland Public Service (QPS) Capability Leadership Framework (CLF). Five standard selection criteria are contained in the CLF: [1] supports strategic direction, [2] achieves results, [3] supports productive working relationships, [4] displays personal drive and integrity, [...]

This client applied for the role of Management Accounting Coordinator in local government (a council in Victoria), and gained a job interview. A three-page statement was prepared to address five selection criteria. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Demonstrated experience in leading, managing and developing staff. In my current role as Financial Controller at EEE Ltd, I lead, manage and develop a team [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Administrative Support Officer in state (NSW) government and gained a job interview. The selection criteria component required the addressing of five criteria at a maximum of 3/4pg per criterion. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Demonstrated computer keyboard, data entry and word processing skills. As a highly experienced Data Entry Clerk and Administrator, over the [...]

This repeat business client applied for the senior level role of Chief Recovery Officer in State (NSW) Government. Four selection criteria required addressing with a maximum of one page per criterion. He was once again successful in gaining a job interview. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. A proven track record of success in leading and developing high performance teams in complex environments [...]

This particular client applied for the role of School Partnerships Coordinator in the tertiary sector (a university in Victoria) and gained an interview. Typically, applications for roles in the tertiary sector involve addressing more criteria than asked for in government sector applications; and they are categorised into Essential and Desirable components with many more criteria in the Essential category. This particular application required the addressing [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Senior Health and Safety Consultant in a state (Queensland) government department and was successful in gaining a job interview. A two page statement was developed which involved addressing the standard five selection criteria based on the Queensland Government’s Capability Leadership Framework (CLF). The CLF selection criteria include Supports Strategic Direction, Achieves Results, Supports Productive Working Relationships, Displays [...]

This repeat business client has gained job interviews from previously prepared applications, steadily progressing through the ranks of the APS. This time around the application involved addressing selection criteria for an EL2 level role (Account Unit Head, National Water) in another APS government department. She was successful in gaining a job interview and was offered the role and accepted. Seven selection criteria required addressing; the [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Manager, Sponsorship and Policy in a state (Queensland) government department and gained an interview. Aside from the resume, the written component involved preparing a two page statement addressing five key criteria/competency areas (business acumen, planning, decision quality, negotiating, and written communication). Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Business acumen. Over the past five years I [...]

Follow these guidelines and rest assured you will have a strong selection criteria document which will be noticed by those who have the responsibility of shortlisting applications and the interview panel… - Always stay within the word length limit specified for each criterion or the overall page length limit to address all the selection criteria. Applications that do not follow instruction in this regard will [...]

This particular client applied for a Graduate Radiographer role in state (Qld) government with Queensland Health (QH) and gained a job interview. QH, like the majority of state government departments in Queensland typically specify the addressing of competencies, skills and attributes in cover letter format, maximum of two pages in length. Six key competency areas required addressing including patient focus, team focus, quality focus, continuous [...]

This particular client applied for a senior level role in a state (NSW) government department in the capacity of Finance Director. The selection criteria component involved addressing eight criteria. His application was well received and he went on to gain an interview. Following are excerpts from two of the criteria. Extensive experience working at a strategic level within a Finance function (or equivalent). I possess [...]

This particular client applied for a Business Support Officer role in a state (Qld) government department and gained a job interview. Six criteria required addressing: five from the Capability Leadership Framework (CLF), derived from the APS’ Integrated Leadership System (ILS), and an additional technical criterion. Just to recap as outlined in previous blogs, the stock standard five ILS and CLF criteria include: Supports Strategic Direction, [...]

This particular client applied for the role of Compliance & Risk Manager within an APS government department, Defence. The application was very well received with the selection panel verbalising as such during the interview process. Several APS departments request that you outline barriers/challenges when addressing selection criteria and preparing relevant examples/answers. This application required the addressing of six criteria each with a corresponding maximum 400-word [...]

Addressing selection criteria can be a time-consuming, frustrating and complex undertaking for those who are new to the process, even for those of you who have attempted them many times. Research has shown that it takes the average person a solid 21 hours of work to prepare and suitably address selection criteria (an average of five criteria with a 500 word length limit for each [...]