“Let’s communicate your skills and experience…”


Understanding and addressing a role’s key selection criteria is the most crucial section of a job application.

Selection criteria describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge, qualifications and most importantly the experience you need to perform the role effectively. 


Five tips to successfully address job selection criteria

  1. Ensure you respond in the manner requested. Some applications might require you to fill in an application form that itemises selection criteria, others might ask you to provide this information in another format. Refer back to the wording in the selection criteria
     
  2. Provide the appropriate level of detail. Don’t just tell the employer how you meet the selection criteria requirements, provide examples and outcomes/results and evidence
     
  3. Highlight your relevant achievements and successes
     
  4. Proof read and double-check your grammar and spelling
     
  5. Ask someone to review your cover letter and resume before you submit it so you haven’t missed anything

 

Here are some steps to consider when replying to specific selection criteria. 

Step 1: How?

How do you meet the criteria? (my previous role required me to…, a project I managed…, my skill set includes…)

Step 2: Support

Back up this statement with solid justification.
Provide examples from your professional and/or personal life and include:

Content   What happened and what did you do?
Context   What was your responsibility or level of involvement here?
Outcome   What happened as a result? Was your work adopted, praised?
Success   What difference did your work make? Did you meet goals/targets?


Step 3: Validate

How can you provide evidence of this happening?  Ensure that your answers relate to specific examples that directly link to the selection criteria – make them as relevant as possible to the position you are applying for.  Dot points are a great idea and make it easier for the reader to see how you have successfully demonstrated this competency.

Step 4: Conclude

Reinforce how you meet the selection criteria.

Example: “I believe through this experience my ability to successfully build community partnerships was further strengthened.”