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Understanding and confidently addressing selection criteria

By Lee Miles, Careers Advisor/ Work Experience Coordinator
Edith Cowan University. AACC Member

Job applicants often feel overwhelmed when faced with selection criteria. But from an employer’s point of view, they provide an equitable means to measure each job applicant’s suitability to perform the duties of an advertised position. As a consequence, your ability to effectively demonstrate your level of competency against each selection criterion is very important.

Usually stated within an advertisement or position description, selection criteria usually reflect generic competencies such as communication and teamwork, and are generally defined as essential and desirable:

  • Essential criteria are those absolutely necessary to do the job, so you should be competent in them all to be competitive for the position.
  • Desirable criteria are those not necessary for you to have, but would assist you in carrying out the job.
    Remember: In a competitive environment, your ability to satisfy desirable criteria will become more important.

The Process

Responding to selection criteria can be tricky at first, so ask others such as friends and co-workers to help you:
  • Identify relevant experiences
  • Consider how you might use each experience as an example
  • Decide which experiences best describe your behaviours within related activities and situations, and which highlight positive outcomes as a result of your involvement.

Selection Criteria within Letters
Unless otherwise stated, selection criteria mentioned within a job advertisement can be addressed within a covering letter and targeted résumé. Make statements either within the structure of the letter or by using headings at the beginning of each paragraph to enhance clarity and readability.

Selection Criteria as a Separate Document
Government departments and increasingly private sector organisations use selection criteria in staff selection processes. These organisations generally require you to address each criterion as an attached, but separate document. So your application may comprise an:

  • Application Form
  • Cover Letter
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Claims specifically addressing the selection criteria

Always follow the instructions provided and use a title on the document. Examples are, ‘Statement Addressing the Selection Criteria’ or ‘Claims to the Selection Criteria’:

  • Use clear headings to readily identify essential, desirable and separate criterion, for example:

Statement Addressing the Selection Criteria

Essential

  1. Effective Communication Skills
  2. Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable

  1. Working toward a relevant qualification.
  • Below each criterion provide statements of evidence that support your claims to the advertised criteria. Examples can come from a range of experiences including university, voluntary or paid employment. Use paragraphs to separate your examples.
  • Aim to write about a half a page for each criterion, with anything more than a page becoming too much!
  • The following examples address a criterion relating to ‘teamwork’ from two different experiences:

Example one – Teamwork experience gained at university

At university I regularly work within teams to complete assignments. An example of this occurred recently while undertaking a survey for an occupational safety unit. [This statement identifies the situation] This involved team discussions to decide who was responsible for particular aspects of the survey, milestones and time frames in order to ensure the unit objectives were met. My team also discussed and agreed to processes that we would follow should a member of the team not complete their assigned task. [This states behaviour based actions and activities] This resulted in a very positive team environment where our members shared and discussed information openly and which led to us all receiving good grades for the unit. [This notes what happened as a result of your behaviour]

Example two – Experience gained from community involvement

For the past two years I have been a volunteer at my local youth club. This has involved a range of team-based activities that include:

  • Club meetings to plan activities and agree group responsibilities
    Undertaking shared administrative and on-call club duties every month
  • Liaising with other team members to ensure we all have the same information; and
  • Representing the club at council meetings providing feedback to the team
  • Strong commitment to effective teamwork has directly affected our being recognised as a safe place for local youth within the community.

Remember …

  • Read and follow any instructions provided in the job advertisement or job application package.
  • Brainstorm with others to identify examples of your past behaviours that will highlight your competencies.
  • Address essential and desirable criteria separately.
  • Use clear headings for each criterion.
  • Include statements that highlight achievements and outcomes.
  • Check your spelling and grammar.
  • If in doubt ask the Human Resources department or a Careers Advisor for assistance.

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