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Answering Selection Criteria
Some employment vacancies advertise requesting that you complete a selection criteria as part of your application for a position.
When a position is advertised that requests you to complete a selection criteria it will always quote a contact number to call or fax to receive a copy of the selection criteria package. You will need to complete the package and return by a given date.
Selection criteria usually consists of approximately 5-7 criteria, each of which needs to be addressed. The employer will rank these criteria in order of importance.
It is important when you are addressing these criteria to remember that the people reading your application do not know anything about you or your work history. Therefore you need to be very descriptive and clear in your responses. You also need to use examples of what you have done in your previous employment, which would be relevant to the specific criteria you are addressing.
The more important criteria should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and the less important should be 1-2 paragraphs.
Here are two examples of selection criteria which may be useful as a guide.
Example 1
Selection Criteria 1
Demonstrated administrative and word processing skills and an ability to operate independently and/or with limited supervision.
As I have been employed previously in the role of School Secretary and Receptionist/Secretary for a Sports Centre I have gained many skills in the area of administration/word processing as well as being able to work alone without supervision.
I was employed for a period of 18 months at St Luke’s Primary School during the formation years of the school. My role here was to set up the administration area and implement procedures, which are still being practiced today.>
These procedures included building a computer database which recorded students names, and personal details, fee structures, tuckshop rosters and all other administration duties which are part of the school structure.
As the school secretary, I was required to work independently, and at the same time, I was solely responsible for the co-ordination of other administrative staff within the school organisation. I was also responsible for co-ordinating the volunteer staff which meant designing rosters, ensuring that an organised operation was running at all times.
My role as a school secretary required on occasion that I work outside the normal hours. This was initiated by myself, that is, using my own time to ensure that deadlines were met. I was always prepared to assist my fellow work peers with their duties when required.
Selection Criteria 2
Possession of good communication skills.
I have successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Majors in Drama and Literature. During my time in this course, I developed excellent communication skills. I am recently initiated ‘The Capalaba Community Youth Theatre Group’. A number of key qualities are required to establish such an organisation, these include, an ability to interact with young people from a number of different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and the ability to communicate with the parents of these students through oral and written communication.
My previous employment history has enabled me to gain a number of valuable skills in the area of communication. I am able to communicate with individuals from a range of backgrounds, including, the socially disadvantaged, different religious groups, a variety of age ranges and all members of the general public.
I have developed the ability when communicating to actively listen to the thoughts and feeling of others, irrespective of my own agenda. My communication is clear, concise and empathic.
My previous employment and training has required me to write reports, letters and complete assignments at University level. It is through this training that I have gained the ability to communicate written as well as orally at a very professional level.
Selection Criteria 3
Ability to work with all members of the school community ( teachers, parents, students and visitors) both individually and as a member of a team.
My role as school secretary at St Luke’s required me to work very closely with teachers, parents, students and visitors . I was constantly liaising with teachers, assisting with their classroom and personnel issues. As I was answering the telephone and attending to the school office desk, I was the person who dealt with all enquiries. An important aspect of this role was my ability to deal sensitively and confidentially with the issues of parents/students and visitors.
At all times, I ensured that I communicated with my team members and contributed to the team’s performance. I believe it is important to complete my share of the workload and if needed, take on extra tasks to help the team produce successful results.
I am a reliable and punctual team member. I can be asked to perform any task and will complete this task to the best of my ability.
Selection criteria 4
Ability to understand or quickly learn about Department of Education Administrative policies, practices and procedures used in schools.
Immediately after migrating to Australia in 1988, I gained employment with St Luke’s Primary School, as School Secretary. I was required to learn very quickly and with limited training the practices and procedures required in a school administration. This was my first dealing with the schooling system in Australia and it only took me a short while to become very competent in this role.
Even though I have not worked in the State Government School System, I have demonstrated that I have the ability to acquire the knowledge to learn the administration policies, practices and procedures that are being used in school today.
Selection Criteria 5
Ability to show the applicant has sound keyboard, word processing and /or clerical skills.
I am competent when using Microsoft Word Version 7 as I have been using this package with my past employment and more recently whilst studying.
I have a current typing speed of 49 words per minute and have a data entry speed of approximately 10 000 keystrokes.
My previous employment has involved me running an office, e.g. operating photo copier, printers, fax machines, using computers, therefore I possess the appropriate keyboard, word processing and clerical skills required for this position.
Example 2
Selection Criteria for Basketball Coach
Demonstrated experience in organising and conducting coaching clinics.
Whilst I was studying a Diploma In Community Services I was involved in organising and conducting a Basketball coaching clinic in Tasmania. My major role in this was as a community worker who was responsible for assisting the Head Coach in the running of these clinics. On many occasions I was held solely responsible for these clinics as the Head Coach was not available.
During these clinics I co-ordinated and supervised 30 children to participate in learning all aspects in relation to playing basketball. I was involved in the planning of these clinics, from drawing up daily schedules to making sure that the clinic ran smoothly for it’s duration.
As a member of Glenorchy Basketball Association, I was involved as a coach in running of pre-season clinics. My major role in these clinics was that of coach, and also as the main organiser of group activities, ensuring that everything ran smoothly and on schedule.
Demonstrated experience in conducting training sessions at the basic and advance levels.
For a period of 10 years, I have been associated with coaching basketball teams. My major experience is with Under 15 to Under 10 age groups. I have also held a position as coach for a Women’s B grade side, of which I was also a members as well as the coach.
As a coach in both levels of basketball, I use the following skills when training a basketball team:
- Implementing a warm up routine, ensuring that my team members are fully warmed up before any training or game begins. This is essential to prevent any injury occurring. I also ensure that I personally make myself involved in this routine, at all times encouraging my team members.
- Once the side is warmed up, depending on the age group, I would introduce skills work to the younger sides, and for the more advanced, I would continue with more fitness, including a lot more cardiovascular training and then introduce the balls for skills work.
- After this I would then continue with set moves, defence work etc for the more advanced sides and with the less advanced sides, I would work on more ball skills, defence work, lay-ups and general team dynamics.
- Once the above has been completed I would then finish my session with a warm down and a brief team meeting, to make sure that the team is prepared for the upcoming game and this discussion is also for any other issues which may arise.
Possession of, or equivalent playing or coaching experience, or the ability to rapidly acquire a level 2 coaching qualification.
I have been playing basketball for a period of 20 years. I have played as high as B Grade level. I have coached Basketball sides for a period of 10 years and hold a Coaching Level 1 Certificate. This certificate is not current at the moment as I have recently moved from Tasmania but I am very eager to update this certificate. I am currently in the process of updating this Level 1 Coaching Certificate and am also looking at acquiring my level 2 coaching qualifications as soon as possible.
Experience in, or the ability to rapidly acquire experience in the education of coaches at all standards.
As I have been involved with coaching basketball for over 10 years, I feel I have the ability to acquire the knowledge to successfully educate coaches at all standards. I am a resource of information when it comes to coaching basketball and I am always keeping up to date with the rule changes as well as what is happening in Basketball throughout Australia.
As I have been studying a Diploma at College I have gained a valuable skills which is that of facilitating programs to class environments. I am confident that once I have gained my Level 2 Coaching Certificate I would be very successful in educating coaches of all standards.
Demonstrated skills in communication both oral and written.
As I have been undertaking a Diploma in Community Services, I have had to complete a number of assignments and presentations to the lecturer’s and group, this being both written and oral work.
I my past employment as a Manager, I was required to communicate with my staff members as well as with customers. I gained a great deal of experience in the area of communication with this particular position.
I am a very conscientious and approachable individual who possesses many valuable skills. I am an effective team member who is always willing to contribute to a team to ensure that it performs to the best of its ability, therefore achieving successful results.
