Addressing Key Selection Criteria

Key selection criteria are used in government recruitment to provide a framework for assessing government job applications. They are the criteria that are used to select the most suitable candidate.

That's from the point of view of the selection panel. From an applicant's perspective, key selection criteria can be annoying, time wasting and inconvenient things that need to be addressed in a job application.

Why Do Government Departments Use Key Selection Criteria?

Because government departments are bound by legislation that requires them to recruit staff based on merit, and merit requires a transparent and competitive applicant selection process. Merit also means that candidates will be in direct competition to show that they have superior work related attributes, along with a higher capacity to achieve outcomes, in relation to the duties of the position.

So that the job candidates are able to effectively demonstrate this, it is only fair that they are given guidelines when preparing their job application, which is where key selection criteria come in. The key selection criteria tell the candidates how they are going to be assessed.

So now we can see exactly what key selection criteria are.

Key selection criteria are specific competencies, or groups of competencies, considered necessary  for a person to perform the responsibilities of the position.

How Selection Criteria Are Used

Key selection criteria are used to assess written government job applications and provide a framework for the government job interview (every question that is asked and every answer that is given must in some way relate back to the key selection criteria, with a few minor exceptions). They also provide a reference point for conducting reference checks. At the end of the selection process, the candidate who is able to demonstrate that they satisfy the key selection criteria to the best level, will be the person who is recommended for the job.

In your written job application you need to address the key selection criteria to show exactly the way your knowledge, skills and experience make you not merely eligible for the position, but the superior candidate. All candidates need to address key selection criteria, and if a candidate does not adequately address the key selection criteria, they may be removed from the list of applicants that is being considered. Your statements addressing the key selection criteria therefore, will be the key to your application. Our recruitment consultants, who regularly sit on government selection panels, estimate that approximately 80% of candidates do not make the most of their written application, and consequently are not selected for an interview. These candidates may well be suitable for the position and could have been granted an interview if they put more effort into demonstrating their knowledge, skills and experience in their application, but their inability to provide information in their written application has let them down.

Evidence Based Selection Criteria

Applicants that are chosen for an interview consistently do the same thing, they provide strong evidence that substantiates their claims against the key selection criteria. Addressing selection criteria is not about writing down everything you know about a topic, or providing sweeping statements acknowledging that you could do the job. It is about providing evidence that you meet the selection criteria, and this evidence should be based on specific experience, practical learned knowledge or skills.

How to Make Your Key Selection Criteria Statements Stand Out

Make sure your selection criteria statements are to the point, and don't include general statements without any evidence to verify them. Your selection criteria should talk about outcomes, not just duties that you perform. Anyone can complete a list of duties in a job, but the best candidates show the selection panel the great outcomes and successes they have had for their employer while carrying out their duties.

Different Types of Selection Criteria

Did you know there are different types of selection criteria that require a different type of answer depending upon what kind of criterion it is? For example, a knowledge criterion should be answered one way, and a personal qualities selection criterion should be answered a different way. Getting this right can make the world of difference to your application!

Top Tips for Your Selection Criteria:

    * Your statements will be to the point and provide outcomes and successes
    * Your statements will not only be targeted to the key selection criteria, but also to the job description
    * Your statements will be appropriate to the type of selection criterion you are addressing
    * You will assume that all candidates are equally suitable for the job so you will make your selection criteria the ones that stand out, showing:

4 Ways We Can Help You Get Started

1. Sign up to our free newsletter to receive information and advice for your next application.  This will also give you free access to our VIP section which contains free articles and templates.  

2. Download 5 free selection criteria examples.

3. Use one of our selection criteria books, "Get That Job!",  "The Selection Criteria Coach" or "Selection Criteria Exposed: 101 Examples of Statements Addressing Selection Criteria" that will give you unique information on writing selection criteria.

4. Let us refer you to a tried and tested selection criteria writer who can write your application for you.