Employers may require three components when you apply for a job.
- Cover letter
- Key Selection Criteria (which is usually a separate document)
- Resume
If they include Key Selection Criteria you will be expected to respond to each one. If you don’t then there is a strong possibility you will not be considered for an interview.
How do you address the Key Selection Criteria?
- Address the essential criteria first. These are the criteria that are you must have to be considered for and to perform the job.
- Address the desirable criteria second. These criteria would greatly assist the person who gets the job but if they didn’t have it would not prevent them from performing the duties. If you don’t have the exact match you can show you’re willing to learn the skills or knowledge.
- State the criteria and then provide your response. Write in 5-10 lines how you have demonstrated that you can meet this criterion. Examples may not be limited to paid work but could include sport, community involvement, course activities or voluntary/work experience.
- Take into account where your experience was, what you did, how you did it and what the outcome was. This is often referred to as a SAR approach standing for Situation, Action, Result or SAO which is, Situation, Action, Outcome. These examples can be used in your Key Selection Criteria or cover letter and at the job interview, so they are worth putting time and focus into.
E.g. Customer Service – My previous experience working in a coffee shop and as a receptionist has helped me develop good communication skills when dealing with customers and staff. In particular, I was required to take orders, answer queries and complaints and work with changing casual staff. I always remained calm and friendly towards customers during busy periods and answered their requests efficiently. I believe this experience and my approachable manner will enable me to develop rapport and communicate with those around me well to ensure a positive client and team experience.
Questions to ask yourself that may help you.
- What is the greatest contribution I’ve made?
- What are the challenges I’ve faced?
- Have I ever contributed to cost savings or increased revenue and how did I contribute?
- Can I quantify my results with a number, % $ or timeframe?
- What context was this in?