Selection Criteria
What are Selection Criteria?
The Selection Criteria is a list of questions that represents the experience, skills, personal attributes, qualifications, knowledge and expertise required to do the job effectively. They are the standards by which each applicant will be assessed. Selection Criteria are a useful indication as to whether you have the experience and skills required to do the job.
Selection Criteria make the process fair for everyone. Selection Criteria for most positions are broad or generic to make it possible to compare people with different backgrounds and experience. The intention of the Selection Criteria is to ensure that each job is filled by a person who has the required skills, experience and attributes needed to do the job effectively.
Some tips
Do Provide evidence that you meet the requirements of the position. Your beliefs or philosophy is not evidence of your abilities or experience.
Don’t tell the reader what you know without examples of your experience, ability and achievements relevant to the position
Don’t state you have experience in a vague, loose and generalised comment. Tell the reader what you have actually done.
Consider the location of the advertised job and the type of business it involves so your responses are relevant.
Criteria dealing with your commitment to a belief or principle are very common. Selection Criteria may state “Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity, Occupational Health and Safety, Quality Assurance, and the Environmental Protection Act...”
To successfully respond to this criteria you need to demonstrate that you have operated under these principles. Give concrete examples of situations where you upheld these principles, and instigated or implemented these principles.
How to Respond to Selection Criteria
- Describe the nature and extent of your experience under each criteria.
- Outline your role and your responsibilities relevant to the criteria
- Show your accomplishments.
- Provide concrete examples.
Examples are an easy way to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of a position. If a job requires a person to have ability to negotiate, provide two or more examples of successful negotiations in which you have played a significant role. Describe the content, your goal, your strategy, the reason for the strategy and the outcome.
