Selection Criteria

Meet the challenge head on.

Most effectively stated: The selection criteria for a position is a list of the essential and desirable skills, attributes, experience, and education which an organisation decides is necessary for a position.

 

Why use the Resume & Typing Centre for Selection Criteria? We help you through the complexity.

Why Selection Criteria?
Applicants must demonstrate and prove the ways in which they will be of value for the job and the organisation. Selection criteria are used in this process to establish the best qualified, person for the job.

An application will not be shortlisted if it fails to demonstrate how the applicant meets any one of the criteria. Applicants who are able to successfully and competitively demonstrate that they meet each of the selection criteria will usually be offered an interview.

Selection criteria can help to standardise the recruitment process and they provide a guide to employees and recruiters as to essential and desirable requirements to look for in applicants.  

Who uses them?
Australian public sector positions have, or should have, formally stated selection criteria that are made available to all potential job applicants. Community sector positions will usually have formally stated selection criteria as well.

Private sector employers may or may not have formally stated selection criteria for different positions. However, they will usually have at least a short list of requirements for advertised positions.

For Example:

Public Sector
Formal, clear selection criteria are available from Human Resources for all positions in the Australian Public Service and they are often summarised in Public Service job advertisements. If that department has a web site, the selection criteria may also be available on that site, often under headings such as "employment", "positions", "human resources" etc. If you telephone the Human Resources department on the telephone number listed in the advertisement they will usually send you a package with:

• Selection criteria
• Job description
• Employment forms
• Other employment related and policy information (such as EEO and OH&S guidelines)

Private Sector
Selection criteria usually exist for jobs in private industry, they may not be as clear or followed as rigidly as in selection in the Public Service.  

Suggestions for addressing Selection Criteria
Clarify the selection criteria by either requesting a recruitment package, by analysing the job advertisement, or by speaking to the contact officer or recruitment consultant. Research the position and the organisation further.

A few tips on Selection Criteria:

1. Create a new document
Include a header or title that includes your name, the job title and position number, and a brief title indicating the purpose of the document. Suitable titles include: Statement of Claims Against the Selection Criteria, Selection Criteria Statement, Selection Criteria Summary, or Summary Addressing Selection Criteria.

2. Use each of the selection criteria as headings
Enter each selection criterion as a separate heading in the new document, leaving space after heading to address that selection criterion.

Do:

• Be concise.
• Be Organised.
• Be relevant .
• Justify-give concrete examples.
• Be neat.
• Remember spelling and grammar.
• Be on time.
• Include a cover letter and resume .

Don't:

• Give great detail about duties performed many years ago .
• Use poor photocopies of old or general applications.