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.

3. Prove your ability to meet each criterion
(this is time consuming and requires thought!).

In addressing each criterion, summarise the way in which your skills, qualifications, experience and personal attributes are relevant for that particular criterion. For Public Service applications in particular, this is a specialised process using particular phrases and concepts. Dr Ann Villiers provides an excellent description of these processes in How To Write To Selection Criteria in chapters 6-9. If you are applying for a position in the Public Service it is well worth working through these three chapters, paying particular attention to:

• Make sure you understand the key phrases and addressing these in your application (eg. 'Experience in','Knowledge of'). Often there are subtle differences in meaning that can be crucial to selection.
• Make sure you understand the difference in levels of qualities being sought and providing evidence and concrete examples to illustrate you meet the required level. For example, "I have 7 years experience in...".
• Make sure you understand the differences in key roles or functions described. For example, the roles of managing, leading, supervising, organising, and administering are often confused or articulated poorly. Understanding of the subtle differences must be indicated when you address those criteria.
• Demonstrate skills and abilities being sought and providing concrete examples and descriptions of these skills and abilities. Common areas include contributing to the work group, interacting with people and managing your own performance.
• Don't make unsupported claims or sales pitches about your skills based on personal pinion alone. For example, "I have well developed presentation and liaison skills". You should select and include evidence from your employment history or education to support any assertions of competence. For example, "my excellent management ability is demonstrated by...". The best examples illustrate the complexity and demands of the tasks.
• Use direct, active verbs, and using verbs which indicate exactly what your contribution was.
• Address all parts of the selection criteria.
• Be selective and appropriate in your use of dot points rather than long paragraphs of text. Demonstrate your writing skills in this document.
• Avoid words and phrases which reduce your credibility (eg some, a little, limited).

Do

• Be concise.
• Organise your application.
• Give relevant personal details.
• Comment on the extent to which your claims match the selection criteria giving concrete examples.
• Format your application neatly.
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Submit your application on time or seek a time extension with good reason.
• Include a covering letter and resume with your statement addressing the selection criteria.

Don't

• Give great detail about duties performed many years ago that are not relevant to the current position.
• Use poor photocopies of old or general applications.
• Waffle.

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