Application Letters and Key Selection Criteria

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Application Letters and Key Selection Criteria

• HM 765
• Week 4

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Application Letters

• Means of screening out rather than in.
• Opportunity to tell employer you are worthy of a
  closer look.
• Why youre interested.
• Why you fit the requirements.
• Chance to check your (writing style), spelling,
  punctuation and letter format. Make sure you
  spell the employers name correctly!

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Example

• Your nameyour addressyour phone numberyour fax
  numberyour email address.

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Example

• Date.
• Employer's full nameemployers titlename of
  organisationaddresssuburb state postcode.

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Example

• Dear (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Dr/etc) (insert employer's
  surname).

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Example

• Opening paragraph.
• Your message paragraph.
• What sets you apart from the competition.
• Create an impact.
• If you need to meet mandatory qualifications or
  experience, ensure you tell the employer in this
  section and give relevant examples.

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Example

• Supporting information paragraph .
• Why do you want to work for them!
• The where to now paragraph - let the employer
  know what you want. Do you want the opportunity
  to be interviewed? Will you be following up the
  receipt of your letter and resume with a phone
  call?
• Closing paragraph - this is where you thank the
  employer for taking the time to read your resume.

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Example

• Closing paragraph - this is where you thank the
  employer for taking the time to read your resume.
• Yours sincerely,(your signature).Type your name
  here.

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Addressing Key Selection Criteria

• If youre asked to address key selection criteria
  in a job application, its considered the most
  important part of your application.
• Its also your only opportunity to show the
  employer that youre the best person for the job.

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Addressing Key Selection Criteria

• Used to assess your qualifications, skills,
  ability, experience and knowledge.
• Each of your responses will be scored and the
  applicants with the highest overall scores are
  those which get an interview.

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Key Selection Criteria

• KSC are written to suit the available job.
• Common KSC
• Demonstrated written and oral communication
  skills.
• Knowledge of human resource management with
  particular reference to equal employment
  opportunity and workplace health and safety.

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Addressing Key Selection Criteria

• Read very carefully.
• No waffling - its quality that counts, not
  quantity!

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Addressing Key Selection Criteria

• If a KSC has the word demonstrated in it, this
  means that you should have actually performed the
  activity or used the skill in the past.
• If knowledge is mentioned, then you are
  expected to have already acquired that knowledge.
• Make sure your response to each selection
  criteria makes it clear why you meet the
  criteria.

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The Art of Matching Yourself to KSC

• Necessary to show how you meet the selection
  criteria

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Selection Criteria May Be Specified by Statements
Such As

• Excellent written and oral skills creativity
• Good time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Applicants who are innovative, intelligent and
  committed people who are bright, analytical,
  hard working and enthusiastic learners

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Selection criteria is generally listed in order
of importance.

• Sometimes they will simply be a collection of
  statements either in the job advertisement or on
  a job description.
• Sometimes, SC will be listed formally, and must
  be addressed
• Some criteria may be specified as essential,
  others may be preferred or desirable.

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Superman or Superwoman?

• Remember that the employer may have simply listed
  all of the ideal qualities and hope to get
  someone who has most of them, not necessarily all
  of them.

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Why Are Selection Criteria Used?

• Helps focus on attributes which are important for
  successful performance in the position.
• Equity and accountability,
• Measuring applicants against KSC enables
  verification of choice.

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Responding to Selection Criteria

• Give specific examples.
• Refer to a specific situation.
• Expound key information.
• Refer to your own attitude or philosophy.
• E.G. Time management skills or an ability to deal
  with people at different levels of an
  organisation.

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Here's a Summary of What to Do

• Read all the information you have about the job.
• Note each of the selection criteria and what
  experience you have had, abilities/skills you
  have which are relevant.
• In the first draft, list each selection criterion
  separately and, in point form, how you meet it.
  Don't assume that the selection panel will work
  this out from your resume. Tell them!

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Next

• If you have time, leave it a few days and come
  back to it with a fresh eye.
• You may choose to write your final draft in
  simple or straightforward sentences.
• Ask yourself whether you've given all the
  information that shows you are the best applicant
  for the job.

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Most Importantly!

• Proof read it yourself and get someone to check
  it for you before you send it off with your
  application.

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Example of Addressing KSC

1. Numeracy - I have excellent numeracy skills as
   evidenced by my distinction average in the
   maths-relevant subjects of my graduate diploma.
2. Tertiary qualifications - in 1995 I completed an
   arts degree majoring in economics and sociology.
   In 1998 I completed a postgraduate diploma in
   applied social statistics.

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Example

1. Office experience - my office experience includes
   4 years' part time experience in a range of
   office duties at corporate copying company.
2. Computing skills - word 7 and excel (advanced),
   access and desktop publisher (intermediate).

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Example

1. Retail experience - have worked at Safeway,
   Glenhuntly in a variety of roles one night a week
   for five years.

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Example

• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• - In my position at Centrelink I was involved
  in job evaluation and job redesign which enabled
  me to further develop my excellent problem
  solving and analytical skills demonstrated by my
  highly commended field work for my graduate
  diploma.

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Example

1. Ability to learn quickly and manage change - my
   referees will attest to my ability to quickly
   become effective in short-term projects and
   handle change positively as noted particularly in
   my work at BHP.

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Example

• Ability to work in a team environment - teamwork
  was an integral part of my graduate coursework
  where I was regularly elected as group leader. My
  ability to work in a team was commended by the
  group leader of the BHP project. I would also
  mention the assignment I completed in 3rd year
  economics on the corporate effectiveness of the
  Coles-Myer group (high distinction result).