I am on the market for jobs. I understand the need to address selection criteria for some jobs. Sometimes I find it quite difficult to address some criterions. See one example below;
Selection Criteria 1:
'Victorian Public Sector Values' as detailed in Organisational Values in
What do they try to assess? What is the question I am to answer to? How would you go about answering questions like these?
I assume they want you to address how you have demonstrated the core 7 values listed on this document or on this animated e-learning video
Addressing job selection criteria can be done via the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action and Result. You learn about this during your time in university… and you can google 'addressing selection criteria' to download some examples. Try the first link. Also an example from Hays recruitment
So, for example, something that goes like what's below…
I respond in a timely way with my best work. I am a honest, ethical and transparent person. I behave in the best interests of the public by making fair and objective decisions. I hold myself and others to account for the work that we do. I value others and accept their differences. I am a genuine, supportive person, and do the right thing. I uphold and respect the rights of others.
(This is pretty much a copy of the core 7 values. I wouldn't write it as it is.)
I guess my problem is mainly that using STAR method doesn't seem to work with questions like these.
I feel the expectation is simply to read something and give a brief description of it.
To come up with the best answers to address the 7 core values, you'd probably have to do a bit more research and think about what these core 7 values actually mean in the context of a job.
This document should help you. Scroll down to about page 8 and look at the values and pay close attention to "Representative Behaviours for DET". Then ask yourself "in what ways have I behaved this way in my previous jobs?"
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Documents/PublicSector…
Here are some more examples which might help you
https://student.unsw.edu.au/sample-selection-criteria
Your answer of "I respond in a timely way with my best work. I am a honest ethical and transparet person…."
These are all statements with no backing whatsoever — it is not following the STAR format. Think back of your working experience and try to put together a story that somehow mentions the core value (loosely).
For e.g, if you wish to address Respect (We value others and accept their differences) in one of the 7 Core values, you could write….
In my previous role as student teacher, being able to work with and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures is part of the wonderment of residing in Sydney. I have engaged in teaching students English as a second language in Australian public schools as well as abroad in Indonesia. In my current position as Head of Faculty, I work together and lead a diverse group of talented teachers who each have their own strengths and I openly engage in frank and open discussions to ensure that everyone has their say in the administration of the teaching faculty.
I am very committed to the principles of managing diversity and fully recognize its importance not only for my own self-enrichment, but also for the future of this country. In previous positions I have had the pleasure of assisting people from diverse backgrounds.
Thanks a lot for this. May be I really need to think about how I address these criteria.
Although, I strongly feel both my version and yours require simply believing what we say, you are putting more constraints on what your saying (make it a little harder to just lie), and also your version show that you have organised your thinking on these a bit better.
That's kinda the point though. It's just gatekeeping; if you don't follow the instructions on the application, how can they believe you will do it on the job?
And you absolutely must use the STAR system, or you won't get a look in. Easiest part of recruitment is junking those that do not adequately address the selection criteria.
OP might be a good time to reflect on your job choices.
To generalise, Government type jobs will require you to eat, sleep and drink this sort of stuff.
I wish they look at these things in next stage or something. I can spend more time looking for jobs and addressing technical skills need to do the job.
I know the feeling, but seriously, these ARE the technical skills in a lot of cases. Being able to demonstrate in writing an abstract concept. If that's not your jam, a lot of public service jobs are not going to be much fun.
Thanks this and the other comment.
I sort of had no idea. I was wondering may be these questions are there because the HR department demands it, or something like that,and they didn't really care about the answers.
Who knows, may be I will improve my writing skills while getting a job.
How are your values? Do your values fit in with what is required? What values did your previous employment have that can be related to education?