Written application for Education Department

[Astrolady]

Hi Everyone

I am in the process of applying for a job at a primary school as a school support officer. I was going on my merry way filling in the online application via the DECD website and then I hit a stumbling block. Submitting a written application. I have never done one of these in my life and not sure how or where to begin.

Are there any examples online that I can google? Or has anyone done one for the Education Department before that they could share with me via email so I can get a feel for it.

I have 5 days to get the application in, so any help would be appreciated !!

I do have an updated resume thanks to the Business course I did last year.

[k4t]

I'm not sure I understand what theyre asking for. Can you quote the wording from their website?

[Astrolady]

It says "Please attach your written application addressing the job and person specification" I have downloaded those specifications but not really sure how to lay out said application.

[Trillian]

If it were me, I'd be taking each one of their criteria and addressing HOW I would meet it. So if they said that the applicant needs to have good time management skills, I would talk about how I effectively manage my time, being punctual, any committees that I have been/am on and how I manage the requirements of those roles etc.

[Astrolady]

Okay so this is point 1 on the Job specification bit. I am assuming I have to address all points on both Job Specification and Personal Specification

1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position and its desired outcomes.

The Resource Centre Officer is accountable to the Teacher Librarian for contributing to the effective and efficient operation of the School Resource Centre by providing a range of administrative and para-professional support activities which contribute to the achievement of educational outcomes for students.

So do I say about how I have volunteered for the last 12 months at xxxx primary during which time I had to fulfill all duties required of me by the Teacher Librarian which included but not limited to general administrative duties such as photocopying, laminating, catalouging, returns, shelving blah blah blah ???

[Trillian]

Yep, pretty much. You could also say that by working in an assisting role you helped 'free up' the Librarian by assuming some of her preparation workload so she had more time to spend in face to face teaching of students and by making sure that she had a quality range of teaching resources prepared etc

[k4t]

Oh, I get it now. That's the sort of thing I've previously seen in cover letters. Think of it as a way to connect your resume to the skills and job description and a space to talk up your own skills. You can always find ways that you can demonstrate having great skills in an area even if it's through charity/sports or just your everyday life. If there are areas where you think you're not very skilled then give a plan about how you're improving yourself through further training etc.

[Frangipani Lou]

Also add to the how you meet each criteria Any relevant examples of the skill or attribute. Use Google to help you with wording etc

[chody47]

Write pretty much what you said. Just check the max length for the written part. In SA for teachers it's 1 page - I use really small font

[Astrolady]

Thanks for that tip Chody. Not sure where I check that information though. I know it can't be any bigger than 2mb when I submit it.

[chody47]

Thanks for that tip Chody. Not sure where I check that information though. I know it can't be any bigger than 2mb when I submit it.

For teachers it specifically says 'attach your 1 page written application' or something like that.

[Astrolady]

ahhh okay. Yeah this one just says attach your written application. No specification on how long.

[Beach Mama]

Mmm depends on how many criteria there are hun - I know in Victoria for teaching jobs most jobs have around 5 criteria and addressing them are nearly one page per criteria. I would thin half a page per criteria for an SSo position. Am happy to email my most recent one so you can see how I set it out but bascially becasue you have to upload it through the DEECD site (it wont be anywhere near 2MB) I set it out with cover letter followed by cv then criteria all on one word document as in Vic you can only upload the one file - so I set it out like they will print it off ITMS. Good luck!

[Astrolady]

There is quite a bit of criteria. Tan if you don't mind sharing I would love to see it. I don't want to sound long winded lol.

[Beach Mama]

PM'd you hun. xox