HUUUUGE inital application..need help

O.k so theres a government position going, I missed my opportunity to apply last time so I'm thrilled to see it advertised again.

However the first application involves 7 criteria to be addressed, and each of those criteria "should" be 300-400 words in length - a full page each!
Should I give examples? Situations? I'm not sure I can wax lyrical that long as most of my relevant experience comes from the one position.

Now I most certainly do (thankgd) meet the stated criteria but I'm not sure how to fill in all the pages. I imagine alot of people applying will be waaay older (I'm 34, so not young) and have craploads more experience. How can I pad this out appropriatley?


5. Highly developed analytical and research skills.

I'm not really sure how to address this one - how do you "prove it". And anyway I can google so how hard can it be lol! I have plenty of experience with SS and FA law, did lots of research, - I dunno, it's Sunday and this has to be in by Friday...

a knowledge of the rules of procedural fairness.


BG and Divvy, this ones for you - what do they want here??? Where are The Rules Of Procedural Fairness so I can swat them quickly...


My brain hurts so help me puuleease......

Good Luck!!

Definately give examples of how you've applied these rules and times that you've had to use innovative research methods - like picking the communal mind of BB ;)

:

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Abstract:
The principle of 'procedural fairness' (also called 'fundamental fairness', 'due process' and 'natural justice') broadly requires administrative and judicial proceedings to be fair. Decision-makers in administrative and judicial systems attempt to achieve procedural fairness by exercising their discretion in a fair manner and by developing procedural or evidentiary rules explaining how rights, duties, powers and liabilities are administered. ... the principle of procedural fairness is difficult to define precisely, because the demands of fairness depend on the circumstances. For example, it may be necessary to balance an individual's interest in pursuing additional procedures with the value and cost of such procedures. Thus, in particular circumstances, procedural fairness might require a full hearing, whereas in other circumstances, basic notice and the right to speak might be sufficient. Considerations of procedural fairness might also conflict. For instance, parties' rights to be heard and give evidence might weigh in favour of last minute introduction of evidence. On the other hand, the need for equality between the parties and their right to have sufficient time to respond and challenge evidence might weigh against such evidence. Discretion is required to resolve such conflicts.

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Chloe's right hun - you don't need to apply just what you've gained from your working life - your "other" life counts as well!

i'm not sure what part of the department you've worked in for sure, but i'm guessing it's similar to mine, so analytical skills would include any interviewing you've done of clients, finding results to problems on their files etc. research skills - again, similar - locating relevant information from internal systems, being able to quote it appropriately, applying it to the case you're working on at that time etc...

for the latter one - taking into account the defintion Chloe has given (thanks Chloe - didn't have to google!!) - i would look at mentioning application of timeliness standards for processing claims, appeals process, and your understanding and application of these processes. maybe investigation of tip offs etc when looking at natural justice etc. try to apply the principles of this to your applicaion, but relate them to the position you're applying for as well

as i said, not sure of what your current role is, so i'm flying blind here - but happy to help out with proof reading (and elaborating - i'm GREAT at the waffle thing!) if you need me to

GOOD LUCK HUN!

Chloe has it right about procedural fairness. It's all about making the "process" fair and achieving a just outcome, considering the entirety of the evidence etc.

And BG is also right about using your personal life experience too.

Unfortunately I can't give specific examples, but post again in here (or PM me) and I'm more than happy to have a look at it for you.

Hope you get the (wonderful fantastic) job that you absolutely deserve, because you're a wonderful fantastic person!

BG - I've actually resigned from FAO, but was there for 5 years or so and been on MAT leave since DD2. Done volumes of complex shared care (no one else wanted to do it), visas, refugees etc etc. Its been awhile since I've been in there and I feel all rusty. Thank you so much for the info, it has done wonders for my confidence, better go share the love around again so I can zap you for it.

I've just remembered stuff I can use - I've reviewed many ODM's , appeals, was always liasing with the ARO (look, it's all coming back to me now!!!) and actually commended by the debt team for my documentation (mainly because the case involved a spectacularly rich father who was a massive pr!ick and I was never going to give him a chance to to waste anyone elses time).

Procedural Fairness - that really stumped me because I just thought it was a given but that text will def come in handy, many thanks Dach.

The only other thing that annoys me is it will be very hard to verify my statements - I have no idea where my references will be right now.
If I can get to an interview I can get the position - just gotta get to the interview!


yaaaay, thanks again.

xoxoxoxo

glad i could trigger some memories for you Hun! knew it would flood back when you thought it through!

with your referees, if you're back at work tomorrow, you should be able to look them up in the phone book if they're still in the system - and can get in touch with them that way

again - good luck with the application

Good luck!!! Kick ass!

Lulu
PM me your email address - I'll send you through some stuff from work (I work in Govt) about how to address selection criteria etc. I don't have anything here, but will send it tomorrow.

Each selection criteria should show how you could deal with the issue, usually an example (or two) is required, what the situation was, how you dealt with it, what were the outcomes etc

Nah, I'm at a different job now BG, it's temporary 'cos I'm running out of money whilst I "find myself".

i couldn't bring myself to go back - the conditions just sucked and I was to be away from Families...

just email them then hunny - email addy's won't have changed

Hi Lulu2,

In the past I have used the book "How to address selection" by Anne Villiers. Anne was on many panels for public service jobs and it's an easy to read book. It also contains examples of common criteria and good and bad responses.

As the ladies above have said, each criteria should contain examples of a situation, actions you have taken and the outcome/result. You can address the criteria in a paragraph form, dot points or a combination of both. For some I find it easier to write a dot point list and then select two to further enhance and use as my examples.

It may seem obvious, but the panel wants to know what you have done, so you need to say 'I did' and sell yourself. You can also use experience gain at home, through volunteer work, social or sporting groups etc.

Addressing selection criteria can be a PITA but if it gets you a job you really want it is worth it. Good luck.

I dont have any advice for you but wanted to let you know I have a big government job application to do too so I will be feeling your pain!

Lulu - you're already in great hands with the applications (and definately get that stuff off Schaz!) - so I am just going to wish you a great interview experience :D

Lu, in my experience, use plenty of examples with a few complexities involved, and add lots of toss and buzz words. It's the Govt, they love that stuff. In fact most Govt. docs these days seem to be 10% info, 90% flog.

one major note is DON'T use emotive words, like "I think", "I believe", "I feel" - think like a man and use strong statements.

Like when they as if you've got prior experience in X or can gain it rapidly - don't say "I believe I can ....." say something like "I have gained knowledge in Y when in Z job, which demonstrates I can learn X in this job".

Just about to head into work, will email stuff when I get there :)

Got it Schaz, it's great stuff.

I'm having a bit of trouble, I keep going off on a tangent, writing some excellent stuff then realsieing it doesn;t really answer the question aaaarrgghh!!

I'll keep plugging away, i just wish you guys were here at my place to help me get it over and done with!!

Lulu -

I find it easier to get each of the selection criteria / requirements and then do dot points under each one with experience I have etc. Then I flesh out each dot point into sentences ....

Include your experiences, cause you can reference them again in the "tell me a time when" part of the interview :D
good luck!