Responding to Selection Criteria

You want to apply for a job but you are required to ensure you will be addressing the selection criteria. Many people find themselves in this position every day and many of them get worried about providing the answers to selection criteria questions.

You may also be wondering what is selection criteria and how will they be used in my application?

Selection criteria are used by employers to identify the right person for the role. It can be described as the set of requirements or standards which the employer wants a job applicant to fulfil for a specific role. It is usually the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications a person needs to perform the role effectively.

Selection criteria are usually divided into:
IMPORTANT/ESSENTIAL criteria (‘must have’ criteria)
LESS IMPORTANT/DESIRABLE criteria (‘nice to have’ criteria)

Although it is true that the IMPORTANT/ESSENTIAL criteria are more important than the LESS IMPORTANT/DESIRABLE criteria your chances of success will be much greater if you meet all the selection criteria, because in most cases you will be up against many other applicants for the same position.

You MUST meet all of the IMPORTANT/ESSENTIAL criteria in order to have any chance of success, irrespective of the number of applicants. Without fulfilling al of the IMPORTANT/ESSENTIAL criteria you would not be able to do the job and will not be shortlisted for an interview.

The selection panel will assess applicants against the criteria in order to select the right applicant.

If you are applying for a job where you need to Address Selection Criteria then you need visit our selection criteria website to learn how to do it.