Applying for a Position

Selection criteria are the skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience you need to have to be able to perform the role effectively.

To address the selection criteria, you should:

• Make time to read and understand the selection criteria, position description and job advertisement.
• Analyse and address each selection criterion in your application.
• Ensure your responses reflect the required level of skill for the position you’re applying for.
• Use positive and strong language, check your spelling and grammar, and ask a trusted person to review your responses.
• Keep answers short, simple and specific – unless otherwise specified, keep each response to roughly 3/4 of a page.
• Use the SAO method to address each selection criterion clearly and concisely.
  • Situation: where and when did you do it?
  • Action: what did you do and how did you do it?
  • Outcome: what was the result of your actions?

TIP: Writing effective selection criteria takes time. Prepare all your responses in a saved Word document so you can 'cut and paste' your final responses into our online recruitment system.

Targeted questions are open-ended questions that allow you to give examples of how you have used your knowledge, skills and abilities in your previous work experience. Some targeted questions may also ask you to describe why you’re interested in working for Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District or in NSW Health.

To answer targeted questions on capabilities, you should:

• Read the question to identify the information you need to give us, looking for key words.
• Review the role description to help you understand the capability and other important things about the job. The following are especially helpful:
  
  • capability description explains what the capability covers
  • behavioural indicators describe the behaviours or actions at different levels for each capability
  • key accountabilities give a high-level summary of the outcomes the role is expected to deliver.
• Use the behavioural indicators to help you think of a relevant example of what you did in other jobs or contexts.
• Be specific – don’t tell us what you think you might do in the situation – tell us what you did.
• Use full sentences, check your spelling and grammar, and stay within the word limit.
• Remember communication skills are important for all jobs.
• Use the STAR method to structure your work examples by explaining the Situation, Task, Action and Result.

To answer targeted questions about your interests, you should:

• Read the question and look for key words that will help you respond. These questions are often framed to get a personal response.
• Review the role description to help you think about what’s involved in the job.
• Think about what we are looking for in asking this question. Our merit principles put importance on fit for the role and agency. Not only on capabilities, knowledge and experience.
• Write your response with honesty and passion.
• Use full sentences, check your spelling and grammar and stay within the word limit.
• Remember communication skills are important for all jobs.

A great cover letter can help your job application stand out. Here are eight tips to consider when writing your next cover letter.

1. Contact information 

Make sure your contact information is easily accessible. Include your mobile number and email address at the top of your cover letter.

2. Address the hiring manager 

Please do not put 'To whom it may concern' at the top of your cover letter. The name of the hiring manager can be found at the bottom of the job advertisement.

3. Reference, reference, reference

Please include the position / reference number, position title in your cover letter. Open your cover letter advising which position you are applying for.

4. Be specific

Describe your experience, results and performance and how it relates to the role you have applied for.

5. Show initiative

Incorporate relevant facts and figures in your cover letter to show that you have researched the organisation.

6. Tell the truth

Do not make unsupported claims about your skills and experience.

7. Call to action

Finish your letter with a positive call to action. For example: "Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you".

8. Check, check, check

Revise your cover letter. Check for spelling and grammatical errors.

Your resume (or curriculum vitae) is your opportunity to show that you have the skills relevant to the position you are applying for. Here are six tips to help you make your achievements shine!

1. Regularly update

Review your resume often. Ensure you update it to match the position you are applying for.

2. Keep it professional

Leave personal details like marital status, health status, religion, children out of your resume.

3. Recent events

Include recent, relevant information. Don't include work experience that is between 10-20 years old unless it is directly related to the position you are applying for.

4. Make it look good

You don't have to have graphic design skills to make your resume look good. Clearly presented information is easier to read. Use bullet points. Use consistent, clear, legible font (size 10 - 12)

5. Present your experience clearly

When listing your experience, start with your most recent position and work your way back. For each position include the position title, organisation location, short summary about the role, your accountabilities and achievements.

6. Check, check, check

Revise your resume for spelling and grammatical errors and ask a colleague / friend or family member to review your resume for you.

As part of your application, you will be required to provide contact details for two recent referees. At least one of your referees should be a current supervisor. Let your referees know they may be contacted to comment on your recent work performance (your referees may find it helpful if you provide them with a copy of the position description).