Job search

After 8 years at one job here in Australia, I have to start the job search again which means the dreaded selection criteria.  I had never encountered selection criteria until moving here.  And I had only applied to 3 jobs when I first got here, three of which I interviewed for, and two of which I ended up getting the job.  Eight years later, I have to familiarise myself with how to properly address the selection criteria all over again.

For those of you who don’t know what that is, basically it’s a list of qualifications/experience/traits/skills that the employer wants their new employee to have and you have to demonstrate you have those by writing it up.  Here’s a sample set of selection criteria and how to respond to them.  I find it to be the hardest part of the application process, well second to the interview.  Basically you have to sell yourself.  I’m not very good at that, even if I tick all the boxes in everything they’re asking for.  You can’t just write, look at my resume!  You have to show how you applied those skills you claim to have!

I understand why they do it though.  It’s a great way to shortlist people before the interview: Do they actually have the qualifications we’re asking for?  Can they follow directions?  Can they write and spell correctly?  Did they take time to research the company?  But boy, it’s a struggle.

Anyway, there was no real reason for this post, other than to procrastinate on writing up an application!  Wish me luck!

Categories: Culture shock, Just for the hell of it, What the...?

Tags: applying for jobs, job search, jobless, looking for a job, selection criteria in Australia, the Australian job application process, unemployed, unemployed in Australia

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