The selection panel assesses applications on how well they address each of the selection criteria and seeks out applicants who demonstrate a strong ability to fulfil the requirements of the position successfully.

Your articulated responses to the selection criteria assist the panel with ranking your application against the others, allowing the selection panel to form a short-list for interview. During this process, many qualified applicants are overlooked because their responses are not evidence-based and do not clearly address the selection criteria in a progressive manner.

Essential Criteria & Desirable Criteria

The selection criteria address the qualifications, skills and experience an applicant needs to perform a job effectively and they include two categories: Essential and Desirable.

All essential criteria must be met by the applicant, as they reflect the inherent skills, knowledge and experience required to fulfil the daily responsibilities of the role. If you are unable to demonstrate that you can sufficiently meet all of the essential criteria, then you will not be short-listed for an interview.

Although desirable selection criteria is not at the forefront of skills, qualifications and attributes that the panel are looking for, it is still important and advantageous for you to address these in order to increase your chance of being short listed. Should several applicants meet all of the essential criteria requirements, then the selection panel look to the desirable criteria in order to differentiate between potential candiates.


Common Examples of Selection Criteria

As well as the specified qualifications and experience required to undertake a particular appointment, there are also many commonly used selection criteria including:

• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment
• Well developed interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Ability to handle pressure and to balance competing deadlines and priorities
• Understanding of, and ability to contribute to the Quality Assurance process
• A commitment to Equal Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety principles and practices