Respond to key selection criteria

Key selection criteria (KSC) outline the essential skills, qualifications, and experiences required for a role.

Your responses should demonstrate that you meet each criterion, using clear examples from your past work or study.

1. Read the KSC carefully

• Find the full list of KSC in the position description.
• Highlight keywords (for example, 'teamwork', 'problem-solving', 'time management').
• Understand what skills or behaviours they are seeking.

2. Use the STAR method to structure each response

Address each criterion with a short paragraph. Use the STAR format (situation, task, action, result) to provide clear examples:

• Situation – Describe the context or background
• Task – Explain your responsibility or goal
• Action – Outline what you did to handle the situation
• Result – Summarise the outcome or what you achieved

3. Tailor your examples to the role

• Use real examples from work, volunteering, study, or life experience.
• Try to match the level of responsibility and setting (for example, education, community, office, health care).
• Use active, confident language such as 'developed', 'led', 'coordinated' and 'resolved'.

4. Be concise but specific

• Each criterion response should typically be 2 to 4 paragraphs (or follow the page or word limit if specified).
• Don’t repeat your CV or resume – instead expand on relevant experiences.
• Quantify results if possible (for example, “reduced wait times by 20%”).

5. Format appropriately

• Use a clear heading for each criterion (for example, "Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment").
• Number the criteria if requested.
• Use bullet points sparingly; full paragraphs are often preferred unless told otherwise.

6. Proofread and review

• Read over your responses to ensure they clearly show how you meet the criteria.
• Ask someone to review your responses for clarity and relevance.

Example KSC response

Criterion: Demonstrated ability to manage time and prioritise tasks effectively

Response: In my role as an administrative assistant at [Name of Organisation], I managed competing priorities during busy periods. I was responsible for preparing reports, scheduling meetings, and responding to urgent client queries. I created a daily task list, prioritised items by urgency and importance, and used calendar reminders to stay on track. As a result, all reports were submitted ahead of deadline, and I maintained strong client satisfaction that was reflected in feedback from my manager. 

Next steps

Once your application is complete, the next step is to submit your online application. If you're not ready to submit, you can visit our other job application tips: