Casual drafts and half-read job descriptions won’t get you far in a UK government job hunt. In a recent workshop on How to write an outstanding application in the UK Civil Service, Richard Hillsdon—a Success Profiles Training expert—shares insights distilled from 20 years of experience.
Top tips: written applications in the UK Civil Service from Apolitical on Vimeo.
Here is a summary of his advice:
Your CV should have a concise summary of “who you are” professionally–not just a list of former titles.
Read the recruitment adverts forensically. You have to follow the selection process exactly. Each department has different priorities.
A personal statement is an opportunity to sell your experience: matching examples with desirable behaviours and skills.
Choose behavioural examples that relate to the job you are applying for. Illustrate the core behaviours needed, not just what you want to answer. Use unarguable evidence. Let the panel in on your thought process. Make your examples memorable.
For the STAR model, only use about 20% on situation and task.
Prepare your strengths. Against the 36 available strengths, ask yourself for each of these what story you could tell.
Be authentic. Panels can smell examples learned by heart.
Learn the difference between the sift and interview. The sift is getting into the party, the interview is for being compelling.
You can find a full transcript of the talk here.
👋 You can create a post like this one! Share your thoughts with a community of public servants. Learn more
(Image Credit: Unsplash)
Make sure to share your own thoughts with the author by leaving a comment below
Log in or sign up to continue the conversation