2. The first rule of applying for jobs
with selection criteria is that you
must address the selection criteria
in your application.
3. The second rule of applying for jobs
with selection criteria is that you
must address the selection
criteria in your application.
4. The third rule of applying for jobs
with selection criteria is that you
must address ALL the selection
criteria in your application.
5. The fourth rule of applying for jobs
with selection criteria is that
addressing them is necessary
but not sufficient.
6. The fifth rule of applying for jobs with
selection criteria is that all criteria
are key, but some criteria are
more key than others.
7. The sixth rule of applying for jobs
with selection criteria is you need to
use them as a way to tell your story.
8. Example 1(Zenith)
Extensive knowledge of integrated library systems and web
technology issues in public libraries
Knowledge of trends in library systems and information
technology, including social and interactive media tools
High level analytical and problem solving skills
Excellent training, presentation and communication skills and the
ability to communicate technical concepts at an appropriate level
to your audience
Proven ability to manage projects and meet deadlines
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and
collaboratively in a rapidly changing environment
Knowledge of Libero, RFID, Web 2.0, web design and ideally
Crystal Reporting
You have tertiary qualifications and are eligible for professional
membership of ALIA.
9. Example 2 (One Umbrella)
Minimum 3-5 years of experience within similar roles
Qualifications in Library Information Sciences and eligible for
professional membership of ALIA
Highly developed computer skills, including hardware and
software troubleshooting skills
Proven ability to plan, implement and manage complex
projects, meet deadlines, and to prioritize work
Previous experience training staff and users on library systems
and other technologies
Current Class C Drivers Licence
10. Example 3 (CoB)
Tertiary qualification which confers eligibility for professional
membership of the Australian Library and Information
Association
Library experience, preferably in a public library
Effective written and oral communication skills
Ability to supervise, organise and direct other staff
Familiarity with and/or knowledge of relevant other
language(s) and culture(s) and an awareness of the diversity of
the community.
*My background – Officer, YS Lib, Info Lib, Systems Lib, Info & Kew TL*State of the industry – great uncertainty both in terms of funding and in terms of what our role and expectations will be>we’re looking for flexible people with transferable skills and great customer service>some libraries will be battening down the hatches and want staff who need minimal training
If you don’t address the selection criteria, it doesn’t matter how wonderful the rest of your application looks – we won’t consider you.
*Selection Criteria exist to make it easier for me to select who I want to interview.*If you don't address them you will be immediately discarded.*The make the selection process fairer because all candidates are being assessed against the same expectations.*it's your first test – can you follow instructions?
*If you miss one, we'll notice!*If you don't have the particular skill, experience or qualification, how will you compensate for that?(enrol in training course, have similar experience etc)*I don't care where you got your skill or experience – paid job, volunteer work, Boy Scouts, political party campaign, family holiday...
*make sure you read the entire PD*what sort of person are they looking for?*what values are important to them? (does the 'value statement' match the selection criteria?)*Can you show that you have the skills and attitude they are looking for in your selection criteria answers?*How will you differentiate yourself from the other candidates who meet the KSC?
*Terminology: Essential, desirable, preferred, proven, demonstrated*What are they really saying?*What isnot in the selection criteria?
*Don’t just use them as a tick-the-box proof you can do the job – we won’t shortlist anyone who doesn’t meet the KSC*What is it about your particular mix of skills and life experiences that make you uniquely the best fit for this job?
The key here is the knowledge of integrated library systems and web technologies in public libraries (KSC1) and the demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing environment. Nearly everything else is a function of those two criteria.
*This gives you less to go on, and looks like the PD hasn’t been updated in recent times. You might need to scrutinise the rest of the PD and have a look at the library’s website and if possible visit, to get a sense of what they are looking for.*Three of the KSC here are about qualifications rather than skills – if you have these qualifications you still need to look for an indication elsewhere of the sorts of skills and attributes they are looking for.*This organisation is probably fairly traditional and playing it safe re staffing.
*This is even vaguer, and is more like what you’d expect to see in most entry level positions – generally the more senior the role, the more KSC there are.*It is even more important to consider the rest of the PD and the context of the job and the library service when applying for a position with KSC like this.*Consider what a KSC like the last one is really asking, and why it might be there.