Job application advice AIBU

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Hi everyone,

AIBU to ask for some job application-related advice please?

I'm applying for an entry-level job with the Civil Service that involves quite a lot of writing.

One of the requirements is to have an excellent level of written English. The application form asks applicants to give details of how they meet this requirement.

Would it be suitable if I answered this by giving details about the different jobs that I've had where I've had to communicate in writing? I'm not sure how many jobs to mention, or how much detail to give.

As there are so many different components involved in producing good written English, I'm really stuck on how best to demonstrate that I can meet this requirement.

The writing part of this role is defined as 'organising and managing delivering replies to exceptional standards and tight Parliamentary deadlines, with each response reflecting the Minister’s position in a positive and persuasive light' and 'quality-assuring draft answers to meet Parliamentary requirements to provide a ‘right first time’ draft to the Special Advisers and Minister for clearance'.

This is my experience:

• Writing clear and concise case records in my role as a Citizens Advice volunteer
• Writing progress reports for my students (I also work as a tutor)
• Writing emails to my students and their parents

I'm not sure whether these examples will be enough, or relevant enough. I don't really write letters or anything in my current roles.

Bump :)

No personal experience but there was a thread recently (about clothes for a Civil Service job interview) and some of the replies were from CS employees who reminded the OP to focus on giving examples of competencies, so I think you're on the right track with giving those types of examples.

I can't tell from the job description whether you'd actually be writing the responses or just managing their delivery and proof-reading them. As it's an entry-level job I assume the latter, in which case giving examples of the types of writing you've done will be sufficient. If the job is actually writing the replies then you should also focus on the element of 'persuasive' writing and whether you can demonstrate experience of that.

Thanks Plexie! :)

Yeah I can't tell, either - it's not very clear whether the job involves writing the responses or just checking them. I might ask the point of contact mentioned on the job advert, just to check.

It is competencies based so you need to give specific examples of where your writing is of a highly professional standard. Don't be too general. Be specific in your example. Use "I" instead of "we". Also make sure your application is perfect in terms of grammar and spelling. If you get to interview stage you will have to give specific examples again so consider this when filling in your application!

This is a screenshot of the question :)

Id try an pick one specific but difficult written piece of work you did and make sure you explain it, reason it and have a good positive outcome from it!

My experience isn't recent but I don't think it will have changed that much. Since they've specified content, I think you can assume you'll be doing first drafts of responses including answers to parliamentary questions (PQs). The case reports experience is relevant. The rest is relevant if you show the link between presenting unwelcome info in a palatable way and "reflecting the Minister's position in a persuasive and positive light". Can you also present evidence of writing to deadlines? PQ deadlines are tighter than they seem as you have to look up previous answers to ensure the Minister isn't "contradicting himself", and liaise with other teams whose policy areas overlap - I recall having to seek an extension once, and being given a whole extra 15 mins! Worth googling "written answers hansard"

I don't know the answer, but your written English on here looks very professional! Just make sure that you write to an excellent level on the applications as well as giving examples of how you have previously done so!

Oooh good idea BeerBaby! So I could structure it in the STAR format, like a competency question. I think I'll write about writing a case record for a Citizens Advice client for the first time, as the writing requirements are quite specific in terms of the information you have to include, how you include it and the general layout of the note.

Fuck fuck name-change fail. Sorry

If it's an EO job, you'll be drafting.

Yes, I was going to suggest STAR format. Being able to include a time limit would be useful - one thing you learn in this sort of job is that a 90% perfect that meets the deadline tolerable, a 100% answer which is half an hour late is totally useless. So being able to give an example of something where you've had to deliver to a timetable would be an advantage.