Civil Service -statement

[HappyKatieA]

I would be very grateful from CS / MOJ peeps...
SEO role - I'm coming from Leadership in teaching, so not used to this style of application.
I've spent hours pulling all the info together, but I'm unsure how to set it out.

Do I use the five competencies - one STAR for each?

Or

Should I write it more holistically, ensuring I have covered the five competencies? Obviously using the STAR method here also.

I also need to ensure I've met the requirements, can these be worked into the above?

Limit is 1,000 words

Thank you in advance!

Hi, CS here, with internal recruitment experience.

I would recommend a STAR for each of the competencies, or at least listing ways you can demonstrate each competency. Likely to be a lot of applications so the easier you can make it for the sifters to see that you meet the competencies the better I would suggest.

Good luck!

@PutThatDownNow Thank you so much!

Should I have headings? (May need to get out of teaching mode?😂)
Also, I've used bullet points to help the sifting, I'm assuming that's ok?

It sounds like a really good fit, loads of transferable skills etc.

Really appreciate your help.

Bullet points are good as they keep the word count down and flag achievements etc. Make sure your role is clear I.e. I did, I suggested etc.

Don't worry if you can't hit all the indicators in one example just try to demonstrate them in another.

Ruthlessly review and re word to be as concise as possible, cut out unnecessary fill words like "that". Use acronyms, spell them out first time you use them then use acronyms.

@Margaritatime thank you , that's what I've done, easier to read quickly!
I'm really grateful for your input 👍🏽

Make sure that all the “buzzwords” mentioned in the competency requirements are in your response. Spoon feed the answers.

What I would do:

Look at the core competencies document for the 4 they have asked for in the app, and read it through thoroughly according to the level you are applying for. Make a mind map of good examples relating to them, and choose the strongest and include it in the statement in the STAR format. Try and make sure all of the points are addressed somewhere in the statement, even if it means having text outside of the STAR examples. Your app will be scored against each comp, and they will be cross referencing with the framework- so even if you say you built a school with your bare hands (a great achievement), if it's not relevent to what they want then you'll get nada for it.

@BikeRunSki thank you, yep, been using the buzzwords! 👍🏽 thank you!

@Backbee Thank you, I have tried to think of things that hit each competency - much like you've said, ensuring they link with the skills and experience, thank you 👍🏽

Sounds good @HappyKatieA, wishing you all the best in your application :)

@Backbee thank you 🙏

I'm in management at Moj, best to talk about each competency using star for each one. It's also great to add a line of something that you learnt from your situation in your example. The civil service framework has some key words aswell online for each competency, id recommend using those words in your examples too. Best of luck!

@Vicky1y great, thank you! Yes, I found the words, and good plan re: my learning!