Civil Service Job Application Help!!

[Siddleficks]

I'm applying for a job in the Civil Service. The role requires a 1250 word Personal Statement matching your experience with the essential criteria required. I've read all about the STAR format for providing examples.

BUT...

The criteria is just so vague I really don't get how you can do it.

"Analytical/thinking skills – ability to understand complex information and to identify the important issues;" for example.

I have a history degree from eons ago. I am now an Accountant. I should be able to come up with something but my mind just goes blank.

Any advice?

They should be using the competency framework and profiles that are used across government. If you Google success profiles you'll get the specific behavioural indicators they require.

When you write you then try and use wording that mirrors the indicators so they can tick them off. E.g.

When I was a kick ass accountant I had X task. I had to understand y important issue etc etc. It went excellently and we won the client etc

@Siddleficks

I'm applying for a job in the Civil Service. The role requires a 1250 word Personal Statement matching your experience with the essential criteria required. I've read all about the STAR format for providing examples.

BUT...

The criteria is just so vague I really don't get how you can do it.

"Analytical/thinking skills – ability to understand complex information and to identify the important issues;" for example.

I have a history degree from eons ago. I am now an Accountant. I should be able to come up with something but my mind just goes blank.

Any advice?

Analytical skills - use a client/case which required you to unpick what they had done and start again. Include where you had to follow tax rules/accounting good practice to prevent a breach.

Thank you. That's really useful.