Supporting statement for LA

[246810k]

Applied for several jobs with Local authority and so far no interview. Have lots of transferable skills, long career in management and volunteer work but nothing. Last one though my supporting evidence documented everything but clearly not, any tips would be highly appreciated! Thanks

My LA wants an application form completed with an in depth example from you that covers how you meet each person spec. i.e. spec says can manage multiple deadlines - model answer would include a specific example in your experience of a time when you had multiple deadlines stating what they were, what you specifically did to manage them (much more detailed then I used outlook), how you decided what was more important than another, and how you got them all done. Also add in any reflections you have on what you would do differently, if anything, next time. You need to do this for each person spec.

Those that just write a general 'i can manage multiple deadlines using outlook, Planner, Teams etc' wont get you any marks.

They also dont read CVs - they want an application form. Any CVs sent in arent marked as they dont answer the person spec. There is to be no 'reading between the lines' - actually number each person spec and then write how you meet it with specific examples of what the situation was, what you did and what the result was. Do this for every point. It is time consuming (a good application will take around 10 hours) but it is the only way to get through to shortlisting.

Their recruitment page is really clear not to send CVs and to explain how they meet each person spec but people clearly dont read it. The amount of people that apply with only a badly tailored CV is huge and none of them get any further. They also don't use AI to scan for key words which many people applying seem to assume they do.

This may not be applicable to the LA you are applying for, but this is what happens locally to me so you may find it helpful.

Good luck

@Iwant2beJessicaFletcher thank you thats extremely useful! Yes I'm guilty I've just putting I have experience in.....or have used..... so I will go back and add in specific examples next time! I've been in my current role over 15 years and I'm a bit out of practice!

Applying for a role at an LA is definitely an art form & hard to get right!

Good luck - I'm sure you'll do great

I can't add anything to @Iwant2beJessicaFletcher 's excellent answer but just to say I work for an LA and doing some recruitment at the moment and that is exactly right re person spec and shortlisting. And then when you interview make sure to give detailed and specific examples in your answers!

Very good detailed advice. I put each criteria in bold then write a short paragraph underneath listing things like the roles I have done this in and examples of work. And feedback about my character that fits with the skill. Then I take the headings out and tidy it up slightly so it flows better. After a bit you have a statement you can jiggle about for new roles.