Completing app form according to Essential and Desirable criteria

[puddinghead]

I've been sitting staring at the 'Supporting Information' page. I've had a bash but I think what I've put is too waffly and that I shouldn't necessarily go in chronological order through all the jobs I've had.

Am now wondering:
Should I just look at the list of essentials and desirables on the person spec in the same order as they are listed and put a sentence or two about how I match the requirements? Is that easier for those who look at the form? Can I even put mini headers for each criteria?

Does it matter if it then doesn't read in an exactly flowing manner but just seems like a list, as long as I can show evidence of experience in each requirement?

It's local government (education) by the way.

Thanks

I would try to put it in the same order as job spec and put why you would like to work for that particular company

Yes, the way you've suggested will make it far easier for those shortlisting to tick the boxes of what they're looking for, then you can add some stuff around why that particular job at that LEA

from someone who has to recruit against essential and desirable (in local government) i always prefer it when people clearly identify which criteria that they are giving details about, even if it means that they repeat themselves. the last job i shortlisted for had over 100 applicants and it's just so much easier to see if someone meets criteria if they use the words used in the person spec.

I would also recommend putting an example of what you have done that demonstrates the criteria.

I have seen many applications where if the criteria is "communication", the applicant writes "I have good communication skills" without offering anything else.

You need to make it as easy as humanly possible for someone to skim read the form and be able to tick off that yes you meet all the criteria. So do it in the same order, making sure you give a brief explanation of how/why you meet the criteria in question. I don't think you necessarily need headings, that's up to you, but as long as it is obviously which criteria you are talking about and easy for someone to tick off that should be fine.

Thanks all, it's useful to have the perspective from those at the receiving end!