Selection Criteria Response: Supports Strategic Direction
‘Supports strategic direction’ is a selection criterion you might need to write about when applying for a job. This is a guide that you can use when you’re writing your own response.
When you’re completing your job application, you might come across something called selection criteria. These are the particular skills and qualifications you need to have in order to be eligible for a job interview. Keep in mind that this is different from anything that you would include in your resume and cover letter, so you’ll need to attach your answers in a separate document. This is an integral part of the selection process: if you can’t prove that you fulfil the selection criteria, then chances are, you won’t get an interview for the job.
So how should you respond to the ‘supports strategic direction’ criterion?
What Does ‘Supports Strategic Direction’ Mean?
This is part of the key selection criteria, which refers to the ability to:
- Have a shared purpose
- Show strategic thinking
- Show proper judgement
- Achieve results
- Maintain personal drive
- Finish work in an acceptable timeframe
How you write your answer will depend on your area of work, but there are similarities across the board. For example, showing how you work effectively with other team members and general soft skills like problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.
What Should You Include in Your Response?
Here are some key points that can help you out:
Discuss a project relevant to the position
Think back to any projects you’ve completed in your current role that show the skills listed above. Note your duty and the tasks you had to undertake. You should obviously include any positive feedback you’ve received from the project.
Note what you’ve learnt from this project or any other tasks you’ve completed
Discuss the learning opportunities you’ve come across and how you can apply this new knowledge in the future.
Refer to conversations you have had with your team members in regards to the project
This includes the purpose of the project and how it ties to the overarching goal the business has. You might also want to add how you encouraged others to involve themselves more in the decision-making. In other words, you have to prove that you have productive working relationships with other staff members.
Include situations where you have identified trends that have contributed to your project
Any research you might have done for your project that helped you achieve your overall goal may be useful here.
Here are some other questions you can consider while writing your response:
- What could be a future challenge, and how can I confront it?
- How have I prepared for problems in the past?
- Have I suggested new strategies in the past? If so, what are they?
- How have I shown initiative?
- How have I made improvements?
Need to answer selection criteria for a job application? We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to addressing selection criteria with honesty and originality.
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