Guidance on address the AVI selection criteria
06 April 2011
Ever wondered what AVI's recruitment team is looking for in your application when you address selection criteria?
AVI recruiter Max Campos explains what we look for when we're reading through your application.
Left: Image courtesy sxc.hu
So, the long wait is over, the recruitment round has commenced, you see an overseas assignment that matches your skills and you want to make an impression on our recruitment team.
Addressing the required selection criteria can be daunting, frustrating and can challenge many of our enquirers and applicants as it is a necessary requirement that is not undertaken everyday.
Hopefully, the below pointers will assist as you consider the current assignments and your suitability to the skills our overseas development partners have requested.
How long should my response be?
The AVI recruitment team works across fourteen employment sectors, which makes addressing the specific details pertaining to your experience very important, since this will help us assess your suitability for the role.
Your statements addressing the selection criteria will be the main 'marketing' document that you submit, and it's the key document complimenting your CV.
Prior to submitting your application, consider discussing the specifics of the assignment with the recruitment consultant managing the role, so you can get a better understanding of the partner organisation's needs. This will give you an indication of the focus areas to address in your response to the selection criteria.
We will consider all applications equally, but as a guide, one-quarter to three-quarters of a page per selection criterion will be sufficient information for the team to assess your response during our shortlisting process.
What should I write?
In addition to the specific qualifications we will ask you to address in your response, some of which may only need a brief statement, the recruiter will potentially request four to five criteria for each applicant to address.
This will normally be found in the Qualifications / Essential Skills and Experience section of the assignment description.
The selection criteria have been developed in consultation with our overseas partners, and rather than being designed to confuse, they're there to outline the key requirements the successful candidate will need to have in order to carry out the assignment objectives.
A good starting point when answering selection criteria is to look back on your career history. Use real-world examples to demonstrate how you have used your skills in a previous situation. You may wish to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) format in documenting your example.
Your personal qualities are just as important as your professional skills
As we are expecting our successful candidates to commit and adjust to lifestyle change in developing environments, it is important outline your personal qualities that you believe make you suitable for the role.
The personal qualities our country / regional managers ask for are designed to highlight the skills needed to sustain a long-term commitment in a challenging environment.
We understand that this section is not always easy to address, but we ask that you consider and reflect as you complete your application.
How long should I wait to find out if I've been shortlisted?
We will review all applications after the close date and update you on your candidacy for the role/s which you have applied for - or alternatively we may alert you to upcoming opportunities that might better suit your skills and experience.
We anticipate finalising the shortlisting process within two weeks of the application close date.
And, remember:
"We're given second chances every day of our life. We don't usually take them, but they're there for the taking"--- Andrew M. Greeley