The following information is a guide for people applying for work at YAPA and other youth and community organisations.
What are "selection criteria"?
"The selection criteria" is a list of desired skills, experiences and attributes required to perform a certain job.
How do I find out what the selection criteria are?
The selection criteria are normally listed in the job description and sometimes also in the job advertisement. The selection criteria are often divided into "essential" and "desirable".
Why do community organisations have selection criteria?
It is very common for youth and community organisations to have a list of selection criteria for advertised positions. The list has been developed after a great deal of discussion and a formal agreement between the management committee of the service, the funding body and the selection committee.
The selection committee can only employ someone who has the skills, experience and attributes listed. The way they find out who has those skills is by seeking applications which outline how they meet these criteria, and then by interviewing based on these criteria.
If you do not address the criteria you will almost certainly not be offered an interview, regardless of your application, experience or skills.
What does it mean to "address the selection criteria"?
To address the selection criteria, write each criteria in your application letter as a heading and write at least a paragraph under each heading saying how you have that experience or skill. For example:
Excellent communication skills
Through my past experience I have developed excellent written and verbal communication skills. For example at my position as youth worker at XYZ I was required to prepare written reports, media releases, and funding proposals, and give speeches at a number of conferences.
Driver’s licence
I have a driver’s licence.
What if I don’t have the experience or skill required?
If you do not have the experience requested, write down the experience you do have.
We hope that this information helps you with your application.
