Selection Criteria responsesThe good, the bad and the ugly

Objectives• To provide you with advice, skills and resources

for advancing your career in (or out of) education• This session will enable you to structure

responses to key selection criteria, giving you the best chance to be short-listed for interview

The job application process

• Personal strengths and attributes; print media and online; networking

Career planning and sourcing jobs

• Cover letter, CV, selection criteria

Applying for suitable jobs

• 1st and 2nd Interview, try-out, testing

Securing the right job

Applying for suitable jobsPurpose: To get short-listed for interview

What Objective Perspective

Cover letter Demonstrate you can write, spell, research the school, structure a coherent and compelling argument

Personal voice, sense of self

CV (resume) Detail your relevant skills, knowledge and experience. Meet the job requirements

Legal document, objective and verifiable

Key selection criteria Express your role-specific views clearly, provide discussion points for interview

Theory and philosophy, backed up with evidence of past behaviour

Career planning

• Consider these factors:– What am I good at?– What do I enjoy most?– What feedback do I get from others?– What has my career progression been so far?– Where do I want to be in 5 – 10 years’ time?– What do I need (to do/have/be) to get there?– What environment will support the above factors?

Knowing your brandLifestyle

Imagination

Liberty regained Innovation

Simplicity

Hopes, dreams and aspirations

Passion

What are you known for?

Applying for jobs: The KSC

• Key Selection Criteria (KSC) are designed to assess:– Content of teaching and learning– Teaching practice– Assessment and reporting of student learning– Interaction with the school community– Professional requirements

Responding to KSC

• 1 page per criterion• Use paragraphs and bullet points• 1st paragraph: Re-phrase the criterion and

interpret the theory and its importance• Main paragraphs: Outline 2 ways in which you

have demonstrated the behaviour/knowledge: situation – action - outcome

• Final paragraph: How you will apply this

Selection Criteria example

“Demonstrate an understanding of how students learn, effective classroom teaching strategies and the capacity to work with colleagues to continually improve teaching and learning.”• Identify areas to address (3)• Provide evidence of previous achievement• Describe what outcomes occurred as a result• Outline what contribution you will make

Areas to address Evidence Outcomes Contribution

How students learn

Effective teaching strategies

Working with colleagues

Selection Criteria response“Demonstrate an understanding of how students learn, effective classroom teaching strategies and the capacity to work with colleagues to continually improve teaching and learning.”

Example – 1st paragraph

• These three components are essential and mutually dependent in order for optimal learning to take place. Throughout my teaching I endeavour to improve on each of these and reflect on how I can develop my own effective style in line with best practice theory and practice. I shall examine them separately in turn.

Example – 2nd paragraph

• Firstly, it is essential to have a full understanding of how students learn. This semester I developed with my mentor a unit of work on gravity for Year 6. The five key stages of engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate were central to this unit and provided a tight structure within which students developed their understanding.

Conclusions• Practice makes perfect• Quality overrides quantity• Aim to stand out from the crowd by conveying

your passion and expertise: What is it that makes you DIFFERENT?

• Applying for jobs is an exercise in selling– Know what you are selling– Ensure it is what people want

• If in doubt, ask someone for feedback

To download this presentation register at www.schooljobs.com.au

For more information about Steve Whittington see

www.oxfordeducation.com.au