Résumé and Key Selection Criteria Writing Skills Event, Melbourne 9th September 2008

Held at RMIT University Library, Tuesday 9th September.

A great turnout of over 30 people attended this year’s NGG VIC Résumé and Key Selection Criteria writing skills event on Tuesday 9th September. The Seminar Room at RMIT’s Swanston Library was buzzing, while we were treated to a 1940s marketing video for librarians, before we settled down to hear our three presenters give their professional insight on a process that we will all have to go through at some stage in our careers, and can also be a challenge. We are grateful to Chris Kelly, the Manager of Libraries and Learning at Brimbank City Council, Jenny Baran from The One Umbrella, and Bernadene Sward from RMIT University Library, for giving their time to us. While each presenter came from a different perspective, they complimented each other well.

Some of the points Chris made were:

• Do your research on the organisation you will be applying for, so you can better tailor your application to the job. Look at the library website, use the contact person on the position description/advertisement to clarify points about the job and to ask questions – this is one way to make yourself stand out, because your enquiry will be remembered. These things show you have taken the process seriously, and if you make it to interview later, can help you make a further good impression.
• Her own personal style when looking through applications is to scan the applicant’s key selection criteria document first, to see how it matches with what has been asked for. If it warrants a more thorough reading, she will then look at the application as a whole, i.e. including résumé and covering letter. This is why preparing a KSC document requires a lot of thought.
• If you don’t have experience in a certain aspect of a job, say so, but write what you know about it or would do, i.e. “I don’t have experience in ‘x’, but this is what I know...”. By doing this it means you are still addressing the criteria.
• Be brief, but succinct in your writing. Clear and articulate. Using dot points to demonstrate how you meet a criterion are good.
• When writing a covering letter, use some of the keywords from the Key Selection Criteria in it, to tie them together. A covering letter provides the opportunity to give a good summary of why you are a good candidate for a job.
• Don’t use standard templates for a résumé. Take the time to format one yourself.
• Take care with use of fonts.

Jenny emphasized the importance of using you application as a marketing tool, to watch how you use your grammar and language , and to use specific examples to demonstrate how you meet the key selection criteria. To access her notes, click here and Bernadene's notes are here. Some other points she made were:

• One Umbrella requires all candidates for permanent jobs to address the Key Selection Criteria as other applicants would, and if they don’t meet at least three criteria out of ten for example, they wouldn’t be put forward to the client for consideration.
• Use at least one example to demonstrate how you meet each criterion. But more are good.
• Don’t undersell yourself. Any experience you have may be worth consideration in an application, e.g., community involvement, experience you have had in another occupation. But also, don’t use language that makes you sound unbelievable, such as, I always, I continually.
• Emphasize your teamwork skills. This is particularly important if you are applying for a higher position, where you don’t yet have individual experience to demonstrate.
• Font size should be at least 11 point. There has been a move away from Times New Roman as a font style, to Arial, Sans Serif, or Century Gothic.

Bernadene’s notes are here. Some points she made were:

• The KSC document is an art. It is THE document that helps you to get an interview. It is about YOU; the panel wants to know if you will fit what the organisation requires.
• Take the time to work on your application. Don’t be generic or “cut and paste”. The panel want someone as passionate as they are about the position.
• Remember to include any relevant team-based examples.
• Ask questions about the position you will be applying for, do your research.
• Word up your referees before submitting an application and give them copies of the documents they will need. You don’t want them to be at a loss to talk about you.
• The process is just as important when applying for positions internally. Don’t assume the panel knows everything you do, because you already work in the organisation.
• In an academic library situation, it is important to meet all the ‘mandatory’ criteria. It is not necessary to have the ‘desirable’ attributes, but is an advantage.
• Use your experiences to your advantage.
• Plan your application. Pull out the qualities that make you a good candidate for the job.
• Seek feedback. Review your application process, even if you have been the successful candidate.

In particular, all our presenters agreed that when they look for candidates they look for the best possible person, candidates should be clear and articulate in what they write, it is important to be unique, but maintain a professional personality in your writing – your cover letter is the best vehicle to showcase your personality, and it is a good idea to have a mentor who can look over your application to make sure you are covering your bases, and can give you constructive feedback.

A final thank you to The One Umbrella www.oneumbrella.com.au for supplying a raffle prize (the always handy umbrella) and RMIT University Library www.rmit.edu.au/library for allowing us to use the seminar room and supplying the catering, in particular Shayne Brazzale, Tricia Murray, Fawnia Mountford, and Craig Anderson for their help and support.

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