Tips for standing out from the crowd

When preparing your application for a job vacancy you will find there are sections that ask you to “demonstrate” or “provide examples of” situations you have encountered or skills and attributes you hold. Many candidates struggle with how to address these sections. Below is a methodology and some examples that we have found to provide great information to the panel. It is not compulsory to use this methodology.

Whether in your application or at the time of your interview, your purpose is to present information about your skills and experience, but in a way that informs the reader more about how you have used that skill, rather than what skill you have. It is still important to state your skills and experience but of higher importance is to then provide examples that demonstrate your skills in practice.

The information below is a methodology and some examples provided to guide you in preparing an effective application. Take time to read this carefully. Please note that it is not compulsory to use this methodology.

The key process in preparing for interview or to write your application is as follows:

• Read the job description / requirements of successful candidates carefully and highlight the key elements that you believe the panel is trying to elicit information on
• Brainstorm all the examples you can think of that may demonstrate this skill, putting down as many as you can so you have more to choose from. Some may be small examples on the face of it, but consider what skill is demonstrated, and include the best examples of each skill.
• Consider which section of the application form the examples will fit under, or if preparing for interview, which questions they might relate to
• Choose at least two key examples for each section and develop them using the STAR technique (see below).
• Read your document back through and consider it from the position of someone that doesn’t know your practice – will they get a real sense of you from the examples? Will they be able to step into that example and see the achievements or lessons learnt?

Not everyone’s examples will be positive. You may have been in a situation that you failed in – these can often be great examples if they show that you have battled through something and come out the other side, and the learning from that experience can often be more valuable than if you had achieved it easily. Don’t be afraid to use such an experience if you can also reflect on what you might do differently, or what you have learnt.

STAR Technique

Whether preparing examples for a functional cv / application form or an interview, it is important to structure your answer, so it provides the most relevant information in a context that supports your ability to perform on the job. We find the STAR technique quite useful.