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Government Job
Applications in WA

Addressing Selection Criteria for WA State Government Jobs

Navigating the process of applying for WA Government roles can be challenging, particularly for applicants unfamiliar with public sector recruitment. WA government jobs are highly competitive and assessed through a formal, merit-based process, including roles across health, education, justice, and community services. Understanding how selection criteria are used and how applications differ from the private sector can significantly improve your chances of success, whether entering the WA public sector or seeking progression within it.

Government Resumes

Tailor your resume and address selection criteria

WA Government job applications require more than a standard resume or CV and cover letter. A decisive element is the written response to selection criteria, which underpins initial screening and shortlisting. Applicants must demonstrate not only their skills and experience, but how these align precisely with the role’s requirements. Meeting the essential selection criteria is non-negotiable, as these determine eligibility. Strong, well-evidenced responses to desirable criteria can further strengthen competitiveness in a crowded field.

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Will your resume or CV get through applicant tracking software (ATS)?

ATS systems are the government’s digital gatekeepers

Applicant tracking software automatically scans your resume or CV, any supporting documents, and your responses to selection criteria. It searches for role-specific keywords, qualifications, and evidence aligned to the classification and requirements set by the hiring manager and department.

High reliance on ATS in WA Government departments

Volume management - WA Government departments receive high volumes of applications and rely heavily on ATS to manage initial screening. Applications are filtered based on keywords, alignment with selection criteria, and required qualifications.
Optimisation imperative - To reach human assessment, applications must use the correct terminology and reflect the language of the role description. Without this alignment, applications are likely to be screened out early, often affecting the majority of applicants for highly competitive roles.

What WA public service roles require selection criteria responses?

In Western Australia, selection criteria responses are required for most WA Government roles, regardless of seniority. This includes frontline and professional positions such as nurses, midwives, teachers, teacher assistants, university staff, cleaners, and administrative roles, particularly within hospitals and schools. Selection criteria are also mandatory across public health, education administration, environmental management, and virtually all state government departments and agencies.

Applicants for WA public service roles should assume that a written selection criteria response is a core requirement unless the job advertisement explicitly states otherwise.

New to the public sector job application process?

If you are new to public sector recruitment, using the STAR method, Situation, Task, Action, Result, is an effective way to structure responses to selection criteria. This approach helps assessors clearly see how your experience aligns with the role’s requirements.

Example selection criterion response structure

Situation - Set the context briefly. State your role, organisation, and environment, keeping this factual and concise. Example: Working as an Administrative Officer in a WA Health hospital during a period of increased patient demand.
Task - Describe your specific responsibility or accountability. Focus on what you were personally responsible for, not the team as a whole. Example: Responsible for coordinating patient correspondence and liaising with clinical staff to ensure timely communication.
Action - Explain exactly what you did. This is the most heavily assessed section. Focus on skills, judgement, processes, and decision-making. Example: Prioritised requests using departmental guidelines, clarified requirements with clinicians, and prepared accurate written responses while maintaining confidentiality.
Result - Describe the outcome and impact of your actions. Quantify results where possible and link them directly to the criterion. Example: Reduced response times by 30 per cent and decreased patient complaints relating to communication delays.

Writing tip - Use one strong example per criterion unless instructed otherwise. Write in the first person, use active language, and ensure every sentence directly supports the criterion being assessed.

How to create a compelling WA Government resume and selection criteria response

Crafting a strong WA Government application requires precision, structure, and relevance. Whether preparing documents yourself or seeking professional support, your resume, supporting documents, and selection criteria responses must be tailored to the specific role. A disciplined, evidence-based approach materially improves outcomes in a competitive public sector market.

Practical tips for WA Government job applications

ATS compatibility - Use simple, clean formatting that can be accurately read by applicant tracking systems.
Keyword accuracy - Reflect the language, terminology, and qualifications used in the job description.
Follow instructions precisely - Adhere strictly to word limits, document formats, and submission requirements.
Avoid complex design - Do not use columns, tables, text boxes, graphics, colours, headers, or footers.
Standard headings - Use clear headings such as Professional Experience, Education, Qualifications, and Referees.
Modern file formats - Create documents in .docx from scratch, avoiding legacy files or converted PDFs.
Qualifications clarity - List both full qualification titles and acronyms, for example Bachelor of Nursing and BN.
File format checks - Submit files in the format requested in the job advertisement.
Consistency - Ensure your resume, selection criteria responses, and LinkedIn profile present a consistent professional narrative.

Resume customisation tips to improve shortlisting outcomes

Analyse the job advertisement - Identify the core skills, experience, and capabilities being assessed.
Mirror job language - Use the same terminology found in the role description to support ATS screening and assessor recognition.
Prioritise relevance - Focus on experience that directly supports the selection criteria.
Target the professional summary - Adjust your opening summary to reflect the level, function, and expectations of the role.

Assessment panels won't read between the lines. If evidence is not explicitly stated in your resume or selection criteria responses, it is assumed not to exist. Each application must be tailored to the advertised role and written to the stated requirements.

Customising your resume, supporting documents, and selection criteria responses for each WA Government role improves ATS performance and increases the likelihood of human assessment. This disciplined approach demonstrates professionalism, relevance, and commitment, and materially strengthens outcomes in the competitive Perth public sector job market.

Federal APS Applications

Applying for Australian Public Service (APS) roles

While this article focuses on WA Government roles, it is important to note that Australian Public Service applications follow a different recruitment framework. APS roles are assessed under Commonwealth processes and always require formal written responses to mandatory and, where applicable, desirable selection criteria, with strict adherence to word limits and capability expectations. If you are applying for APS positions or moving between state and federal roles, your application approach must be adjusted accordingly.

For my article on APS applications, please visit this link .

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How do I engage you to write my resume?

A brief phone chat allows you to meet the person crafting your resume – me! More...

This initial conversation helps you choose the package that best suits your needs.

During the call, I'll explain my process and what kind of support and communication you can expect from me. The main goal is to ensure you feel confident in my ability to maximise your interview prospects.

Ready to get started? Please select a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. We'll then set up a call to discuss your specific requirements. Together, we'll perfect your resume, responses to selection criteria, and any other documents included in your package until you are completely satisfied.

How do I select a Resume package?

Start with a close look at the job advertisement and job description. More...

The job ad normally sets out what the employer wants from you. There are three elements: the resume and responses to selection criteria, the cover letter, and the LinkedIn Profile. A resume or CV, on its own, is very unlikely to get you a job.

The cover letter (covering letter) is used to pick out and emphasise the relevant bits of your skills, knowledge or experience. You may be asked to 'address' (comment on) the 'selection criteria' (what they need from an applicant) in the cover letter or separately.

Resume or CV - this document provides a concise summary of your qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements, all ideally tailored to the job’s specific selection criteria.
Cover Letter - Often in digital form (an e-note) for today's online application processes, this distils your resume's key attributes into a succinct pitch.
Addressing the Selection Criteria - You are often required to respond to both essential and desirable skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements, ensuring your application aligns with what the employer is looking for.
- In government, education, health and non-profit applications, you will almost certainly have to also write a stand-alone document.

Your application should demonstrate alignment with the employer's selection criteria, even if that's not explicitly requested. Example: While solid or diverse professional network might be a key hiring criterion, that might not be in the job ad.

The roles of the cover letter and LinkedIn

The cover letter, or its electronic counterpart, and LinkedIn profile derive from your resume, supporting your application for the specific role. LinkedIn is crucial for roles where a network or online skills are key (like sales or marketing) but is not essential for entry level and general job applications.

What are your credentials?

I've helped thousands of Perth job seekers land interviews over many years. More...

I've had direct experience working for top mining and resources companies in Western Australia, in marketing, HR, and recruitment roles. Over the years, I've assisted countless individuals in applying for positions in Australia, the UK, and the USA. With a degree in Information Science, I bring unique insights into the digital recruitment filters and systems that applicants encounter. I'm a dual UK-Australian citizen, with family in both WA and Leicestershire.

Sectors and organisations

My expertise extends to consulting for various organisations including Horizon Power, Curtin University, the WA Police Department, Perth Zoo, Barminco, Allied Pumps, Alcoa of Australia, Western Mining, Sons of Gwalia, Gulf Petroleum, Small Business Development Corporation, WA State Govt., Information Enterprises Australia, and numerous others. I have consulted to organisations in these sectors, among others:

Mining & Resources (Oil and Gas) Resumes or CVs
Pharmaceutical, Health & Nursing Resumes or CVs
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education (Principal and Teacher) Resumes or CVs and responses to selection criteria
General Corporate Managerial and C-Suite Resumes or CVs, including International postings
Political, COS and Party Pre-Selection Resumes or CVs
Government (Local, State and Federal) Resumes or CVs and responses to selection criteria
Franchisee Application Resumes or CVs (for example McDonalds)
Capability Statement CVs for professionals and contractors (especially Mining)
Marketing and Sales Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
IT and Digital Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
ADF and ex-ADF Resumes or CVs

Certification and Memberships

I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.

Corporate engagements

I've conducted resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for employees of the Western Australian state and local governments, as well as universities.

What is the CV writing process?

Your resume is carefully designed to pass the ATS & appeal to the employer. More...

My role is to support and guide you, offering honest advice to improve your resume. It has to be written in your voice, since you have to defend what's written at interview. If you don't have a particular job in mind, I'll tailor your resume based on broad industry criteria to appeal to a wider range of employers. But remember, a resume customised for a specific role always gives the best results.

How we together create your resume

Here's how it goes:

First Chat
We get started with a chat about your career history and aspirations. This helps me understand your needs, ensuring your resume perfectly represents you.
Making Your resume
With the notes from our chat, I craft a resume that highlights your standout qualities and matches what employers want, boosting your chances of catching their attention.
Highlighting What You're Great At
The goal extends beyond just resume writing. We aim to ensure your unique strengths and individuality are displayed, making your application memorable.
Checking the Details
We carefully review your resume for presentation, readability, and accuracy, ensuring it's something you’re excited to submit.
Making Sure Your resume Gets Seen
Most employers use automated systems (ATS) to pre-screen resumes. I'll ensure it's ATS-friendly, helping it skip past the 'keeper' and reach human eyes.

Need to update an ancient resume?

I get many enquires from people who have not had a resume for many years. Things have changed... More...

If you haven’t updated your resume in yonks, you’ll find that much has changed in creating an effective one. One of the most significant shifts is the emphasis on tailoring your resume to each job application. Gone are the days of a generic resume for all jobs with a bit of tailoring in a cover letter.

Today, it’s crucial to customise your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific position you’re applying for. This involves carefully reading job descriptions and incorporating relevant keywords to ensure your resume gets past automated screening systems, known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies now use to filter applications.

The digital landscape has significantly influenced how resumes are created and shared. The ability to share your resume electronically and ensure it is mobile-friendly is crucial, as more recruiters and hiring managers review applications on their devices. Electronic submission has become the norm, making it essential to ensure your resume is easily accessible and readable across various digital platforms. Format is key also, since if your resume is derived from a legacy software version, the ATS will likely not understand it.

The key reasons why people 'never hear back' is the format, content, and content structure of their resume and application documents. In many cases, their resume never gets past the digital 'keeper, the ATS.

What exactly are 'selection criteria'?

Think of this as the checklist for getting noticed. It's all about making sure your application highlights the skills and achievements your future employer is looking for. More...

For many employers, like supermarkets, mining, and government jobs, directly addressing these criteria is a standard part of the application process. It's not just about listing your experiences; it's about matching them to what the job description asks for. This means clearly showing how your background and qualities make you the best match for the role.

Whether the criteria are spelled out or you need to dig a bit to find them, making sure your application speaks directly to these points can really set you apart.

Selection criteria are the skills, experience, and qualities a company wants in its workers. This is especially key for those looking to fit into a company's way of working and goals. They might include things like:

The right training or work background.
Experience supervising a team or handling projects.
Knowledge specific to the job or industry.
Important qualities like being dependable and flexible.

These criteria, sometimes called Job Specs or Position Requirements, help you understand what a company is looking for. They cover both the hard skills needed for the job and the kind of person they want.

Addressing these criteria in your application is crucial to showing you're the right fit and moving forward in your career. Sometimes they are clearly stated, but often, you'll need to read between the lines to figure them out.

How To Stuff Up Your Job Application

Applied for lots of jobs and never heard back? If you've wondered why, here are some reasons: More...

Ignoring the ATS

The main problem? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). More than 70% of resumes are screened and rejected by a robot at this initial stage because they don't match the job description.

Generic Resumes

Sending the same resume for every job application is a sure way to fail. Customise your resume - or at least the cover letter - for each application, showing how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate for that role.

Not Matching The Job Specifications

If your resume doesn't include the skills and experience listed in the job ad, it will likely be bypassed. Make sure your resume shows how you match the job requirements stated in the ad.

Pretty Designed Resumes

Beware of those "designed resumes" sold on the internet, which are style over substance. They might look appealing with their colours and columns, but often, ATS can't process them. Opt for a simple, clean layout that ensure readability by the ATS.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, focus on creating a resume that's not only clear and concise but also tailored for the job at hand and compatible with ATS requirements.