The Selection Criteria

Overview

Using the selection criteria will help ensure you have met all of the employer’s key requirements. The selection criteria are a list of the essential and desirable skills, attributes, experience, and education deemed necessary for a position.

Selection criteria are used to help select the most capable, effective, suited, experienced, and qualified person for the job. Applicants must demonstrate and prove the ways in which they will be of value for the job and the organisation. An application may not be shortlisted if it fails to establish how the applicant meets any one of the criteria. Applicants who are able to successfully and competitively demonstrate that they meet each of the selection criteria will usually be offered an interview.

From the organisation’s point of view, selection criteria can help standardise the recruitment process. They serve as a guide for employees and recruiters to help look for essential and desirable requirements in applicants, which can help reduce personal and social bias in selection decisions, and to ensure that the most suitable candidate is selected.

Where can I find the selection criteria?

In holistically considering an individual’s characteristics, law firms (and companies in the private sector as a whole) generally have a loose selection criteria they hire candidates based upon. However, they may not be as clear or followed as rigidly as selection criteria in the Public Service. Selection criteria for jobs in the private sector may be outlined in the job advertisement, or may be available from manager of the work unit or the recruitment consultant who is working to fill the position.

Tips

Clarify the selection criteria by either requesting a recruitment package, analysing the job advertisement, or speaking to the contact officer or recruitment consultant. Research the position and the organisation further. Alternatively, attend firm presentations and speak to firm representatives when they are on campus.