Thread by @garius

Shortlisting again for public sector posts today.

If you're thinking of applying for one, I REALLY cannot emphasis this enough:

SHOW EVIDENCE AND INCLUDE AN EXAMPLE IN YOUR ANSWERS TO APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Honestly. It's the thing that makes the BIGGEST difference in selection

Pretty much EVERY public sector recruiting system I've ever worked within wants EVIDENCE before you're allowed to score someone highly.

Even if the question isn't worded to ASK for evidence/examples (because questions are often not worded great) ASSUME YOU SHOULD DO SO

I read SO MANY answers that are (effectively):

"Yes I have these skills. I can do X Y Z"

But then DON'T show me an example of WHERE they've done that.

I KNOW you think you have those skills, or you wouldn't be applying, but I need to see some evidence to back it up!

Yes, if there is a CV attached, I can go digging and see if you mentioned the same things there under a specific job, and I do.

BUT:

1) You've no guarantee a shortlister will do that if there's LOTS of applications

2) You're relying on the luck of me spotting something!

FINALLY, remember that it is a HUMAN BEING reading your application

Format your answers for READABILITY not filling out the word count, using complex language (unless really necessary) etc

If I can't understand your answer, or worse, misunderstand it, then I can't score it well