Selection criteria (criteria is plural, criterion is singular)represent the skills and abilities, knowledge, experience,qualifications and work related qualities a person needs to perform arole effectively. They set out the standards by which each candidatewill be assessed and are used to identify the best person for the job.
As a general rule, criteria can be divided into five categories.
1. Skills and abilities.
This can include technical skills which are generally quantitative (ormeasurable) such as engineering skills, computer skills, mathematicalabilities etc. It can also include more conceptual skills (which areharder to measure) such as interpersonal skills, negotiation skills,strategic planning abilities etc.
This can include selection criteria such as:
- Well-developed oral and written communication skills, and ademonstrated ability for liaison, negotiation and representation.
- Sound research and written skills and the ability to preparewritten briefs and associated reports.
- Significant managerial ability, including the ability to developlocal strategies; set priorities, procedures and work practices;allocate resources; and monitor work flow
- Strong organisational skills including the flexibility to operateindependently
or as a member of a self-directed team.
2. Knowledge.
Knowledge is the accumulation of understanding acquired througheducation, training or through on the job experience. Some jobs arevery specialised and require an in-depth knowledge of a narrow areawhile other jobs require a broader understanding of a variety of areas.Criteria that specify knowledge are saying that if a candidate does nothave the knowledge in question they would not be capable of doing thejob. For this reason some criteria use the phrase “or the ability toquickly acquire” at the end of the statement.
This can include selection criteria such as:
- Possess an understanding of modern business and qualitymanagement processes, and in particular the development and validationof corporate plans and Performance Management techniques.
- A thorough understanding of and commitment to contemporarymanagement practices including Equity, ID, OH&S and ContinuousImprovement.
- Knowledge of and commitment to contemporary management practices.
3. Experience.
Experience criteria look for evidence of competencies throughaction. These criteria should not define the number of yearsrequired in a particular industry or position, as experience does notnecessarily correlate with performance. For example, someonewho has been a mechanic for 10 years is not necessarily a goodmechanic. There may be other ways to look for otherindicators of capability rather than specifying quantities ofexperience.
This can include selection criteria such as:
- Experience in change management.
- Extensive project management experience.
- Experience using CAT2 implementation software.
- Experience in promoting organisational renewal.
- Experience in and contribution to a major change initiative.
4. Qualifications.
A qualification can be a license, rating, registration, membership of aprofessional body, trade or educational qualification. Onlythose qualifications needed by employees during the course of theiremployment can be included as mandatory qualifications and where aqualification is essential it must be specified in the selectiondocumentation. Qualifications can be noted as “desirable”,and can only be noted as mandatory at certain levels.
This can include selection criteria such as:
- Qualifications in project management
- Member of the Management Council of Australia
- Postgraduate qualifications in the social sciences
- A forklift license
- Engineering qualifications and progression towards theappropriate certification
5. Work related qualities.
Work related qualities can include things like initiative, motivation,adaptability to change and commitment. Criteria that address workrelated qualities will often be criteria that ask for commitment to aset of workplace values, a code of ethics, a code of conduct or ask anapplicant to demonstrate a personal work style that includes usinginitiative, being proactive or displaying a particular focus ormotivation (for example a “strong customer service focus”).
This can include selection criteria such as:
- Demonstrated initiative and the ability to organise work and setpriorities.
- Personal qualities embracing initiative, motivation andenthusiasm together with sound investigative and analytical skills andjudgement.
- Well developed problem solving skills.
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