Welcome toDay Two

of

Application Writing and Preparing for Interviews for

Leadership Positions

Welcome…here’s the plan… Questions The Merit Selection process Reflecting & planning Writing Practising Final words of wisdom So you’ve been shortlisted Preparing for interviews

….if we have time!

Merit Selection Policy Procedures and Guidelines

Tish Champion AEU Women’s Officer

Planning and Managing Your Professional Journey

• Do you have a professional portfolio?

• Do you have an up to date CV?

• Do you have a personal ‘philosophy’?

• Do you ‘manage up’?• Do you write personal

reflections and reports?

Pieces of the Puzzle

• Ask for the J&P and information

• Is this the job for you?• Are you suited to the

position and it to you?• Can you meet the

essential criteria?• Who would you ask to

be a referee for you?

Some important things to think about

• Evidence• Personal Skills and

Abilities• Experience• Knowledge

Panel procedures and processes Reflecting, planning and writing Writing style and ‘voice’ Evidential writing – proving your ability and

writing outcomes based statements Proofing and editing Referees

Have you thought about…?

Before you begin writing…

J and Pspecification Portfolio

Examples ofgood practice

relevant to position

Homework about site

Do you really want it? What is

at stake?Which referees?

Introduction and summary statements

Talk to colleaguesand get their perspectives

Identify key skills and strengths

Writing…

• Beginning and ending• To quote or not to quote• Using jargon/acronyms• TEXT STYLE, using BOLD

AND UNDERLINING• Composite applications• Humour

Task

• Choose a J&P to work on• Consider the context• Unpack one criteria in

particular (you might like to use a template for this)

Either by yourself or in a small group -

Remember…

• My role… and what I did• Who for and who with• How… processes and strategies• When and where• With what results, impact, outcomes

Next….

• Read your writing out loud• Ask yourself, how can I improve this, how

else can I word this?• Write concisely and for effect• Ask others to give you feedback and

suggestions• Remember your audience

The 7 deadly sins1. Copying other people’s applications2. Inflating the truth3. Taking the credit for something you didn’t

do4. Not editing or proof reading5. Not addressing the criteria6. Using only ‘I’ or only ‘we’7. Cramming in too much….

So you have completed your application• Before you submit it check

and double check…• Ensure you submit it before

the close of application time• While you are waiting to hear

about an interview, keep on preparing…

Things we’ve learned…

• You should only apply for jobs that you really want.

• It hurts a whole lot when you don’t get a job that you want.

• You should not confuse your career with your life.

• When you have finished – rest!

Congratulations!

You have been short-listed

for the position!

The interview process…

Managing yourself prior to the day -psychological, emotional, physicalintellectual preparation

What do these look like?…

The interview process…

Preparing for the interview –

• Gathering information• Presenting your knowledge, skills and

experience• Rehearsing responses• Using your networks

The interview process…

Group activity

• Form a panel and choose an interviewee• Select a J & P• Identify possible questions• Prepare and rehearse possible responses

The interview process…

Group activity continued…

• Practice interview process with panel and interviewee

• At conclusion of interview, discuss the process and briefly provide feedback and encouragement

What are your questions now?

• Reflect on the questions from the beginning of the session.

• What questions have not been addressed?

• What questions do you have now?

Useful References and AcknowledgementsThank you to the DECS SA Centre for Leaders in Education (SACLE) for material provided in this presentation, in particular Wendy House

• “Strategy Survival Guide: an Introduction to Strategy in Government”. Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, London:http://www.strategy.gov.uk/downloads/survivalguide/index.htm

• Understanding Influence for Leaders at all Levels – Management Today SeriesAustralian Institute of Management. McGraw-Hill Australia 2005

• The Articulate Executive – Learn to Look, Act and Sound Like a LeaderGranville N Toogood. McCraw-Hill 1996

• Fierce Conversations – Achieving Success in Work and in Life, One Conversation at a Time. Susan Scott. Piatkus 2002

• The 8th Habit – From Effectiveness to Greatness. Stephen R. Covey. Free Press 2004

• Leading in a Culture of Change Michael Fullan. Jossey-Bass 2001