Career Guide
What makes a strong selection criteria example?
Compare weak and stronger evidence to see how specificity, personal contribution, judgement and measurable results improve a response.
The quick answer
A strong example is specific enough to assess. It identifies a relevant challenge, makes your responsibility clear, explains the actions and decisions that were personally yours, and shows a credible result. It also matches the complexity and accountability of the advertised role. Do not copy model wording; use the principles to strengthen your own evidence.
Strong writing cannot replace weak evidence
The best editing begins with example selection. If the situation is routine, your role is peripheral or the outcome is unknown, polished language will not create evidence at the required level.
Weak claims versus assessable evidence
Weak: “I am an excellent communicator who works well with stakeholders.”
Stronger: “I identified that three operational areas were applying different definitions to the same monthly measure. I mapped the differences, tested the consequences with each team lead and facilitated agreement on one reporting definition before the executive deadline.”
The stronger version gives the panel behaviour to assess.
Example: stakeholder engagement
Weak: “I consulted widely and gained stakeholder buy-in.”
Stronger: “I grouped stakeholders by decision authority and likely impact, then used separate technical and executive sessions to resolve different concerns. When two areas remained opposed, I documented the trade-offs against the agreed criteria and recommended a staged option that both could support.”
Example: delivering results
Weak: “I managed a successful project under tight timeframes.”
Stronger: “With six weeks remaining and two dependencies unresolved, I rebuilt the delivery plan around the critical path, assigned decision owners and introduced twice-weekly risk reviews. I escalated one policy dependency with three costed options. The service launched on the legislated date and the first-month error rate remained below the agreed tolerance.”
Why the stronger versions work
They reveal the candidate’s method, judgement and personal contribution. They also show constraints and consequences, which helps the panel understand the level of the work. The result is concrete rather than asserted.
Use examples ethically
Model responses are not scripts. Copying another person’s story, changing details or adopting language you cannot explain creates inconsistency across your application, interview and referee check. Use the comparison to diagnose your own evidence:
- Where is the decision?
- What did I personally do?
- What complexity did I manage?
- What changed because of my work?
- What could a referee confirm?
Official guidance used for this page
Guidance last reviewed: July 2026
This Professional Resumes Australia guide interprets public recruitment guidance for applicants. Always follow the instructions in the specific job advertisement and candidate information pack.
Questions about example responses
Can I adapt an example response I found online?
Use examples to understand structure only. Your response must accurately represent your own work and be consistent with evidence your referee can verify.
Does every result need a number?
No. Results may include a sound decision, reduced risk, improved service, stakeholder agreement, adopted advice or a lesson applied. Be concrete about the value created.
Need help choosing stronger selection criteria examples?
Professional Resumes Australia can help you select evidence with the right relevance and level, then develop or review clear, specific and credible responses.