Applying for work with Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation (RDAC)
Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation (RDAC) vacancies require candidates to provide
responses including a cover letter, CV and addressed selection criteria.
When applying for vacancies with RDAC, please note you must have the right to live and work in
Australia.
RDAC strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for vacancies.
What to include
Your CV and cover letter will not be enough to get you a position with RDAC.
Your CV should:
- Cover relevant work history
- List your work and education history in chronological order, starting with the most recent
- Provide examples. Not include personal details such as age, marital status or religion (but do include contact details)
- Only include interests/hobbies if they demonstrate personal achievement
The position description provided by RDAC helps you understand the responsibilities and tasks required.
The selection criteria describes the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications (if any) a person needs to perform the role effectively. It is essential to respond to each criterion, writing at least one to two paragraphs explaining how you have demonstrated the particular skill or quality. Provide relevant examples from your work, study or community roles. Be clear and to the point. Edit your responses for grammar, spelling and punctuation.
When submitting your application unless stated that it is not necessary, you must address each of the criteria, preparing examples that fully demonstrate your attributes, competencies and experiences. If your application does not address the selection criteria, it will be unlikely you will be shortlisted for interview.
Tips
DO
- Address each criteria
- Use relevant examples
- Be clear and to the point
- Be honest and factual
DON’T
- Write lengthy responses
- Rely just on your CV and covering letter.
What is the STAR model?
The STAR model is one way of presenting claims against selection criteria.
STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Actions, and Results
For each criteria think about the following and use these points to form sentences:
Situation – Set the context by describing the circumstances where you used the skills or qualities and gained the experience.
Task – What was your role?
Actions- What did you do and how did you do it?
Results – What did you achieve? What was the end result and how does it relate to the position you are applying for?
How do I address the selection criteria?
The most important aspect of addressing selection criteria is to provide evidence through relevant examples. Support your claims with actual examples of what you have done and how well you did it.
The following steps provide guidance on how to address selection criteria.
Step one – Understanding the selection criteria
Read the criteria carefully, underline the key words. For example: Well developed written communication skills.
Step two – Brainstorm ideas for each criteria
For each selection criteria, brainstorm ideas from your recent work life. Ideally, confine your
examples to the last two or three years of employment, or other relevant examples (e.g. study, community participation). At this stage, it is useful to generate as many examples as possible.
Step three– Use the STAR Model
Step four – Opening sentence
Begin each selection criteria with an opening sentence that clearly states your claim to the criteria.
For example; I possess strong written communication skills, which I have developed over the course of my career. Then support the statement with detailed examples of where and how you demonstrated these skills.
Step five – Check your application
You should read through your application, and check the following points:
- Have I been honest? Have I avoided unsupported claims about my capabilities?
- Have I used positive direct language?
- Have I used strong action (doing) words? For example: achieved, coordinated, evaluated, implemented
- Have I address all aspects of the criteria? It is important that you go back to the wording of the particular selection criteria.
- Have I paid attention to the language and checked I got the criteria meaning right?
What will happen once I submit my application?
RDAC’s recruitment panel will assess the responses of all candidates to each of the criteria. This process creates a shortlist of applicants suitable to move to the next stage –an interview.
The selection panel will review all applications to determine your suitability for interview. If your application has been shortlisted you will be contacted to arrange an interview time.
What should I expect at and after the interview?
In most cases RDAC will have three staff members on the interview panel. At the interview you will be:
- Given information about the position and Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation
- Asked some questions about yourself, your skills and experiences in relation to the selection criteria and your career;
- Provided with the opportunity to ask the Panel questions;
- Confirm your referees; and
- Advised that your referees will be contacted if you are found to be suitable
RDAC’s policy is that candidates are to be assessed holistically on a judgement by the panel using all merit-related information available. The Chief Executive Officer must approve the panel’s recommendation of the successful applicant.
How long does the recruitment process typically take?
RDAC seeks to successfully fill vacancies as quickly as possible; however, on occasions there are uncontrollable factors that may draw out the recruitment process. RDAC does not contact unsuccessful candidates until the recruitment process has been finalised. Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted by email or post.
What happens if I am successful in the recruitment process?
If you are the successful candidate you will be contacted by telephone to discuss a formal starting date, you will be provided with a verbal offer and advised of the formal offer process.
Conditions of employment at RDAC include:
- Mandatory security clearance; and
- Working with Children Checks for identified positions.
What happens to my application if I an unsuccessful?
RDAC will only retain candidate’s applications if they have been successful in gaining an interview.
The application will be retained for twelve (12) months.
All other applications will be destroyed at the end of the recruitment process.
If you do not wish RDAC to retain your application for twelve (12) months please contact the Human Resources Department by email to hr@ramahyuck.org
