1. Start with the job advert
Search vacancies on Civil Service Jobs . Save the advert and candidate pack so you can refer back to them.
- Check the location, working arrangements, salary, grade, closing time and eligibility requirements. Read nationality and right-to-work conditions for that vacancy.
- Highlight the essential criteria and the selection process. Note what is assessed at the application sift and what is assessed at interview.
- Look for a lead criterion or behaviour used at an initial sift. Follow the advert’s instructions rather than using a generic application template.
2. Understand what is being assessed
Success Profiles can assess five elements. A vacancy selects the elements it needs; it does not necessarily assess all five.
Behaviours
How you act in relevant situations.
Strengths
What you do well and find motivating.
Experience
What your previous involvement has taught you.
Technical
Role-specific expertise and professional requirements.
Ability
Your potential to perform at the required level.
Source: Success Profiles overview
3. Build a small evidence bank
Our suggested exercise: make a row for each essential criterion. Add a real example, the action you personally took, and the result. Experience from volunteering, study or community activities can help demonstrate relevant behaviours.
| Advert asks for | Evidence to look for | What to explain |
|---|---|---|
| Customer communication | A time you explained a difficult process | How you adapted your language and checked understanding |
| Accuracy | A record or task you checked | Your checks, what you found, and what changed |
| Working to deadlines | Competing tasks you prioritised | Your choices, communication, and outcome |
Source: Civil Service behaviour guidance
4. Write to the instructions
A CV outlines relevant experience. A personal statement explains how you meet the stated criteria. A behaviour example focuses on a particular situation and your actions. Follow the word limit and anonymisation requirements given in your application.
For a statement, try a short heading for each requested criterion, followed by concrete evidence. Replace “I am an excellent communicator” with an example of what you explained, how you explained it, and the difference it made.
5. Review, then submit
For your own preparation. Ticks are not saved after you leave or reload.
The employer’s advert and assessment instructions are the final guide for that vacancy. You can ask the named recruitment contact about unclear requirements or adjustments.
Source: Official application support