100 Prompts You Can Use to Help Write Your Next Selection Criteria

Writing selection criteria for government and public sector job applications can be one of the most frustrating parts of the process. Whether you’re applying for an APS role, state government job, or council position, most require you to demonstrate your suitability through detailed responses—often using the STAR method.

To make the process easier, we’ve compiled a list of 100 selection criteria prompts that can help jog your memory, shape your responses, and give you real examples to work from. Use these prompts to uncover achievements, clarify your experience, and tailor your answers with confidence.

Why Use Prompts When Writing Selection Criteria?

Selection criteria are designed to test how well your experience aligns with the role. The key is to answer each question with a real-world example that shows your skills in action. These prompts will help you:

• Find relevant experiences to write about

• Avoid vague or generic answers

• Structure your responses clearly using the STAR method

• Meet word limits while still covering all the essentials

100 Prompts to Use When Writing Selection Criteria

Communication Skills

1. Describe a time you had to explain a complex idea to someone unfamiliar with the topic.

2. When did you have to write a report or document under pressure?

3. How have you handled a misunderstanding in the workplace?

4. Tell me about a time you had to speak up in a meeting.

5. When did your written communication make a difference to a project?

Teamwork and Collaboration

6. Describe a time you supported a colleague through a difficult task.

7. Have you ever stepped in to help a struggling team member?

8. Talk about a group project where things didn’t go smoothly—how did you respond?

9. What role do you naturally take in a team?

10. When have you helped improve team morale?

Problem Solving

11. Describe a time you identified a problem before it became serious.

12. When did you solve a problem without being asked?

13. Tell me about a process you improved.

14. Have you ever had to troubleshoot on the spot?

15. What’s the toughest decision you’ve had to make?

Customer Service

16. When did you turn around a difficult customer situation?

17. Talk about a time you received positive feedback from a customer.

18. How do you handle complaints?

19. Describe a time you had to balance customer needs with company policy.

20. When have you gone above and beyond for a client?

Time Management

21. What’s an example of how you managed conflicting deadlines?

22. When did you take control of a chaotic workload?

23. Have you ever improved your own efficiency?

24. Describe how you prioritise tasks in a high-pressure role.

25. When did planning ahead save you from a mistake?

Leadership

26. Talk about a time you had to motivate others.

27. When have you stepped up in the absence of a manager?

28. How do you manage different personalities?

29. What’s an example of you leading a successful project?

30. When did you mentor someone new?

Attention to Detail

31. Describe a time you caught an error others missed.

32. When did attention to detail prevent a costly mistake?

33. How do you check your work?

34. Tell me about a time your precision was important.

35. When did a small oversight create a bigger issue?

Adaptability

36. When did you have to learn something quickly?

37. Tell me about a time you had to change your approach.

38. Describe a last-minute change you had to manage.

39. When have you had to adapt to a new system or process?

40. Talk about a time you worked outside your comfort zone.

Conflict Resolution

41. Describe a time you dealt with a disagreement at work.

42. How do you approach conflict in a team setting?

43. When did you help two others resolve an issue?

44. Tell me about a situation where you stayed calm under pressure.

45. What strategies do you use to manage tension?

Initiative

46. When did you take ownership of a task no one wanted?

47. Describe a time you suggested a new idea.

48. How have you improved a process or system?

49. What have you done outside your job description?

50. When did your initiative save time or money?

Technical Skills

51. What’s a tool or system you introduced to your team?

52. How do you stay current with technical changes in your field?

53. Describe a complex system or database you’ve worked with.

54. Have you ever trained others in software use?

55. When did your tech skills make a difference?

Compliance and Procedures

56. Describe a time you followed detailed procedures exactly.

57. When have you ensured others complied with policy?

58. How do you keep track of compliance requirements?

59. What’s your experience with audit processes?

60. When did you have to report a risk or breach?

Project Management

61. Tell me about a project you managed from start to finish.

62. When have you delivered a project under budget or ahead of schedule?

63. What do you do when a project goes off track?

64. How do you keep stakeholders informed during a project?

65. What tools do you use for planning and tracking progress?

Finance and Budgeting

66. Describe your role in managing a budget.

67. When did you spot a financial error or irregularity?

68. Have you implemented any cost-saving measures?

69. How do you balance financial constraints with operational needs?

70. What’s your experience with financial systems or reconciliations?

Data and Reporting

71. How do you collect and analyse data?

72. Tell me about a report you created that informed decision-making.

73. Have you ever noticed a pattern in data that others missed?

74. Describe your experience with dashboards or KPIs.

75. When did reporting help drive improvement?

Administration

76. What admin systems or tools do you use regularly?

77. How do you manage incoming requests and tasks?

78. Describe a time you created or improved an admin process.

79. When did you have to stay organised under pressure?

80. What do you do to ensure accuracy in documentation?

Governance and Ethics

81. When did you act in accordance with a code of conduct?

82. How do you ensure ethical decision-making?

83. Tell me about a time you raised a concern or reported misconduct.

84. How do you deal with confidential information?

85. When have you worked in a high-trust environment?

Diversity and Inclusion

86. Describe a time you worked with a culturally diverse team.

87. How do you ensure inclusiveness in your communication?

88. When have you advocated for equal treatment?

89. How do you respond to bias or discrimination?

90. What do you do to create a respectful work environment?

Government-Specific Prompts

91. When have you applied public sector values in your work?

92. How do you balance political neutrality with practical action?

93. What’s your experience with government reporting or accountability?

94. When did you apply legislation or policy to make a decision?

95. How do you ensure transparency and fairness in your work?

Final General Prompts

96. What’s a time you grew professionally through feedback?

97. How do you handle competing priorities?

98. What’s your approach to learning new skills on the job?

99. Describe a work accomplishment you’re proud of.

100. What do you bring to a team that others might not?

How to Use These Prompts in Your Selection Criteria

Start by picking 1–2 prompts under each skill area that best reflect your experience. Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to turn each prompt into a clear, evidence-based response.

Want Help Writing Your Selection Criteria?

If you’re applying for a government or public sector job and need help writing clear, concise responses that get results—reach out. Whether you're targeting an APS6 role or a local council admin job, we can turn your experience into a professional application.