Mike Jacobsen

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Seeing the Big Picture at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Seeing the Big Picture is about understanding how your work supports your team, your department, and the wider goals of the Civil Service. Recruiters want to see that you understand the purpose behind your tasks, consider how your work affects others, and align what you do with organisational priorities. It’s also about being aware of different needs and perspectives and contributing to outcomes that serve the public effectively.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you understood how your work fitted into a bigger goal or supported wider priorities. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

🌍 Belief – show that you value purpose, awareness, and contribution to wider goals.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe when you worked on something that supported a team, project, or organisational objective.
🛠️ Activity – explain how you gathered information, collaborated with others, or considered the wider impact of your actions.
🏆 Result – share how your work helped your team, customers, or organisation achieve its goals.

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Practical tip

Show that you think beyond your immediate tasks. Recruiters are looking for candidates who understand how their role fits within the bigger picture and who act in ways that support wider success.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you stay aware of purpose, context, and impact in your work at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Leadership at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Leadership is about taking ownership of your work, acting responsibly, and setting a positive example for others. Recruiters want to see that you take pride in your role, treat people with fairness and respect, and help your team achieve its goals. It’s also about understanding how your actions affect others and contributing to a supportive, inclusive environment.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you took initiative, supported others, or helped your team stay on track. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

🌟 Belief – show that you value responsibility, fairness, and teamwork.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe a situation where you needed to take ownership or show initiative.
🛠️ Activity – explain how you led by example, communicated clearly, or helped others stay motivated and focused.
🏆 Result – share how your actions made a difference, such as improved teamwork, successful delivery, or stronger morale.

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Practical tip

Leadership at this level isn’t about managing others — it’s about personal accountability. Show that you take responsibility for your work, treat people with respect, and help create a positive and productive environment.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you lead by example, support your team, and demonstrate integrity in your work at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Managing a Quality Service at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Managing a Quality Service is about taking pride in delivering work to a high standard and understanding the needs of customers and colleagues. Recruiters want to see that you can plan your work, follow procedures, and take ownership of delivering consistent, professional service. It’s also about spotting issues early, communicating clearly, and helping to improve the customer experience.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you helped improve or maintain a good standard of service. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

✅ Belief – show that you value accuracy, professionalism, and good service.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe a situation where you needed to deliver or improve a service for customers or colleagues.
⚙️ Activity – explain how you planned your work, followed processes, or solved a problem to maintain quality.
🏆 Result – share the outcome, such as improved accuracy, faster responses, or positive feedback from users.

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Practical tip

Show that you understand what good service looks like. Recruiters look for candidates who are organised, consistent, and proactive in finding small improvements that make work more effective and reliable.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you deliver professional, high-quality work and support great service at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Developing Self and Others at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Developing Self and Others is about taking responsibility for your own learning and supporting those around you to develop their skills. Recruiters want to see that you are open to feedback, willing to improve, and keen to share what you know. It’s also about contributing to a positive learning environment where everyone can grow and perform at their best.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you improved your skills or helped a colleague learn something new. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

📘 Belief – show that you value learning, development, and continuous improvement.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe when you identified a skill gap or learning opportunity for yourself or someone else.
🛠️ Activity – explain how you developed your knowledge, applied new learning, or supported others in building their confidence or capability.
🏆 Result – share how this improved performance, efficiency, or teamwork.

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Practical tip

Highlight your enthusiasm for learning and your willingness to help others. Recruiters look for candidates who show initiative in developing themselves and who strengthen the team by sharing skills, ideas, and experiences.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you take ownership of learning, act on feedback, and help others develop at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Delivering at Pace at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Delivering at Pace is about managing your time well, staying focused, and producing accurate work on schedule. Recruiters want to see that you can handle deadlines, prioritise tasks, and maintain quality even when things get busy. It’s also about being reliable, keeping others informed, and taking personal responsibility for the standard of your work.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you worked under pressure or had to complete an important task quickly and accurately. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

⏱️ Belief – show that you value efficiency, accuracy, and accountability.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe when you needed to meet a deadline or manage multiple priorities.
⚙️ Activity – explain how you organised your work, stayed focused, and communicated progress with others.
🏆 Result – share what you achieved, such as completing work on time, improving accuracy, or supporting your team’s success.

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Practical tip

Emphasise how you stayed calm and organised under pressure. Recruiters look for examples where you showed responsibility, kept to deadlines, and delivered consistent quality without compromising standards.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you deliver results efficiently, stay focused, and maintain professionalism at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Working Together at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Working Together is about cooperating with others, supporting your team, and helping to create a positive and inclusive workplace. Recruiters want to see that you can build good relationships, share information openly, and contribute to achieving shared goals. It’s also about listening to others, respecting different perspectives, and stepping in to help when needed.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you worked closely with colleagues to achieve a task or overcome a challenge. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

🤝 Belief – show that you value teamwork, inclusion, and mutual respect.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe a situation where collaboration or teamwork was essential.
🛠️ Activity – explain how you supported colleagues, shared information, or helped resolve an issue.
🏆 Result – share the outcome, such as improved teamwork, stronger relationships, or successful delivery of a task.

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Practical tip

Emphasise how you helped others. Recruiters look for candidates who work well with people from different backgrounds and who contribute to a supportive, positive team culture. Even small actions like helping a colleague meet a deadline or sharing useful information can make a strong example.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and help your team succeed at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Communicating and Influencing at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Communicating and Influencing is about sharing information clearly, listening carefully, and building understanding with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders. Recruiters want to see that you can use plain language, choose the right method of communication, and show respect for others’ views. It’s also about staying calm, professional, and positive — even when dealing with challenges or sensitive situations.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you needed to share information, explain something important, or influence others to take action. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

💬 Belief – show that you value clear, respectful, and honest communication.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe when you needed to communicate or persuade others to achieve a goal.
🛠️ Activity – explain how you adapted your message, chose the right channel (email, call, or face-to-face), and checked understanding.
📈 Result – share the outcome, such as improved understanding, cooperation, or a positive change in behaviour.

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Practical tip

Highlight how you adapt your communication to your audience. Recruiters value candidates who can communicate clearly with different people, build trust, and handle conversations professionally and confidently.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you communicate clearly, influence positively, and build strong working relationships at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Making Effective Decisions at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Making Effective Decisions is about using clear information, following guidance, and asking the right questions before taking action. Recruiters want to see that you can think carefully, check facts, and make fair, balanced decisions that support the team and customers. It’s also about knowing when to seek advice and when to take responsibility for a decision yourself.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you had to choose between options or resolve an issue by checking information carefully. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

🧭 Belief – show that you value accuracy, fairness, and good judgment.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe a time when you needed to make a decision or recommendation.
⚙️ Activity – explain how you gathered information, asked for input, or reviewed guidance before deciding.
✅ Result – share the outcome, such as a resolved issue, improved accuracy, or a better process for others.

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Practical tip

Focus on how you made the decision, not just the outcome. Recruiters want to see that you took time to understand the facts, checked details, and used evidence to reach a fair and confident conclusion.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to show how you use evidence, sound judgment, and teamwork to make effective decisions at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Changing and Improving at Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

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Why this behaviour matters

At AA and AO level, Changing and Improving is about showing a positive attitude to change, being open to learning, and helping others adapt to new ways of working. Recruiters want to see that you can recognise opportunities to make work easier or more efficient, take small steps to improve processes, and support your team through change.

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How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you noticed a better way to do something or learned a new system that improved how your team worked. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

🔄 Belief – show that you value learning and improvement in your work.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe a time when you identified a need to change or improve a process.
🛠️ Activity – explain the steps you took to test or introduce the improvement, and how you supported colleagues during the change.
📈 Result – share what happened as a result, such as smoother processes, better teamwork, or improved service quality.

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Practical tip

Focus on your willingness to learn and take initiative. Even small improvements—like organising information better, suggesting a clearer process, or helping a colleague understand a new system—can show your adaptability and commitment to doing things better.

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Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experience to demonstrate how you respond positively to change and help improve the way your team works at AA/AO grade.

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You’ve just watched the full walkthrough of a 250-word statement for Changing and Improving at Executive Officer (EO) grade. Here are the key insights to help you shape your own example.

Why this behaviour matters

At EO level, Changing and Improving is about being open to new ideas, responding positively to change, and looking for ways to make processes more efficient. Recruiters want to see that you can adapt when circumstances shift, act on feedback, and contribute to improvements that support users and the organisation.

How to shape your own statement

Think of a time when you adapted to change or suggested an improvement. Use the B-STAR method to structure your response:

🔄 Belief – state your commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability.
🎯 Situation and Task – describe when change or improvement was required.
🛠️ Activity – explain how you responded to feedback, tested a new idea, or supported a new way of working.
📈 Result – show the outcome, such as improved efficiency, better service, or stronger team performance.

Practical tip

Highlight your willingness to learn and adapt. Recruiters value candidates who embrace change positively and focus on making things better for colleagues and service users.

Next step

Use the example from the video above as a guide. Apply the same structure to your own experiences to evidence how you change and improve at EO grade.

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