Applying for a civil service job can feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to crafting the perfect 250-word statement. These statements are your chance to showcase how your experiences and skills align with specific civil service behaviours. One such behaviour you might need to demonstrate is “Working Together.” Let’s dive into what this behaviour entails and how you can effectively illustrate it in your application, particularly at the Administrative Assistant (AA) level.
What is the “Working Together” Behaviour?
The “Working Together” behaviour is all about collaboration and teamwork. In the civil service, it’s essential to demonstrate your ability to work effectively with others to achieve common goals. At the Administrative Assistant (AA) level, this means being a supportive team member, effectively communicating, and contributing to the team’s overall success.
At this grade, “Working Together” focuses on:
- Being reliable and approachable
- Offering help to colleagues
- Sharing information and resources
- Demonstrating a positive attitude towards teamwork
Below the AA grade, the emphasis might be more on basic cooperation and following instructions, while above the AA grade, there is a greater expectation of leading teams, resolving conflicts, and driving collaborative initiatives.
Crafting Your 250-Word Statement
Writing your 250-word statement for the “Working Together” behaviour can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can make a strong impression. Here are some tips to help you:
1. Use the B-STAR Method
- Belief: Start with a brief statement about your belief in the importance of teamwork.
- Situation: Describe a situation where you had to work with others.
- Task: Explain the task you were faced with in this scenario.
- Action: Detail the specific actions you took to work effectively with your team.
- Result: Highlight the positive outcome of your collaborative efforts.
2. Be Specific and Concise
- Stick to one clear example.
- Avoid vague statements; provide concrete details.
3. Showcase Relevant Skills
- Mention skills like communication, reliability, and supportiveness.
- Demonstrate how you actively contribute to team goals.
4. Reflect the AA Level Expectations
- Focus on your role as a supportive team member rather than a leader.
- Show how you help others and share resources.
Example B-STAR Structure
Belief: I firmly believe that effective teamwork is the cornerstone of success in any organization.
Situation: In my previous role as an administrative assistant, our team was tasked with organizing a large-scale company event on a tight deadline.
Task: My specific task was to coordinate with different departments to gather necessary resources and information.
Action: I proactively reached out to colleagues across various teams, setting up regular check-ins to ensure everyone was on the same page. I offered assistance wherever possible and shared updates promptly.
Result: As a result of our collective efforts, the event was a resounding success, with all departments praising the seamless coordination and collaboration.
250 Word Statement Example
As a volunteer at a local food bank, I was part of a team responsible for organising and distributing food packages to families in need. Our team included volunteers from various backgrounds, each bringing unique skills and perspectives.
My main responsibility was to coordinate the packaging process. To start, I spent time getting to know my fellow volunteers and understanding their strengths and preferences. This helped me assign tasks that suited each person’s abilities, ensuring everyone felt valued and engaged.
I believe that good communication is the key to success in any venture so I set up a daily briefing where we could discuss our goals for the day, address any issues, and share updates. By encouraging open dialogue, I ensured that everyone was on the same page and felt comfortable voicing their opinions.
During one particularly busy period, we faced a shortage of certain food items, which caused stress among the team. I suggested we split into smaller groups to focus on different tasks: one group could source additional donations, another could repackage available items more efficiently, and the remaining group could handle distribution.
I took the lead in sourcing donations, reaching out to local businesses and explaining our urgent need. Meanwhile, I stayed in constant contact with the other groups to monitor progress and offer support.
By listening to my colleagues’ concerns and offering practical solutions, we were able to navigate the busy period successfully. Our collaborative effort ensured that all families received their food packages on time.