Applying for a Civil Service job can feel like navigating a maze. One moment you’re hopeful, the next you’re scratching your head over the 250-word statements required for each behaviour. These statements are a crucial part of your application, giving you a chance to showcase your skills and experiences in a structured and concise manner. Today, we’ll delve into one specific behaviour: “Working Together” at Grade 6 level.
The Behaviour
“Working Together” is all about collaboration, teamwork, and building strong relationships across and beyond the Civil Service. At Grade 6, this behaviour emphasizes leading teams, fostering an inclusive environment, and creating partnerships that drive success.
At this grade, Working Together means:
- Leadership and Mentorship: Guiding and supporting teams to achieve collective goals.
- Inclusivity: Promoting a culture where everyone’s ideas are valued.
- Strategic Partnerships: Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
This is a step up from the responsibilities at lower grades, where the focus might be more on personal contribution within a team. Conversely, at higher grades, this behaviour leans more towards influencing and setting the strategic direction for collaboration on a larger scale.
250-Word Statement Tips
Writing a 250-word statement might seem daunting, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable. Here’s how to structure your response using the B-STAR method:
1. Belief: Start by stating your core belief about “Working Together”. What does effective collaboration mean to you?
2. Situation: Describe a specific scenario where you had to work with others to achieve a goal. Make sure it’s relevant to the Grade 6 level.
3. Task: Clearly outline your role in this situation. As a Grade 6 applicant, emphasize leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
4. Action: Detail the actions you took. Focus on how you facilitated teamwork, overcame challenges, and ensured inclusivity and partnership.
5. Result: Highlight the outcomes of your actions. Quantify your success if possible, and reflect on what you learned.
Example:
- Belief: “I believe that effective teamwork is the cornerstone of successful projects.”
- Situation: “In my previous role, I led a cross-departmental team to implement a new IT system.”
- Task: “As the project lead, I was responsible for ensuring seamless collaboration between departments.”
- Action: “I organized regular meetings, established clear communication channels, and fostered a culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.”
- Result: “Our collaborative efforts resulted in the successful implementation of the system ahead of schedule, with a 20% increase in user satisfaction.”
Tips for Success
- Be Specific: Use concrete examples to illustrate your points.
- Showcase Leadership: Emphasize your role in guiding and supporting the team.
- Highlight Inclusivity: Demonstrate how you promoted a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Quantify Results: Where possible, use numbers to show the impact of your actions.
Now that we’ve covered the essentials, here’s an example statement to illustrate how these tips come together…
250 Word Statement Example
I believe that effective collaboration is vital for achieving common goals and fostering a positive work environment.
As Lead Designer I was tasked with managing a rebranding project for a major client. This project required close collaboration with the design team, copywriters, account managers, and the client.
To begin, I organized a kickoff meeting to establish clear communication channels and align everyone with the project’s objectives. I encouraged team members to share their ideas and insights, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives. This helped build a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect.
I created a shared project timeline using project management software, ensuring everyone was aware of their responsibilities and deadlines. Regular check-ins and progress updates kept the team on track and allowed us to address any issues promptly.
Fostering an inclusive environment was crucial. I made it a point to recognize and appreciate each team member’s contributions, which boosted morale and encouraged active participation. I also scheduled one-on-one meetings to understand individual needs and provide support where necessary.
When conflicts arose, such as disagreements on design concepts, I facilitated open discussions to explore all viewpoints and find the best solution. This approach not only resolved conflicts but also led to innovative ideas that enhanced the project.
The rebranding project was completed successfully, receiving praise from the client and resulting in a 25% increase in their brand engagement. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration, inclusivity, and genuine care for colleagues in achieving outstanding results.