Books About Selection Criteria

Get That Job! The Best Guide to Applying for a Government Job * recommended *
By Vanessa Jordan
$39.95
297 pages
4th edition published May 2009
Covers all areas of applying for a government job, vacancies,  processes, government structure, cover letters, resumes, selection criteria, interviews, outcomes, and examples. Available to download instantly.
(click here for more information)

The Selection Criteria Coach
By Vanessa Jordan.
$39.95
158 pages
3rd edition published June 2009
An extract from "Get That Job!" and only covers selection criteria.  Available to download instantly. (Click here for more information)

Selection Criteria Exposed:101 Examples of Statements Addressing Selection Criteria
* recommended *
Edited by Vanessa Jordan.
$39.95
120 pages
Published October 2008
Examples of statements addressing key selection criteria from winning applications and professional selection criteria writers. Available to download instantly. (Click here for more information)

One hour Selection Criteria
By Jon Hogan.
$59.95
75 A4 pages
Published 2007
Covers resumes, cover letters,  selection criteria, and contains examples. 

Writing Responses to Selection Criteria
By Robin Henry/ Desert Wave Enterprises. 
$US27
30 pages
Published 2005
Available to download instantly, not available in bookstores, only covers selection criteria. Comes with comlimentary title "Winning That Government Job" that covers APS recruitment processes.

How to Write and Talk to Selection Criteria
By Dr Ann D. Villiers.
$27.50
Number of pages unknown
4th edition published 2005
Only covers addressing selection criteria, only available is selected bookstores or by mail order.

Write a Winning Job Application: A Guide to Responding to Selection Criteria
By Lloyd White.
$28.00
Number of pages unknown
3rd edition published 2002
Covers most areas of applying for a government job.  Only available in selected bookstores.

Get That Government Job
By Dawn Richards.
$29.95/$39.95 depending upon seller
192 pages
1st edition published 2006.
Available in selected bookstores or mail order.  Covers all areas of applying for a government job. 

Selection Criteria Toolkit * recommended *
By Dawn Richards.
$30.00
65 pages
Published 2004
Covers resumes, selection criteria and interviews, only available in selected bookstores or mail order.

Addressing Selection Criteria
By Irene Goudie. 
$24.00
Number of pages unknown.
Revised edition published 2006
Only covers selection criteria, limited release only available in selected bookstores.

How to Get  In and Get Promoted in the Public Service
By Carolyn Smith. 
$39.95
150 pages
Published 2007
Only covers resumes and selection criteria.  Only available to buy and download online.


Please tell us if you know of any amendments to be made to these publications, or other publications available that we should add to this page.

How to Choose a Book

Before buying a book about applying for a government job or writing selection criteria you should ask the following questions. 

Is the author an expert in recruitment?  A book about getting a job written by someone who is not an expert in recruitment would be like getting advice on running a marathon from someone who has only ever watched marathons before.  You want advice from someone who has done it, knows the ins and outs of it, and has trained others in it.  A career counsellor, resume writer, job network consultant or human resources professional isn't necessarily an expert in recruitment, so you should check.

Has the author worked for the government?  If the author has never worked for the government then they have most likely never sat on a government recruitment panel.  How can they give you reliable advice if they have never assessed a government application before? 

Is this book an opinion, or based on fact?  Does the author know what they are talking about because they know it, or is it just an opinion based on what they think.  For example, a lot of career counsellors and resume writers have opinions about what makes a good application but because they have never sat on a government recruitment panel or they aren't a member of a government network, they don't really know what goes on during the selection process.  Anyone can have an opinion, but it isn't going to help you if it isn't the right one!

How recent is the author's experience?  Things change all the time and if the author is writing about a process from five years ago, it's isn't going to help you now!

Has the author written other related books and articles?  If the author is credible they will have published other works in journals, magazines and newsletters - and not just their own.

Is the author recognised by the industry as a leader in their field? Having a friend or colleague say your are great at what you do is not enough. Leaders in government recruitment will be in demand to participate in selection exercises and deliver training to selection panels and applicants.  If this isn't the case, then the author obviously isn't recognised by government as a good resource.

Did the author actually write the book?  There are many books for sale on the internet that simply re-word other resources.  Beware of publications by people who have no government recruitment experience for this reason.