Writing a Self Assessment
When describing how you meet the criteria for the role, it is important to present your examples and other evidence clearly and logically.
Many applicants use the STAR(R) approach, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result (and Reflection). This can be a helpful way of organising your evidence, but it is not a requirement and applicants will not be disadvantaged if they choose to use a different approach.
You should ensure that your response addresses all of the points listed under each criterion.
The purpose of any structure is simply to help you explain your experience in a clear and concise way. Whatever approach you use, your examples should demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role, including the relevant legal skills and competencies and the personal and judicial qualities being assessed.
In particular, the panel will be interested in:
- the situation or challenge you faced
- the actions you took
- the reasons for those actions
- the impact or outcome achieved
- any learning or reflection arising from the experience
Examples must provide specific evidence of your contribution and the difference it made.
Some applicants adopt a more narrative or storytelling approach. This can be effective, but care should be taken to ensure that the key points remain clear and relevant to the criterion being assessed.
You should remember that the evidence you provide in your application is used by the panel to assess your suitability for the role, including the ability to write effectively.
If using note form/bullet points in some parts of your application, please ensure sufficient detail and depth is provided to enable the selection panel to properly assess the evidence of your legal competence and personal and judicial qualities.
Whichever approach you choose, avoid making unsupported statements such as "I am a good communicator" or "I have strong leadership skills". Instead, provide examples that demonstrate those qualities in practice and explain the impact of your actions.