Writing a compelling 250-word statement is often the most challenging part of the Civil Service application process.
Candidates frequently struggle to concisely convey their qualifications and experiences within such a limited word count.
However, with a solid understanding of the desired behaviours and a well-structured approach, what once was a daunting task can become a powerful opportunity to showcase your strengths.
Related Article: 5 Working Together Behaviour Statements
Understanding the "Working Together" Behaviour at the AA Level
The "Working Together" behaviour at the Administrative Assistant (AA) level emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and effective communication. At this grade, candidates are expected to:
- Demonstrate a willingness to assist colleagues in their tasks and projects.
- Communicate clearly and respectfully, ensuring that information is shared efficiently.
- Contribute to a supportive team environment, recognizing and valuing the input of others.
- Work collaboratively to solve problems, showing flexibility and adaptability.
- Show a proactive attitude towards fostering a positive team dynamic.
These expectations differ from previous levels, where the focus might have been more on individual contributions rather than on how those contributions support and enhance the work of the team as a whole.
Structuring Your Statement with the B-STAR Technique
To effectively articulate how you exemplify the "Working Together" behaviour, the B-STAR technique (Belief, Situation, Task, Action, Result) is invaluable. This method ensures your response is coherent, detailed, and impactful.
- Belief: Start by briefly mentioning your belief in the importance of teamwork and collaboration. This sets the stage for your example.
- Situation: Describe a specific situation where you had to work as part of a team. Be concise but clear about the context.
- Task: Explain the task or objective that your team needed to achieve. What was your role within this task?
- Action: Detail the actions you took to contribute to the team. Focus on your communication, cooperation, and any initiatives you undertook to support your colleagues.
- Result: Highlight the positive outcome of your teamwork. What was achieved? How did your contribution make a difference?
Using the B-STAR technique not only keeps your statement organized but also ensures you cover all necessary aspects of the behaviour in a structured manner.
Now that we've discussed the essentials of crafting a strong 250-word statement for the "Working Together" behaviour at the AA level, here is an example statement to illustrate these points in action:
Check out 50 examples covering all 9 key behaviours
Now, let's dive into an example to illustrate this technique in action...
250 Word Statement Example
I believe that working collaboratively is vital for achieving team goals and fostering a positive work environment. Building strong relationships and supporting colleagues ensures that everyone can contribute effectively.
As a BA, I was part of a project to upgrade our internal software systems. This project involved coordinating with various departments, each with different needs and technical expertise.
My primary responsibility was to gather requirements from each department and ensure that their needs were met in the new system. To start, I scheduled meetings with representatives from each department to understand their workflows and specific requirements. I made it a point to listen carefully and ask questions to clarify their needs.
Throughout the project, I maintained open communication, regularly updating all stakeholders on progress and any potential issues. When a technical problem arose that required specialised knowledge, I did not hesitate to ask for help from more experienced colleagues.
Understanding the importance of wellbeing, I encouraged my team to take regular breaks and organised a small team-building activity to alleviate stress and boost morale. Recognising that a positive and inclusive environment is essential, I ensured that all interactions were respectful and free from any form of bullying or harassment.
The project was completed successfully, with the new software system meeting the diverse needs of everyone. This experience underscored the importance of working together, supporting each other, and maintaining open communication.
By fostering strong relationships and proactively contributing to the team's efforts, I was able to help achieve a successful outcome.
