Making Effective Decisions: Civil Service Behaviour at Administrative Assistant and Administrative Officer Grade
The behaviour Making Effective Decisions is about using evidence, knowledge, and sound judgment to make clear and reliable choices. At Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) grade, you are expected to follow guidance, check facts, and seek input from colleagues to ensure your decisions are accurate, fair, and well-informed.
This behaviour shows that you can think carefully before acting and that you understand how your decisions affect others. It demonstrates that you take responsibility for checking information, recognising gaps, and asking questions when something is unclear. It also reflects your ability to balance priorities, follow procedures, and contribute to consistent, high-quality work.
When writing a 250-word statement for this behaviour, aim to demonstrate:
🔍 A belief statement showing that you value accuracy, fairness, and evidence-based thinking.
🔍 A situation where you needed to make a judgment, solve a problem, or decide between options.
🔍 The actions you took to gather information, consult others, or weigh up risks and implications.
🔍 The result, showing how your decision led to a clear, reliable, or improved outcome.
The B-STAR method helps you build your example logically: start with your belief, describe the situation and your task, then explain your actions and the result. Strong examples will show that you take time to understand the facts, use guidance effectively, and make thoughtful, consistent decisions that support your team’s objectives.
The image above provides a full example statement for Making Effective Decisions at AA/AO grade. Use it to guide your own response and show how you apply careful reasoning and sound judgment in your role.
