Employability Award Written Task Guide
When should I submit my application?
You can submit your written application once you have completed all the Activity Requirements and reflected upon them. There are three application rounds per year and you can apply for any round, so long as you are still enrolled at UQ and complete the written application and interview before you graduate.
Semester 1 deadline - Sunday 14 April, 2024 (11:59pm)
Semester 2 deadline - Sunday 15 September, 2024 (11:59pm)
Please note: These are firm dates and no extensions will be granted. We recommend that you prepare to submit your application early to avoid disappointment.
The application guide is subject to change so we highly recommend you follow the online instructions that are in place during your final semester at UQ.
4. Capability Statements
In this section, you will need to create four capability statements using the template below. This task is similar to addressing key selection criteria in a written job application.
To complete this section, you must:
- Identify four (4) key capabilities you have developed as a result of your Award experiences.
- Provide an example from your award experiences of how you developed each capability.
- Use the STAR technique to structure your responses into paragraph format. You may use the prompts below to help you. (remember that STAR is different to the SEAL reflections you completed throughout the program).
Each capability statement must clearly articulate the capability, the example, and how it will be beneficial to your future work practices.
Prior to submitting, please ensure you have reviewed the following resource links:
| STAR | DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE: Communication |
| S | Situation Describe the context. | During my involvement in a summer research project investigating the impact of environmental factors on a specific species of wildlife, effective communication played a pivotal role in ensuring the success and cohesion of the team. |
| T | Task What were you expected to do? | My role in the project was to lead a sub-team responsible for collecting field data. Effective communication was crucial to coordinate tasks, share findings, and maintain a cohesive approach to the research. |
| A | Action What action did you take? | To facilitate communication within the team, I initiated regular team meetings where we discussed project goals, individual responsibilities, and any challenges encountered in the field. Additionally, I established a shared online platform where team members could upload their data, findings, and observations in real-time. This streamlined the information flow and allowed for immediate collaboration. Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of the project, I organized cross-functional meetings with other research sub-teams to ensure a holistic understanding of the overall progress. This helped identify potential correlations between different sets of data and facilitated a more comprehensive analysis. During challenging periods, such as adverse weather conditions impacting our fieldwork, I proactively communicated updates to the entire team. I emphasized the importance of flexibility and devised contingency plans to mitigate potential delays. |
| R | Result What did you achieve? (where possible include tangible data to support a clear result that has impacted the business process, the team, the client, the project, etc.) | The effective communication strategies implemented throughout the research project contributed to the seamless collaboration among team members. The shared online platform improved data accessibility and collaboration, fostering a culture of open communication. This, in turn, led to a more comprehensive analysis of the research findings and enriched the overall quality of our project outcomes. |
| Link to future work practices How will this capability be beneficial to your future work practices? (Being specific as possible to your future industry or role) | This experience shows the significance of my clear and regular communication in this research endeavour, where collaboration and the exchange of information were essential for success. It also highlights my adaptability in response to unforeseen challenges, reinforcing that I would be a value asset to a research team through my effective communication. |
Tip for getting started
For more support on how to write selection criteria, check out our Introduction to Cover Letters and Selection Criteria learning module
Important dates
Once you complete the activity requirements for the Award, you can submit an application.
Semester 1 deadline - Sunday 14 April, 2024 (11:59pm)
Semester 2 deadline - Sunday 15 September, 2024 (11:59pm)
Please note: These are firm dates and no extensions will be granted. We recommend that you prepare to submit your application early to avoid disappointment.
Got Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email us