Shortlisting questions guidance

This guidance will help if the job you are applying for requires you to answer shortlisting questions.

About shortlisting questions

Only use this guidance if the job you are applying for requires you to answer shortlisting questions.

The advert will tell you whether you need to answer shortlisting questions or provide a supporting statement.

If there are shortlisting questions, you can preview them at the bottom of the advert. The questions will pop up as you complete the online application. You do not need to send them separately.

Shortlisting questions relate to the skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience needed in the role you are applying for. Your answers to these questions are the most important part of your application. They will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role and whether you should be offered an interview.

You should:

  • read the shortlisting questions and the person specification for the job thoroughly before you start
  • think carefully about how you can answer the questions by considering what you've done in the past
  • think about the transferable skills you developed at work, school, home, college, through volunteering or a hobby
  • provide practical examples of real-life situations when you used the particular knowledge, skill or experience 
  • use the STAR method to help structure your answers

You can preview the list of shortlisting questions at the bottom of the job advert you're appying for. The questions will appear again for you to answer when you are completeting your application in the online application system. Do not send your answers to the shortlisting questions separately.

Using the STAR method

Use the STAR method to show your skills and experience in answers to shortlisting questions or in a supporting statement as well as for interview questions.

What STAR stands for and how to use it

  • Situation - briefly describe the context this took place in, for instance work, school, volunteering or another setting
  • Task - briefly describe what you had to do and the purpose of the task
  • Action - explain what you did, how and when you did it. Tell us about the processes you used, the reasons for the choices you made and the key things you did to deal with the situation.
  • Result - tell us what the outcomes of your actions were and what difference they made

When to use STAR

You can use the STAR method to structure the examples you give in your:

  • answers to shortlisting questions
  • supporting statement
  • interview

More information on STAR

Visit the National Careers Service website for more information on how to use the STAR method.