Applying for a local authority vacancy requires a specific approach. Unlike the private sector, council selection panels meticulously compare your written statement against the formal person specification. Your application, cover letter, or supporting statement is your crucial first opportunity to secure an interview. It must act as your chance to powerfully demonstrate that you are the best candidate by clearly showing how you meet all the essential criteria.

1. Meeting the criteria: your core focus

Here are some tips on how you can  clearly show how you meet all the essential criteria.

The most effective strategy is often to address the criteria directly. You might find it easiest to:

1. List each criterion (or group related ones) as a mini-heading.
2. Address each point in a separate, concise paragraph, providing direct evidence.

Leveraging Transferable Skills

Forward-thinking councils welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds. Don’t feel discouraged if you lack direct public sector experience; your most valuable assets may be transferable skills – abilities honed in past roles, volunteering, or personal projects that are highly relevant to the job’s requirements.

When applying for local government roles, focus on bridging the gap between your previous sector and the public sector’s needs. For example:

• Project management from a private sector role translates to managing council initiatives on time and budget.
• Customer service from retail or hospitality translates to stakeholder engagement and supporting residents.
• Analytical skills (the ability to interpret complex information and spot trends) translates directly to understanding service performance metrics and making data-backed decisions on resource allocation.
• Household management (for instance, managing family budgets, complex schedules, and logistics) translates to resource allocation, time management, and complex administrative coordination.

Your supporting statement should explicitly highlight this connection. Instead of saying, “I managed a team,” say, “I used my team leadership skills, developed in the retail sector, to successfully deliver high-priority projects by coordinating input from diverse internal stakeholders.”

2. Show, don’t just tell: use the STAR method

Avoid simply stating that you possess a skill (for instance, “I have strong leadership skills”). You must prove it with specific, real-life evidence.

The most powerful way to structure these examples is using the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result). However, be strategic and succinct: use the full STAR narrative for high-priority or complex criteria, and be prepared to condense the Situation, Task, and Action into one or two succinct sentences for minor criteria, always ensuring you focus on the powerful Result (R).

The ‘Result’ component is your most critical selling point. Instead of ending your example with “and the task was completed,” you should clearly articulate the positive, quantifiable outcome of your actions. Councils focus on delivering public value; therefore, your results should show savings achieved, efficiency increased, improved customer satisfaction, or a reduction in risk. Use data or metrics whenever possible to prove the value of your contribution.

3. Structure and polish

While formats vary, always follow the instructions carefully for the specific authority. Aim for a powerful, one-page document (typically three to five short paragraphs) and no more than 500 words.

A simple structure

• Opening: state the position and where you saw it advertised.
• Body: explain your genuine interest in the role, detail what you offer the council, and highlight your relevant experience by matching it to the essential requirements.
• Closing: reiterate your enthusiasm and express interest in an interview.

4. Final review and proofreading

Be cautious with generative AI. AI-generated content is often easily spotted if it lacks the specific, authentic, and detailed examples only you can provide.

Finally, check and double-check for any spelling, grammatical errors, or formatting inconsistencies. Having someone else read your application can help catch mistakes and ensure your statement makes sense to an external party.  If no one can help, try reading it aloud, or asking your computer to do so – this can be a good way to spot errors your eyes somehow can’t!

Sign up for the weekly job alerts on the LOTI website

Here at LOTI, we curate a free jobs board for all the latest tech, digital and data roles in London local government. If you sign up for the job alerts, you will get a weekly email with the latest roles straight into your inbox.