Selection criteria · updated November 2026

Communicating effectively: how to address it

"Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively" is one of the selection criteria the APSC gives as a common example. Here's how to turn it into evidence a panel can score.

What panels look for

Writing tailored to the reader — plain English for the public, concise briefs for managers
Listening and checking understanding, not just talking
Handling a difficult conversation or explaining something complex
A result: fewer complaints, faster approval, a decision made

Answer these four questions

SWho was the audience, and why was communicating with them hard?

TWhat did you need them to understand or do?

AWhat did you write or say — how did you adapt it to them?

RWhat changed because they understood: complaints, errors, time, a decision?

Example response (fictional)

In my role as a client services officer, our standard letter about overdue reports was generating a high number of confused phone calls. I was asked to reduce the calls without changing the policy. I rewrote the letter in plain English, moved the action required to the first paragraph, and tested the draft with three colleagues who handle the calls. I also wrote a short script so the team gave consistent answers. Over the next quarter, calls about the letter dropped by around 40%, and the revised letter was adopted across two other teams.

Weak vs strong

WeakI have excellent written and verbal communication skills and can communicate with people at all levels.

StrongI rewrote our overdue-report letter in plain English and moved the action to the first line, cutting related calls by about 40% in a quarter.

Write your "communicating effectively" response

The builder is pre-set with this criterion. Add your own STAR example and get a response you can edit and paste.

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Common questions

How do I address "demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively"?

Give one or two specific examples using STAR: the situation, your task, what you did, and the result. Show it — don't just claim it.

Can I reuse the same example for different criteria?

Sometimes, if it genuinely shows both — but panels prefer a spread of examples. Use your strongest example where it fits best.