How do I stop the situation section taking up half the word count?
Cutting an Overlong Situation Section in a Behaviour Statement
Hello,
I am applying for an AO role and my behaviour statements keep running over 250 words. The situation often takes 100 to 120 words because I explain the organisation, the customer, the team structure and everything that happened before I became involved.
When I shorten it, I worry that the example will no longer make sense.
How can I reduce the background without making the answer confusing?
Quick Answer
Start the situation at the point where the behaviour became necessary. Include the setting, the problem and your responsibility, then move into action. The organisation history and events before your involvement rarely need to appear.
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How I Would Cut a 120-Word Situation Down to a Useful Opening
Continue reading to see what I would keep, what I would remove and how to test whether the panel has enough context.
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