Public appointments candidate guidance
Guidance to help you apply for a public appointment.
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Applying for a public appointment
Applying for a public appointment can feel daunting, especially if it is the first time you have applied.
We're here to help you put forward the best possible application and to help you understand what to expect.
When applying for a public appointment you will need to provide a personal statement, which explains why you are interested in the role and what you can contribute if successful.
You will also be asked to provide your CV.
What to include in your personal statement
We’re keen to understand what motivates you to apply for a public appointment. Consider including the following in your personal statement:
What drives you?
What personal or professional experiences make you passionate about this role?
How do you align with the organisation’s goals and values?
Explain how the board’s mission resonates with you.
What impact do you want to make?
How do you see yourself contributing to the work of the board?
Taking the time to reflect on and articulate these points will help create a compelling and authentic application.
How to write a strong personal statement
Your personal statement is a vital part of your application. It’s your opportunity to show why you're interested in the role, how your experience meets the requirements, and what you’ll bring to public life in Wales.
Whether or not you’ve served on a public board before, your skills, values and lived experience can all make a meaningful impact.
Step 1: understand the role
Before writing your statement, carefully read the role description and person specification. Look for the key skills, experiences and attributes required.
Ask Yourself:
- What experience do I have that matches the criteria?
- Why am I passionate about this opportunity?
- What value will I bring to the board or organisation?
- How have I made a difference in previous roles?
Step 2: structure your statement
A well-written personal statement should have a clear beginning, middle, and end:
1. Introduction
Start with a short paragraph about who you are, your background, and why you’re applying.
For example:
“I am an experienced [professional/community leader/etc.] with a strong interest in public service. With a background in [sector], I bring strategic thinking, leadership and a commitment to inclusion. I am applying because…”
2. Address the criteria
Show how your experience aligns with the essential and desirable criteria using real examples.
- Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result
- Highlight your contribution and its impact
- Be specific. What did you do, and what changed as a result?
For example
“In my role as [position], I led [project] to improve [outcome]. I engaged [stakeholders], analysed [data], and delivered [result].”
3. Highlight transferable skills
Even if you haven’t served on a board, draw on leadership, governance, community engagement, or strategic work.
- Strategic thinking and decision-making
- Leadership and governance experience
- Financial oversight or risk management
- Community engagement and stakeholder management
For example:
“While I’ve not been a board member, I’ve regularly made high-level decisions, worked with diverse groups, and overseen budgets in my role as [job title].”
4. Reflect your values
Consider how you demonstrate the Nolan Principles of Public Life; integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership, and selflessness. These values are essential to public appointments.
5. Conclusion
End with a confident summary that restates your interest and what you’d bring to the role.
For example:
“I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute my skills and insight to [organisation/board], and to support public life in Wales through inclusive and informed decision-making.”
Guidance for first-time applicants and diverse and non-traditional board members
We actively encourage applications from people who have not previously served on boards, or who come from underrepresented backgrounds. You don’t need to have traditional boardroom experience to make a difference.
Consider highlighting:
- Lived Experience: If you’ve worked within or been directly affected by the sector, your insight is invaluable.
- Community Leadership: Experience leading grassroots initiatives, advocacy work, or volunteering can showcase governance skills.
- Industry Expertise: Your experience in a different sector may bring fresh perspectives to public boards.
- Overcoming Barriers: If you’ve navigated challenges in your career or personal journey, highlight resilience and adaptability.
For example:
“Throughout my career I’ve worked closely with [communities], advocated for [cause], and delivered change on the ground. My lived experience and practical knowledge will bring a fresh perspective to the boardroom.”
Step 3: Review and Refine
Before you submit your statement:
- Aim for 750–1,000 words (1–2 pages max)
- Keep it clear and free from jargon
- Proofread for grammar and spelling
- Ask someone you trust to read it over
Your experience matters, showcase it with confidence.
Summary
In summary, you should think about the following points when writing your personal statement.
Be clear and concise
Stick to the key points and avoid jargon. Keep your statement structured and relevant.
Address the role criteria
Read the role description carefully and ensure your statement covers the essential and desirable criteria.
Use real examples
Demonstrate your skills and experience with specific examples of when you've made an impact.
Highlight transferable skills
Even if you haven't been on a board before, draw from your leadership, strategic thinking, or decision-making experience.
Show passion and commitment
Explain why you want the role, how it aligns with your values, and how you can contribute to the organisation's success.
Submitting your CV
When applying for a role, in addition to a personal statement, we will ask you to submit your CV.
To ensure fairness in our selection process, we request that candidates remove personal information from their CV before submitting it.
This helps reduce bias and ensures shortlisting is based purely on experience and skills.
What you should remove from your CV:
- Your name and contact details
- Age and date of birth
- Gender, ethnicity, and other personal identifiers
- Names of educational institutions attended (to minimise bias based on university/school attended)
This ensures a fairer recruitment process where decisions are based on merit and experience, not background.
Further support and advice
We want increase diversity and inclusion across our public appointments.
We also want to ensure all candidates can demonstrate their full potential.
If you require any person-centred adjustments to the recruitment process, we are happy to discuss these with you.
If you’d like more information, please get in touch by email at PublicAppointments@gov.wales.
Current vacancies
If you want to see current vacancies, you can find a list on our recruitment pages.
On these pages, you can also sign up to receive notifications about new vacancies as they become available.
You can find other public board vacancies on the Boards Wales website.