Public appointments candidate guidance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.