Application Top Tips

Before you start:

  • Read all the information on our website, including the placement descriptions.
  • Have a think about which placement is right for you.
  • Attend an online information session if you want to chat it through.
  • Decide if you want to submit your answers as text, or a video or audio file.
  • Make a new word or google document and prepare your answers.

Remember, the deadline to apply is 10 am Monday 17 October.

Tips for answering your STEP application questions

1. What excites you about STEP? (max. 300 words)

We would love to know what drew you to the STEP programme, and it would be great to hear about your understanding of the programme and which aspects you are particularly excited by. This could be anything from training, programme, the opportunity to get a mentor, a chance to take on a leadership role in the group project or the creative organisations involved – we want to know about your motivations for applying.

2. Please tell us which STEP placement you’re interested in

Choose which placement you’re interested in.

You can read more about the placements here

Interested in more than one role, you can include your second choice placement too.

3. Why did you choose this placement, and how are your skills and experience relevant? (max. 300 words)

Make sure you read the placement descriptions carefully. Tell us why you want to work with the organisation and what interests you about their work. It’s helpful to mention specific projects here to show you’ve done your research. Highlight your relevant skills or experience and why you’re interested in learning and developing in this area. Remember to always give examples and be specific with your answers.

Selected a second placement of interest? Make sure to reference them here too.

4. What would you bring to STEP, and what do you want to learn? ( max 300 words)

We are really keen to learn about what you have to bring to the STEP programme and what you want to gain from it. We are not just interested in your professional experience or education but also things like the issues you care about, your goals and ambitions, your values and mindsets.

STEP challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, learn new things and develop skills across a range of creative sectors and organisations, we are looking for people who embrace new experiences and who want to try things out.

5. Please upload your CV

Your CV is a great way to let us know what you’ve done previously. Make sure it is up to date with your most recent experience and qualifications. Your CV is also great for listing achievements outside of work and school, such as any volunteering or creative side hustles. Limit your CV to two pages. We accept both Microsoft Word Documents and PDFs. Ensure you title the file with your name. If you prefer to email this to us, please send it to goodgrowthhub@anewdirection.org.uk

Top tips if you're recording your answers in audio or video formats:

  1. Plan out your answers to fit into the time limit (you can usually fit about 100 to 150 words into a minute, but everyone is different)
  2. Make sure there’s no background noise or visual distractions, a plain background is also best
  3. Don’t worry about the quality; we’re not so interested in your filming or editing skills; we’re going to be most interested in the content of your answers
  4. Remember to save your files (most types accepted), and include your name in the file title

Got any questions? Book one of our free online information sessions on 26 May, 9 June, or 19 June or alternatively attend one of our 1:1 personalised application support sessions.