What is a personal statement and how to write it

What is a supporting statement and how to write it : What to include and avoid ?

 

If you are in a position where you are looking and applying for jobs, chances are you will be requested to complete a supporting statement as part of the recruitment process. Now used as a key shortlisting tool by recruiters to ensure applicants can be easily compared with each other. If you are new to the job market or maybe just keen to brush up on your job search skills, then follow the next top tips on how to write a supporting statement. It is really about  selling yourself.

 

What is a supporting  statement and how are they used?

A supporting statement is essentially a supplementary document outlining your suitability for the role. The supporting statement is one section and forms part of a job application form and can be accompanied by a CV and cover letter. The supporting statement will usually be longer in length; typically at least 2 pages, whereas a cover letter is traditionally 1-page long. The majority of vacancies are now online and if you were to scroll through the application you would see a large blank supporting evidence / supporting statement section which is where you insert your supporting statement. This section will take you longer than the other sections of the application form, so it’s important that prepare and allow sufficient time to complete this section. There may also be supplementary questions that form part of the application, so ensure that you read and complete all sections of the application in full.

 

How to Complete

A strong supporting statement should engage the recruiter and should invite them to want to read further and be motivated to invite you to an interview. In order to achieve this, the supporting statement should explain why you want to the job and closely align your skills and experience with what they are looking for. In order to complete the supporting statement, you will first need to review the person specification which outlines all the essential and desirable criteria. Take each section in turn and provide examples around each of these. Ideally, you will be able to evidence ALL of the Essential criteria and the majority of the Desirable criteria. If you are unable to meet the majority of the Essential criteria it would not be worth submitting your application, as it’s likely the other qualified job seekers will be able to meet the criteria and you would not be called to interview.

 

Crafting the Supporting Statement Structure

So in order to construct the structure of the supporting statement that will allow you to add more detail later you are going to need the key headings from the supporting statement, this would be all the ones from the Essential and Desirable. You will be creating anywhere from 6 upwards of subheadings and then providing evidence from when you have demonstrated the particular skill. So if for example, they are looking for teamwork as one of the core competences which is a pretty common requirement, then think about all the times you are demonstrated this. This could be group projects whilst studying, teams you have lead or supported whilst at work, or maybe even that sports team that you regularly commit to.

 

Tailor your Application

When applying for jobs the prospect of writing a 2-page supporting statement seems daunting or that you would struggle for content, don’t let this put you off. See it as a perfect chance to highlight your suitability as the perfect candidate for the role. If you use the person specification to match your suitability along with detailed examples you should have no problem finding sufficient content.  Take your time to read through the person specification which outlines in detail what the ideal candidate will have in terms of skills, experience and competencies. By matching the skills that you have with the competencies that they require, you are showing that you have taken the time to read and match with what they are looking for; and thereby making it easier for the recruiter to see your suitability in the role. You may want to start the opening sentences with the following: I note from your person specification you are looking for candidates with experience in…. and I am able to demonstrate considerable experience in…..

 

Provide a Strong Introduction and Conclusion

The opening supporting introduction should be strong and compelling and set the tone for the rest of the statement. It’s vital that you capture the reader’s attention. You may want to provide an overview of your skills and experience and why you are suited to the role. Ensure your statement concludes with a strong ending and highlights anything else that has not been discussed or any other skills that would be pertinent to the role.

 

Provide a Range of Examples

The main purpose of the supporting statement is to show how you meet the person specification so ensure you use a range of examples from all areas of your experience, voluntary work and education. You can also outline anything else that you have not had the opportunity to mention in other areas of your application, such as your duties and responsibilities, skills relevant to the post and also cover any employment gaps.

 

Follow the Instructions

It’s a vital requirement of the application form that you can adhere to the instructions. Some supporting statements will state the character limit required and it would be worth visiting the company website to get a general idea of the kind of information they would like you to contain in the statement. Always read through any guidelines and after completing your supporting statement read through to make sure you have met all the criteria.

 

Use Competency Based Answers

When providing evidence and examples on how you meet the person specification you will want to ensure you provide strong examples against the key selection criteria in the person specification. It would not be sufficient to say you have demonstrated good communication skills without providing an example when. A good example of how to structure your response would be around the STAR Acronym.

 

Situation:  Outline the situation and task you are in.

Task: Discuss the situation and task that you are involved in.

Action:  What steps did you take, what did you do and what actions did you take?

Result: Finally and probably the most important, summarise the results of your actions and what was the overall impact.

 

Do your Research

Within an even more competitive labour market and applying for jobs, it’s vital that your supporting statement and application stands out from the others. One way of doing this is to show a genuine interest and knowledge of the company. There are many online employment agencies and jobs boards that will be able to assist you in your job search. Have you taken a look at the company website or job board, are you aware of any particular projects they are involved in or do they work with a particular client group that you have experience of supporting with. This will show prior knowledge and research that you have taken.

 

Don’t Repeat your CV

It can be very tempting to copy and paste your CV or even previous applications, but this can lead to a very long and uninteresting supporting statement. Consider the supporting statement as your opportunity sell your skills and experience and more importantly why you are a good fit for the role and the company over other qualified job seekers.

 

Layout

The supporting statement needs to be concise and professional written in style, following the correct grammatical conventions. You may decide to use headings following the exact layout of the person specification making it much easier to follow. You could bullet this information or you may decide to write in paragraphs, however, ensure these are small and concise as the recruiter will not be keen to read through heavy blocks of text.  

 

What not to include

If you are following the guidance on what to include it’s equally as important to know what not to include. Firstly, don’t be tempted to include anything negative, so don’t draw any attention to a lack of experience or a qualification if you don’t have them. Also, don’t include any supporting information such as marital status and age which are not necessary at this stage in the application. There is a supplementary equal monitoring section included towards the end of most application forms. Also, don’t include anything around the reason why you left your previous roles or anything negative about a previous company. Additionally, don’t be tempted to fabricate any aspect of your career or qualifications; employers will do their research before they invite you to interview.

 

Final Proof Read

As you would with your CV and Cover Letter, you have spent hours crafting the best documents, so don’t let that go to waste with spelling and grammatical mistakes. Ensure you allow enough time at the end to proofread your application. It might also be worth getting someone else to read through your application. While you may think you have expressed yourself clearly and professionally, other readers may be able to highlight sentences or words that are incorrect or don’t make sense. It’s important to remember that a strong supporting statement passes through many drafts, so allow yourself enough time for the writing and re-drafting stages.

 

You may  read Job Search Place’s online resources about career advice that are useful in your job search and applications.