A cover letter is not required anymore. Many companies ask applicants to provide a supporting statement instead.
A supporting statement is a short description of your skills and experience that will help them understand why you’re qualified for the job. If your application included a resume, you might also be asked to submit one.
A supporting statement is essentially a cover letter for your resume. You can use it to explain what you’ve done before and why you’re interested in working at this company.
Your supporting statement should highlight your pertinent qualifications and experiences and provide a succinct explanation of why you’re the ideal candidate for the job.
How To Write A Supporting Statement When Applying To A Job
A strong supporting statement should be succinct and to the point while still revealing enough about you to persuade the recruiter to give you a chance.
- A well-written supporting statement will highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments.
- It should also demonstrate your understanding of the position’s requirements and your qualifications for it.
- You’ll need to provide evidence that you possess the necessary qualifications for the job.
- Finally, a strong supporting statement should demonstrate your passion for the role and company.
What Should A Supporting Statement Do?
Your supporting statement should show what you bring to the table. If you have any relevant experience, accomplishments, credentials, or skills that will help you succeed in the position, you can highlight them in this section.
- If you’re applying for an entry-level position, focus on demonstrating your enthusiasm and ability to get along with others. For example, if you’ve worked in customer service before, mention that you were always willing to go above and beyond to please customers.
- Describe the leadership traits you have displayed in previous roles if you’re applying for a senior management position.
What Makes A Good Supporting Statement?
Write a short supporting statement that highlights why you’re interested in the job, what skills you bring to the table, and what value you’ll add to the company.
- You should also mention any relevant experience you’ve had in previous jobs. If you haven’t worked at a company before, then you may need to provide examples of projects you’ve worked on or other accomplishments you’ve achieved.
- Use keywords found in the job description, such as a specific credential.
- Describing how your qualifications fulfill the requirements of the job will help the hiring manager understand what skills you have and why you are qualified for the role.
- Giving examples of past success in a similar position will show the employer that you have experience in the role and that you can handle any challenges that may come your way.
- Demonstrating how you can contribute to an organization will show them that you have the ability to get the job done.
How To Write A Supporting Statement
Write your own supporting statement using the following guidelines:
1. Write about what you learned in the lesson.
2. Support your answer with evidence from the text.
3. Use specific and relevant examples when possible.
4. Be clear and concise.
5. Proofread your essay before submitting
Review The Job Description
Always take note of any keywords or phrases that employers may require in their job descriptions. For example, many requirements employers include are keywords to use when describing yourself in your supporting statement.
These ensure you show employers exactly how you meet the role expectations and can add value to their organisation.
Keep Your Supporting Statement Brief
It should be concise and clear. Use the space provided to write about yourself in a few sentences. Keep your information short and sweet. You need to show why you’d be a great fit for the company.
Make sure you highlight your achievements and skills that match the job description. If you’re unsure what to say, ask someone at the company for advice.
Proofread Your Supporting Statement
Make sure your supporting statement is well written and formatted. If you’re using Microsoft Word, follow the instructions here to format your document correctly.
Make sure it is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Tailor each supporting statement to match each job description.
This will ensure you highlight relevant skills and experience with each application.
Avoid Generic Terms
If possible, try to avoid using generic terms like “team player,” “hard worker,” or “go getter.” Instead, focus on demonstrating your strengths and abilities.
For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, highlight your experience working with clients and customers.
Show what you’ve done before, and why it is relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Tell them about your experience and skills, and explain how they will benefit the company. Explain what motivates you to succeed at this job, and how you’ll contribute to its success.
Supporting Statement Template
This template provides an outline you should follow when writing a supporting statement on a resume or CV.
- First sentence: states what you bring to the table.
- Second sentence: lists your skills and experiences.
- Third sentence: explains why you are qualified for the position.
Example
I am an experienced writer with many years of experience writing for various websites and publications. I have worked for companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
My skill set includes writing articles, press releases, blog posts, white papers, and other types of content.
I also have experience working with clients to create marketing materials for them. I am looking forward to helping you with your application!
Tips To Write A Brilliant Supporting Statement
Here are our top tips to help you write a great supporting statement:
1. Be specific: You need to show your passion for the role and why you’d be an asset to the company.
2. Know what you’re talking about When you’re writing a supporting statement, you should be able to answer questions like “What does your previous experience tell us about you?”
3. Don’t ramble If you’ve got any extra space left after answering those questions, consider adding a few words about yourself.
4. Keep it short: a supporting statement shouldn’t be longer than two paragraphs.
5. Proofread before submitting Your CV will be scrutinized by recruiters and hiring managers, so make sure everything is perfect!
6. Get feedback From friends, family, and colleagues – ask them to read your supporting statement and give you feedback.
7. Ask for advice If you’re stuck, ask someone else for help.
8. Practice, practice, practice Writing a strong supporting statement takes practice, so keep practicing until you feel confident.
