{"id":1607,"date":"2023-07-31T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thejobstudio.co.uk\/?p=1607"},"modified":"2023-11-22T10:11:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T10:11:20","slug":"how-to-write-a-supporting-statement-for-a-job-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thejobstudio.co.uk\/application-advice\/how-to-write-a-supporting-statement-for-a-job-application\/","title":{"rendered":"How to write a supporting statement for a job application"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Writing a supporting statement involves:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Figuring out exactly what the employer is looking for<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Coming up with a structure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Finding evidence that shows you've got what it takes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Writing the main body of the statement<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Writing introductory and concluding paragraphs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Proofreading before you submit!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Read on to find out more about how to put these steps into practice and write an interview-winning supporting statement!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to finding the right candidate, not all employers favour the traditional CV and cover letter - some prefer to read a supporting statement (often also called a personal statement). The good news is that this doesn't require any fancy formatting, but the fact you can\u2019t rely on looks means you have to nail the content. In this post I\u2019ll talk you through how to write a supporting statement for a job application so you stand out from the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note: as mentioned above, as many people use the terms \u2018supporting statement\u2019 and \u2018personal statement\u2019 interchangeably in this post I have used both of these terms.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is a supporting statement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A supporting statement is used to outline your suitability for a particular role and is your chance to speak directly to the employer\u2019s wants and needs. Although any employer can request one, supporting statements are particularly common in the education and non-profit\/charity sectors. One of the biggest employers in the UK, the NHS, requests applicants complete a supporting information<\/em> section on their online application - this is exactly the same as a supporting\/personal statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Want to see an interview-winning supporting statement for a job application? I've included one in my Printable Supporting Statement Bundle.<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supporting statement vs. cover letter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While a cover letter is used to convey your interest in a particular job and your suitability for it, a supporting statement is more in-depth and should evidence all of the required competencies for the role. You can find out more about the differences between a supporting statement and a cover letter in my recent article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to write a supporting statement for a job application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Step 1: Identify what the employer wants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Most employers will ask you to evidence your suitability for the role in the supporting statement, but others may want you to explain your motivation for applying too. Be clear on what the employer wants before writing your statement so you can be sure you're hitting the brief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You also need to know what competencies the employer is looking for from their ideal candidate. This information is usually found in the job description (it's often labelled 'Person Specification), but it may appear in the job advert itself. Look for phrases like \u2018We are looking for someone with\u2026\u2019 or \u2018Our ideal candidate will have\u2026.\u2019; whatever follows this is what you need to focus on evidencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the employer has set a word limit for the supporting statement, make sure you stick to it. If they haven\u2019t, read my blog post How long should a supporting statement be?<\/strong><\/a> to find out how much to write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 2: Decide on a structure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s entirely up to you how to structure your supporting statement, but there\u2019s a structure I find works really well that I recommend to clients during my Supporting Statement Review Service<\/strong><\/a> - structure it around the competencies listed in the person specification. If the employer lists around five to eight competencies, this would be perfectly manageable to structure your supporting statement around, but any more and I'd recommend grouping them. To do this, group competencies that relate to one-another or are similar. For example, you could group IT skills, administration and organisation skills or interpersonal, customer-service and listening skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another point to consider is the order of your statement, and which competencies will be addressed first. It's a good idea to tackle them in terms of their overall importance for the role. Generally speaking, if you've got relevant experience for the position you're applying for, you should highlight this early on as it's a big selling factor. If you\u2019re unsure about the best order to address each competency, review the person specification to see if they are grouped into \u2018Essential\u2019 and \u2018Desirable\u2019. You may find clues in how frequently the employer has referred to the competencies in the job description too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019ve got limited experience, you may find structuring your supporting statement around each competency a bit tricky. If this is the case, structure it around your past roles or experiences. For example, one paragraph for your current job and the second for your last job. You can then use other paragraphs to focus your attention more on certain aspects of these roles. <\/p>\n\n\n

    Take the stress of out writing your statement<\/h3>
    This pack has everything you need to make your supporting statement stand-out. Print out or complete electronically.<\/b><\/div>

    <\/b><\/div>
    Includes PDF, Microsoft Word and Google Docs files included.<\/b><\/div><\/div>Buy now<\/a><\/div>\"supporting<\/div>\n\n\n

    Step 3: Select your evidence<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Now you need to identify the all-important evidence. Evidence can be a few different things: specific situations or projects you\u2019ve worked on, or roles you\u2019ve held which required the competencies needed for the role. For example, you may refer to a specific project to evidence your organisation skills, but the same project could also be used to evidence your time-management and multi-tasking skills too. The key is to draw on a range of evidence in your personal statement (don't just rely on one role to evidence everything if you can help it), and focus attention on the most relevant and\/or recent examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Detailed evidence is what your application will depend on so make sure you dedicate a good amount of time to this. I encourage my clients to brainstorm examples they could refer back to in their personal statement in order to evidence each competency. My Printable Supporting Statement Bundle<\/a><\/strong> includes a competency matching grid to help you identify what the employer wants, and match your experience to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you're looking for more tailored support with your application, check out my Supporting Statement Review Service<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 4: Start writing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Once you\u2019ve decided on your structure and decided what evidence you're going to draw on, it\u2019s time to start writing. To avoid your personal statement becoming too descriptive, dedicate a paragraph to each competency or group of competencies. This will help your writing stay focused, clear and persuasive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Want to see what an excellent supporting statement looks like? I've included an interview-winning statement in my printable Supporting Statement Bundle<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 5: Write your opening and closing paragraphs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    People often struggle with knowing how to start a supporting statement, and it puts them off writing entirely. This is why I recommend leaving the opening until last. By the time you\u2019ve written a first draft you\u2019ll know the key points you want to cover and this will help when you come to writing your opening. When it comes to deciding how to end a supporting statement, keep your message short and sweet. Avoid repeating yourself, and instead provide a summary of your suitability and interest in the role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Most people struggle to write the opening and closing paragraphs of their supporting statement, so below I\u2019ve included the simple steps to follow to make sure you\u2019re covering the key points and making a good first and last impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How long should your opening and closing paragraphs be?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Before you get started, you may be wondering how much to write for these paragraphs.  I\u2019d suggest no more than a paragraph which is at most 4-5 lines in length. Be mindful of your overall word count when planning your opening and concluding paragraph \u2013 each one should be no more than 5% of the overall word count. So if you have a limit of 1000 words, stick as close to 50 words for each paragraph as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to start a supporting statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s a three-step process for how to start your supporting statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Introduce yourself<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most common ways people start a supporting statement is by explaining why they are writing (i.e. to state the role they are applying for and outline who they are). This usually means mentioning their current role and employer and a brief background about their work history. This doesn't have to be too lengthy \u2013 remember you have the rest of the supporting statement to detail your skills, experience and competencies. Including a brief overview at the start of your statement can set it off nicely. This may looking something like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I am writing to apply for the role of... I currently work as a... and have over two years' experience in...<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Highlight your key selling points<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The next topic to cover at the start of your supporting statement is your selling points. These are the skills, knowledge, experience and\/or competencies that make you a suitable candidate for the role. Just like when you write a profile on a CV<\/strong><\/a>, you'll need to use your judgment to decide what's worth highlighting at the start of your supporting statement and what can be left until later on. If there is one, use the person specification as a guide. You may want to highlight the competencies you consider to be the most essential for the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As you will see I have worked primarily in ... roles which has allowed me to develop excellent skills in X, Y and Z. My current position of ... has strengthened my expertise in .... and developed my knowledge in .....<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

    Simplify your job search<\/h3>
    This printable bundle includes everything you need to write an interview-winning supporting statement. Includes electronic files (MS Word and Google Docs).<\/div>Buy now<\/a><\/div>\"supporting<\/div>\n\n\n

    3. Express your interest in the role<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    After outlining your key selling points at the start of your personal statement, you need to explain why you're applying for the role. Unless the company explicitly asks you to write about this, you should stick to a short paragraph for this section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here you need to express your interest in the role or organisation you're applying for. Identify a specific reason (or if you can reasons<\/em>) why the role appeals to you. I\u2019d suggest picking three reasons why you applied. It's a good idea to go beyond the job advert and description - employers often want to feel like you have chosen them above other companies. This requires research so make sure you read How to research an industry in 5 easy steps<\/strong><\/a> for tips on how to do this well. Here's an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was instantly drawn to the advertised role due to its focus on... I have also been looking for a role which would offer more exposure to ... which is a further reason for my interest.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to start a supporting statement: what to avoid<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    First impressions count so make sure the opening to your supporting statement doesn't include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n