ESSENTIAL QUICK READ: Application Supporting Statements
A blank space for you to complete a "Supporting Statement" is a common feature of many application forms, both online and on paper.
Unlike the other sections of the form though, where you might need to complete grids with your academic qualifications and previous work experience, the supporting statement is often an open space for you to use as you wish.
Equally, if you are applying using a resume or a CV you would be expected to also provide a supporting statement in the form of a covering letter or email. But how can you produce a statement which is going to give your application the edge over the competition?
Here are some top tips to make your application as good as it can be.
Structure matters
For many applicants, the blank page of the supporting statement is their least favourite part of the application! Many applicants are unsure how to complete this task effectively and persuasively.
Whilst some applicants appreciate the ‘blank space’ which they can use as they would like, many are unsure how to structure their points. For this reason, it can be helpful to consider what the purpose is of the supporting statement. How are the recruiters going to use this section of your application, alongside all the other parts of the application form or alongside your CV?
It can be useful to imagine that the recruiters are using your application to answer four underlying key questions and that you can use your supporting statement, or covering letter, to provide them with the right answers, backed by evidence to those questions. See the grid below for a useful structure you can use in your supporting statements:
| Recruiters’ underlying key questions | Your answers through your supporting statement |
|---|---|
| Can you do the job? | Your knowledge, skills, experience. |
| How will you do the job? | Your approach, your attitude, your competencies. |
| Do you really want the job? | Your understanding of the job, your experience and research into the role and the professional sector. |
| Do you really want to work for this organisation? | Your understanding of the organisation, your research into their current performance and future plans |
Follow instructions carefully
Attention to detail matters in practically every job, so make sure you read the instructions on the application form with great care. It might be that the employer has given you an indication of how they would prefer you to structure you supporting statement, such as by emphasising relevant experience and qualifications, followed by any additional work experience. In that instance, you can use that guide to help you, whilst making sure that you don’t forget to emphasise your motivation.
Emphasise your enthusiasm
Whilst your enthusiasm for the job, organisation or sector might be obvious to you, it is absolutely vital than you convey that successfully to the recruiter. The supporting statement, or indeed covering letter, is a valuable opportunity to showcase your genuine enthusiasm for this job. The more you are able to evidence your enthusiasm, by relating to relevant experiences or targeted research that you have undertaken, the more reassured the recruiter will be that you are the right person to hire. Just saying that you are passionate is not enough, you need to prove it.
Highlight key parts of your CV
Applicants are often wary of simply repeating their CV, or other parts of their application form, in their supporting statement. However, whilst it’s important to not simply ‘cut and paste’ sections from elsewhere, it is perfectly understandable, and expected, that you will naturally refer back to your experiences, qualifications and skills, which you will have listed elsewhere. It can be helpful to think of the supporting statement, or covering letter, as an opportunity to shine a light on what you regard is the most relevant parts of your CV.
Focus on their role and organisation
An easy way to make a recruiter lose interest in your supporting statement, or indeed your application in general, is to make them feel that you just want a job, any job! Employers spend time (and money) assessing what skills they need within their business and translating those skills needs into vacancies. It’s now your responsibility to convince them that you not only have those specific skills but that you want to apply them in this specific role within this specific organisation. If your supporting statement can be used for more than one role, or more than one business, then you need to make more of an effort to really tailor it to the specific opportunity, by mentioning specific names and some research you’ve done regarding the job or the business, for example.
Triple check for mistakes
Check, check and then check again for any spelling or grammatical errors in your personal statement or covering letter. Such mistakes can be fatal for an application, as they can be interpreted as carelessness, which is unlikely to be one of the qualities that the recruiter is looking for.
Use QM CV Builder to create your CV from scratch using templates, or to get instant on a CV you have already drafted. You can also browse our CV and application guides online, and book an appointment with an Application Adviser when you are ready to apply for a specific opportunity.
