Statement of Qualifications Guide
What is a Statement of Qualifications?
A Statement of Qualifications, or SOQ, is a written document, typically one to two pages and in response to specific prompts, that showcases your professional background as it relates to the job you’re applying for. SOQs must be formatted according to the directions outlined in the job posting.
While most job bulletins require an SOQ, some may not. When in doubt, read the bulletin again, thoroughly, to be sure.
Why Does Your Statement of Qualifications Matter?
Your Statement of Qualifications is an opportunity to stand out, highlight your skills and experience, and demonstrate why you will be successful in a given role.
It is also an opportunity for hiring managers to assess your attention to detail, ability to follow directions and writing style. It is essential to read the entire job bulletin and duty statement carefully—and more than once! Those documents outline what the position requires and what the hiring manager needs to know.
How Do You Write a Statement of Qualifications?
When drafting your SOQ, keep two key tips in mind:
- Give yourself enough time. Think through your answers to set yourself up for success. Taking a break to review with fresh eyes or sharing it with a career advisor is a great way to make sure your SOQ is ready for submission.
- Read the whole job bulletin and duty statement. Although all SOQs serve a similar purpose, their specific formatting requirements and number of prompts may differ. Make sure that your SOQ meets the requirements of the job you apply for.
Your SOQ is evidence that you can perform the functions of the job and meet its qualifications. The prompts and formatting details will differ, but your writing should be clear and concise and tell a complete story. Borrow language from the job bulletin to connect your skills to the required qualifications. Restate the prompt in your answer, provide the context and substance of your related experience, and share the impact you made. What did you do? How? Why?
Your examples can come from paid or unpaid experience, and if a prompt isn’t fully aligned with your existing experience, connect it back to related, transferable skills. When writing your responses, always double check grammar, spelling and readability. Hiring managers will read through many SOQs at a time, and you want to make it easy for them to read your responses and identify you as a qualified candidate.
Finally, once your answers are written, adjust your document format to match the requirements listed in the job bulletin. These may include margin width, font style and type, spacing, and page count.
For additional information on writing a Statement of Qualification, see the CalHR resources below:
