Statement of Qualifications: What It Is and Examples

We all understand the significance of first impressions, especially when it comes to resumes. A well-crafted statement of qualifications can effectively showcase your most notable accomplishments and skills, ensuring they stand out as soon as hiring managers review your resume.

In this article, we’ll delve into what a statement of qualifications entails, how to create one, and provide examples to simplify the writing process.

Key Takeaways

• A statement of qualifications highlights a selection of your most impressive skills and experiences at the beginning of your resume.

• It demonstrates to hiring managers what you can bring to their organization, encouraging them to explore your resume further.

• Your statement should align closely with the skills and qualifications outlined in the job description.

What Is a Statement of Qualifications?

A statement of qualifications (SOQ) consists of a four to six bullet point list showcasing your most relevant skills and qualifications right at the start of your resume. The ‘most valuable’ skills depend on the specific job description, so it’s crucial to tailor your SOQ (and your entire resume) for each application.

Think of your SOQ as a movie trailer for your resume. It serves as a teaser that highlights your work experience, skills, and achievements.

Traditionally, resumes often began with a resume summary statement or career objective. However, these can be quite general and may not effectively engage hiring managers. By flipping the script and presenting your top benefits in a Statement of Qualifications, you create a compelling reason for employers to continue reviewing your resume.

This approach allows hiring managers to quickly assess your qualifications and encourages them to take a closer look. Additionally, placing your qualifications upfront is advantageous in the age of applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen resumes before they reach a human reader.

Example Statements of Qualifications

The following examples can inspire your own statement of qualifications when applying for various roles:

1. Summary of Qualifications for Medical Sales

   • 10+ years of experience in medical sales.

   • Managed 10 client accounts, generating $500K in annual revenue.

   • Consistently exceeded sales goals by 12% each quarter.

   • Awarded Employee Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement.

2. Summary of Qualifications for Retail Management

   • 8 years of experience in retail management for major retail chains.

   • Boosted store revenue by 65% through effective marketing strategies.

   • Oversaw a team of 200 sales associates.

   • Honored as Market Manager of the Year.

   • Graduated from Walmart Academy with advanced retail training.

3. Summary of Qualifications for Sales Representative

   • 15 years of experience in strategic marketing roles.

   • Increased sales by 45% in my first year at the company.

   • Certified Professional Salesperson (CPSP).

   • Trained and developed a team of 12 sales representatives.

   • Awarded Salesperson of the Year for 2018.

4. Summary of Qualifications for Travel Agent

   • 10 years of experience in domestic and international travel.

   • Achieved a $1.2 million sales quota within 10 months.

   • Earned Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation.

   • Supervised a team of six travel agents in a fast-paced environment.

   • Recognized as a top travel agent in the Midwest Region.

5. Summary of Qualifications for Accounting Supervisor

   • 15 years of experience as a senior accountant.

   • Achieved a 35% reduction in costs by renegotiating leasing contracts.

   • Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

   • Responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training new accounting staff.

   • Member of the American Association of Finance and Accounting (AAFA).

6. Summary of Qualifications for Data Analyst

   • 9 years of experience interpreting and analyzing data.

   • Conducted market analyses that increased sales by 35%.

   • Master’s in Business Analytics.

   • Led a team of two data analysts and one data engineer.

   • Recipient of the TAG Data Science & Analytics Innovation Award.

7. Summary of Qualifications for Project Manager

   • 7+ years of project management experience.

   • Managed a Lean Training project that improved quality by 36%, reduced lead times by 20%, and cut costs by 52%.

   • Led a team of 75 employees on various projects.

   • Project Management Professional Certification (PMP).

   • Guest speaker at the Midwest Lean Conference in 2019.

How to Write a Statement of Qualifications

To craft an effective statement of qualifications, start by reviewing the job description and identifying the key skills the employer seeks. Then, list your relevant achievements and accomplishments that align with those requirements.

Consider this job listing for a Regional Pharmaceutical Sales Manager:

Note the emphasized keywords. These are critical areas to reflect in your resume’s language to catch a recruiter’s eye. Below is how to translate that into engaging bullet points.

Benefits of a Statement of Qualifications

When a recruiter faces a stack of resumes, they lack the time to read each one thoroughly. They need a quick way to identify candidates who meet the job qualifications. Having your top qualifications listed at the beginning helps them determine within seconds if they should interview you.

Your statement of qualifications acts as a clear signal to recruiters: “Choose me.” It effectively draws their attention.

This section illustrates what you bring to the table for the employer. It focuses not just on your skills but on the impact and results you can deliver.

Additionally, bullet points make it easy for hiring managers to skim through your qualifications quickly. The more you can do to help them see your strengths at a glance, the better your chances of landing an interview.

Include the following in your statement of qualifications:

• Quantifiable results achieved—this can include sales figures, contracts secured, expense reductions, profitability increases, and customer base growth.

• Years of industry experience.

• Management experience.

• Highest degrees or certifications attained.

• Awards, honors, or recognitions received.

Tips for Your Resume’s Statement of Qualifications

To make your resume engaging and compelling, consider these tips for creating an impactful statement of qualifications:

• A strong statement of qualifications captures attention and keeps recruiters engaged.

• Hiring managers will read your resume more carefully if they perceive you as a qualified candidate with relevant work experience, skills, and strengths.

• Incorporate hard numbers that validate your previous performance.

• Use action verbs to add strength and impact to your statements.

• Ensure consistency in font style, size, spacing, and formatting throughout your resume.

• Thoroughly proofread for typos and grammatical errors to reflect your attention to detail.

• Incorporate keywords to enhance visibility in the applicant tracking system (ATS) and demonstrate your suitability for the position.

Who Should Use a Statement of Qualifications

While anyone can use a statement of qualifications, it is most effective for those with substantial work experience.

For recent graduates, including a statement may be beneficial, but its impact will be more pronounced for individuals with several years in the workforce.

A statement of qualifications can also highlight transferable skills and educational achievements, but it may be more effective to reserve those for a resume summary statement until you accumulate more professional experience.

Statement of Qualifications FAQ

1. What should be included in a statement of qualifications?

   A statement of qualifications should include:

   • Your current job title and years of experience.

   • Relevant certifications required for the position.

   • A few hard skills that directly relate to the job.

   • One or two significant accomplishments that directly pertain to the role.

2. Who should use a statement of qualifications?

   Because a statement of qualifications requires a robust list of quantifiable experiences, they are best utilized by applicants with over three years of industry experience.

   However, applicant tracking systems (ATS) analyze many entry-level resumes, and incorporating relevant keywords can improve your chances of getting your resume in front of a human reviewer.

   Also, many jobs in California require applicants to submit a statement of qualifications.

3. How do you write a good SOQ?

   Writing an effective SOQ involves being concise and specific. Utilize dynamic action verbs that clearly convey your contributions and their outcomes. The most effective statements are closely aligned with the job description.

4. What are examples of qualifications?

   In this context, qualifications primarily refer to hard skills, on-the-job experience, certifications, degrees, and measurable results from your skill set in action. Hard skills are job-specific knowledge that necessitates training or education.

Final Thoughts

An effective resume highlights your qualifications in a compelling manner, presenting you in the best possible light. A well-crafted statement of qualifications can engage hiring managers with an easily digestible summary of why you are the perfect fit for the role.

References

1. University of North Carolina Wilmington – Summary of Qualifications

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

Expert

Don Pippin, MHRM, CPRW, CDCS

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.