Power Statements
To effectively communicate your strengths, key skills, and accomplishments to employers and those in your network, use power statements. These are concise statements that briefly describe the value you can add to an organization. Highlight a strength or skill and then show evidence with a specific achievement or result.
These "power statements" enhance your personal introduction statement (also known as an elevator speech or "me in 30 seconds' statement), your resume, your cover letter and other job search correspondence (such as a thank you letter), your interview, and networking opportunities.
Highlight strengths or skills with a "power word (positive descriptors). Refer to your CareerLeader* assessment results and review the section that discusses strengths and skills. Also review the list of "motivated skills" outlined in the results of your Knowdell's Motivated Skills Card Sort**. Highlight the "power words" (positive words or short phrases). Use these to develop your POWER STATEMENTS.
To describe your accomplishments or results, you may want to remember the CAR or PAR Formula.
(C=Challenge, A=Action, R=Results or P=Problem, A=Action, R=Results) Results should showcase how you might add value to the organization. (Examples: reduce costs, increase revenue, improve efficiency)
Keep the descriptions brief and do not include every detail. Share just enough that the listener or reader will want to know more. This can lead to the next step such as a continuing and more lengthy conversation, an invitation to interview for the job, or even a job offer.
To create your power statement, use this formula:
I am (use a "power word" to describe a major strength or skill).
For example, I (describe an achievement).
Note:
You can adjust the formula as needed to use more appropriately with certain strengths or skills. For example, rather than "I am…", you may need to use "I can…" or "I have…".
Sample Power Statement:
"I can achieve results. For example, I started a new tracking method that reduced errors by 14 percent."
These power statements will now serve as the foundation you use to craft your personal introduction (elevator or "me in 30 seconds") statement, your resume, your cover and thank you letters and to prepare for interviews.