How To Craft A Mission Statement
So, you’ve spent time working on your resume, fine-tuning your cover letter, updating your LinkedIn profile, and collecting as many solid references as you can. Yet somehow, you are not making progress in the way you would like with your job-hunt. So, what’s going on?
One area that is crucial to a hiring manager’s eye and is so often overlooked, is the inclusion of a mission statement.
This statement will set you apart from other applicants, as it shows the clear and focused path that you are on. It displays where your core strengths and values lie, and shows them to the world.
4 Steps for Writing a Mission Statement
1- What do you want to accomplish?
Think carefully about what you want from your own mission statement. Is it for the right people to take notice? For hiring managers, to inspire them to read your applicant first? Or, to portray a confident applicant ready for the challenge ahead? Probably all of the above. Think about the core values and message that you want to portray and what speaks volumes about what you can bring to a new role.
2- Who are you talking to?
Who is your target demographic for your statement? Ultimately, you need to decide whose attention you would like. As it is likely to be a future employer, make sure your focus is on what you can bring to their role and organization. This example from Google captures this:
“To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
This mission statement clearly explains the aim of the business, and this is an approach to take inspiration from. Seek out advice from these businesses and individuals who inspire you, and make sure to craft your own, personal mission statement for your resume and applications.
Let this then help you to vocalize your goals and intentions, as it will provide a ‘snapshot’ into your approach and values.
3- Where do I incorporate it?
Once you have crafted your mission statement, you’re going to need to make sure it is used consistently throughout your professional documentation and branding. Firstly, ensure you include it in your professional summary in your resume, so any hiring manager is introduced to your core values and intentions from the outset.
Your mission statement should also be included in your LinkedIn “about” section, as it sets the tone for the rest of your profile. Make it stand out in the opening bio so you can be clear about the purpose of your career path and what areas you intend to focus on. This will give a hiring manager a good idea of how the content of your profile will look, and what focus it will have.
4- How do I write it?
Focus on crafting a statement that is punchy and concise. It needs to carry what you want to say in a short phrase that will not be forgotten.
An example is this statement from Walt Disney, which is: “to make people happy”. The message couldn’t be clearer, and it tells the world what motivated him. Of course, Disney has become a multi-billion dollar enterprise with products, services, and experiences all tied to their branded mission statement.
Other examples include:
“Save time and money for my clients”
“Create powerful software solutions that make users’ lives easier”
“To create visual stories that educate and entertain”
Keep it to the point - get straight to it, and make sure your beliefs and values are heard.
Also, you will need to make sure your core values are shining through, along with your intentions and a reference to your skills. An example of this could read:
“To use my project management skills to deliver efficiency and productivity”
This clearly states that the person holds project management skills and is committed to utilizing these skills in their next role in a positive way.
The statement shows skills, intentions and positive outcomes. Build your own mission statement using this template:
To use [SKILLS] to achieve [INTENTION/OUTCOME] for [DETAILS OF ACHIEVEMENT]
Following this template will ensure your mission statement is both concise and focused.
In one short line, you have an opportunity to get your message across: make sure it counts!
