How to Write an Impact Statement (2024)

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Impact statements are the bullet points under each experience on your resume that capture the actions you took, provide background related to your efforts and identify clearly for the reader the consequence of your actions. They go beyond simply stating what you did - they provide a greater sense of the impact of your efforts and allow the reader to more readily understand the skills, traits or capabilities you possess.

Your resume is a MARKETING document which sells the brand YOU (it is about you but it is not for you - you are not the audience). Developing strong impact statements allow you to clearly identify that you possess the skills and capabilities your target audience is looking for. Incorporating impact statements into your resume allows you to be more strategic and most effectively highlght your brand.

Traditional resume formats simply provide a chronological listing of responsibilities or tasks. Such documents do not 'speak' to the reader nor are they crafted with a specific audience in mind - this is a key reason so many applications seem to go into a "void" once they are submitted and candidates never move beyond the application phase of the recruiting process.

Applicants want an employer to pick the "product" they have to offer (themselves) out of a sea of possible "product" choices (a stack of resumes of interested applicants) but most don't craft a document focused on what their audience (the reader) wants to know and cares about the most. Don't leave it up to the reader to contemplate why you may be a great "fit" for the job they have to offer - clearly show them that you understand what they are looking for and you possess the very skills, traits and capabilities that will allow you to be successful should they hire you. Impact statements allow you to clearly highlight the key skills the employer is looking for.

To create effective impact statements:

Step 1: Determine the skills which are most important to highlight ...

  1. Analyze the position you are interested in applying - review the entire job description, focusing not only upon the "Skills & Qualifications" section but also information regarding the organization or department the position is a part of as well as details regarding the key duties/responsibilities of the position itself
  2. Highlight/make note of any text that directly indicates (or alludes to) the use of a skill/trait; write down the specific skill/trait that the text focuses upon (for example if it states you are expected to "benchmark best practices and collect/analyze organizational metrics", you would right down "Analysis/Analytical Sklls" as this is the relevant/key skill needed to carry out this task/duty)
  3. As you write down each skill/trait place a check mark beside the skill; carry out the analysis for the entire job description adding new skills to the list and/or adding check marks next to skills you have already listed
  4. Once you have fully completed your assessment, order your list of skills by number of check marks beside each skill (from most to least); ordering the skills allows you to identify the most relevant skills/traits for the role;
  5. Create impact statements for the top 5-6 skills/traits you have noted to ensure you are clearly showing the reader you have the very skills & abilities they value the most and are looking for to the greatest degree

Step 2: Create impact statements using the ABC method

Now that you have a sense of the skills you want to highlight, it is important you create bullet points/statements which fully show you possess (and have successfully demonstrated use of) such skills. Using the example above, if you determine that analysis/analytical skills are one of the most relevant skills for the position you are applying to, think of a time, across your experience, where you were required to utilize your analytical skills - under that experience (can be a formal work experience, extra-curricular/volunteer activity, community involvement or academic project), create a bullet point which includes wording that provides answers to the following questions:

  1. What was the tangible ACTION that you took? What did you specifically do (that could be seen or observed by someone watching you)?
  2. What was the BACKGROUND related to the action you took? How did you do what you did (What approaches or ways did you use to do what you did?) OR Why did you do what you did (what were you attempting to solve, deal with, achieve, etc.?)
  3. What was the CONSEQUENCE of your efforts? What was the benefit of your actions? They can be qualitative (e.g., improved staff morale) or quantitative (increased event participation by 50%).

Sample Impact Statements

Researched and wrote a paper on the effects of cyberbullying on pre-teenagers, in order to assess and identify the emotional impacts of such activity on youth; publication received positive reception resulting in invitation to present findings at a national Safe Schools conference. (statement seeks to demonstrate analytical skills)

  • Action: Researched and wrote paper
  • Background: In order to assess & identify emotional impacts
  • Consequence: Invited to present findings at a national conference for safe schools

Collaborated in a project team of four to develop and deliver multimedia presentation highlighting bias within the criminal justice system and impact on indigenous peoples; strong cohesion of team, clear role definition and shared objectives amongst team members resulted in strong positive feedback on presentation effectiveness (statement seeks to demonstrate teamwork)

  • Action: Collaborated in a project team of four
  • Background: To develop and deliver multimedia presentation
  • Result: Team cohesion, clear roles and shared objectives resulted in strong positive feedback

Initiated development of a computerized database in order to improve office operations and limit repetitive data entry tasks; efforts led to reduction in data entry time by 4 hours per week and increased office efficiency. (statement seeks to demonstrate initiative/personal leadership)

  • Action: Initiated development of a computerized database
  • Background: In order to improve office efficiency
  • Result: Saved 4 hours of data input time per week

Skill Action Verbs

Review this list of past tense action verbs to help you in crafting your impact statements

How to Write an Impact Statement (2024)

FAQs

How to Write an Impact Statement? ›

Examples: environmental policy or planning decisions are evidence-informed; improved private or public services to meet relevant environmental policies or goals; improved understanding of health risks to livestock and disease risks to crops for better health and food security.

What is an example of an impact statement? ›

Examples: environmental policy or planning decisions are evidence-informed; improved private or public services to meet relevant environmental policies or goals; improved understanding of health risks to livestock and disease risks to crops for better health and food security.

How do you come up with an impact statement? ›

Impact statements are typically about 1 page long, and rarely longer than 2 pages. Writers should focus on being concise and memorable, rather than being excessively detailed. Your goal is to clearly and convincingly describe: (A) The problem you are trying to address. (B) How you plan to address that problem.

How do you write an impact statement template? ›

Impact statements follow a simple formulaI:
  1. Describe the issue or problem statement (relevance) in simple terms appropriate for your principal audience. ...
  2. Provide an action statement (response). ...
  3. Describe the impact (results). ...
  4. Who was responsible? ...
  5. Your name and contact information.

What are some examples of successful victim impact statements? ›

The actions of Mr. Doe have greatly affected my life. Since he committed this crime, I have been unable to sleep at night. I am constantly afraid that someone will break into my home and injure me again.

What are good impact statements? ›

Effective impact statements: Provide quantifiable evidence of change or difference the research or program made. Give other evidence, such as testimonials or anecdotes. Realistically project potential benefit for work in progress.

What is an example of a positive impact statement? ›

Examples of effective and compelling impact statements

Your donation allows us to procure and distribute food and essentials to the hungry. Your donation allows us to put the power of kindness to work.

What can you not say in your victim impact statement? ›

Don't describe what you want to happen to the offender in prison. Please do not get descriptive about any harm you would like to see imposed. Don't put personal, identifying information in your letter and do not say it verbally in court.

What are the 2 types of impact statements? ›

It is important for the Court to know the impact this crime has had on its victims. Victim impact statements describe the emotional, physical, and financial impact you and others have suffered as a direct result of the crime. Victim impact statements can be either written or oral statements.

How do you write an impact statement to a judge? ›

Start by identifying yourself in the letter. You can express to the Court the impact that the crime has had on you and your family (financial, social, psychological, emotional, and physical). Express your feelings about an appropriate sentence, e.g. jail time, probation, fine, probation conditions, counseling, etc.

What is the purpose of an impact statement? ›

A Victim Impact Statement tells the court how a crime has affected you and any victim of any crime can make one. If you choose to make a Victim Impact Statement: it will be used at the plea hearing. the judge may talk about it at the sentencing hearing when explaining the penalty (sentence)

Do victim impact statements affect sentencing? ›

A Victim Impact Statement is a written or oral statement presented to the court at the defendant's sentencing. Victims or survivors have a legal right to inform the judge about how the crime has affected their lives and can ask that a defendant receive a particular sentence.

What is an example of an impact statement for personal injury? ›

This accident has shattered me in every single way – financially, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I don't know when I will be the same again, but it's quite possible I've been changed forever. I ask the court to consider the full impact this accident has had on my life when deciding on a settlement.

What is the full victim impact statement? ›

The victim impact statement must be prepared on the standard victim impact statement form which is used in all provinces and territories. It may describe how the offence has affected the victim emotionally, physically and economically as well as any fears the victim has for their safety or that of family and friends.

How do you write a letter to a judge as a victim? ›

Start by identifying yourself in the letter. You can express to the Court the impact that the crime has had on you and your family (financial, social, psychological, emotional, and physical). Express your feelings about an appropriate sentence, e.g. jail time, probation, fine, probation conditions, counseling, etc.

What do attackers look for in a victim? ›

The overall consensus among the rapists who were interviewed is that they look for an easy target. Someone who appears timid and easy to overpower. The goal is to grab a woman and quickly move her to a second location where they have more control over the environment with less chance of public attention.

What does an impact statement contain? ›

Victim impact statements describe the emotional, physical, and financial impact you and others have suffered as a direct result of the crime. Victim impact statements can be either written or oral statements.

Who can write an impact statement? ›

This can be from your doctor, dentist or psychologist. You may wish to ask a witness such as your doctor to give evidence in court to support what you include in your Victim Impact Statement. If so, you will need to speak to: the police officer in charge of the case (sometimes called the police informant), or.

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