How to Write SOP (Statement of Purpose) With This Guide

Are you struggling with writing a Statement Of Purpose (SOP)? Do you miss out on most opportunities because you don’t know the best technique to write one? This blog is the ultimate solution to all your questions and doubts. We will discuss how to write a statement of purpose, along with its format. We will also walk you through the important steps that you need to remember, tips, and a sample SOP that you can look up to when confused.

What is a Statement of Purpose? 

A Statement of Purpose is a document that includes a personal statement by the candidates that addresses the objective of filling the application for educational programs or job positions. It is mandatory to write an SOP for many university admissions and for job openings in companies. 

The purpose of SOP is to figure out if the candidate is willingly interested in the program that they have applied for. It mainly highlights the experience, skills, goals, and motivations of the applicant. It allows you to connect all your application materials and express to the reviewer why you fit the role the best.

It should be noted that, while writing an SOP you should remember that the document must convey your motives. The language should be well-crafted and persuasive. In the upcoming sections of this blog, we will talk more about why colleges need SOP and understand the formats that you can use to write one.

Why Do Companies/Universities Need an SOP?

There are a lot of points based on which companies and universities judge the applicants. When they ask the students to write an SOP, it means that they see potential in that particular candidate and want to take things further. But before they do that, they are required to test the candidates based on different criteria. The following points explain why they ask for SOPs from the applicants:

• An SOP helps the reviewer check your writing and communication skills.
• The saturation of applications is high hence SOP writing sorts out most candidates. Either applicants do not submit it or the quality of the SOP is not worthy of review.
• It gives a personal insight of the applicant to the reviewer and helps them take a better decision.
• The main goal of SOPs is to check if the applicant is interested and dedicated to the program that they are applying for.

It is worth noting that companies may ask for a cover letter instead of an SOP, so it is important to be vigilant while filing application forms. To understand what goes into a good statement of purpose, you need to put yourselves in the shoes of the recruiter or college application reviewer. Let us learn and understand the format of SOP. 

Format of an SOP

This section will provide you with an insight into a statement of purpose format. Buckle up and read the following points carefully to understand every bit of it:

• Keep it Brief- You should be careful while writing an SOP as the reviewer does not want to read a long story. You must write in small but understandable paragraphs to make it look effective.
• Don’t Cross the Word Limit- Your application can be rejected if you submit a lengthy and fluff-stuffed SOP. Make sure that you sum everything up in 2 pages and do not exceed the word limit of 800-1200 words.
• Avoid Using Colors in Your SOP- You are not required to use your creativity with fonts when writing SOP. Arial size 12 is perfect. Showcase your talent with the selection of words, not colors.

How To Write an SOP in 4 Steps

In this section, you will cover the steps that descriptively explain SOP writing. Let us dive into it without any further ado: 

Identify Yourself With The Company/University: It is of utmost importance that your statement of purpose does not look generic, but rather seems well crafted to the specific job opening/college admission. It would be wise to discuss briefly your interest in the specific workplace/universities and in particular detail the attempts that you have made to learn about them.

Be Clear About Your Interests: Your current area of study/work may be related to the application that you have applied for, but it still can’t communicate your areas of interest. Naturally, it is more important when you are either switching your area of work or studies. You need to have convincing answers about your changed interests that will help the reviewers judge your application better. The end goal is to make the recruiter realize that you are very serious about this opening and you would give it your all once you get selected.

Don’t Hesitate To Discuss Your Skills: When you reach this section, think of the skills that you have that are relevant to the job or area of study that you are applying for. You’ve won half the battle, but you still need to prove that you are not all talk and you are capable of performing the work at a very high level. You should be clear about the good that those skills have brought you. Be humble while you put forth your skills and explain them, as overdoing it can come out to be authoritative and unnatural.

Tell Your Story: It is important to provide a structure to your statement. Your statement of purpose needs to tell your story in such a way that the recruiter clearly understands your background, your capabilities, and your suitableness for the job. There are many ways to structure a statement of purpose, the following questions will give you an idea of how you can do that:

Writing the Statement Of Purpose With 5 Questions

Let us take a look at 5 questions that will simplify your SOP writing process. 

1. Who Are You and What Do You Do Currently?

This is the first question that you must address while writing an SOP. You should start this section by talking about your current educational background. For example,

I am ABC, a History-buff from New Delhi. I have been interested in studying History for a long time now. I find History fascinating, however, it was not my favorite subject in middle school. But after a field trip to the famous Taj Mahal, I gradually started gaining interest in it. In high school, my dedication and passion for History made me score the highest marks in my grade. I want to understand more about our civilizations and learn more about our past which is why I am very enthusiastic about pursuing Bachelor’s in History. 

2. What Are Your Current Academic Credentials?

When you start to answer this question, do not forget to dedicate some part of your SOP to explain your academic achievements’ If you performed well in your college entrance exam or your college exams, mention it here and explain how this reflects your dedication to your current field and the hard work you are ready to put in. 

3. What Is Your Current State of Knowledge?

Try to discuss your coursework and explain why you chose to specialize in the area that you did. Most disciplines are very broad and diverse, and you must explain your specialization in more detail. You could be a mathematician and might have pursued a diverse set of courses, but you need to explain why the field that you are applying for excites you the most. You need to specifically identify your coursework that clearly illustrates that you have the theoretical background to succeed at any application.

4. Discuss Your Past Projects.

This is particularly critical for research-based jobs that require that you be creative and comfortable working with open-ended problems. You should be good at communicating orally and in writing, and should not get frustrated easily by occasional difficulties in furthering the project due to research complexities. The most obvious way to communicate that you possess the above-mentioned skills is to provide a brief description of all your past projects and the skill sets you demonstrated along the way. Any journal or conference papers that you published as part of your projects will go a long way in helping you get a research-oriented job.

5. Discuss Your Non-technical Skills.

In modern workplaces, the most essential qualities are non-technical. A lot of successful people are not only technically sound but also charismatic and possess excellent interpersonal skills. Non-technical skills include playing a leadership role in a department or college-level association, being part of any social group, or maybe even running a small startup. All of them will increase your credibility as an applicant and make you a top candidate.

Statement Of Purpose Sample

Suppose you are an MBA graduate searching for HR Jobs. You have shortlisted a few of them but the good ones are asking for you to write an SOP. The following statement of purpose example can be a guide for you.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the HR job opportunities available at [Company Name]. As a recent MBA graduate with a strong passion for human resources and a proven track record in the field, I believe I possess the skills and knowledge required to contribute to your organization’s success.

Education:

I completed my Master of Business Administration degree from [University Name] with a specialization in Human Resource Management. Through my coursework, I developed a comprehensive understanding of HR principles, strategic workforce planning, talent acquisition and retention, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and organizational development. This educational foundation has equipped me with the skills necessary to excel in the HR field.

Previous Job Experience:

During my MBA program, I had the opportunity to intern at [Company/Organization Name], where I worked closely with the HR team on various projects. This experience allowed me to apply my classroom knowledge in a practical setting and gain valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of an HR department. Some key accomplishments during my internship include:

• Developed and implemented a streamlined recruitment process, resulting in a 20% reduction in time-to-fill for open positions.
• Assisted in the design and execution of a comprehensive employee training program, resulting in a 15% increase in employee engagement and performance.
• Conducted research and analysis on industry best practices in talent management, contributing to the development of an enhanced performance appraisal system.

Prior to pursuing my MBA, I worked as an HR Assistant at [Company/Organization Name]. In this role, I supported the HR team in various administrative tasks, such as maintaining employee records, coordinating interviews, and assisting in benefits administration. This experience provided me with a solid foundation in HR processes and further fueled my passion for the field.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of HR principles and practices, gained through academic studies and hands-on experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, allowing me to effectively engage with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Proficient in HRIS systems, applicant tracking systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, enabling me to identify areas for improvement and implement effective solutions.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.

I am confident that my educational background, combined with my internship experience and practical skills, make me a suitable candidate for an HR role at [Company Name]. I am eager to contribute and work alongside your team to drive organizational success through effective talent management and employee engagement strategies.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications align with your company’s HR needs in more detail.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Tips To Remember 

The following tips need to be kept in mind while writing an SOP:

• Ensure that the statement of purpose is written professionally. A poorly crafted SOP is rejected by the reviewers without any major thoughts.
• You can request help from the people you trust to proofread your SOP and give feedback about any improvements needed.
• Always focus on elaborating on your academic and work experience. It needs to be customized according to your experience, don’t keep it generic.
• Try to indicate your areas of interest ideally, and be elaborative on the interests that are relevant to the program or job role that you are applying for.
• Do not make it lengthy, try to keep it brief. The reviewers will lose interest if you keep talking about unnecessary details.
• Keep the tone positive, always express your interest and excitement in joining as it will leave a good impression.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned how to write a statement of purpose, put your expertise to use and write your statement of purpose. If you are looking for some work opportunities, register on Internshala and apply to some amazing academic internships.