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Statement of Qualifications, Desirable Qualifications, and Supplemental Questionnaires

**Please note this only applies to NON Career Executive Appointments (CEA) applicants**.

Required Application Documents

Along with the State Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) job announcements may identify additional documents (e.g., Resume, Statement of Qualifications, Supplemental Questionnaire) that must be provided by the applicant to complete the application package. If a required application document is requested on the job advertisement and it is not provided in the application package, the applicant may not be considered for the job.

What is a Statement of Qualifications?

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a narrative discussion of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) an applicant possesses in relation to the desirable qualifications of the advertisement. The SOQ is used as a screening tool that provides the hiring manager with a sample of the applicant’s writing skills, style as an employee, and how well the applicant can align their experience with the job they are applying for.

Helpful Tips

  • Include any referenced work experience on your STD 678
  • Prepare your responses in a concise, complete, and clear manner
  • Resumes DO NOT take place of a SOQ or Supplemental Questionnaire
  • Grammar, clarity of expression, and legibility are considered in the evaluation process
  • Allow yourself enough time to complete the required document(s) to eliminate room for errors
  • Follow all specified instructions and formatting requirements (e.g., font, margins, number of pages)
  • Connect all documents submitted in the application package (e.g., STD 678, Resume, Cover Letter)
  • Read the entire advertisement and address each desirable qualification described in the recruitment individually

What are Desirable Qualifications?

Desirable Qualifications provide a basis for competitively evaluating each applicant, and include special personal characteristics, interpersonal skills, and additional qualifications. These qualifications represent additional attributes the hiring manager is seeking and provides the applicant with specific job expectations to measure their relative ability. Applicants can target their job search by competing for positions whose desirable qualifications match their experience and skills.

The hiring manager may or may not outline specific desirable qualifications on the job advertisement. Examples of desirable qualifications may include:

  • Professional certification or license
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Experience providing training and performing peer reviews
  • Knowledge and experience of current CDCR Human Resources practices

What is a Supplemental Questionnaire?

A Supplemental Questionnaire is a mechanism for obtaining an applicant’s qualifications and experience in job-related areas. Supplemental Questionnaires consist of a series of questions that may be scored as part of the application screening process, and may serve as a written interview for the recruitment.

Helpful Tips

  • Grammar, clarity of expression, and legibility are considered in the evaluation process
  • Allow yourself enough time to complete the required document(s) to eliminate room for errors
  • Answer all questions. If the question has multiple parts (A, B, and C), answer each part separately
  • If a question doesn’t pertain to you write in the most closely related answer possible, or write “N/A”
  • Be specific when answering questions regarding your experience (where, when, what, how, and why)
  • Address each question completely and respond with specific examples that demonstrate your qualifications
  • Read the entire advertisement and address each desirable qualification described in the recruitment individually