The ultimate guide to declaration in resume: tips, examples, and best practices
Including a declaration in resumes has become increasingly common. This statement underscores your honesty and integrity to potential employers, ensuring them that the details in your application are true and accurate. However, a declaration involves much more than simply adding “I hereby certify” in resumes. Here’s what you need to know.
Definition and purpose of a declaration statement
A declaration in resumes is a brief written assertion at the end of your resume, where you vouch for the truthfulness of the information presented. Its primary purpose is to formally affirm that all the details you’ve included are correct to the best of your knowledge.
You’ll typically make this commitment by including the statement, “I hereby certify.” Resumes with this statement may be viewed as more trustworthy.
An “I hereby” resume doesn’t automatically stand out, though. In addition to including, “I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct,” resumes must also contain substance that engages your audience.
By all means, include a declaration for resumes. Just make sure it's compelling and propped up with a great flow and quality content. Check out our resume examples for inspiration on making your application stand out.
Importance of including a declaration statement in a resume
Including a declaration in resumes demonstrates your commitment to honesty and integrity. It reassures hiring managers that you’ve provided genuine information. Your declaration can start the new relationship off on a firm foundation of trust.
Hiring teams operating in fields where fraud prevention is crucial will find declarations particularly reassuring. A few common examples include government, finance, academia, and corporate sectors with strict rules.
For example, government and finance entities often deal with sensitive information and require a high level of trustworthiness from their employees. By including a declaration, you can signal that you understand and respect the importance of these values.
Employers will need to vet the information in your resume and cover letter. However, using a resume format with a built-in declaration can inspire immediate confidence and may help you progress further in closely vetted hiring processes.
A declaration statement can serve as a final professional touch to your resume. It shows that you are thorough and meticulous in your application process. It’s a simple but effective way to underscore your professionalism and attention to detail.
Expert Tip:
When crafting your declaration statement, be concise and clear. Use straightforward language to affirm the accuracy of your resume. This not only keeps your documents professional but also ensures your message is easily understood.
Crafting a compelling declaration
A declaration in resume documents needs to be engaging and confidence-inspiring. Here are some tips to make your declaration intriguing.
Keep it simple
Your declaration should be short and to the point. Avoid overly complex language or unnecessary details. A simple, one or two-sentence statement is often more effective than an entire paragraph.
There’s a good chance that your audience will understand the more complex declaration, especially if you are applying for a job in one of the highly regulated fields mentioned above. However, you shouldn’t needlessly complicate your cover letter or resume. You want the information to be digestible for all audiences.
Be concise
Ensure your declaration fits well within your resume format without taking up too much space. One or two sentences is usually sufficient.
Make sure your statement is in the same font and text size as the rest of your resume. However, you can bold or italicize your declaration if you want to draw attention to it.
Maintain professionalism
Use formal language in your declaration. Avoid expressions or anything that lacks clarity. Your declaration should reflect the same professional tone as the rest of your resume.
Avoid ambiguity
Use clear and precise language to ensure your declaration is easily understood. Ambiguous statements can undermine the purpose of your declaration.
By following these tips, you can craft a declaration that enhances your resume and underscores your commitment to honesty and integrity.
Quote: Including a declaration in resumes demonstrates your commitment to honesty and integrity. It reassures hiring managers that you’ve provided genuine information.
Declaration statement format and template
Don’t overcomplicate a declaration in resumes. Here’s a basic template you can plug into your resume:
Template: I hereby declare that the information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Now, let’s look at some examples of how you can customize your declaration statement based on the overall tone of your resume.
Examples of declaration statement
You can craft a basic, formal, or more detailed declaration statement.
Basic Declaration
I certify that the information provided in this resume is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Formal Declaration
I hereby declare that the details furnished above are true and correct, and I bear responsibility for the authenticity of the information.
Detailed Declaration
I declare that all the information provided in this resume is true and accurate. I understand that any false information may lead to my disqualification from the hiring process.
There aren’t any right or wrong options outlined above. Choose the style and length that best aligns with the overall tone of your resume.
You may also have to adjust your declaration statement to meet length limitations. For example, if you are already struggling to stick to one page, the basic declaration might be the best fit for your resume.
Tips and best practices
Here are some actionable best practices that you can use to make your declaration impactful.
Be honest
Ensure all of the information in your resume is accurate before declaring it as such. Honesty is the cornerstone of a credible job application. Exaggeration or any other form of dishonesty will erode any credibility you have.
Be especially careful when quantifying achievements. Let’s say you saved your current employer money by implementing new policies. If you are going to give a specific dollar amount, be as accurate as possible. It’s okay to be off by a few dollars, but you don’t want to provide an inaccurate and inflated figure.
Tailor your phrasing to the industry
If you’re applying to a field where declarations are the norm, make sure your statement aligns with industry expectations.
Some common examples include finance and government. Read resume and cover letter examples for these fields so you can speak the same language as hiring teams. Making a few subtle tweaks to your documents can help you stand out.
Proofread
Double-check your declaration for any grammatical errors or typos. A mistake in this section can undermine your professionalism.
Don’t just proofread your declaration. Carefully review every line of your resume and cover letter to check for errors. Use spell check and other tools to make sure your grammar is top-notch.
Choose the right placement
Position your declaration at the end of your resume. This ensures it serves as a concluding statement while reinforcing the authenticity of everything you stated earlier in the document.
Be consistent
Ensure the tone and style of your closing statements match the rest of your document. A consistent approach helps the resume and cover letter flow well.
Avoid overloading
Keep your declaration concise and to the point. There's no need to go into extensive detail. A simple one or two-sentence affirmation is sufficient. Use our examples as inspiration if you need help structuring your declaration statement.
You’ll also need to ensure your resume and cover letter complement one another. Our cover letter examples can provide inspiration and help you create engaging documents that increase your odds of landing an interview.
How to put “I hereby” in resumes
A declaration in resumes belongs toward the end of your document. It should be placed after all of your skills and experience but just before your professional closing language and name.
Once you’ve identified the right placement for your declaration, insert a broad statement like, “I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”
Do you want more tips on how to stand out when applying for jobs? Jobseeker has tons of valuable resources, including resume articles and templates. Make sure to check out our cover letter templates so you can craft the perfect complementary document to go with your resume.
