Back to Basics: How to Write a Personal Statement
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Writing a personal statement can seem like a daunting task as it is often the first few lines a recruiter or manager will read when looking at your CV. However, like many tasks, when you break it down into small logical points, it really isn’t anything to worry about at all.
So we've put together some helpful tips to make sure you show yourself in the best possible light.
STRUCTURE
The first stage is to get your structure right, then the rest will come naturally. Ideally, it should sit at the top or near the top of your CV and you should aim for around 50 to 200 words. Writing it in the first person is recommended, i.e. ‘I am a Civil Engineer seeking…’
WHAT TO INCLUDE
- You can really write whatever you like in your personal statement, but we recommend you split it into three sections:
WHO YOU ARE
- In this section you could write about what you are currently doing now and an initial statement about what you are looking for. Think of this section as setting the scene.
WHAT YOU CAN OFFER THE COMPANY
- This is where you need to sell your skills to the reader. It’s always a good idea to check the job description at this point and pull out any key skills you may have that matches what they are looking for. You could include your achievements and anything else that you believe will help you stand out from the crowd.
YOUR CAREER GOALS
- In this section, you can state what you are looking for in a new role which could read something like: “I am looking for a new role in a challenging and fast-paced environment”.
TOP TIP: Using the headings above, bullet point the key points you would like to include in your personal statement, then begin expanding on them one by one.
USEFUL THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Remember to not over complicate your personal statement, it doesn’t need to be an essay!
- Proof-read the whole document a couple of times checking for spelling and grammar mistakes.
TOP TIP: It’s a good idea to get a friend to proof-read your CV to see how it reads from another person’s perspective. - When writing your personal statement, think carefully about what the employer is looking for. You can use the job description to help with this.
- Don’t forget to add some personality! Remember, no one likes to read a boring CV.
