Write An Impressive Personal Statement

Introduction.

 

A personal statement is a well laid out extension essay about you during an application. It can be used in CV’s or when applying for university entry or even in workplaces.  The primary objective of the statement of purpose is selling you to the reader for the purpose of winning whatever your application talks about.

The aim of writing a personal statement is to differentiate you from other people in a similar application category leaving the reader with a great impression increasing your chances of getting what you want. It is a platform where you can flaunt your impeccable achievements, strengths or even share your aspirations in cases of careers without being cliché or filling clutter.

It is the same case with students who apply for vacancies in different courses. Students can perfectly express their thoughts, show their skills and experiences and stand out when the admissions tutors go through their personal statements.  Whatever is written there determines who got the chance and ho misses. However, there are certain guidelines that you need to follow to come up with a perfect personal statement.

 

10 things you must have in your Personal Statement:

 

1. Give reasons for wanting to take a particular course

You are expected to be straightforward and specific from the word go. You should write about what motivates you to take the chosen course at the university level.

Talk about the growth of your interest in that particular field, the inspiration you draw from your current studies and what you doing or have done to pursue it. It is vital to show enthusiasm and be reasonable not to deviate from the main subject.

 

2. Give valid reason showing the course is right for you

Here, you are required to provide evidence that illustrates that you are fit for the course. Also, it’s time to show your prowess in research by making the admission tutor understand that other than meeting the selection criteria, you have done prior research of the course and understand the involvements of the course.

It is similar when it comes to a profession. You apply the same tactics and understand what is required and what the profession entails.

 

3. Show your achievements outside the class

Explaining how far you have gone to pursue interests in your chosen course beyond your syllabus increases your award chances. It could be further readings you have taken on the subject. Writing a list won’t give you extra points and therefore giving reflective opinions and critical views really count.

Your source of information could be websites, journals, documentaries, films, books, periodicals, newspapers, radio programs, lectures, and blogs among other channels. It is necessary to avoid the obvious kind of reading because everyone else will have it mentioned.

 

4. Show relevance to your course

Here, you have to reflect on past experiences. You have to explain what you have gained from m them and how helpful they have been in nurturing your interest in the given subject. Whatever the experiences, they don’t have to be overly fancy.

They could be volunteering activities, theatre or gallery visits, math’s challenge, work experience, outreach programs, summer schools, travel, and university taster sessions, local court visits, archaeological digs or museums.

 

5. Show relevance to your chosen profession

Reflecting on relevant observations and experiences is necessary for various professional courses whereas in some cases you are as well expected to apply for a career course.  A mere description is not enough; therefore, you have to reflect on your experiences in depth.

Explain the relevant skills the [profession requires and talk about how you have come to learn about them. Also, explain how you have developed the said skills.

Talk about the different environments, what spotted and the experiences in regards to the profession. You can also give an observation of carious qualities exhibited by profession staff and how helpful they were in fulfilling effective engagements with clients, service-users or their patients.

 

6. Demonstrate transferable skills

The admissions tutor will be glad to hear about your transferable skills. Such skills could be:

  • Impeccable organizational skills
  • Good leadership skills
  • Good listening and communication skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Teamwork
  • Good time management skills
  • Problem-solving skills

 

7. Expound on your relevant skills

You just don’t make a list of every skill you think you have without thinking about its relevance. You have to think about the skills that readily relate best to the chosen course or profession.

Demonstrating how you have developed them, used and you are continuing to strengthen them will be a plus for you. Specific examples are relevant and that’s what most admission tutors will want to hear. Such are:

  • The role you played in projects and assignments and the positive outcome drawn from them.
  • Your positions of responsibilities, your achievements, and the boost of your self-confidence
  • learning Experiences derived from drama, music or sports, and how it was working as a team
  • Talk about your biggest challenges and how you overcame them
  • Show the skills you have demonstrated when doing a part-time job or volunteer activities. You can talk about your observations and the extra skills gained.

 

8. Show your critical thinking skills

University gives way to free and independent thinking and therefore, showing you are an independent and critical thinker is a big bonus for you.  You can talk about how your various A-level subjects have made you think critically.

It is not only limited to that, but it can also be additional subjects you are taking such as EPQ, a place, an assignment and anything else that has helped you develop the kind of thinking you got. If you are taking extra subjects like extended project qualification (EPQ), it is important to state that because University takes such kind of study.

 

9. Your long-term plans

It is critical to talk about your long-term goals and objectives.  You can lay them down in an interesting way which will require you to that a specific path. Whichever way you choose, make sure you show some aspects of imagination and individuality.  Find a way to make you stand out from the crowd. Just mentioning what career expert you want to become plainly won’t add you any point.

If you are not sure, don’t write any irrelevant thing that might cost you a chance. You can talk about your expectations in the university and what you desire to gain from varsity life.

When applying for deferred entry, it is vital to state the period you intend to take out. Most courses appreciate when a student takes a gap year, however, they will want to know about your plans during the gap year.

 

10. Positivity

Getting started on your personal statement can be a hassle. It should not get you in a panic mode or anxiety. Begin writing about your strength, be enthusiastic about the course and have a positive vibe about yourself.

 

Personal Statement Examples and Personal Statement Templates

 

As mentioned earlier, Personal statements give you limelight to shine, show your achievements, strength and share your professional aspirations with a hiring-board or manager.  Having boring business speak or filling the whole personal essay with clutter will be termed as a common type of personal statement and end up sounding like everybody else out there.

It is necessary to take some time and research on the dos and don’ts and create a perfect personal statement. They can be written in different scenarios. Listed are examples of personal statements from different angles.  They can be helpful in assisting you to come up with an outstanding personal statement.

 

Career Break Personal Statement

 

People have different reasons as to why they would want to take a career break. It can be due to a long-term illness, traveling or parental leave.  One can find it a hassle to put down such a CV. However, the worst mistake that you can make is to leave it out in your CV. Failure to address such issues on a CV is a mistake that can cost you.

When coming up with a personal statement, you can answer the following questions:

  • Who you are
  • Why you have chosen that career
  • Skills and important things you can bring to the company

A career break can be mentioned in this section, however, taking a lot of space is not recommended.  Your cover letter is the place to give detailed information about it.  You can use your personal statement to explain and focus on your career’s success before taking your break.

 

Career Break Personal Statement Example:

“I am experienced (put your role) and currently seeking a chance of getting back to my career after taking the last (Insert a number of years/ duration) as a dedication to raise my family. Having worked for (X) years as an (insert your previous role) helped me gain great knowledge, experience, and skills valuable in this industry.  I have further taken and completed (state a course or work experience) to refresh my skills and therefore am fully committed to continuing with my professional career full time.”

Personal Statement Example

A personal statement is important when you have decided to make changes in your career path. It gives you a chance to market your transferable skills that are relevant to your new role or in the industry.  It is vital to make sure to talk about your primary skills, give reasons for the career change, and show enthusiasm for the new career.

Personal Statement Template for Job:

“Am an enthusiastic professional person who has chosen to take a new challenging career after working for (X) years as an (insert profession/role) I am a hard worker and achieves to give the best in the designated areas. I am open to learning new skills and eager to grasp positive things and advance in my profession.  I have taken a course (talk about work experience or a course) and successfully completed it as a preparation for my career change.  I am keen and eager to build on skills, knowledge, and experience in this sector. Being a self–driven individual, I will follow my aspirations of becoming (insert new job/career) within this n industry.”

School Leaver Personal Statement Example

It is critical to note that personal statements are tailored according to the given situations. Using 50-150 words, you need to explain to the hiring manager the reason for wanting this role, why you are interested in this industry, your career aspirations and what skills you possess to perform the role diligently and effectively.As a school leaver, coming up with a personal statement might be a hard task. You may be stuck at the previous employment/ work experience and achievements part.

Instead of taking the space and emphasizing and relating a job you did after school to the new career, it is recommended that you pay more attention to your academic achievements and skills gained throughout your school and education life.

School Leaver Personal Statement Template

“I am an enthusiastic school leaver who has achieved five GCSEs and is seeking for an apprenticeship in the (mention career/job) field.  I possess excellent verbal and goof writing skills and an interest in (field) which has geared my interests in the field further. (You can mention and explain about the achievements you have had in your various subjects or projects that are relevant to your desired industry or career.)”

 

Graduate Personal Statement Template or Ph.D. Personal Statement Template

A graduate personal statement and a school leaver personal statement are similar in that they tend to focus more on the education part and not the employment history.  However, a graduate personal statement should lay more emphasis on skills gained at the university level as well as your higher education.

As a graduate, you have to make sure that your personal statement catches the attention of the recruiter quickly through easy identification of your transferable skills as well as your education.

Graduate Personal Statement Example or Ph.D. Personal Statement Example

“I am a recent graduate from (X) university having attained a 2:1 honors degree in  (Mention your course) I have done my internships in( mention organizations) that are leading organizations in the industry.  During this time, I gained knowledge and experience in the industry as well as transferable skills that are relevant in this sector. My career objective is to pursue a role that allows me to gain, more skills and knowledge as well as become more responsible in an innovative market-leading company. “

 

9 thoughts on “Write An Impressive Personal Statement”

  1. Hi Mr.Mohammed
    I have already applied within the type C. Am I expected to send documents , which I enhanced in my application, to CSC address by DHL ?
    If so , Do I still have time to do so ? (It’s 29th of March)
    Or is it necessary to apply and send the documents at once?
    Thank you.

    Reply

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