When applying for jobs, most people go ahead and attach their CV. Some applications will also request a personal statement, sometimes known as a cover letter. This is usually a piece of writing that describes you, your work ethic and your interests. A personal statement can give employers a better idea of who you are, and could set you apart from other candidates. However, there is a lot of confusion surrounding them, including when they’re needed and what to write in them. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to CV personal statements, so you can get a better understanding of what they are and the effect they can have.
What Is A Personal Statement?
The exact contents of a personal statement will vary, depending on the role that’s being applied to and the person who is applying. Some job adverts will request particular details, usually because they want to get a better idea of an applicant’s experience and traits. A cover letter is usually a great opportunity to sell yourself to an employer, and gives your application a little extra support.
When To Include A Personal Statement
It should go without saying that if a job advert requests a personal statement, you should include one. However, you can include one to support any application, even if it’s not a requirement. We think you should strongly consider writing one in the following circumstances:
· When you don’t meet all of the job requirements. A personal statement could help to support your application. A high quality piece of writing could help to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and prove that you’re either willing to learn or have enough similar skills to hit the ground running.
· When you’re a recent graduate applying for your first career. In these circumstances, you may have the qualifications that are required for the role, but lack experience. Writing a cover letter will allow you to prove yourself and go into more detail about what you learned at university and describe any relevant additional experience you might have.
· When you’re changing career. If you’re planning to go in a different direction, you might be met with doubt. Writing a personal statement means you can explain why you’re choosing to change careers. This gives you a better chance of being invited to interview, as you’re able to anticipate some of the questions that may prevent your applications from progressing.
· When you know the job will be competitive. If you’re going to be up against a lot of other candidates, a personal statement could set you apart and give you a better chance of getting an interview.
How To Write A Personal Statement
Writing a personal statement is easy when you know how. We would recommend that you write a draft and ask a trusted friend to review and proof it for you. Ensure that the grammar and spelling is perfect before you send it off.
If you’re finding it difficult to write, see if you can get down the main details first. You can piece everything together at a later stage, when you have a better idea of what the contents will be. Write down a little bit of information about yourself, including your personality and working style. Include the skills you bring to the table, and describe what you have to offer to the potential employer. This could be personality traits, soft skills or hard skills. Finally, it’s also recommended that you explain what your ambitions are and where you see your career heading.
Language & Tone
Although your cover letter is meant to be personal, it should still be formal. Don’t write too casually, and keep the focus professional. Your main topic of discussion should be your skills, experience and career goals. You can tailor your personal statement to the role you’re applying for, so if you feel that one company would prefer a more formal tone than the other, feel free to adapt it as appropriate.
One thing to be wary of is lying. If you lie on your CV at any point, you’ll soon be found out and it won’t look good. Paint yourself in the best possible light by describing truthful experiences and skills, without too much embellishment.