Personal Statements on Application Forms
Many application forms require you to complete a personal statement in support of your application. You might be asked to give your reasons for applying’ and other information relevant to the job specification, including your knowledge, skills and experience.
Your personal statement should relate directly to the specifications of the job or course you are applying for. It is important that you address all the points in the job specification in the order in which they appear. Imagine this being used as a checklist by the person short-listing.
Address each point on the job specification in a clearly themed paragraph:
- In your first sentence you might make a short statement summarizing how you meet or relate to the requirement.
- The next few sentences should provide a concrete example of the assertion(s) you have just made.
- A final sentence that shows reflection will add depth to the point you’re making.
The first sentence is the statement, the second and third sentences describe the example, and the last sentence is your reflection.
Avoid simply repeating the words used in the job specification in your responses (e.g. ‘I am committed to Equal Opportunities’). Make a personal interpretation of the criteria and quantify with clear examples.
You will often be asked to provide a personal statement, giving your ‘reasons for applying for this post’. You may choose to introduce or conclude your statement with a summary of why you are applying for the job and what attracted you to the organization.
Make sure your statement:
- uses language and phrasing that show enthusiasm for both the role and the company;
- provides a brief summary of how your set of skills matches the post advertised;
- shows that you have done your research on the company;
- highlights their strengths as an employer.
If you want more advice on how to fill in application forms effectively, contact Career Analysts. Career Analysts can provide you with expert career advice.
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