This article serves as a guide on how to write a personal statement for a Job in 2024.
A well written personal statement has the tendency of landing you your dream job or academic program. Personal statement give you the opportunity to summarize your unique selling points to convince employers that you are fit for a role.
In a very competitive market where technology is disrupting existing sectors and establishing new ones, prospective employees must prove that they are worth the time of their employers amid the numerous applicants who possess almost the same skill sets as you. A personal statement give you the room to do that.
What is a Personal Statement?
A personal statement is an account of your achievements, talents, interests and goals often included in job or university applications or on resumes. Personal statements for university and jobs have similar content, but university personal statements are usually longer and more detailed
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Job
There is no one size fits all approach to write a personal statement. However, there are standards that can not be compromised. Bearing that in mind, let’s walk you through how to write a sound personal statement for a job:
1. Research the Company before you Write
Do your homework by doing thorough research on the particular organization you are applying to. Every organization has its values, objectives, and competitive advantage, and they are ready to share some of them with anyone who cares to listen. You can also achieve this through thorough research on the company’s website and social media handles, a tour (some companies allow it), and consultations with staff and former interns of the company. Carrying out indepth research will help you write with facts as well as tailor your skills in line with the company’s work culture.
2. Understand the Job Description
Before you start writing, carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and qualities the employer is looking for. Tailor your personal statement to address these specific requirements.
3. Write an Introduction
Having understood what the job is about, start your personal statement with a strong opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention because it will determine if the readers will go through to the end or not. Introduce yourself briefly and mention the position you are applying for.e
Remember, your employer has hundreds of documents to review. Your overall statement should not be more than 200 words. Your introduction should include your job title, number of years’ experience, and any particular expertise you have. Use active positive words or verbs. Avoid the cliché of “I am a graduate of English and I am interested in your company”. This is rather common; do something simple, catchy, and different. Here is an example:
Seasoned Environmental Microbiologist (Put your certification here) with over 7 years’ experience conducting research for the National Institute of Research.
4. Highlight Your Strengths
Identify your unique selling points and highlight them in your personal statement. These could include relevant skills, experiences, achievements, or personal qualities that make you a suitable candidate for the job.
Avoid generic statements such as ‘possess good communication skills’ and be more specific by using a unique value you can bring to the table. A good example would be ‘skilled in biological research and presenting findings with the latest research software’. This would give the selection team a vivid view of you, which is enough to make you stand out from all the other applicants. Your statement must reflect the values of your prospective company. What do I mean by this? If, for instance, you are applying for a job as an English tutor but you have never been in the education sector, you must provide examples of how your previous job exposed to writing, public speaking and other relevant skills that would help you thrive in the job if you are chosen
5. Demonstrate Fit with Examples
Further, after stating your specific skills, you must provide clear evidence of how you have utilized such skills and competencies. For instance, if you stated that you are a Client Service Manager, you should provide examples of how you provided optimum service to your former company’s client, which led to the company’s recommendation. Make sure your skills are written in such a way that they match the requirements set out in the job description or advertisement.
Do well to avoid irrelevances too; still, in the example given above, do not provide skills that do not relate to the job, even if you possess them. If you do not need a public speaking skill to succeed in this new job, leave it for another time.
Furthermore, to be specific, remember that no one has the luxury of time to read unnecessary things about you. Don’t try to fit all your life experiences here. No one is interested in your life’s travails except you and maybe your close friends and family. Give your point; explain when needed. For instance, as a public health worker, it is not enough to say you are interested in resharpening the public health system in your country and a little about the problems you have observed. You must explain how your position in their organization would be relevant to your overall goals. Too many stories are very boring and exhausting.
While trying to give a good impression of yourself and providing every noteworthy skill you possess, remember to be as sincere as possible. Employers can tell when you’re exaggerating what an experience meant to you because they read thousands of personal statements every day. Briefly mention any noteworthy and appealing features that attracted you to the job advertisement, but do not overemphasize them.
Do not be tempted to write about skills you do not possess; you might be required to defend them. For example, if you are applying for a job that says a computer programmer is an “added advantage,” if you do not have those competencies, do not bother.
Your introduction, body, and conclusion should be written in an active voice. The active voice describes a sentence where the subject performs the action stated by the verb, while the passive voice makes the subject the recipient of the verb. Look at this example and observe the difference.
Passive Voice: The required skill is possessed by me to perform
Active Voice: I possess the required skill to perform
6. Edit and Proofread
In your first two drafts, errors are inevitable. So, once you have written your personal statement, review it carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that the tone is professional and that the content flows smoothly.
Take careful note of your introductions; they serve as leads for your readers. You do not start your writing two days before submission. That is rather wrong. Since you know from the onset that you would need to go for an internship, surf the internet for samples, read as many as you can, and compare them with your own. However, avoid plagiarism at all costs. Two to three months before the submission is not a bad idea; though, spending an hour to proofread daily or bi-daily would do you a lot of good. Your selection committee can tell the difference between an article written in a hurry and a well-thought-out work, and you know, every organization would not trade a detailed and thoughtful person for anything.
7. Seek Feedback
Before submitting your application, get another set of eyes, such as a consultant, professional, trusted friend, mentor, or colleague to review or critique your personal statement. They can provide valuable feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Two heads, they say, are better than one.
Conclusion
Writing a personal statement can be very challenging especially as a novice, but when you follow these aforementioned tips, you would be glad at the outcome of writing about yourself in less than 200 words.
Check here for examples on personal statements for a job [1].
Reference
[1] (N.d.). Cvgenius.com from https://cvgenius.com/blog/cv-help/cv-personal-statement.
