| Most
people won’t be able to just
start writing the statement off the
top of their head so it’s a
good idea to jot down a few notes
first. The main things to think about
are:
Write
down as many personal qualities
you have: It has to be all Positive..
OK ( In my experience as a Employment
Advisor I have seen some negative
Personal Statement , and I have
to say….you are just wasting
Employers Time…No chance of
Getting that Job. REMEMBER the Key
Word is (POSITIVE) positive and
more positive words.
• What personal qualities,
interests and experience do I have?
•
What are my other interests and
skills?
These are the main things to start
with - if this still doesn’t
help, you can look at a few more
detailed starting points. Many people
have trouble writing about themselves
and their personal qualities, so
if you’re having trouble with
this step, pop down to a library
or bookstore and get a book out
on writing CVs which will go into
this process in much more depth.
Something which helped me was to
put these headings down on a piece
of paper, in a rough table, and
to carry that piece of paper around
with me. Every time I thought of
something, I was able to write it
down before I forgot about it.
Things to consider
• Get your personal statement
typed up on a word-processor, for
example Microsoft Word. Then copy
and paste it onto your Job Application
Form.
• Have a backup of the file
containing your personal statement
in a different place from your original
statement file, for example on a
disc.
• Don’t add in extra
spaces (e.g. at the beginnings of
paragraphs as indentation), since
these are removed.
What should you include in Your
Personal Statement?
A basic list, which isn’t
conclusive, is:
• Interest in the course:
Why do you want to do it.
• Relevant work experience
• Skills and qualities required
• Interest in your current
studies
• Career Aspirations
• Enthusiasm for the subject
• How are your current studies
related
• Any other interest/hobbies/experiences
you wish to mention
•
Write down yours here:
1. _________________
2. ___________________
3. _______________________
4. __________________________
5. _____________________________
What’s
the most important part?
A good first sentence will get the
reader interested and ensure they
actually read your statement rather
than skim it. A good ending will
ensure the reader remembers your
statement is selling. The first
line is probably the thing to work
on at most people put their reasons
for studying the subject at the
top, and this is generally regarded
to be the most important bit of
the statement.
What sort of structure should I
use?
Most people write their personal
statement in an essay style, starting
off with the course, and why they
want to do it, then talking about
their relevant work experience and
skills and finishing off with extra
curricular activities though you
can use any style which fits you.
As a guide, spend around 60% of
the space talking about your job
and how you’re suited to it,
and 30% on your work experience
and other activities that are relevant
to your subject and 10% or less
on hobbies and activities that can't
be related back to your subject.
Should I talk about my qualifications?
No. Normally this goes under Qualification
columns so I would advise you not
duplicate the same thing.
How do I prioritise my ideas?
A simplistic approach is to include
anything about the Job towards the
beginning of the statement, and
anything that is less relevant towards
the end.
A very simple structure might be:
• Introduction: Why do you
want to do the Job, how did you
make your decision, show your enthusiasm
for the subject.
• Relevant work experience:
Anything that you have done which
is relevant to the subject can go
here. Also mention career aspirations.
• Enthusiasm for current jobs,
and how they help with the future
jobs.
• Skills and qualities: What
skills and qualities do you have,
and that will you need to do this
job. Don't just list skills though,
give examples of circumstances when
you've demonstrated skills?
• Anything else: This paragraph
usually contains hobbies/interests/sports/music/charitable
work. Try to link it with the course
or at the least link it to how you
manage to stay sane while studying.
If you're deferring entry, an explanation
of your gap year plans can go here.
|
After
you've written it
• Check it.
• Get someone else to check
it
• Check it once more yourself.
I cannot emphasise the importance
of checking your Personal Statement,
especially when it comes to Spelling,
Punctuation and Grammar. No matter
how good the content of your Personal
Statement, if it reads like it was
written by a 5-year old, it won't
reflect very well on your ability
to cope with a Job.
All
The Best Rama
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