A Complete Guide For Writing A Personal Statement

Getting a resume in order means we need to think about a few specific things, with each part giving a potential employer a chance to learn more about our skills and why we would be perfect for the job. Still, it all starts with one part: the personal statement. As the name suggests, this is a chance to be more personal with your potential employer rather than simply listing all the reasons you’re qualified for the part.

Still, it can be easier said than done to know how to forge a connection without stepping over any boundaries. Thankfully, a complete guide for writing a personal statement could be all we need to find the best way to blend the two. After all, we want to ensure we stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons, right?

There are different ways to include your personal statement in your resume

There’s a good chance your resume will be a couple of pages long, but that doesn’t mean we should try to write one that’s as long as possible. After all, many employers might be inclined to skim-read if things look too daunting, and our information can get lost among the other applications. Thankfully, including a personal statement can help break things up, with different options on how to include it in your application. Some prefer to keep it as a separate document from their resume. Others have it as an opening paragraph on their resume. Then there are some jobs that ask for a separate personal statement with a specific word count. Be sure to read the job application carefully to ensure you’re not missing any instructions.

Sharing details about yourself should blend with your qualifications and goals

Writing a personal statement is a chance to give a potential employer an opportunity to get to know you and what you can bring to the job. Start by opening up about who you are, including what work you have been doing recently or any recent qualifications you have that can be applied to the role. Don’t forget to talk about any other experience you might have that relates to the company or role while highlighting any skills that can be transferred to the part. Are you good at organizing many tasks at once? Why not include this in applications for manager roles? A personal statement also offers room for what you want to do with your career. This can be tailored to each job application, making it clear if you want to work your way up the company and how you plan on making that come true.

Know who you are writing for and what to include from the job advert

Of course, one of the most important things when writing a personal statement is to ensure you know who you are writing for and what they might want to read. Take a close look at the job application to see if you can decode what they want from an application. If they’re looking for a school leaver, stating you have been in the field for the last ten years might not be the best way to go. You can also research the company. If they are more laidback, you can often afford to add some personality to your personal statement. On the other hand, if they’re incredibly formal in all of their website posts, be sure to keep things as equally formal in your application.

Make lists to keep things organized within your personal statement

It can be easy to get carried away when trying to sell yourself to a potential employer. That’s where lists can be our best friends. What have you done that you think needs highlighting in your personal statement? List out your accomplishments to make them stand out from the page. It can also show that you’re an organized person without having to put that into words. After all, a statement that’s clearly laid out can be easier to read and more appealing than one that’s a simple block of text with no breaks.

Start with a long personal statement, then cut it down

It’s always best to start off with more information than you need and to cut it down than to try and add in words to bulk things up. To start, let your mind do all the talking and type out everything you think you should include, including what the company can benefit from hiring you and the way you hope your career will go. Then, take a break and come back. Re-read your personal statement and see what feels like filler. Then, think about organizing things in a better format. Do this a couple of times if needed until you’re left with something you’re proud to attach to your resume.

A complete guide for writing a personal statement won’t tell you the exact words you need to put and where they need to be, but it can help to get things organized and laid out before sending off your resume.