How to put together a personal statement on application form

littlechezza

Hi

Just wondered the best way to start off a personal statement, a few forms to complete and I have all the essentials listed in the person spec but never know how to start off the personal statement in a way which will impress.
Thanks

fengirl_2

If you address each item in the person spec in order, with either numbers or bullet points, you will make it far easier for the people who are shortlisting. Give an example for each item showing how you meet this criteria.

Simply start off by saying: I believe i meet the person specifiation criteria for this job in the follwoing ways.

Judging by the terrible 'person statements' I have seen in my long experience, you will stand out just by being clear, straightforward and organised.

Person_one

I was taught by a friend who is regularly on interview panels and hold recruitment days.

You should start off with a brief paragraph about why you want the job and stating that you meet all the criteria.

Then tackle each point in the person spec individually. You have to make it quite obvious because sometimes its just a HR bod ticking off boxes who gets the first look at it. If the person spec says "must have good communication skills" you start with "I have good communication skills". Then give an example of a time you used those skills! Use 'CAR' - Challenge, Action, Result. So for example:

I have good communication skills
C - It was necessary to contact a customer who had not provided a contact phone number
A - I contacted the customer by e-mail, using appropriate and correct language
T - as a result of my action we retained the customer's business.

That's a really bad example, sorry! But you get the idea of the format.

In your last paragraph, offer up a skill that they didn't ask for but that you have and would be useful to them. Let them know that you're so perfect for the job you have that something extra they didn't even know they needed but would be valuable.

Good luck!


PS After being made redundant recently I've had 2 interviews out of 5 applications using this layout, which I'm led to believe is quite good in this climate. Now I just need to get my interview technique sorted!

littlechezza

Thanks for that, it's a school admin post, I've never worked in a school but it I do tick all the person spec boxes so will have to give it a go.

Won't it look toomuch on the page if I list all the points on the person spec, what I mean is do I put something against the essential and the desirable, just in desirable they ask for people who have worked in a school and obviously I haven't.
Thanks

fengirl_2

No, address each item - essential and desireable. If you havn't worked in a school, you could say that you appreciate the fact that there would be a need for awareness of child protection and confidentiality and that the job would require patience, tact and flexibility.

yellowduck_2

I do a short introductary paragraph about my work history and then headings or bullet points addressing the person spec and giving examples of my experiece and this does not have to be work related, think about life skills and any voluntary work you may have done. then I sum up with a conclusion of what I have to offer\bring to the post. Always get shorlisted so it must work!! Oh and proof read it several times, taking a break after each proof reading session, that way you will be fresh and able to spot any typos, spelling and\or grammar errors. Good luck

terra_ferma

I would say a first paragraph showing lots of enthusiasm for the position and the company + absolute certainty you would be great at the job.
Short but full of positive energy!

DCFC79

So if the application form says about excellent telephone manner is saying "you have an excellenct telephone manner" not enough so would you give an example when you provided excelent telephone manner

littlechezza

Currently completing draft for the person spec andjust 2 points which I can't think how to wod my experience they are:

Experience of development, management and operation of administrative systems and

Effective use of ICT and other specialist equipment/resources

Please only nice replies I know most people are nice here but I've been reading some not so nice replies lately (not my posts) it's not that I can't so these things I just never know how to word things on paper.

Thanks

littlechezza

fengirl wrote: »

No, address each item - essential and desireable. If you havn't worked in a school, you could say that you appreciate the fact that there would be a need for awareness of child protection and confidentiality and that the job would require patience, tact and flexibility.

Just want to say thanks for this, would never have thought to put this but it does like quite professional on the draft.

grastgirl

Have you ever reorganised a filing system? If not, just think about how you would do it and write that.

Kept records of one sort or another on the computer, possibly mail merge?
Not sure about other specialist equipment.

Hope it helps.