personal statement

catoutthebag

I'm doing my first job application in 10 years.
They require a personal statement about how I'm. Suited to the role based on a massive person specification criteria.

Max 1200 words.

I've done 250 and getting stuck.

1200 seems like an essay. I like to be succinct and to the point.

I can maybe stretch anther 100 to 200 words befure I waffle.


Is it normal to write so little?

daytona0

Depends on what you've been doing for the last 10 years lol.

First of all, you'd probably benefit from addressing all of the points made in the person specification....

Second of all, it wouldn't kill for a bit of structure. I use something called PEC (Point, Example, Comment). For example:

Point = bring up a quality you have, which hopefully links to one or more of the specification criteria (30-100 words).

Example = self explanatory (50-200 words)

Comment = How could this benefit the hiring company? What can you offer? (30-100 words).


If you have a "massive person specification" then quite frankly a 250 word submission is going to go straight in the bin.

catoutthebag

Well I've done 500 words. It's about quality rather than quantity. I can probably add a few hundred more, but I'm not going to reach a 1000. The person spec is also highly bulleted, with massive spacings and often paraphrased. So I'm feeling more confident now. I hope after the interview, they'll say "you're hired", while pointing at me. :money:

Kynthia

Are you actually evidencing why you are suited to the role rather than just saying you are? If you are going through the job spec or desired criteria point by point and referring to what experience, going into a bit of detail, or qualifications you have that show you meet this criteria then I would have thought you could write plenty.

catoutthebag

Kynthia wrote: »

Are you actually evidencing why you are suited to the role rather than just saying you are? If you are going through the job spec or desired criteria point by point and referring to what experience, going into a bit of detail, or qualifications you have that show you meet this criteria then I would have thought you could write plenty.

I am doing that, but I like to be succinct. Some of the bullets they have given are repetitive too. Like I say, I've done 500 words and will be adding another few hundred or so. Hopefully my form wants them wanting more and they will invite me to interview.

1200 words to say why you're suited sounds a bit much

I've done the same role for 8 years and have developed myself.

I am giving examples in and outside work as requested.

I feel I'm a top contender.

arthurdick

I might be reading this wrong but if they are asking for 1200 words max, then surely, what you have written so far should be enough, you have not gone over 1200 words.
Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

catoutthebag

arthurdick wrote: »

I might be reading this wrong but if they are asking for 1200 words max, then surely, what you have written so far should be enough, you have not gone over 1200 words.
Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

That's correct.

System

Maybe there is something like the mission statement generator;

http://cmorse.org/missiongen/

catoutthebag

Update: I wrote just over 750 words in the end. Application was rushed as only saw advert a few days before. So I'm less confidence of Interview call up

raff456

I was reading through and found your PEC interesting and have copied it for further use. Thank you.