How much to put in application form?

Yazmina

I'm applying for a civil service role, and the form asks me for a personal statement of up to 1200 words. The personal statement is meant to give my reasons for wanting the job, my most relevant skills and any transferable skills I have.

Of the 1200 words I have filled in 750 but don't want to put in any more for fear of putting everything in the form and having nothing to say when it comes to the interview.

Is only 750 of up to 1200 words acceptable? There is a further skills section separate to the personal statement with no word limit. I've put in an additional 500 words there.

Maybe I should switch it around? Put the 750 words in the unlimited section and the 500 words in the 1200 personal statement part.

Cheers.

theoretica

Don't use all 1200 words if you don't need to - but also don't leave out good stuff that might get you an interview. Having different things to talk about in the interview is no use if you don't get to interview.

BookmobileBadGirl

I do not recruit for the civil service but i do recruit regularly.

It may be that those that sift applications do not actually do the interview, and even if they are it doesnt matter if you repeat yourself in the interview if that answers the question we ask.

Again, I do not sift for the civil service but I do recruit for the public sector. You will be scored on how well you prove each of the points of the person spec

Yazmina

BookmobileBadGirl wrote: »

it doesnt matter if you repeat yourself in the interview if that answers the question we ask.

I didn't know this, thanks.

jobbingmusician

I would endorse this - don't be afraid of repeating in the interview what you have said on the form. You could even practise different ways of saying the same thing. Don't forget that the panel will have read (or even possibly NOT read ) lots of different application forms before they see you. The cynic in me says that you want to repeat what you have already said in a way which makes those who took the time to skim read your application think 'oh yes, I remember you!' without using exactly the same words or example. It will help to fix you in their mind!

For example, I started an innovative service in a secure hospital during my working life. I mention this in my application, of course, but make sure I have a story about it which illustrates why I am proud of having done this. The story relates to my CV, and repeats it to some extent, but doesn't say exactly what I have said in writing.

Neil_Jones

Personally I would say why stop at 1200 words - to get the job I have now I reeled off two and a half thousand words which mostly consisted of what I was already doing (as I was an apprentice and I was applying for a permanent position doing the same job).

But that being said make the 1200 words count, don't just repeat what you''re already said just to meet a quota. if you can't reach 1200 words then you can't reach it. But make sure you put in everything important.

pmduk

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Personally I would say why stop at 1200 words - to get the job I have now I reeled off two and a half thousand words which mostly consisted of what I was already doing (as I was an apprentice and I was applying for a permanent position doing the same job).

I'd disagree on this occasion, for a civil service role, personally, I'd say it's important to follow the instructions.

Neil_Jones

The 750-1200 words will probably only be a guideline anyway. Write what you need to and if it goes over 1200, it goes over 1200. You need to present yourself in the best possible light to get an interview and I would argue the minimum level is more important than the maximum. So do at least 750 words.

[Deleted User]

I’m sure the civil service jobs application does not let you write anymore than the actual word limit set.

Marvel1

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Personally I would say why stop at 1200 words - to get the job I have now I reeled off two and a half thousand words which mostly consisted of what I was already doing (as I was an apprentice and I was applying for a permanent position doing the same job).

The online form is set to 1200 words, when copying and pasting over It will remove the extra.

Ja7188

I wonder if it's actually more important to ensure that both written sections contain enough of the right keywords so that you get past the ATS - if one is likely to be used...?