Top Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

Personal statements are used in various formats, including university applications, CV’s, and job applications. Whilst a CV is a great way to show your quantitative skills, a personal statement helps to explain why you’re a great fit.

So, how do you write a personal statement? Below, we will explain more.

A personal statement is a short personal summary about yourself that explains your skills and expertise in more detail and why you’re interested in the industry you’re hoping to pursue.

Given the high level of competition, it is usually required to enter university and apply for roles so prospective employers can better understand you as a candidate.

• Use your best English, checking the spelling and grammar is correct.

• Avoid lying on your resume - you may be asked about it in the future.

• Keep it professional, avoiding any humour.

• Research the word length limit – it varies between formats.

When writing a personal statement, much like a news article, you should begin the personal statement with a strong opening line.

For example, who are you and what can you bring to the table? The opening sentence needs to engage the reader but also remain personal.

If you’re a Marketing Manager for a technology company, it could read like this:

As a Digital Marketing Manager with 10+ years of experience in the sector, I bring a unique blend of creativity and analytical skills to the digital landscape.

This highlights your current role, experience, and the skills you offer.

Don’t be shy - now is the time to showcase your accomplishments. What skills and experience do you have and what did you learn from it?

It could be that you recently completed a coding internship, which helped you strengthen your reasoning and logic skills.

If you’re advanced in your career, including the bar you worked in during university might not be relevant. However, this is worth including if you did work experience with an agency in your chosen field.

Explaining your skills is a great start, but presenting the statistics will have a greater impact.

For example, if you generate more leads into the business, how did you achieve this?

The STAR method translates to a situation, task, action, and result, allowing you to bring relevance to your answer by identifying the key situations you were involved in.

It could be that you worked on developing a cyber security strategy for an organisation, which prevented multiple attacks. Using this example, you can explain more about how this prevented attacks, including how many people you trained in the organisation.

A future employer doesn’t just want to know about your current experience, they want to know what drives you.

Share your short-term and long-term goals in your personal statement, explaining how the opportunity you’re applying for fits into your broader life plan. This reflects your commitment to a specific path, demonstrating your vision for the future.

When you emphasise your goals, you convey your determination to pursue your objectives, even in the face of challenges.

This adds depth to your narrative and helps you stand out as a candidate who is not only qualified by also driven by a clear vision for the future.

Most importantly, why do you want to pursue your chosen sector?

Instead of listing achievements and qualities, share anecdotes and experiences that illustrate your character and development. This can help to shape a better picture of your personality and character.

Plenty of people can share their unique skill set, but sharing the reason why you’re passionate about a particular sector is unique.

Authenticity is paramount in personal statements – be true to yourself and your experiences. If you have academic or professional setbacks, you can address how you overcame these challenges and grew as a result.

Writing a personal statement is an opportunity to tell your story and make a lasting impression on admissions committees or potential employers. By starting early, planning strategically, and following these tips, you can craft a compelling personal statement that sets you apart from the competition.

If you’re looking for help in starting your personal statement, take advantage of our free mentorship programme, which pairs you with an expert in the field.