What is a Personal Statement?
A personal statement is a crucial part of your CV that can set you apart from other applicants. It serves as your mini sales pitch, offering a brief overview of your skills, strengths, and career aspirations. Its purpose is to entice the reader to want to learn more about you, making it a powerful tool for securing a job opportunity. In this article, we will explore the why, how, and what of writing a compelling personal statement that significantly improves your chances of being shortlisted for a job.
Understanding the Significance:
The opening of your personal statement should emphasise the importance of this brief section in your CV. It provides a unique opportunity to stand out and convince hiring managers or recruiters that you are the right fit for the role. This is your mini sales pitch. A recruiter typically spends 6-8 seconds reviewing a resume, making the personal statement a make-or-break moment.
Length and Conciseness:
The length of a personal statement should be no more than a paragraph. Keep it clear and concise and to the point. This statement is meant to be a summary that complements the details in the rest of your CV, summarising your skills and highlighting how you fulfil the requirements for the job and why you are suitable.
Starting Your Personal Statement:
Refer initially to the job description, highlighting the key requirements and list how your qualifications and experience align with those criteria. If you can concisely say what skills and experience, you have that fulfil those requirements you are more than likely to be shortlisted.
What to Include:
It is crucial to ensure that the statement is relevant to the specific role you are applying for. Your opening sentence needs to captivate the readers interest to read on. Your structure could be along the following:
A brief introduction introducing yourself, qualifications, and relevant experience.
An outline of what you can offer the company based on what they are looking for in the role.
A statement summarising your professional goals and how they fit with the role.
Example
A good personal statement should be concise, compelling, and tailored to prove your qualifications and experience.
An example for a HR role would be:
“I am an experienced CIPD level 7 HR professional with a proven track record in leadership and strategic HR management. With over [X years] of experience in HR management and a strong background in fostering a culture of employee engagement, I am ready to take the next step in my career as an HR Director.
Throughout my career, I have successfully developed and implemented HR strategies that align with organisational goals. This includes talent acquisition initiatives, developing robust employee development programs, and cultivating a workplace culture that values equality, diversity, and inclusion which I feel makes me a good fit for this role. Having overseen and led HR teams, navigated complex employee relations, and provided guidance to senior management on HR matters. I am committed to driving operational excellence, fostering collaboration, and enhancing organisational performance which I feel will make me a good fit for your organisation and will help me continue to build upon your success.”
By implementing these changes and crafting a well though out personal statement that grabs the reader’s attention this will significantly increase your chances of being shortlisted. To increase your chances further, ensure that your entire application including your CV and covering letter are well prepared and tailored to each new role.
