Jobs

A guide to writing EFFECTIVE PERSONAL STATEMENTS FOR JOBS

Most jobs in the public and voluntary sector will ask for a supporting statement or personal statement attached to your application form.

‘Please use the space below to describe how your skills, knowledge and experience relate to the requirements of the role and for any other information you consider relevant to your application’

What are employers looking for?

A statement that will engage the employer and encourage them to give your statement a second look and consider inviting you to interview will show evidence of: • • • • • • Clarity of thought Enthusiasm Ability to write clearly and persuasively Some knowledge about the organisation Some awareness of what the job will entail Details about how you can contribute to the organisation

Your task is to

• explain why you want the job – your interest in and attraction to the organisation This could be based on your knowledge of the organization from personal contact, or from research you have done about the organisation and the work it is involved with. demonstrate how you would be suitable and how you can contribute

•

Margaret Flynn, Careers and Employability Consultant. September 2010

Tips for effective statements

• Align your statement closely to the job specification and job description. Job or person specifications list essential and desirable qualities and qualifications they ideally would like in a candidate (see example below). The shortlisting process looks for people who meet, or come close to meeting all the qualities listed as ‘essential requirements’. The job description lists the duties and responsibilities of the post.

Example Person Specification

Essential Self motivating Desirable Relevant business public or third sector experience Degree or above Aptitude and experience with web-based technologies Awareness of public sector environment and organisation structure

Excellent presentation skills Ability to take...