HELP!! How do I write a personal statement?!!!!

[MrsSpenserGregson]

Please help me. I need to write a personal statement for a job application (an admin role). It's been at least 10 years since I've had to do this, and the work has seemingly moved on. All the personal statements I've googled are written in the third person and sound, to my mind at least, totally wanky.

Witness this gem which I've found on a recruitment website:

"Efficient, organised Administrator with over 15 years’ experience and a record of working to very high standards. Proven literacy and numeracy skills – proficient user of MS Office, with a typing speed of 75 WPM. Holds an extensive list of certificates and a positive attitude to professional development. Excels in collaboration; possesses a proven record of inspiring others in different environments. Manages diaries, meetings and events effectively, and is able to resolve difficult customer and admin situations. Seeking a challenging PA or Executive Assistant role in a large company in order to develop and gain further skills"

Isn't it better to write in the first person? And to make it more - erm - personal, since it's actually called a "personal statement"?

Or am I horrendously out of touch?!

In my experience of receiving job applications, most are like the one you've quoted. There's always the odd one that's more "I like to cook and read and once ran a marathon" but really it should be a summary of your cv, if that makes sense.

Thanks @MiniChoc.

Which type do you prefer? I wasn't thinking of talking about my hobbies, but I would have preferred to use the first person and to write about my personal qualities that are relevant to the role....

Posted too soon. Given that the personal statement comes at the very end of the application form, so all my qualifications and previous work experience will have been read already ...

There is a difference between a personal statement on a cv and application form in my experience. How exactly is the section worded? And what other sections have been previously?

If it’s something along the lines of “tell us why you would be best for the role” with a large word limit (1500ish) you basically need to go through the person specs and job description and say why and how you meet that spec with an example.

I.E Administrative Skills
“I have xx year’s experience in administration as detailed in my job history. I was previously responsible for implementing a new filing system which streamlined documents and created a more efficient system” (very vague but you get the idea). If you can provide figures even better (increased sales by xx% etc).

Minus the spag mistakes

I would prefer the one you've quoted but in first person.

I work in recruitment. For the roles that we advertise we are looking for a statement that matches the person specification on the job description.
The person spec will have a list of essential and desirable criteria. Use these as paragraph headings and under each write a paragraph explaining clearly your experience and particular skills. Examples are necessary
For example

Good IT skills
I have considerable experience of Excel and often use spreadsheets to compile data when planning a new project. I use Word for …. Powerpoint to....

Good Team Player
I have previously worked in a team of 16 people where it was my role to facilitate ….. I found this very rewarding as we were able to achieve ….

Please ensure that you address all the criteria and don't add anything surplus. Employers do not want to hear that you once won Mastermind or were crowned Miss Philadelphia (I've seen both on applications) if it has no bearing on the position being applied for.

Good luck

Thank you so much everyone.

It’s a personal statement on an application form. It comes at the end of the form, after all the info about education, previous jobs, experience etc. It’s titled:

PERSONAL STATEMENT. Using the applicant information, please demonstrate your suitability for this post, giving examples and include your reason for applying and interest in the post.

In the NHS all jobs require a personal statement. I have done many (and read many) and basically what they are looking for is a summary of your experience and skills and how you meet the job criteria/person specification. Talk about your achievements, your passions, values and why you are the best candidate for the role. Depends what grade you are applying for but my latest personal statement (department manager level) was approximately 1000 words.

Key word there is 'examples'. You won't have put them throughout the body of the application, so putting examples that illustrate your close match to their job spec is key.

Brilliant. Thank you again everyone. It's not an NHS job so there's no "grade" as such. I was worried that my statement would be too long if I covered everything as there are 14 bullet points in the person specification, but it seems that it's expected so I shall do that - thank you. And no mentioning of dodgy hobbies

You only need a couple of sentences per bullet-pointed spec.

They do sometimes give a word limit, but if not 1-2 sides of A4 is usually the norm ime. Examples are the most important thing and they’re looking for real life application not just “I used outlook for xx years in xx position”. They’re looking to see you actually know how to use it (email delegate for example, diary management etc).

Good luck!!!

Just popping on to thank everyone who gave their advice on this thread. I must have written an awesome personal statement as a result - the interview was yesterday and I've been offered the job!!