Any HR people online? Covering letter v personal statement

[dancingstars]

I'm applying for a job which is asking for both. In previous applications, I've been taught to go through the person specification in the ad and address each point they want in the personal statement. But as they're asking for me to do that in the covering letter, what should I be writing in the personal statement? Usually it's been one or the other not both!

It says to highlight my career achievements but I'll be doing that in the covering letter. What else is there to write in the personal statement without doubling up??

In the covering letter I would write about past experience and why you're suitable for this.

I'm the statement I'd go through the JD and talk about the impact you've made and how you'd use your experience to improve the role your applying for.

I've seen both being used - covering letter to show how you meet criteria/fit, personal statement more about why you want the role/why this company, why now, how it fits with your vision and ambition etc. So one can be used to say why THEY should want you, the other more on why YOU want them. Both should demonstrate excellent fit between you and them.