How to Write a Personal Statement

A personal statement is a description of your achievements and interests that you include with your application for a job or for admittance to an educational program. A personal statement gives the employer a brief glimpse into who you are as a professional and what you have to offer, either as an employee or a student.

Learn more: 3 Steps to Define Your Career Mission Statement

Here are the basic steps you should take to create a personal statement for a potential employer or educational program:

1. Create an outline

Before you begin writing, start by organizing your thoughts in an outline to decide what you want to say. This will not only help you to create the personal statement more quickly but will also ensure that it flows smoothly from one topic to the next. Additionally, an outline will help you stay on track if there’s a word limit, as you’ll have a general idea of how much space you’ll need to complete your thoughts on that topic.

2. Introduce yourself

Start your personal statement with an introduction that reflects your personality. The introduction should explain why you’re drawn to a particular degree program or job and discuss any experience you have in the field or with that job. The best introductions include a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and compels them to continue reading.

3. Elaborate on experiences and interests

After the introduction, you should elaborate on your relevant skills and experiences, sharing specific details that support why you are a great candidate. You could talk about your degrees, any awards you’ve received, the number of years you have worked in the industry or other achievements. You could also delve into your relevant skills, those that you picked up in prior jobs or in degrees that you already completed. Finally, talk about why you would be an asset to the program or company. You could also discuss your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

4. Create an impactful conclusion

You want to leave the reader with a lasting impression of you. In your conclusion, restate why you’re applying for the opportunity and what you want to achieve. You may want to reference your professional goals and how this job will help you achieve those. If you’re applying for an educational program, you may want to talk about how the coursework and credentials will qualify you for a specific career. Finally, it’s generally a good idea to reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to be considered.

5. Proofread

When you’re finished writing the personal statement, always take time to proofread and edit, looking specifically for typos and grammatical mistakes. Pay attention to the phrasing and language you’re using, as it should be simple and easy-to-understand with short sentences.

Example 1

I’m a recent college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and I’m applying for the junior copywriting position at your company. I first became interested in writing and storytelling at a young age when I would dictate stories to my secretary, otherwise known as my mother. In addition to my professional studies, I have two years of experience writing for online publications as well as my college newspaper. I also managed the social media channels for the newspaper, and have extensive experience crafting engaging social media copy. I’m a fast learner who thrives in the face of challenges and I’m confident I would be an asset to your organization.

Example 2

I have always been passionate about technology and computers, and therefore it’s with great enthusiasm that I’m applying for the role of web developer. I have a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and five years of experience in a junior web developer role. I’ve been particularly interested in your company since the announcement last year that you were moving into the virtual reality space. I find virtual and augmented reality fascinating and I recently went back to school to earn a master’s degree with a specialization in this field. I have enormous respect for your organization and its commitment to innovation and believe that my passion for learning would make me a true asset to your team.

Example 3

This last example is a personal statement for a university application. You’ll notice that it’s longer and adds more detail than the shorter personal statements that are ideally suited for an employer.

It’s always been my dream to attend Hobson University, and so it’s with enthusiasm that I’m applying for the Master of Business Administration. I first developed a fascination with business and marketing at a young age when I was working with my father on his cleaning business. I was amazed at the strategies he used to increase the lifetime value of each customer. Even a small increase would have a big impact on the company’s profits.

After completing my marketing degree from Drake University, I took a job as a marketing assistant with Symphony Media. My work ethic and eagerness to learn and grow helped me rapidly advance to a marketing coordinator role.

I believe that I’m ready for the next step in my career as a marketing manager, and an MBA with an emphasis in marketing would allow me to gain the skills to qualify me for this role. I am eager to be in an educational environment surrounded by other ambitious students who want to learn and advance their professional careers. It’s with great fondness that I look back on my time at Drake University and I look forward to the opportunity to create new memories at Hobson next year.