Personal Statement?

Pygmalion

Hi there,

I'm applying for a couple of internships at the moment, and I'm being asked for a personal statement (1000 words max).

I'm pretty sure I get the basic idea, explain why I'm interested in the position, why I think I'm suitable for it, how I feel my previous work/hobbies might benefit me etc.

Thing is I have no idea what it should look like or how to go about it.
Is there a fixed "template" for things like this?
Any particular details I should or shouldn't include, how formal/casual should it be?

Forest Master

A personal statement? WTF? Tell them to shove their internship - do they think you're a school kid, asking you to write an essay for them? Someone in there has an ego & they like people begging & pandering to them. My advice is to forget it, and go someone that won't be so patronising.

dvpower

Forest Master wrote: »

A personal statement? WTF? Tell them to shove their internship - do they think you're a school kid, asking you to write an essay for them? Someone in there has an ego & they like people begging & pandering to them. My advice is to forget it, and go someone that won't be so patronising.

Right on - and if a prospective employer ever asks you to submit a CV, tell them to mind their own damn business. And if you get a job and they start telling you what to do, just tell them to shove it.:rolleyes:

Forest Master

dvpower wrote: »

Right on - and if a prospective employer ever asks you to submit a CV, tell them to mind their own damn business. And if you get a job and they start telling you what to do, just tell them to shove it.:rolleyes:

Eh, I'd submit a CV - it's standard procedure. But writing an essay on why you want to work there? It's taking the p*ss & stroking someone's ego IMO. Likely won't even be read.
OP - do they not have your CV? Were you not interviewed? Have they not met you and asked you why you want to work there? If the answer the these questions is Yes, then the essay is just bullsh*t & demeaning. Do you not think you're better than that?

"Polish my shoes & I'll give you the job."
"Pick up my dry cleaning and you can then be allowed the grand privilege of working here for free".
"Write me an essay - 1000 words - on why you really want to work here"

The Aspirations Coach

Hi,

A personal statement is similar to a cover letter except its much more focused and concise. Its your way to really stand out and get through to the next round in the recruitment process! Keep it clear, concise and focused on what you can offer and demonstrate that you want and deserve the position!

I've attached a link to a how-to!

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/how-to-write-a-personal-statement-for-your-cv

If you don't mind me asking, what industry is it for?

Best of luck with it!

Paula

Irish_Elect_Eng

Pygmalion wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm applying for a couple of internships at the moment, and I'm being asked for a personal statement (1000 words max).

I'm pretty sure I get the basic idea, explain why I'm interested in the position, why I think I'm suitable for it, how I feel my previous work/hobbies might benefit me etc.

Thing is I have no idea what it should look like or how to go about it.
Is there a fixed "template" for things like this?
Any particular details I should or shouldn't include, how formal/casual should it be?

This is common enough practice in the USA, for applications for colleges, work placements and internships, at this age most people do not have much to put on their C.V.s and reading a CV does not reveal much about the candidates. So an essay, or personal statement is requested in order to learn more about the candidate.

You have got the basic idea on what is required.
(1) Who you are, what makes you tick.
(2) What you have that you can add to their organisation.
(3) Add in some material on personal goals.
(4) How you hope the placement will contribute to you building towards those goals.

Best of luck with your internship.

A couple of tips:

(1) Identify a mentor from day one. A go-to guy for support and work. Thin of this guy are the person that will give you a reference. Having a mentor will result in a much superior internship. (If there is not an obvious one ask for one from HR or your manager)
(2) Stay busy, if you are not challenged let them know and ask for tougher/more rewarding work, they are not mind readers.
(3) Treat it as one long job interview, every task you do could be important at the end of the day, but do not expect a job at the end, times are tough, it could be the reference from your good performance that gets you the next job.

tenchi-fan

I'd do it, but I wouldn't spend more than 20 minutes writing it up.

When writing a cover letter, the idea is to keep it brief. It's actually harder to write a short, to-the-point cover letter than to write a long one. So use your cover letter as the template for your waffly "personal statement" and really pad it out.

Bulk it out with large aspirational paragraphs you copy and pasted from the internet.

And finally, mix in the bullet points from your cv, fleshed out into 2-3 lines each.

You'll do 1000 words no bother and the person reading it will think you spent a long time on it.

Pandora2

Hi folks, I would do it....they are probably inundated with applications and are giving you the opportunity to say something about yourself so they can consider who should be interviewed or not.........not surprising imo.

On this, I am mid-40's and have a CV with lots on it but I am sure the layout is past old-fashioned.....is there a preferred layout these days?? Wld appreciate any advice