Personal statement... what should this actually include?
Discussion
I'm in the process of applying for a position with a large organisation. The position is within IT as a senior/lead developer. I haven't applied for a job in nearly 9yrs, and have only worked in relatively small business before. It's not easy to remember how all this works.
There is a "person specification" with the ad, and it states I should write a personal statement to address this, up to 5,000 characters. What do companies normally actually expect from this? Is it purely a filtering method? and should I actually go anywhere near 5k characters? am I over thinking this (almost certainly!).
There is a "person specification" with the ad, and it states I should write a personal statement to address this, up to 5,000 characters. What do companies normally actually expect from this? Is it purely a filtering method? and should I actually go anywhere near 5k characters? am I over thinking this (almost certainly!).
If it's part of the application form, what they are asking is for you to clearly describe how you fit the person specification.
You need to address each point in turn, with examples if possible. Parrot back their exact wording as much as you can. Headings or bullet points can also be useful.
E.g.
I have experience of widget design control through my current role as head widget kicker at a large manufacturer.
I am skilled in prioritising and forecasting cat attack risks, having been owned by a pair of demanding felines for over 5 years. I have particular experience of tin opening under time sensitive and extremely pressured circumstances
It depends on the organisation and role, but these sections are often used by HR to pre screen applications using the person specification as a checklist. The easier you make it for them to tick all the boxes, the more likely the application will passed on to the hiring manager for shortlisting.
This is particularly common in the public sector in my experience
You need to address each point in turn, with examples if possible. Parrot back their exact wording as much as you can. Headings or bullet points can also be useful.
E.g.
I have experience of widget design control through my current role as head widget kicker at a large manufacturer.
I am skilled in prioritising and forecasting cat attack risks, having been owned by a pair of demanding felines for over 5 years. I have particular experience of tin opening under time sensitive and extremely pressured circumstances
It depends on the organisation and role, but these sections are often used by HR to pre screen applications using the person specification as a checklist. The easier you make it for them to tick all the boxes, the more likely the application will passed on to the hiring manager for shortlisting.
This is particularly common in the public sector in my experience
Edited by oldbanger on Wednesday 8th February 22:02
Edited by oldbanger on Wednesday 8th February 22:04
s off, you jokersI got an invite to interview 
Now I'm panicing a little as I wasn't really expecting that as I don't meet all of the requirements in the job description. This should be clear from my CV though.
It's quite a stretch to get the position, but it would be perfect for me career wise. It's just quite scary after so long in the same company and with never having been through a formal interview process before.
Does anyone have any advice in situations like this? I have been going through story ideas for the behavioural interview, and have some insider tips on what the rest of the process will include. Should I be up front in saying that I don't have all the experience, but am very much heading in that direction, and have transferable skills? (it should be clear to them that this is the case as my CV doesn't highlight all the skills they advertised as wanting).
I fully suspect they have limited numbers of applicants for the position as the vast majority of people qualified in what they want are contractors earning hugely more than is being offered. I suspect there are maybe up to 5 people being interviewed.
Now I'm panicing a little as I wasn't really expecting that as I don't meet all of the requirements in the job description. This should be clear from my CV though.
It's quite a stretch to get the position, but it would be perfect for me career wise. It's just quite scary after so long in the same company and with never having been through a formal interview process before.
Does anyone have any advice in situations like this? I have been going through story ideas for the behavioural interview, and have some insider tips on what the rest of the process will include. Should I be up front in saying that I don't have all the experience, but am very much heading in that direction, and have transferable skills? (it should be clear to them that this is the case as my CV doesn't highlight all the skills they advertised as wanting).
I fully suspect they have limited numbers of applicants for the position as the vast majority of people qualified in what they want are contractors earning hugely more than is being offered. I suspect there are maybe up to 5 people being interviewed.
Well done!
Be yourself, be clear in what you know and don't be afraid to be honest about the bits you don't - it will go over better than trying to bluff. Compensate by saying you've got an interest in these missing skills, and would enjoy the chance to learn them as part of taking on the role. If you can add past experience where you've taken on and learnt something on the job, so much the better.
Finally, remember - pretty much no one has the full shopping list they're looking for, as people generally move across and up. If you already had the complete skill set, you'd already be doing the job elsewhere and just moving for money... Not a compelling reason to hire someone!
Be yourself, be clear in what you know and don't be afraid to be honest about the bits you don't - it will go over better than trying to bluff. Compensate by saying you've got an interest in these missing skills, and would enjoy the chance to learn them as part of taking on the role. If you can add past experience where you've taken on and learnt something on the job, so much the better.
Finally, remember - pretty much no one has the full shopping list they're looking for, as people generally move across and up. If you already had the complete skill set, you'd already be doing the job elsewhere and just moving for money... Not a compelling reason to hire someone!
DanL said:
Finally, remember - pretty much no one has the full shopping list they're looking for, as people generally move across and up. If you already had the complete skill set, you'd already be doing the job elsewhere and just moving for money... Not a compelling reason to hire someone!
A very good and understandable point.I suspect that being in a single company for so long has knocked my confidence in going for other opportunities to a certain degree. However, my loyalty should be a strong point with this particular position, and the people interviewing me have been in the business for a long time, and have progressed upwards within.
I have almost resigned myself to the fact that I'm not suitable, but the interview should be great experience for me. I need to get away from those thoughts somewhat.
Matt.. said:
I have almost resigned myself to the fact that I'm not suitable, but the interview should be great experience for me. I need to get away from those thoughts somewhat.
Don't go in with that attitude. It will show. You are as good as the next candidate from your CV, otherwise they wouldn't waste their time interviewing you. If this is a great job for you, go get it !Answer using the classic STAR approach to any behavioural questions....Situation : Describe it and any obstacles, Target : What you were trying to achieve, Actions : What YOU did, Result : What the final outcome was. Don't forget the Result bit. It's the clincher. You can still answer as a conversation / story and it doesn't need to be so formulaic, but cover the bases. Focus on what you ARE good at, be honest about what you don't know but think of examples where you have shown yourself to pick up new things quickly or have succeeded in an area that was new to you that you might be able to showcase in your answers. Good luck !
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