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Your personal statement

The purpose of a personal statement is to showcase your relevant skills and experience against the job requirements.  The statement is your opportunity to give examples of how you fit the requirements of the job.  When writing a personal statement it is important that you:

• read the job specification so you are clear about the job requirements
• outline the skills and experience that you have that are relevant to the job and use examples to help demonstrate this.  
• try to include specific facts and figures that demonstrate the tangible results of your work
• keep to the word limit – if your statement is too brief it will not provide the required depth of detail and evidence to be assessed fully
• proofread your statement before submitting it to make sure it is clear, easy to read and relevant

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For some jobs, you will be asked to provide a CV (curriculum vitae) as part of your application. Here you can find information on how to write the best CV.

Demonstrating behaviours

Behaviours are the things that people do that result in effective performance. Read more about the behaviours we use to assess you.

Assessments and interviews

Read about the different kinds of assessments you might be asked to do, after you’ve submitted an application form.

The Civil Service recruits using Success Profiles. This means that for every role, we consider what you’ll need to demonstrate to be successful. 

Civil Service Personal Statement Examples

Different types of statements.

Personal statements are usually required when applying for jobs within the public sector. These are often called “personal statements” because they are written about your personality, skills, experience, education, and any other relevant information. 

If you are applying for a job in another sector, then you will need to provide a Statement of Suitability (or SOS) instead. 

• A Statement of Suitability (also known as an “employment reference”) is a document that describes your suitability for employment in a particular organisation. You will probably be given a copy of this document at the interview if you are successful.
• A Behaviour Statement is a document that describes your character traits, personality, and skills. It should be written using the STAR Method. It is not a CV or resume, it is an outline of your character and what you bring to the table. It should be tailored to each position you apply for.

Why Does The Civil Service Request Personal Or Suitability Statements?

When applying for any civil service job, you will need to complete a personal statement that needs to be assessed against the relevant civil service success profiles and strengths that apply to the role. 

You should also consider your own personal experiences and achievements when writing your personal statement.

What Should A Civil Service Personal Statement Include?

A personal statement is an opportunity to highlight why you are suitable for a particular position. You should tailor your personal statement to complement your CV and show that you meet the essential criteria for the role. 

The essential criteria will be outlined in the adverts or job descriptions. Use these to showcase your relevant experience and transferable skills.

Remember, when writing your personal statement, you need to focus on what you did, not why you did it. Focus on the skills you have gained and how you applied them. Showcase your achievements and explain how you learnt the skills. Use examples of how you were successful at applying the skill.

How To Structure A Civil Service Personal Statement?

The most essential thing to do is to structure the response clearly and ensure that your response focuses on the essential criteria. 

You may use headings or bullets if this works best for your response. Remember that all of this will eat away at your word count. 

How To Write a Civil Service Personal Statement for Jobs

When applying for a civil service role, your personal statement should not just highlight your skills and experience but also show what kind of person you are. 

You may think that your CV is all about your qualifications and achievements, but there are other aspects that will help recruiters understand if you’re right for the job. 

Your personal statement should demonstrate your interest in the position, your motivation to work in public service and your commitment to serving the public. If you’re unsure about what to write, here are some tips to get you started.

What To Include In A Civil Service Personal Statement

• A civil service personal statement should start by explaining why you want to apply for the position. This will help you stand out from the crowd and give recruiters an insight into your personality. 
• Next, you need to explain why you’re qualified for the role. Make sure you highlight any relevant experience you’ve gained throughout your career and point out the skills you’d bring to the table. 
• Finally, you need to talk about why you think you’ll fit in at the company. If you mention something about the culture of the organisation, this could really help you get noticed.

Try to show how your skills were acquired through your previous work experience. Practicing what you’ve done before will help you stand out from other candidates. 

You should also mention why you want to change jobs, and what you hope to gain from the position. Your resume should have at least three pages, and if possible, four.

Share Relevant Skills Experience Or Interests

In the body paragraph of your statement, consider the following topics when writing about yourself:

1) What skills do you bring to the table? How will those skills help the company?

2) Why should the hiring manager hire you?

Achievement: 

Mention any degrees or certifications you have earned and describe how they qualify you for this role. Civil Service jobs often require education and/or certification, so check out the requirements listed in the job description. 

If you have relevant experience, share what you did before working at the company. This will help demonstrate your skills and knowledge.

Experience: 

Share specific details about previous experiences, including job duties similar in nature to those required for the role you’re applying for. You may also want to highlight why you chose to leave your last employer. 

This will give potential employers insight into your background and interests, as well as provide them with an opportunity to ask questions about your past experiences.

Special skills: 

Share what you bring to the table. What sets you apart? How will you add value to the company? Explain why you’re interested in joining the team. 

Show your enthusiasm and passion for the company and its products. 

Professional Goals: 

Be specific about your long term goals and how this position aligns with them. Describe what you hope to achieve in the next year.

Explain Why You’re Applying For The Job

At the end of your statement, summarize your qualifications and reiterate your enthusiasm for the job. 

You should also mention how you can help the government by working in this position and how you can benefit the public sector by doing so. 

Writing The Perfect Civil Service Personal Statement 

The civil service success profile of seeing the bigger picture requires you to have an understanding of how your job fits into the wider context of the public sector mission and objective. 

• You need to show that you understand what the public sector does and why it exists. 
• Your personal statement should also demonstrate that you have the ability and skills to experience a role in the best interests of society.

How Long Should A Personal Or Suitability Statement Be?

In our experience, most civil service personal statements are around 500 – 750 words long. 

For senior posts, you might be allowed to write up to 1,250 words, and sometimes DWP posts ask for 1200 words. We’ve found that there are very few personal statements written in just 250 words. Most often, these are behavioural statements. 

How To Deal With A Limited Word Count?

Regardless of the number of words in your personal statement, it is important to edit it well. There may be ten or more key skills and experiences listed in the job description. 

How can you fit all of these into one document? A great tip is to break down the list of skills into common themes. You might find that your experience and achievements can be used to address several points.

Use headings for your paragraphs and set yourself the discipline of spending only 100 words on each point. 

You may exceed the word limit in your first draft, but don’t worry! You can edit it out and finetune it in subsequent revisions.

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Unique & Effective Civil Service Personal Statement Examples

Table of Contents

When sending an application for a civil service job, you may be required to include a personal statement. This document gives more insight into your abilities as a candidate. The personal statement summarizes your skills, experiences, and accomplishments and demonstrates why you’re a good fit for the job. It is the first item employers glance through when reviewing your application, so it helps to make it the most effective document you write. You may not have written one before, but this article’s  civil service personal statement example  provides a solution. 

Your personal statement will pave the way for success if it’s well written. You’re on your way to landing your dream job if you create an excellent first impression with a well-written personal statement . Let’s see some relevant examples that you can draw inspiration from!

What is A Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a document written as part of a job application. It includes details about yourself, your skills, experience, and accomplishments and lets the recruiter know why you’re interested in the position. The personal statement is your chance to leave a lasting impression about yourself. It’s a chance to call attention to your achievements and explain how you can be an asset to the company.

Your personal statement helps the employer to assess your suitability for a job role . Although your resume accounts for your career experience and qualifications, it says nothing about who you are. The personal statement enables you to highlight why you are the best fit for the position. Including a personal statement in your resume will make you stand out. And give the recruiter the notion that you’ll be the best person to work with. 

Why the Civil Service Requests Personal Statements

When a vacancy is advertised, employers provide a job description that enumerates the job’s important criteria, responsibilities, and desirable skills. 

If put into proper use, your statement is ideal for aligning what you can offer to the organization with the job details. A well-articulated statement will show that your skills and personality fit the available role. It is only by your statement that your recruiter confirms if you are eligible for the position or not.

Things to consider when Writing a Personal Statement?

• Your personal statement should not be less than 500 words or more than 750 words. Keep it brief and concise. State only essential details and leave out those things that are important. You should properly edit your written statement despite the word count.
• Ensure that you’re well-prepared. Adequate preparation is essential, and a great tip is to take the vital criteria and group them under common themes. 
• Write at most a hundred words underneath a point. Your first draft may exceed the word count, but you should remove unnecessary information and retain the essential ones.
• Before you write your statement, outline how you’ll go about it. Then, as you write, weave these ideas into your text and link them to specific examples that prove your success.
• Be bold in talking about your capabilities. You don’t have to exaggerate facts or boast about your achievements. Mention your great qualities and outline your strengths. 

How to Introduce Yourself in a Personal Statement?

Your opening paragraph will either gain or lose the attention of the employers. And that is why you need to introduce yourself properly, as this will determine your success.

There are two things you should do:

• Provide a personal profile. State only important information, like your years of experience, your strength, and anything else relevant.
• State your reasons for applying. Explain how relevant your skills and experiences are to the role. You can also narrate what inspired you to be a part of the Civil Service.

Civil Service Personal Statement Example

As someone with a strong interest in public policy, I am keen to pursue a career in the civil service. The challenge of working within a complex and ever-changing environment is something that appeals to me. And the Civil Service offers unrivaled opportunities for professional development. 

Through my academic studies, I have developed expertise in political analysis and policymaking processes. This I hope to apply in a practical setting during my career. My previous work experience has given me an insight into the realities of working in government. This will stand me in good stead should I successfully secure a role within the Civil Service.

I am an experienced civil servant looking for a new challenge. I have a proven track record in delivering results and thrive in busy, fast-paced environments that require hard work, teamwork, and accountability. In my previous role as an auditor for the government of Alberta, I developed strong analytical skills and critical thinking abilities. My experience has also taught me how to communicate effectively with people at all levels within an organization. 

With my combination of skills and abilities, I would be an excellent candidate for a position in civil service. I am committed to delivering high-quality services that meet the needs of everyone, and my skills and experience would be valuable in this environment. I would be a valuable asset to your team and can provide tangible results in any role you appoint me to.

When writing your statement, outline your experience, skills, and achievements. This way, you give the recruiter insight into who you are and your experiences . Tailor your statement to the exact role that you are applying for. Lastly, employ the use of positive language.

Using Hey INK , you can generate a personal statement similar to the civil service personal statement example above.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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