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Application Forms , Personal Statements

Civil service personal statement examples.

When you apply for any Civil Service job, you will need to complete an online application form that requires you to submit a personal statement. The personal statement will be assessed against the relevant Civil Service success profiles and strengths that are applicable or the role

DOWNLOAD RICHARD MCMUNN’S SET OF 9 CIVIL SERVICE PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES BELOW!

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So, how do you write a personal statement for a civil service job? Let’s start by looking at what you should include.

What Should a Civil Service Personal Statement Include?

Your personal statement should be used to compliment your CV and further outline why you are suitable for the role.

The key to a great civil service personal statement is to provide evidence against the Civil Service Success Profiles to show you match them and that you are perfect for the role. The Civil Service Success Profiles, otherwise known as the “essential criteria” will be outlined on the job advert or job description. Using these, you should demonstrate your previous experience and your skills that can be transferred to your new role within the Civil Service.

Remember, you must back up these skills and experience, and a great way to do this, is to demonstrate how you acquired the experience and skills in your previous roles.

Your personal statement should form around ‘how’ and ‘what’ you have previously done, all whilst matching the Success Profiles.

You will usually get just 250 words for your answers.

BONUS TIP – How do I write a CV for a government job?

A great personal statement still needs a good CV. Here is what you should include on your CV/Resume. Firstly, include an outline of your previous job experience, detailing the length of time you held each previous job role for, and a short breakdown of the responsibilities, tasks, and the work you did for each role. You should also include any awards, achievements or significant projects you previously obtained or worked on. This is your chance to shine, so don’t be afraid to sell yourself and big yourself up in the best light possible. If you have ever had any training or if you have been awarded any qualifications that are relevant to the Civil Service, or that showcase your commitment, ability to learn, or diversify, then you should highlight these too.

How to Structure a Civil Service Personal Statement?

The most important thing to do is structure your responses clearly and ensure that your statement focusses on the Success Profiles/Essential Criteria.

You are allowed to use heading or bullet points if this works best for you, but remember all of this will eat into your word count. Further below in this blog we have provided a breakdown of the 9 Civil Service Success Profiles and what you need to consider when preparing your statement for each Success Profile.

What Should you Avoid in a Personal Statement?

With 100s of people applying to Civil Service roles, it is important that your personal statement is NOT thrown aside because you’ve made one of the following common mistakes:

Poor spelling and grammar – always check your spelling and grammar before submitting!
Not tailoring your answers for the role – ensure you use the job description and align your skills and experience with the role you’re applying for.
Using the same answers multiple times for multiple applications in the Civil Service (each application for a new role needs new answers).
Not aligning your statement to the Civil Service Success Profiles – this is key!
Using redundant or unnecessarily complicated language and cliches – keep it simple and easy to read – the assessor shouldn’t have to decipher your statement!

Writing the Perfect Civil Service Personal Statement – What are the Civil Service Success Profiles?

Seeing the big picture.

The Civil Service success profile of seeing the big picture requires you to have knowledge of how your job fits in with the public sector mission and objectives. It is important that you demonstrate within your 250-word personal statement that you have the ability to carry out your work in the best interests of the nation.

CHANGING AND IMPROVING

Whilst working in the Civil Service you must be open to continually changing and improving. If you do not improve your performance at work, or embrace change positively, the Civil Service will not be able to meet its objectives. Again, when creating your Civil Service personal statement and online application form, you will need to demonstrate within 250 words your ability to meet the changing and improving success profile!

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS

All members of the Civil Service, regardless of their role, are required to make effective decisions that demonstrate value money and efficiency. When making effective decisions, you must use an evidence-based approach and carefully consider your options, including an assessment of the risk involved and implications posed. Make sure you provide evidence of this Civil Service success profile within 250 words.

COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING

Another of the Civil Service success profiles and strengths is that of communicating and influencing. Within your chosen civil service job, you must communicate with clarity and purpose and always respect the needs, views and opinions of others. To meet the assessment for this success profile you will need to create a personal statement of just 250 words!

WORKING TOGETHER

Teamwork is absolutely vital when working in the Civil Service. Regardless of the position you are applying for, working with others must be demonstrated within your personal statement by way of using the STAR technique – situation, task, action and result. Within your personal statement, demonstrate you can work effectively with other people both within your team and also with external stakeholders or contractors. (250 words maximum!)

Can you demonstrate pride and passion for delivering service within an organisation? Are you able to value other people’s opinions and ensure your team is diverse in nature so that the expectations and needs of customers are met? If so, then you probably have what it takes to mee the Civil Service success profile of leadership! Once again, make sure you write a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to provide leadership within just 250-words.

DELIVERING AT PACE

Can you work at pace and deliver results to a high standard? If the answer is yes, then you might just have what it takes to work within the Civil Service. Again, another one of the success profiles is that of delivering at pace, and we strongly advise you provide a specific example of where you have been able to work quickly and accurately in a previous role when completing your personal statement. Aim to provide evidence of this success profile within your personal statement all within just 250 words!

DEVELOPING SELF AND OTHERS

Taking responsibility for your own development and the development of others is a vital aspect of all civil Service roles. If you are required to write a personal statement that demonstrates your ability of developing self and others, provide a specific example within 250 words of where you have focused on this important success profile.

MANAGING A QUALITY SERVICE

The Civil Service has a strong reputation for managing and delivering a quality service. Regardless of the department you are hoping to join within the Civil Service, there is a strong possibility you will be assessed against this important success profile. Again, provide a solid 250-word personal statement that gives evidence of where you have taken control of the delivery of a fantastic service to meet the needs of a customer or a client.

CIVIL SERVICE PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES (DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE BELOW!)

Richard McMunn

2 thoughts on “ civil service personal statement examples ”.

Are the 9 examples specific using STAR to a certain situation or are they generic like the youtube videos

Hi Abul, that is a great question. The answer is a mixture. The way I have provided the answers is so that you can adapt them to use your own past experience with ease and create your own unique answer. My answers provide a structure as well as demonstrate what keywords and content needs to be in a high-scoring answer. This should allow you to develop your own unique answers quickly 🙂 I wish you the best of luck with your Civil Service Application! Let me know how it goes 🙂

Civil Service CV

Opting for the Duke template, Samantha's experience within the civil service is clearly formatted in a straightforward way. Using the whole width of the page allows for enough room to further elaborate on achievements and experience if needed.

"Committed to upholding the principles of public service and contributing to the betterment of society. Personal achievements include mentoring junior members of the team and being recognised as a people leader."

Table of contents

How to Write a Civil Service CV: Tips and Examples for 2024

The world of civil service offers a distinctive and rewarding career for individuals with a commitment to public welfare and a keen desire to make a tangible impact on society.

This domain values dedication and determination, making it well-suited for those who want to contribute meaningfully to various industries such as healthcare , social care, trade, culture, sustainability and sport . Civil servant roles encompass diverse specialisations, each directly influencing the nation's growth and development.

In this article, we guide you through the process of how to write a CV for civil service jobs that highlights your attributes and aligns with the sector's high expectations. We address the specific application criteria, ensuring that you're well-prepared to navigate this distinct professional landscape, along with real-life civil service CV examples.

Boost your career prospects with a CVMaker professionally designed CV template .

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Civil service cv example .

Download this civil service CV sample in PDF.

Samantha, an experienced civil servant with five years of experience, knows the importance of keeping things straightforward, impartial and professional. That’s why she has opted for the Duke template. It quickly directs the reader to the most relevant information. Using the whole width of the page allows the applicant plenty of room to elaborate if needed.

What does the civil service do?

As part of the government's executive branch, it handles important administrative tasks in the public sector. It puts government policies into action and has its own legal duties. Its purpose is to be independent and not influenced by politics, serving the Crown rather than Parliament. Because the civil service has a wide range of responsibilities, the jobs it offers can be very different, appealing to people from various backgrounds and skills.

Civil service career path

When you become part of the civil service, you're stepping into a profession that offers more than just a job. It provides networking opportunities, well-defined career paths, training programs and a strong sense of purpose. Moreover, there's room to explore other professional avenues too. A typical career path for a civil servant includes:

Graduate (Administrative Officer): Civil service careers often commence through the highly sought-after Civil Service Fast Stream graduate scheme . Graduates experience diverse government departments, honing skills and leadership potential while building a strong foundation.

Senior Civil Servant (Higher/Senior Executive Officer): With experience, civil servants ascend to senior roles. Here, they shape policies, ensure effective governance and contribute to the betterment of society through their expertise.

Junior Management (G7 Level): Progressing, civil servants step into junior management. They oversee projects and manage teams and resources. Their strategic input drives efficiency and impactful decision-making.

Senior Management (G6 Level): Climbing higher, senior management civil servants take charge of entire departments. Guiding crucial choices, they steer government objectives, handle resources and personnel and craft policies that resonate with society's needs.

The CV writing process: Where to start?

Before putting pen to paper potential applicants should familiarise themselves with the Civil Service Code which promotes honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity. Your CV and further interactions with the civil service will need to have these attributes baked in.

Writing a perfect CV always begins with a master document. Crafting a master CV ensures that all future job-specific applications maintain the same high standards and consistency and accurately reflects your previous skills and experience for a potential civil service role.

A master CV will contain a solid personal statement, your entire relevant work experience, a collection of your soft, hard and technical skills, as well as all references, and any further courses and certifications on your CV .

There are plenty of career opportunities to choose from in the civil service, meaning you will probably apply for numerous positions across your career. Tweaking a master CV to make each of these applications job-specific helps you stand out as a serious candidate, whilst respecting the individual nature of any would-be new department.

The Civil Service assesses candidates based on ‘success profiles’ including behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical. Be sure to cover each of these throughout your CV.

What to include in a civil service CV?

Competition for roles is fierce, so when writing a good CV , it’s vitally important to get your unique profile across in the minimum amount of time. Employers will often use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to automatically scan the first wave of candidates. Make sure you tick the right boxes by including:

Personal profile or personal statement

Work history

If you are considering adding additional information, take a look at the benefits of including languages on a CV .

This particular field has its own set of rules and expectations around what to include - and indeed redact - from a CV. Below are a few important considerations when drafting your document:

Competency Framework: Align your CV with the Civil Service Success Profiles , highlighting critical competencies like leadership, communication, problem-solving and collaboration.

STAR Method: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method when describing your experiences, providing clear examples of how you've demonstrated the required competencies.

Key Achievements: Include specific achievements that showcase how you've made a positive impact in your previous roles, linking them to the competencies sought by the civil service.

Civil Service Behaviours: In your personal profile, demonstrate the Civil Service Behaviours , such as "making effective decisions" and "delivering at pace," in your CV by sharing relevant experiences and examples. Use strong action verbs to further support your alignment with Civil Service Behaviours.

Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, provide quantifiable results that demonstrate the impact of your work and highlight your strengths , whether it's in terms of cost savings, efficiency improvements or other measurable outcomes.

Learn more about the civil service application process and how to prepare for civil service interview questions .

How to write a personal statement for a civil service CV

The personal statement or personal profile on your CV is your opportunity to give examples of how you fit the requirements and why you should get the job.

The following steps will help tailor your skills and experience to the role you are applying for:

Stick to the provided word limit (sometimes up to 750 words).

Develop a draft offline first.

Align your statement with the requirements.

Seek a second opinion to check that what you have written is clear.

Read it again, to make sure you are happy before submission.

Examples of civil service personal statements

Environmental health intern cv personal statement example.

Self-starting environmental health advocate, currently pursuing a degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Proficient in making effective decisions, adept at communicating and influencing and excelling in delivering results promptly. Thrives in collaborative settings, demonstrating the ability to work harmoniously within teams. On a path to contribute knowledge and skills acquired through academic pursuits to real-world scenarios in the civil service domain.

Administrative officer CV personal statement example

Motivated and detail-oriented graduate with 3 years experience and a solid educational foundation. Proven experience in collaborative team environments underscores the ability to work effectively alongside colleagues. Proficient in IT, with data entry skills and familiarity with integrated software packages, including Windows, MS Office, email and the internet. Adept at maintaining strict confidentiality. Demonstrates adaptability in seamlessly transitioning to various office roles as needed. Strong organisational skills enable efficient task prioritisation. Effective communication extends to both written and oral interactions, spanning diverse organisational levels. Accurate and swift word processing and data input capabilities in multiple formats. The embodiment of commitment to excellence and unwavering motivation.

Senior executive officer CV personal statement example

Senior civil servant with 8 years of hands-on experience. Collaborates seamlessly with SEA, TAG and HSSG professional advisors, ensuring a multi-disciplinary and peer-reviewed approach. Adept at employing diverse research methods, including surveys, interviews and focus groups, to comprehend requirements, challenges, preferences and policy priorities. A strong advocate for evidence-based practices, driving the integration of modern health surveillance services. Establishes robust partnerships with key stakeholders across government bodies, local health entities and scientific organisations.

What are the key skills for a civil service CV?

Similar to other professional roles in the UK such as an operations manager , project manager or engineer , a candidate in this diverse sector needs to demonstrate a mix of hard, soft, and technical skills.

When listing skills on your CV consider the following:

Soft skills	Hard skills
Communication
Policy analysis
Interpersonal
Data analysis
Organisation
Legislative knowledge
Problem-solving
Contract management
Research
Commercial awareness

If you would like to gain insight into how other potential roles present skills on CVs check our administrator and business analyst examples.

When editing your master CV, always make sure your skills and experience align with the requirements of the specific job description.

How to write work experience

When detailing your work experience on a CV , it's crucial to align it with civil service job requirements. Customise each description to underscore skills relevant to the role, using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model.

Whether you’re listing work experience as an architect , data analyst or software developer , you should always use reverse chronological order - listing your most recent employment first.

Remember to include placements or internships as they demonstrate the practical application of skills. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements using numbers to showcase impact. Highlight transferable competencies from previous roles to display your adaptability.

Examples of work experience

Senior civil servant | Strategic Evidence and Analysis Unit, London | 2019 - Present

Responsible for the integration of scientific research with policy-making, collaborating with various government bodies. Develop multi-disciplinary approaches, coordinate stakeholder interactions, and guide evidence-based policy. Utilise advanced data analysis tools to extract insights, underpinning robust policy decisions.

Led a cross-sectoral collaboration resulting in a 15% increase in data-driven policy adoption.

Implemented streamlined data collection methods, reducing analysis time by 20% and enhancing the accuracy of evidence used in policy formulation.

Administrative officer | Department for Administrative Affairs, London | 2017 - 2019

Assisted in formulating policies by conducting thorough research and analysis of relevant data. Worked closely with senior officers, attended stakeholder meetings and supported policy implementation. Collaborated with cross-functional teams, utilising effective communication to ensure smooth project execution.

Facilitated the successful implementation of a new digital service, resulting in a 40% reduction in response time.

Successfully contributed to the delivery of 15 policies by conducting research and collaborating with senior officers.

Civil service intern | Department of Policy Development, London | 2016 - 2017

Supported policy analysts in researching and drafting reports on the socio-economic impacts of proposed policies. Conducted data collection and literature reviews, and contributed to drafting sections of policy reports. Utilised statistical software for data analysis, enhancing the quality of data-driven policy recommendations. Played a key role in producing reports that directly informed the revision of a major employment policy.

Compiled 300+ data points, conducted 25 literature reviews and prepared 10 detailed policy briefs.

Initiated 5 sustainable cross-department collaborations, fostering interagency communication and coordination.

Community outreach volunteer | Salford Community Center, Manchester | 2015

Collaborated with a team to organise community events, aimed at enhancing engagement and addressing local concerns. Assumed responsibility for event planning, coordinating volunteers, and promoting initiatives within the neighbourhood. Utilised effective communication and project management skills to ensure seamless event execution.

Achieved a 25% increase in event attendance

Saw a 15% rise in community participation.

Keep work experience descriptions concise, clear and results-orientated. By demonstrating how your experience matches the job's demands, you'll convey your proficiency to excel within the civil service environment.

Include your educational achievements on your civil service CV

Completing the education section of your CV showcases the qualifications you've acquired while developing your expertise as a civil servant. Here, your formal learning contributes to your technical skills, personal growth and work history.

If you have little to no work experience , refer to a graduate CV example for guidance or consider a skills-based CV format to showcase education over experience. Keep the education segment succinct; a concise line for each certification captures the essential specifics.

Examples of education:

Master of Public Administration (MPA), London School of Economics and Political Science, 2018

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science, University of Manchester, 2016

Key takeaways

Breaking your way into the civil service is no easy task, especially with the particular application requirements to become accustomed to. Here are our five key takeaways to put your CV in the best possible position.

Next steps?

Iron out any creases using our intuitive CV builder and choose a CV template from one of our professional designs. To accompany your CV, discover our cover letter templates . If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with our professional CV Writing Service . Save time and easily select the CV example within the builder and tailor it to your needs.

How long should my CV be for a civil servant position?

Aim for conciseness, around 2 pages, focusing on key experiences relevant to the role. Highlight quantifiable achievements. Read more about how long a CV should be .

What is a standard CV UK format for the civil service?

Follow the UK standard format, including personal info, skills, work history, education and references. Tailor it to the specific role. If you are applying for a role abroad, you can read more about the Europass CV format.

What is a personal statement for a civil service job application?

It is a comprehensive introduction showcasing your unique offer. For civil service applications, a personal statement can be around 750 words or more. Personal statements assess your skills, experiences and suitability for the role. It is an opportunity to showcase alignment with Civil Service competencies. Refer to our personal statement examples for civil service above.

What is a civil service industry placement?

A civil service industry placement is an opportunity to gain practical work experience within the Civil Service, enhancing your skills and understanding of its operations.

How do I find the right match for me in civil service?

Research roles that match your skills, values and interests. Explore Civil Service job listings , descriptions and career pathways.

Do you need a CV for civil service fast stream?

While it is not mentioned on the Fast Stream application website that a CV is mandatory, it is good practice to attach one to your application. Highlight your competencies and align them with the program's requirements.

Do I need a degree to become a civil servant?

While a degree is common, it's not a universal requirement. Relevant experience, skills and qualifications can also be considered for entry into the civil service.

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Blog Office for Product Safety and Standards

This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 conservative administration.

https://opss.blog.gov.uk/2023/04/27/8-tips-for-a-great-civil-service-application/

8 tips for a great Civil Service application

Our work makes a real difference to society, and we’re looking for talented people who can put the public at the heart of what they do.

We’re recruiting for a number of roles in the Construction Products team, we also need Business Compliance Team Leaders, Business Compliance Officers, and more.

Writing a Civil Service job application can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with Success Profiles and the application process — it’s not only the content that’s important, but also how the application is written.

Here are eight top tips to overcome the most common mistakes people make when applying for jobs in the Civil Service.

Go into detail when writing your CV, your CV should be a good summary of your education, skills and experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities.
Read the recruitment advert in detail and any attachments that are part of the advert. You must follow the selection process exactly and ensure that you provide what is asked so that the hiring manager can assess you properly.
A personal statement will enable you to sell your experience: matching your examples with essential and desirable behaviours and skills.
Ensure that the behavioural examples clearly demonstrate the behaviour. Provide good evidence for these examples and make your examples memorable.
Only use about 20% on situation and task for the STAR model.
Prepare your strengths in advance. There are 36 available strengths, go through them and ask yourself how you can demonstrate your personal strengths and your preferred ways of working.
Be authentic. Panels can recognise if your example is recited by heart.
Learn the difference between the sift and the interview. The sift gets you past the first hurdle, the interview is when you need to stand out from the other candidates.

Need help with Success Profiles? You can find out more on this GOV.UK page.

Click here to see our current vacancies.

Tags: Civil Service Job applications , Civil Service Jobs

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Comment by Mashair Saeed posted on 15 January 2024

hi i need help to apply for the ao roles please

Comment by Simone King posted on 20 January 2024

Hi Mashair, Thank you for your question. Our Careers website has guidance available to download on writing a Personal Statement and CV Guidance https://opss-careers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

Personal Statement and CV Guidance

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A guide to personal statements for public and civil service jobs: how to sell yourself, both on application forms and in person

A cartoon of recruiters looking at CVs for johs

Recruiting managers may have to sift through hundreds or even thousands of applications, while i nterviewers are likely to be meeting multiple candidates. So how do you ensure you stand out from the crowd? Writing a short but perfectly formed personal statement or selling yourself at interview in just a few well-chosen words could make all the difference. Danielle Littlejohn tells you how

A personal statement is a summary of what you offer an employer whether you’re a school leaver, graduate, or an established career mover. By condensing your experience and skills into a few sentences, the aim is to highlight what sets you apart from others whether you are applying for a new role and writing a personal statement to go with your CV, or relaying your experience during an interview or more relaxed meeting. These days we need to be able to promote our professional worth in just one or two minutes.

Be it a written or verbal personal statement, recruiting managers and interviewers are looking for a short, sharp clarification of who you are, what makes you stand out, and what makes you the best person for the job.

Not everyone knows the term ‘elevator pitch’ but I have always quite liked the analogy. If you found yourself in a lift with the employer of your dreams and had only the time it takes to travel a few floors, how would you sell yourself? Ideally, you should incorporate your personal values, and unique selling point (USP), as well as skills and experience. It can be the clincher in an employer’s mind as to your organisational fit so it can be the perfect thing to say at the beginning of the interview when you are asked: “So tell me a little about yourself”.

These days, our careers and their progression can be quite fluid. When you’re looking to move forward, it’s advisable to hone your skillsets and have clear aspirations of where you want them to take you. To paraphrase the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, when she finds herself lost in the woods and asks directions: “If you don’t know where you are going, how are you going to know when you get there?”

How to structure a written personal statement

Lucy Ventrice, senior HR business partner at Amazon, suggests you start by creating a ‘mind map’ of both yourself and one of your potential employers. By comparing the two, you will have something to build from and an idea of what they are looking for, enabling you to make the application bespoke.

In the opening sentence, you want to grab the reader so it should include your job title, number of years’ experience, expertise, and some positive or active ‘hook’ words. Your personal statement will obviously vary according to where you are in your career. If you have achievements that are relevant to the employer, it’s an idea to mention these briefly. It’s a good idea to give an idea of what you’re looking for in the closing sentence, for example, specific goals and why you would like to work for that employer.

Beyond that we want to keep the personal statement as concise as possible without jargon or repetition and with a real focus on grammar and spelling.

Pinning down your elevator pitch face-to-face

In the same way as written personal statements, an elevator pitch should be a quick synopsis of your background and experience but, as it is generally delivered face-to-face, it should be more relaxed and affords us the opportunity to inject a little more personality into it.

It is great to have something up your sleeve for job fairs, networking events and other professional activities as it sounds corporate, explains you in the terms they are after, and gives you a head start on something to say about yourself rather than getting tongue-tied.

As this is verbal, we need to think about our delivery and particularly not speaking too fast, so keep it short – ideally up to one minute.

Ensure you have some intonation and that you’re not rambling. Be aware of our body language. You should be approachable without being overbearing – don’t frown, don’t slouch.

As with any public speaking, it is a good idea to have something practised and polished that can be adapted on the spot to suit the audience or individual you are talking to.

Dos and don’ts for personal statements

Do highlight what sets you apart.
Do make it relevant – tailor to the person or role in question.
Do be specific (on what can you offer) and succinct (two-three sentences).
Do make it engaging – think about your hook.
Do be passionate.
Don’t be negative.
Don’t exaggerate or embellish.

Like this story? Sign up to Global Government Forum’s email news notifications to receive the latest updates in your inbox .

Danielle Littlejohn provides a range of professional development courses as part of Global Government Forum’s training portfolio. Courses she runs include Delivering Results at Work – Essential Success Skills for New Managers , Creating and Growing a Productive Team – Interviewer Skills and Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling .

About Danielle Littlejohn

Danielle Littlejohn provides a range of professional development courses as part of Global Government Forum’s training portfolio. Courses she runs include Delivering Results at Work – Essential Success Skills for New Managers, Creating and Growing a Productive Team – Interviewer Skills and Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling.

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Civil Service Personal Suitability & Behaviour Statements (2024 Update)

Personal and Suitability Statements Civil Service

Learn all about Civil Service Personal Statements, Statements of Suitability & Behaviour Statements.

Looking to get a post in the Civil Service or zoom up the career ladder with a promotion during 2024?

If you have made or are considering making a Civil Service application or to other large employers, you will most likely have come across personal statements, behaviour statements and statements of suitability.

There are three different types of statement you may be asked to submit.

Personal Statement
Statement of Suitability
Behaviour Statement

It can be easy to get confused between these three, however, we view a personal statement and statement of suitability as largely the same.

A behaviour statement, however, is different as this will relate just to behaviours and usually requires the use of the STAR method when structuring your examples.

In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to get detailed Civil Service personal statement examples relevant to your level along with 250 word behaviour statements, great for inspiration.

Your Civil Service Statements Created For You

With InterviewGold you will have top quality personal, suitability and behaviour statements created for you and all tailored to you and your target job. All Civil Service grades covered.

See How it Works

In This Lesson:

What is a personal statement / statement of suitability, why the civil service requests personal or suitability statements, how long should a personal or suitability statement be, how to deal with limited word count – example 250 words, creating a personal statement for senior leadership posts, using your personal statement to sell yourself, 8 top tips for civil service statements of suitability and personal statements, how to introduce yourself in a personal or suitability statement.

Civil Service Personal / Suitability Statement Example

What is a Civil Service Behaviour Statement?

Typical civil service behaviour statement examples, how to answer civil service behaviour statements.

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A Civil Service personal statement or statement of suitability is designed to be a summary, a written addition to your CV or application. It will be used by the recruiter to check your suitability and it will be assessed against the required Civil Service Success Profiles and strengths.

While your CV will detail your career history, experience and qualifications, it does not show who you are as a person. The personal or suitability statement offers you an excellent opportunity to provide more context and to outline why you are ideal for the role.

This text sits alongside your CV and is a great way for you to clearly show how you meet each of the essential criteria for the role and how your skills are relevant.

See how you can get your personal and suitability statements written for you in minutes.

When advertising a position, employers such as the Civil Service provide a job description which will detail the responsibilities, essential criteria and desirable skills. It will also specify the behaviours you will be assessed against.

This combination paints a picture of the perfect candidate for the role, someone they envisage as being an ideal employee in the post. The personal statement is a way for you to expand on your CV and to provide evidence showing that you bring all of these essential criteria.

Used well, your statement is an ideal way to align what you bring with what they need . A well written document will show clearly and instantly how your skills and experience best fit the role.

In our experience, most Civil Service personal or suitability statements are circa 500 – 750 words. For senior posts you may be allowed to write up to 1,250 words and some DWP posts ask for 1,200 words.

While it’s possible to have a request for a personal statement of just 250 words , we find these are more likely to be behaviour statements. Where we have seen a request for a statement of just 250 words, this is usually in the form of an interview question. For example, here is one from a recent job posting:

Tell us why you have applied for the role and what you hope to gain from the apprenticeship in terms of new learning and skills. (250 words max)

Study the job advert and description and make note of the word count if available. It is vital that you do not go over as this will show poor communication skills and an inability to summarise.

Irrespective of the word count, proper editing of your statement is essential. For example, there may be ten or more essential criteria plus three to five Success Profiles behaviours outlined in the job description. So how can you fit all of this in?

Proper preparation is essential and a top tip is to take the essential criteria and group them under common themes. You may find that your experience and an achievement can be used to address multiple points.

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

When you have a first draft, you are still likely to have exceeded the word limit – and this is a good thing. Now you have enough material to be discerning. Cross out all the parts that feel weak or unimportant until you are down to the most powerful ideas.

If going for a Civil Service leadership position, Grade 6 or 7 , your statement will require more thought and depth, as you need to communicate your character for the role and your vision for leading others. What are your values in leadership? What do you see as central to the exceptional performance of a team?

Before writing your statement, sit and map out the fundamentals of how you will take on the task. Then, as you write your statement, weave these beliefs into your text and link these directly to specific examples where you have proven their success.

Save time and effort and let InterviewGold create your statements for you . Fully tailored to you and your target job and perfectly structured with the correct word count.

Do not be afraid to blow your own trumpet in your personal or suitability statement. By that, we do not mean boasting or exaggerating, simply, state your great achievements, describe the behaviours you used to deliver them and highlight the skills and strengths you bring.

In a competitive sector such as this, you need to stand out as being an overall perfect fit for the role. Consequently, everything you write in your supporting statement needs to be tailored to the essential criteria.

Go through the job description and highlight the top 4 or 5 key responsibilities and duties and address each of these separately. Note keywords that seem to come up time and again and mirror this language in your statement.

Use bullet points and use these as the topics for your paragraphs. Of course, do not just repeat phrases they use but use them as a guide, edit and refocus.

To make your Civil Service personal or suitability statement really stand out here are some top tips. This guidance applies equally to all Civil Service roles from EO, HEO, SEO and to senior posts.

Your statement must reflect your recent and relevant experience, skills and achievements.
Avoid the temptation to just use the same statement for each application, instead, tailor it to the role.
Address each requirement directly, providing evidence in the form of an achievement, skill, development or experience gained.
Describe what you bring, the skills and experience acquired.
The statement should include examples of real key achievements, what you have done, what you have delivered and core learnings.
Use active, positive language, rather than lots of passive statements.
Describe key and specific achievements rather than generalised responsibilities.
Finally, ensure your examples reflect the level you are applying for. Very often, examples can be too simple, can fall short and not reflect the complexity required.

Read More: Get instant access to detailed sample personal and suitability statements for your level with InterviewGold. Click here to start.

As stated, the opening paragraph is going to win or lose the attention of the application panel. It is essential that you introduce yourself effectively as this gives a strong lead in and will hook the reader.

There are two options available to you.

1) Provide a personal profile, stating key information, years of experience, current post, key strengths and what you bring.

2) Focus on reasons for applying, detailing how your skills and experience fit perfectly. Perhaps tell a story of how you decided to be a part of the Civil Service, while outlining key criteria and how this fits with your career path.

Get this opening sentence right and you are well on your way to success.

Civil Service Personal / Suitability Statement Example Introduction

Here is an example of a strong opening introduction , a brief personal profile that is designed to grab the recruiter’s attention. For example:

I am a highly motivated and experienced finance professional with 8 years’ experience working within local and regional Government posts in England and Northern Ireland. My current role is Finance Analyst within the NHS where I have progressed rapidly during my two-year tenure.

I bring a degree in Economics from Aston University and I am skilled in financial modelling, business planning and team leadership.

I recently delivered a comprehensive business case for a proposed outsourcing opportunity leading to cost savings of £3m. Through this I gained proven experience in developing rewarding relationships with internal and external stakeholders resulting in improved working practices and data accuracy.

I am currently looking for a role within the Department of Heath and Social care.

As you can see that is a short lead-in to the statement that forms a strong, clear introduction. The recruiter knows instantly who the candidate is, their high level experience and why they have applied.

For your statement, you would need to continue and outline your experience, skills, relevant achievements and behaviours. Within the InterviewGold system you will get great formulas to use to bring powerful structure to any suitability or personal statement.

When you join InterviewGold you will have expert statements written for you with just a few clicks . Plus you will get sample Civil Service personal and suitability statements to inspire you.

Each role will have a set of behaviours you will assessed against. For example, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace and Managing a Quality Service are three of the top required in most roles.

Alongside your CV and / or application form, you may be asked for behaviour statements instead of a personal or suitability statement, or also in addition to these.

Describe a time when you delivered an exciting piece of work that exceeded the expectations of others. (250 words max)
Detail when you showed excellent leadership skills and explain what you learned from the experience. (250 words max)
Explain your experiences against the Communicating and Influencing Behaviour (Level 2). (500 Words)

As you can see the request relates to specific behaviours and asks you to provide evidence of your experience with it. They are in effect the same format as competency based or behaviour interview questions.

For these y ou must use the STAR formula . They will be looking for clear evidence of experience in a previous role and your example must be strong, relevant and complex.

You should demonstrate the essential positive behaviours keeping in mind that different roles will favour different behaviours.

Review the job description to get a sense of what these might be and edit your answer so that the required essential ones are shown first.

Throughout your InterviewGold training course we teach you all about how to answer these questions. A good starting point is the section on competency behaviours in the Essential Learning module.

Read more: Get instant access to expertly written 250-word behaviour statements in the InterviewGold training system.

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Civil service statement of suitability and personal statements

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CV Writing Services

Writing a CV for the Civil Service

As one of the UK’s leading recruiters - accounting for nearly half a million employees - a career as a Civil Servant can be a rewarding one. In fact, in 2020, the Civil Service was named number 1 in the ‘The Times Top-100 Graduate Employers’ listing. The diversity of roles available provides an opportunity not found in the public sector – from working within one of 24 ministerial units to defining critical policies; and most with above-average salaries and pensions.

In this article, we advise on how to tailor your CV to increase your chances of securing a role within the Civil Service.

How do I apply for a role in the Civil Service?

There are multiple pathways into the Civil Service, including apprenticeships , and internships targeting undergraduates from diverse backgrounds , with starting salaries of around £27,000 (rising to £55,000 upon promotion).

Behaviours matter!

When applying for a role within the Civil Service, a set of “behaviours” are used to determine your fit for a specific role. These behaviours include leadership, delivering at pace and making effective decisions. Spend time articulating how you can demonstrate experience in these areas when preparing your CV.

Behaviour-related questions are used to provide recruiting managers with the data needed to identify your fit and predict your performance for a specific role. This is beneficial to both parties, as a candidate who fits well within a role, is more likely to be happy, and therefore perform better.

Backup your claims with examples

You’re no doubt aware of the need to blow your own trumpet within a CV, and the importance of achievements . However, with Civil Service applications, the ability to quantify your claims with specific examples of “how” you achieved something is even more important.

Use the STAR Format

Consider adopting the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach to structure your CV (and personal statement – more on this below). We speak more about the STAR CV here , but essentially, this format can help you in accurately showcasing your skills and achievements in line with the Civil Service’s behaviours.

In addition, spend some time reading up on Success Profiles . These frameworks are used within the Civil Service to assess experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical skills required – not just from your CV, but also your application form, interview, role-play exercises and personality tests.

Include hobbies

Yes, you read that right! Usually, we advise against including hobbies in a CV . However, for Civil Service CVs, it’s a good idea to include them.

Common questions:

I've heard the Civil Service often prefers using anonymised CVs. Is this true? Yes. These are often called blind CVs .

How long should a Civil Service CV be? As with any other CV, no more than three pages (depending on experience level) is fine.

Should I include my full career history? As you can see below, the guidelines state to not go back more than a decade:

Does a CV for the Civil Service need to be formatted differently? No, the “normal” rules for writing a good CV apply.

What’s a Statement of Suitability, and should this go in my CV? This document should be used alongside your CV, rather than within it. This is a document of up to 1,250 words to expand upon the content of your CV in more detail.

Need help preparing your CV for a Civil Service application?

Established in 2001 and based in London, we're the top-rated CV service in the UK. All our packages include an ATS-optimised CV, two cover letters and free support for one year.

View our prices here

With 20+ years of experience writing CVs, it still puts a smile on my face when I hear a client has secured an interview Lee Tonge - Founder and Director

Email: [email protected] Phone: (01904) 902 102

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Why Us? Order Process

Blog Defra digital, data, technology and security

This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 conservative administration.

https://defradigital.blog.gov.uk/2023/04/14/how-to-improve-civil-service-job-applications-and-ace-your-interviews/

How to improve Civil Service job applications and ace your interviews

A lady with glasses and long blond hair, holding a ginger cat.

As recruiters around the world have been celebrating International Recruiter’s Day, Polly Whitworth shares her tips for those thinking of applying for a job in the Civil Service, including how to avoid some of the common pitfalls in the written application process and the interview.

I’m a huge cat lover (I expect you can tell from the picture)! I think I like cats so much because they are independent, and they “choose” their human.

Like many people, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I graduated. I studied International Relations and Mandarin Chinese, with a year spent abroad in Wuhan.

I had the best time; however, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I graduated. I sort of fell into Civil Service recruitment (as I know that I enjoy connecting people) and I have loved it ever since.

Working in central government has many benefits including hybrid and flexible working, learning and development budget, diverse staff networks. up to 27% pension contribution, a generous cycle to work scheme, minimum of 25 days annual leave rising to 30 after five years’ service and a privilege day off to mark the King’s birthday.

I work in a truly diverse and inclusive environment at Defra Digital data and technology; an environment that encourages ideas, new ways of working and supports my development as a recruiter.

One of my academic interests was in gender, and I’ve been able use my knowledge of both recruitment and gender disparity in technology roles to implement a job advert text analyser that eliminates bias from our job descriptions.

We’ve really seen a difference too; more women are now applying to our digital data and technology jobs than ever before, with an increase every year.

A group of people stand together in a line up, smiling for a photograph, on the left are three women, and on the right are five men.

Working in Defra is not your typical ‘9 to 5’ either; there is also an opportunity to take up to three days off a year for volunteer leave. I take one of my volunteer days to go back to the University of Portsmouth and talk to the students about careers in the Civil Service, as well as providing them with hints and tips on how to apply.

Understanding the Civil Service recruitment process

Civil Service jobs use Success Profiles to assess candidates. This includes the need to demonstrate their experience, ability, technical skills, behaviours and strengths.

We mark on a merit basis and use a Civil Service rating scale between 1 and 7 to score each assessment on the job advert. To pass to the next stage, you will require to score a 4 or more on each assessment.

This means it’s very important to tailor your application specifically to what is required on the job advert. A standard job advert would normally require a CV and personal statement.

Let’s go through the top elements you normally see on one of our Digital, Data and Technology Civil Service Job adverts.

Application: CV writing

You’ll find that most Civil Service Jobs adverts ask for CVs. Ensure you carefully read the Job Description and Person Specification, so you are clear what skills and experience are required for the role.

Write your CV and provide examples on how you meet the criteria of the Person Specification. Try and write your examples using the STAR format .

Application: Writing your Personal Statement

Typically, the Personal Statement is 250-1,000 words long and the question will ask the following:

“'Referring to the "Responsibilities and Skills and Experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples."

You should answer by providing evidence on how you have the relevant or transferable skills that match the requirements under the Person Specification section. Use the STAR format again here. Try to avoid including information that is not relevant to the role as this can eat up your word count. And do check out some of the various websites that provide Personal Statement writing tips .

Interview: Behaviours

When it comes to the interview, assessors will be looking for you to demonstrate evidence against the behaviours that were outlined in the original job advert.

Behaviours are the actions and activities that you do which result in effective performance at a job. They may start with ‘Tell me about a time when…’. I’d recommend you really practice your STAR examples before the interview.

Assessors may ask you follow-up questions from your example, which is great! They want you to give the best answer possible.

You may find this hints and tips document helpful for deciding which examples to use at your Interview. There are some useful videos, for example this one by Jac Williams , and this one by CareerVidz , which help explain how to answer Behaviours questions.

Interview: Technical

Technical skills focus more on specific professional skills. The assessor could ask you to do a scenario-based exercise, test, or a presentation.

You should prepare for this by understanding what is required of the technical skill and make sure you have prepared examples of you demonstrating that skill.

We have a digital, data and technology framework that looks at some of the Technical skills that may be assessed at your interview if you are applying for a DDaT role .

Interview: Strengths

Strengths are things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us. Now is your time to shine!

These questions will require shorter answers, typically two minutes at the most. Examples of questions you might be asked include ‘What motivates you to get up in the morning?’ or ‘Would others describe you as an analytical person?’

You don’t need to apply the STAR format here. Don’t rehearse your answers either as we’re looking for a natural response.

Final Step: Perseverance

A final few words of wisdom. I feel that Civil Service jobs are in high demand because of the benefits we offer such as the unbeatable pension scheme and flexible working .

If at first, you don’t succeed… try again! I applied for several Civil Service Jobs before I landed my current Resourcing Partner role at Defra. So don’t give up.

Polly Whitworth is a Resourcing Partner in Defra Digital Data and Technology.

Check out the latest jobs at Defra Digital Data and Technology . You can also follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest blog posts and job openings.

Find out more about the benefits of working at Defra .

International Recruiters Day is celebrated every year by recruiters the world over.

Tags: digital , people , recruitment , Technology

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Making Effective Decisions – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application

Updated January 15, 2024
Published September 28, 2023

In the Civil Service, making effective decisions is crucial. Securing a position within the civil service is an admirable and impactful career choice. Whether you aspire to work in government, public administration, or related fields, the application process for civil service roles can be highly competitive.

One crucial aspect of your application is the “ 250-word statement, ” a concise document that holds significant weight in the selection process. Your ability to make effective decisions and articulate them within this limited word count is pivotal.

In this article, we will delve into the art of crafting a compelling and concise 250-word statement for your civil service application. We will guide you through the essential components of this statement, including understanding the competencies, structuring your response, and showcasing your qualifications effectively.

By the end of this article, you will have the knowledge and confidence to present yourself as a strong candidate, capable of making effective decisions in the complex and dynamic world of civil service. So, let us help equip you with the tools to stand out and succeed in your civil service application.

What Does Making Effective Decisions Mean in Civil Service?

In civil service, the concept of making effective decisions transcends mere problem-solving. It encompasses a holistic approach that combines analytical prowess, sound judgment, adaptability, and a strong sense of public duty. Effective decision-making means having the ability to navigate complex issues, often with incomplete information, and arrive at choices that serve the best interests of the public.

It involves considering the long-term consequences of decisions, adhering to ethical principles, and balancing the diverse needs and perspectives of a diverse society. A civil servant who excels in this competency demonstrates a commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the ever-evolving demands of governance.

Showcasing Effective Decision-Making in Your 250-Word Personal Statement

When crafting your 250-word personal statement for a civil service application, it is crucial to showcase your understanding of effective decision-making. Begin by providing a concise but impactful example from your past experiences, preferably from a relevant role or situation where you demonstrated your decision-making skills.

Describe the context, the challenge or opportunity you faced, and the steps you took to analyze the situation thoroughly. Emphasize your ability to weigh options, consider multiple viewpoints, and arrive at a well-reasoned decision that yields positive outcomes.

Highlighting Key Qualities and Competencies

In your 250-word statement, highlight the key qualities and competencies that underpin effective decision-making. Discuss how you embrace critical thinking, data analysis, and risk assessment to inform your choices. Mention your commitment to ethical decision-making, ensuring that the public’s trust is upheld in all your actions.

Showcase your adaptability and agility in responding to changing circumstances and your ability to collaborate with diverse teams to reach consensus when necessary. By presenting concrete examples and demonstrating your understanding of the multifaceted nature of decision-making in civil service, you’ll convey your readiness to excel in this vital competency and contribute significantly to the public good.

Changing & Improving – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Leadership – How to Write a 250-word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Communicating & Influencing – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Delivering at Pace – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application

How to Structure a 250-word Personal Statement?

Crafting a compelling 250-word personal statement for your civil service application requires a thoughtful and structured approach. Given the limited word count, every word and sentence must count towards showcasing your qualifications and suitability for the role.

Begin by introducing yourself briefly and explaining your interest in the position. A concise opening sentence or two should capture the reader’s attention and provide context for the rest of your statement. For instance, you can mention your current role, your passion for public service, or any relevant background that aligns with the position. Go into detail about your belief in making effective decisions.

STAR Method

After the introduction and establishing your personal philosophy or belief about decision-making, provide a snapshot of where your conviction comes from. Mention relevant roles or experiences that have shaped your view on decision-making. Next, use the STAR method to illustrate a scenario where you demonstrated your dedication to making effective decisions.

Situation : Detail a particular event or circumstance where you were challenged to make a significant decision. The aim is to provide context for your evidence. This could be a project that you worked on, a challenging situation where you took responsibility, or a situation where you helped another person in decision-making.

Task : Here, delineate your specific role or responsibility in the mentioned situation. What were you tasked to decide or achieve? This sets the stage for your actions. Focus on what you did to ensure effective decision-making.

Action : Discuss your approach. How did you navigate the task? Which resources or strategies did you employ? If multiple options were present, how did you assess them? This section is pivotal in illustrating your effective decision-making process and thought pattern.

Result : Highlight the outcome or impact of your decision. Was it beneficial for the decision-making process? Were there learnings you took away? Show the reader that your actions led to concrete, often positive, outcomes.

Proofreading and Conciseness

Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review it for feedback and ensure that it effectively communicates your qualifications and enthusiasm. By adhering to this structured approach and paying attention to detail, you can create a powerful 250-word personal statement that leaves a lasting impression on the selection committee and enhances your chances of success in your civil service application.

How to Write a Personal Statement Within the 250-Word Limit

To formulate a compelling 250-word statement, there are a couple of tips to help you get started.

Use the STAR Method : Ensure that each step of the STAR Method is concise and to the point. Balance the length of each section, and be clear and direct.
Start with a Clear Plan: Before you begin writing, outline the key points and experiences you want to include. Having a structured plan will help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary details.
Be Ruthless with Editing: Once you’ve written your initial draft, go back and edit rigorously. Look for redundant phrases or ideas that can be expressed more succinctly.
Use Strong Action Verbs: Opt for strong verbs that convey your achievements directly, allowing you to express more in fewer words. For example, “managed” instead of “was responsible for managing.”
Prioritize Relevance: Keep the focus on experiences and skills directly relevant to the civil service role. Avoid going off-topic or including unrelated anecdotes.
Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use quantifiable metrics to highlight your accomplishments. Numbers can provide a vivid picture of your contributions.
Avoid Jargon: While it’s essential to demonstrate your expertise, avoid using excessive industry-specific jargon that might confuse or inflate your word count unnecessarily.
Condense Lists: If you need to list multiple accomplishments, group them into concise bullet points rather than lengthy sentences.
Combine Sentences: Look for opportunities to combine related sentences or ideas. Condensing information can save valuable space.
Use Contractions: Utilize contractions like “I’ve” instead of “I have” to make your writing sound more conversational and save a few characters.
Seek Feedback: Share your statement with a trusted friend, family member, or mentor for feedback. They can often spot areas where you can make your writing more concise or clarify your points.
Read Aloud: Reading your statement aloud can help you identify overly complex sentences or areas where you can simplify your language.
Stay Mindful of the Word Count: As you make revisions, continuously check the word count to ensure you’re within the 250-word limit.
Have a Clear Conclusion: Wrap up your statement with a concise and impactful closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role.

By implementing these tips and tricks, you can craft a focused, compelling, and well-edited personal statement that adheres to the strict 250-word limit while effectively showcasing your qualifications and passion for the civil service position.

Example Personal Statement Civil Service

Below, we discuss five different examples of civil service personal statements.

Example 1: Civil Service Making Effective Decisions

Effective decision-making is the linchpin of any successful public service endeavor. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of my professional life, consistently driving me to ensure that the decisions I make are not only timely but also robust, inclusive, and sustainable. Drawing from my tenure as a Project Coordinator at ABC Organization, I’ve cultivated an acute understanding of the intricate balance required in civil service roles.

Situation : While spearheading a major community project aimed at urban sustainability, I faced challenges related to conflicting stakeholder interests, with both environmental groups and local businesses presenting contrasting priorities.

Task : My challenge was to harmonize these varied perspectives into a unified, actionable plan that would serve the community’s broader interests without compromising our sustainability goals.

Action : I organized a series of consultative forums, bringing together representatives from each stakeholder group. Leveraging these discussions, I commissioned a team to map out potential solutions, weighing each against our project objectives. Through iterative evaluations and collaborations, we were able to devise a strategy that integrated economic and environmental considerations.

Result : The project was executed with unanimous stakeholder approval, setting a precedent for future initiatives. It underscored the importance of consultative, data-driven decision-making in achieving outcomes that resonate with a diverse set of stakeholders.

In seeking a role within the Civil Service, I aspire to apply and further hone these decision-making skills, aiming for impact, inclusivity, and innovation in every endeavor.

Example 2: Civil Service Making Effective Decisions

Throughout my career, the belief that purposeful and strategic decision-making lies at the heart of successful public service has remained unwavering. My role as a Community Outreach Manager at XYZ Council has provided me numerous opportunities to shape decisions that have far-reaching consequences.

Situation : In one pivotal instance, we were tasked to rejuvenate an underused public park, but budget constraints and community concerns regarding the disruption posed significant challenges.

Task : My primary responsibility was to deliver a revitalized park that met community needs, preserved local heritage, and stayed within budget.

Action : Recognizing the importance of community buy-in, I initiated a two-pronged approach. First, I facilitated a series of community engagement workshops to understand their aspirations for the space. Concurrently, I collaborated with financial analysts to draft potential budget scenarios. Integrating the community’s feedback, I proposed a park redesign that incorporated historical landmarks, community spaces, and eco-friendly facilities. I also identified potential sponsorships and grants to offset costs, ensuring financial viability.

Result : The transformed park, unveiled months later, not only stayed within budget but also received accolades for its blend of heritage and innovation. Visitor numbers surged, and the park became a community hub, testifying to the success of the decisions made.

As I look to contribute to the Civil Service, I bring with me this meticulous approach to decision-making, ensuring that every choice is rooted in research, collaboration, and a deep commitment to community welfare.

Example 3: Civil Service Making Effective Decisions

In the realm of public service, I am aware that decisions resonate beyond the confines of a spreadsheet or a meeting room. As an Urban Development Strategist at LMN Planners, my actions directly influenced community well-being and long-term city growth.

Situation : We were confronted with revitalizing an old district, a mosaic of dilapidated buildings, and a rich historical legacy. The easy route was to raze and rebuild, but this would erase invaluable cultural history.

Task : My challenge was to integrate modern urban planning with heritage preservation, creating a vibrant, functional, and historically resonant space.

Action : Collaborating with a team of historians, architects, and community leaders, I organized town hall sessions to understand local sentiments and aspirations. We then used 3D mapping tools to overlay modern designs onto the historical structures, aiming to blend the old with the new. By reallocating certain commercial zones, we introduced a pedestrian-friendly layout, prioritizing communal spaces while retaining iconic landmarks.

Result : The district’s transformation became emblematic of merging past and future. It witnessed increased footfall, reinvigorated business activities, and was featured in architectural journals. Most importantly, it preserved the narratives and histories of its inhabitants while catering to the needs of a modern city.

Entering the Civil Service, my vision is clear: to make decisions that respect our past, understand our present, and anticipate our future. I am driven by the goal of making choices that not only solve today’s problems but also respect the tapestry of our shared histories.

Example 4: Civil Service Making Effective Decisions

Decisions made in public service carry an inherent weight of responsibility, echoing across communities and generations. My tenure as a Sustainability Lead at XYZ Initiatives has refined my perspective on decision-making, ensuring it’s both informed and impactful.

Situation : Amid a citywide push for greener infrastructure, I encountered a dilemma where a proposed green belt conflicted with an area earmarked for essential urban development.

Task : My mandate was to find a middle ground: fulfilling our environmental commitment without hindering urban growth.

Action : Recognizing the multifaceted nature of the issue, I spearheaded an interdisciplinary team comprising urban planners, environmentalists, and community representatives. Through a series of workshops, we mapped out the potential overlap between the green initiative and urban development. Leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS), we visualized alternative configurations that could serve both objectives. This techno-social approach facilitated the identification of areas for green corridors that enhanced, rather than impeded, urban progression.

Result : Our innovative solution resulted in not only preserving 80% of the original green belt but also enhancing urban connectivity and accessibility. This initiative was subsequently hailed as a blueprint for sustainable urban planning, capturing the essence of effective and symbiotic decision-making.

In joining the Civil Service, I seek to embody this balanced and integrative approach to decision-making, always striving for solutions that serve the multifaceted needs of our diverse communities while upholding the principles of sustainability and progress.

FAQ: Civil Service Making Effective Decisions

This competency focuses on your ability to make clear, informed, and effective choices by analyzing available information, evaluating risks and implications, and considering both current and future impacts.
Since your role carries public responsibility, the decisions you make must be in the best interests of the public, sustainable, and considerate of both immediate and long-term implications.
You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your personal statement or interview responses to provide structured examples of your past decision-making experiences.
While individual departments might have their preferred tools, the general emphasis is on evidence-based decision-making, collaboration, and consistent evaluation.
Examples might include determining budget allocations, selecting policy options, deciding on strategies for public engagement, or prioritizing departmental objectives.
Yes, regardless of your position, making effective decisions and encouraging others to do so as well is essential for success in the Civil Service.
Yes, the Civil Service often provides training programs, workshops, and resources focusing on decision-making, leadership, and other core competencies.

Delivering at Pace – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Communicating & Influencing – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Leadership – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Changing & Improving – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
Civil Service Interview Questions & Answers

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Natalja Atapin

Natalja Atapin is a seasoned job interview and career coach at Megainterview.com and brings a decade of recruitment and coaching experience across diverse industries. Holding a master's degree in Organisational Psychology, she transitioned from coaching to managerial roles at prominent companies like Hays. Natalja's passion for simplifying the job search process is evident in her role at Megainterview.com, where she contributes practical strategies to assist professionals and fresh graduates.

Navigating the Job Search Market After 40

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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.

Unique & Effective Civil Service Personal Statement Examples

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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CV personal statement examples

If you want to secure job interview, you need a strong personal statement at the top of your CV.

Your CV personal statement is a short paragraph which sits at the very top of your CV – and it’s aim is to summarise the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to read your CV in full.

In this guide I have included 17 CV personal statement examples from a range of professions and experience levels, plus a detailed guide of how to write your own personal statement that will get you noticed by employers

CV templates

17 CV personal statement examples

To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look , and what should be included.

Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates – if you are experienced, check out our CV profile examples instead.

Graduate CV personal statement (no experience)

Graduate with no experience CV personal statement

Although this graduate has no paid work experience, they compensate for it by showcasing all of the skills and knowledge the have gained during their studies, and demonstrating how they apply their knowledge in academic and personal projects.

When you have little or no experience, it’s important to draw out transferable workplace skills from your studies and extracurricular work, to showcase them to employers.

Graduate CV personal statement (part time freelance experience)

Graduate with part time freelance experience CV personal statement

This candidate has graduated with a degree in biochemistry but actually wants to start a career in digital marketing after providing some digital freelance services to fund their studies.

In this case, they haven’t made much mention of their studies because they aren’t relevant to the digital marketing agencies they are applying to. Instead they have focused their personal statement around their freelance work and passion for the digital field – although they still mention the fact they are degree educated to prove their academic success.

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School leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

School leaver with no experience CV personal statement

This candidate is 16 years old and has no work experience whatsoever, but they compensate for this by detailing their academic achievements that relate to the roles they are applying for (maths and literacy are important requirements in finance and accountancy roles).

They also add some info on their extracurricular activities and school work-placements, to strengthen this student CV further.

Top tips for writing a CV personal statement

Thoroughly research the jobs and companies you are planning to apply for to identify the type of candidate they are looking for – try to reflect that in your personal statement
Don’t be afraid to brag a little – include some of your most impressive achievements from education, work or personal life
Focus on describing the benefits an employer will get from hiring you. Will you help them to get more customers? Improve their workplace? Save them time and money?
If you have no work experience, demonstrate transferable workplace skills from your education, projects, or even hobbies

School leaver CV personal statement (part time experience)

School leaver with part time experience CV personal statement

Although this person has only just left school, they have also undertaken some part-time work in a call centre alongside their studies.

To make the most of this experience, they have combined their academic achievements with their workplace exposure in this personal statement.

By highlighting their GCSE results, summer programme involvement, work experience and expressing their ambitions to progress within sales, this candidate really makes an appealing case for hiring them.

College leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

College leaver with no experience CV personal statement

This candidate has left college with good grades, but does not yet have any work experience.

To compensate for the lack of workplace exposure, they have made their A level results prominent and highlighted skills and experience which would benefit the employers they are targeting.

Any recruiter reading this profile can quickly understand that this candidate has great academic achievements, a passion for IT and finance and the ability to transfer their skills into an office environment.

College student CV personal statement (freelance experience)

College student with freelance experience CV personal statement

As this student has picked up a small amount of freelance writing work during their studies, they have made sure to brag about it in their personal statement.

They give details on their relevant A level studies to show the skills they are learning, and boost this further by highlighting the fact that they have been applying these skills in a real-life work setting by providing freelance services.

They also include key action verbs that recruiters will be looking for , such as creative writing, working to deadlines, and producing copy.

Academic CV personal statement

Aside from junior candidates, the only other people who might use a personal statement, are academic professionals; as their CV’s tend to be more longer and detailed than other professions.

This candidate provides a high level overview of their field of study, length of experience, and the roles they have held within universities.

School leaver CV personal statement with and sports experience

Although this person has no work experience, they are still able to show employers the value of hiring them by selling their other achievements and explaining how they could benefit an organisation.

They expand on their sports club involvement to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership skills, communication and motivation, which are all important traits in the workplace, and will be looked upon favourably by recruiters and hiring managers.

They also draw upon their future plans to study business studies and take a part time job, to further prove their ambition and dedication.

History graduate CV personal statement

This history graduate proves their aptitude for both academic achievement and workplace aptitude by showcasing valuable skills from their degree and voluntary work.

They do this by breaking down the key requirements for each and showing how their skills could be beneficial for future employers, such as listening, communication, and crisis management.

They also describe how their ability to balance studies alongside voluntary work has not only boosted their knowledge and skills, but also given excellent time management and organisational skills – which are vital assets to any employer.

Law graduate CV personal statement

This legal graduate makes the most from their work university work placements by using it to bulk out the contents of their CV personal statement.

They include their degree to show they have the necessary qualifications for legal roles, which is crucial, but more importantly, they showcase how they applied their legal skills within a real-life work setting.

They give a brief overview of the types of legal professionals they have been working alongside and the type of work they have been carrying out – this is all it takes to get the attention of recruiters and show employers they have what it takes to fulfil roles in the legal sector.

Medical student CV personal statement

This medical student proves their fit for the role by showcasing the key skills they have gained from their studies and their work experience placements.

In just these few sentences, they are able to highlight the vast amount of experience they have across different disciplines in the industry, something which is particularly important in the medical sector.

As they have not graduated yet and are still studying, they have provided proof of their most recent grades. This can give the recruiter some indication as to the type of grade they could be graduating with in the near future.

Masters student CV personal statement

This masters student has started by specifying their area of study, in this case, accounting, and given details about the specific areas of finance they are most interested in. This can hint towards their career goals and passions.

They have then carefully listed some of the key areas of accounting and finance that they are proficient in. For example, business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

They have also outlined some of the transferable skills needed for accounting roles that employers will be looking out for, such as communication, attention to detail and analytical skills.

Finance student CV personal statement

As this finance student has recently undertaken some relevant work experience, they’ve made sure to shout about this in their personal profile.

But more than this, they have included a list of some of the important finance skills they gained as a result of this work experience – for example, financial reporting, processing invoices and month-end reconciliations.

Plus, through power words and phrases such as ‘prevent loss’ and ‘ improve upon accuracy and efficiency’, they have also showcased how they can apply these skills in a workplace setting to benefit the potential employer.

Internship CV personal statement

This digital marketing professional has started their personal profile by outlining their most relevant qualifications and work experience, most notably their freelance role as a content manager.

They have also provided examples of some of the key marketing skills that potential employers might be looking for, including very detailed examples of the platforms and tools they are proficient in – for example, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

They have then closed their statement by giving a detailed description of the type of role or opportunity they are looking for. In this case, an in-house position in a marketing company.

Graduate career changer personal statement

Graduate career changer CV personal statement

Switching careers as a graduate can be tough. Especially when it comes to writing a personal statement that will attract employers in your new chosen field.

This candidate is looking to move from history teaching into journalism, so they have created a statement which briefly mentions their current workplace, but mainly focuses on highlighting transferable skills which are relevant to journalism. They achieve this by discussing the writing skills they use in their current role, and mentioning their hobby of writing – including some publications they have been featured in for extra brownie points.

Business management graduate personal statement

Business management graduate CV personal statement

This business management proves their ability to work within a junior business management position by swiftly highlighting their impressive degree (to ensure it is not missed) and summarising some of the real-life experience they have gained in management during their university placements and volunteering. They do not let their lack of paid work experience, stop them demonstrating their valuable skills.

PhD graduate

PhD graduate roles attract a lot of competition, so it’s important that your CV contains a personal statement that will quickly impress and attract recruiters.

This candidate provides a short-but-comprehensive overview of their academic achievements, whilst demonstrating their exceptional level of knowledge in research, languages and publication writing.

By highlighting a number of skills and abilities that are in high-demand in the academic workplace, this CV is very likely to get noticed and land interviews.

How to write a personal statement for your CV

Now that you’ve seen what a personal statement should look like and the type of content it should contain, follow this detailed guide to one for your own CV – and start racking those interviews up.

Guide contents

What is a CV personal statement?

Cv personal statement or cv profile, personal statement format, what to include in a cv personal statement.

Personal statement mistakes

How to write persuasively

A personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your CV which gives employers an overview of your education, skills and experience

It’s purpose is to capture the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers when your CV is first opened – encouraging them to read the rest of it.

You achieve this by writing a tailored summary of yourself that explains your suitability for the roles you are applying for at a very high level, and matches your target job descriptions .

One question candidates often ask me is , “what is the difference between a personal statement and a CV profile?”

To be honest, they are almost the same – they are both introductory paragraphs that sit at the top of your CV… but there are 2 main differences

A personal statement tends to be used more by junior candidates (graduates, school leavers etc.) and is relatively long and detailed.

A CV profile tends to be favoured by more experienced candidates , and is shorter in length than a personal statement.

Note: If you are an experienced candidate, you may want to switch over to my CV profile writing guide , or example CV profiles page.

To ensure you grab recruiters’ attention with your personal statement, lay it out in the following way.

Positioning

You need to ensure that your personal statement sits at the very top of your CV, and all of it should be totally visible to readers, without the need to scroll down the page.

Do this by reducing the top page margin and minimising the space taken up by your contact details.

This will ensure that your whole personal statement can be seen, as soon as your CV is opened.

We have a Word CV template which can help you to get this right.

Size/length

Your personal statement needs to contain enough detail to provide an introduction to your skills and knowledge, but not so much detail that it bores readers.

To strike the right balance, anything between 8-15 lines of text is perfect – and sentences should be sharp and to-the-point.

As with the whole of your CV or resume , your personal statement should be written in a simple clean font at around size 10-12 to ensure that it can be read easily by all recruiters and employers.

Keep the text colour simple , ensuring that it contrasts the background (black on white is best) and break it into 2 or even 3 paragraphs for a pleasant reading experience.

It should also be written in a punchy persuasive tone, to help you sell yourself and increase your chances of landing interviews , I cover how to do this in detail further down the guide.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional CV templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Once you have the style and format of your personal statement perfected, you need to fill it with compelling content that tells recruiters that your CV is worth reading.

Here’s what needs to go into your personal statement…

Before you start writing your personal statement, it’s crucial that you research your target roles to find out exactly what your new potential employers are looking for in a candidate.

Run a search for your target jobs on one of the major job websites , look through plenty of adverts and make a list of the candidate requirements that frequently appear.

This research will show you exactly what to include in your personal statement in order to impress the recruiters who will be reading it.

Education and qualifications are an important aspect of your personal statement, especially if you are a junior candidate.

You should highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that is a degree, A levels or GCSEs. You could potentially go into some more detail around modules, papers etc. if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for.

It’s important that you discuss the experience you have gained in your personal statement, to give readers an idea of the work you are comfortable undertaking.

This can of course be direct employed work experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can also include:

School/college Uni work placements
Voluntary work
Personal projects
Hobbies/interests

As with all aspects of your CV , the content should be tailored to match the requirements of your target roles.

Whilst discussing your experience, you should touch upon skills used, industries worked in, types of companies worked for, and people you have worked with.

Where possible, try to show the impact your actions have made. E.g . A customer service agent helps to make sales for their employer.

Any industry-specific knowledge you have that will be useful to your new potential employers should be made prominent within your personal statement.

For example

Knowledge of financial regulations will be important for accountancy roles
Knowledge of IT operating systems will be important for IT roles
Knowledge of the national curriculum will be important for teachers

You should also include some information about the types of roles you are applying for, and why you are doing so. Try to show your interest and passion for the field you are hoping to enter, because employers want to hire people who have genuine motivation and drive in their work.

This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience, as you need something else to compensate for it.

CV personal statement mistakes

The things that you omit from your personal statement can be just as important as the things you include.

Try to keep the following out of your personal statement..

Irrelevant info

Any information that doesn’t fall into the requirements of your target roles can be cut out of your personal statement. For example, if you were a professional athlete 6 years ago, that’s great – but it won’t be relevant if you’re applying to advertising internships, so leave it out.

Generic clichés

If you are describing yourself as a “ dynamic team player with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm” you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

These cliché terms are vastly overused and don’t provide readers with any factual details about you – so keep them to a minimum.

Stick to solid facts like education, skills , experience, achievements and knowledge.

If you really want to ensure that your personal statement makes a big impact, you need to write in a persuasive manner.

So, how do you so this?

Well, you need to brag a little – but not too much

It’s about selling yourself and appearing confident, without overstepping the mark and appearing arrogant.

For example, instead of writing.

“Marketing graduate with an interest in entering the digital field”

Be creative and excite the reader by livening the sentence up like this,

“Marketing graduate with highest exam results in class and a passion for embarking on a long and successful career within digital”

The second sentence is a much more interesting, makes the candidate appear more confident, throws in some achievements, and shows off a wider range of writing skills.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Your own personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above guidelines you will be able to create one which shows recruiters everything they need.

Remember to keep the length between 10-20 lines and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

You can also check our school leaver CV example , our best CV templates , or our library of example CVs from all industries.

Good luck with the job hunt!

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The Civil Service Behaviours are one element of the Success Profile . These are the things that people do that result in effective performance. An example of a Civil Service behaviour is ‘Making Effective Decisions’.

For some jobs, you will be asked to consider the specific behaviours that are important for the job (these will be detailed in the job advert). Behaviours can be assessed in a number of ways and at various stages of the recruitment process. At the application stage, you may be asked to give examples of how you have demonstrated a particular behaviour. This might be at work or somewhere else such as work experience, volunteering or in connection with a hobby.

How to provide evidence of a behaviour

Please take your time to read and understand the Civil Service Behaviours . This will provide you with an overview of the behaviours and give you a greater understanding of what we are looking for in the job.

Think about everything you have done and achieved which relates to the specific behaviours you are being asked for. The more recent your examples the better, but you don’t necessarily have to make all your examples work-related. You can also include achievements from outside work, for example in a voluntary capacity. You must choose examples that enable you to describe specific things you did, not what your team did or what your work area did. Think of examples that:

clearly demonstrate the behaviour and the details that underpin it
will allow you to explain in some detail what you personally did
had positive results, although less successful examples can be used if you can demonstrate the lessons learned and how errors would be avoided in future

Using the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) may help you present your evidence.

How we recruit

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.

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How to write your personal statement

For some jobs you’ll be asked to provide a personal statement or statement of suitability. Find out how to stand out.

Assessments and interviews

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

GOV.UK hosts a huge amount of detailed guidance on the different elements of Success Profiles.

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CV Personal Statement Examples and Tips

Your personal statement is the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager will read when flicking through what will usually be a huge pile of CVs. With so much competition, you need a personal statement that grabs their attention for all the right reasons. But how do you write one? Here’s our guide along with a couple of personal statement examples for inspiration.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a concise paragraph that sits at the top of your CV just below your name and contact details and tells the reader why you would be a fantastic asset for their company. It should include a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and give the recruiter an insight into your ambitions and character.

Your personal statement should explain:

Who you are
Your suitability for the role and the value you can add
Your career goals

Conveying all that information in just a few sentences is certainly not easy, but with research suggesting that recruiters spend an average of just six seconds reviewing each CV before deciding whether the applicant is a good fit, you must get it right.

How to write a winning personal statement for your CV

No one has your specific skills and experience, so your personal statement must be unique. However, there are some universal tips you can follow.

Length, formatting and tone of voice

Probably the biggest challenge you’ll face when writing a personal statement for your CV is keeping it between 50 and 150 words, or around four or five lines of text. It should be clean and concise, formatted consistently and written in the same font and point size as the rest of your CV.

Personal statements can be written in the first (“I am a marine biologist”) or third-person (“Marine biologist looking for”), but whatever voice you choose, keep it consistent throughout your CV.

Recruiters read so much hyperbole and waffle that being honest and understated will help you stand out. This is not The Apprentice, so buzzwords, empty promises and meaningless metaphors should be avoided at all costs.

Back up your claims

Cliches like ‘hard worker’ or ‘experienced’ are just empty words that recruiters see hundreds of times a day. Instead, establish your credentials with relevant vocational qualifications or professional memberships you have and quantify the level of experience you have. For example, “I am a RICS qualified surveyor with eight years’ experience working for a property development company”.

Include statistics from your career

Including specific data or statistics in your personal statement will immediately make it stand out from the hundreds of others recruiters read every day. Metrics of success are far more memorable than simply listing your achievements. For example, “I introduced a new lead qualification tool that increased sales by 15 percent”.

Remove pronouns in the third person

The personal statement on your CV is the one place where it’s okay to talk about yourself in the third person. However, using pronouns, for example, “he is a conscientious worker with 12 years of experience...” is a step too far. Instead, drop the pronouns, so that would become “A conscientious worker with 12 years of experience…”

Personal statement examples

Here are a few examples of personal statements to keep you on the right track and hopefully provide a little inspiration.

Written in the first person by a graduate looking for their first professional role.

I am a recent graduate with a first-class degree in economics, specialising in econometrics and international trade. I have commercial experience in the finance sector courtesy of an internship with a UK corporation, where I developed the technical data engineering skills you are looking for. I have a proven ability to meet deadlines and produce consistently high-quality work, as evidenced by my degree, and would relish the chance to develop my skills within your organisation.

Written in the third person by an experienced purchasing manager looking to climb the ladder.

Purchasing manager with 12 years of experience who wants to progress to a more senior role within the aviation industry. Has developed strong and lasting relationships during previous managerial positions in the sector and wants to put this strong network to good use to add value to your business.

Time to get hired

Writing a winning personal statement that you’re happy with and that summarises your skills and experience effectively in just a few lines will take time. However, using these tips and examples as a guide and editing your personal statement for every role is an important piece of the puzzle.

To hear Guardian Jobs reader Elia’s story and how her Personal Career Management programme helped land her ideal job watch the video .

Personal Career Management can offer you a free review to assess your needs and to see which programme is right for you.

To book call Personal Career Management on 01753 888 995 or fill in the contact form .

Personal Career Management are Career Management Partners for the Guardian and are a specialist career coaching and outplacement company.

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Government Communication Service

Top tips on applying for a GCS Apprenticeship

I am currently a Government Communication Service (GCS) apprentice, working towards my Level 4 Public Relations and Communications Apprenticeship Standard. This apprenticeship is ideal for someone who has completed their A-levels (which was my route!), a degree, or even as a career change later down the line.

You may have read some of the blogs from other apprentices in my cohort, explaining what a day in the life of an apprentice is like, these give you a great insight into what government apprentices get up to.

In this blog, I’m going to give you my top tips on the application process – which has five different stages – so you can get the best out of your application.

S tage 1: Submitting your CV

First, you will be asked to fill out an application form. This includes submitting your CV and writing a personal statement.

At this stage the recruiters will read your application and see if you are eligible, and if you would be a good candidate (on paper) for the role. So, make sure you read the specific instructions and requirements included in the advert, many will have word counts that you must stick to.

Your CV will be sifted and scored, so my top tips for this first stage are:

Keep your CV brief but detailed
Double check your spelling and grammar
Be clear in your achievements
Always use ‘I’ instead of ‘We’
Use defined headings throughout to make it easier to read
Start with your current role going backwards, trying to add in brief job descriptions for each role, and your main responsibilities.

Finally, remember to keep your CV free of personal details. Applications on Civil Service Jobs are kept anonymous until after the sifting stage to give everyone a fair chance.

Stage 2: Writing your personal statement

The second stage of the application process is to write a personal statement. Personal statements are a way for you to sell yourself to your prospective employer – What makes you a good fit?

So, remember to:

Write in your own personal style (although still keep it quite formal)
Add in any achievements that may relate to the role and a few brief sentences about how those achievements have helped develop your character
Keep your evidence here concise, by following the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) format.

Stage 3: Interview

If you get through the sift, you will be invited to an interview. This is usually carried out online with an interview panel (especially for apprentice applicants). It can be quite daunting, but, don’t worry, these top tips can help you prepare for your interview.

Prepare some examples of your skills and behaviours using the STAR format. This will help give your examples some structure when you’re in the interview.

Look up the employer and check them out on social media:

What are they working on currently?
What would you like to work on that they have done in the past?

It is also a good idea to come up with some questions to ask at the end of your interview, such as:

How long have you been with the company?
What did you do before this?
Why did you join this company?

Asking these questions helps you connect with your interviewer, and also shows that you have an interest in them as an employer, and want to know more about the job you are applying for.

It’s also a good idea to prepare and practise some example questions and answers before the interview. This can give you extra confidence and keep you calmer when in a high pressure situation.

Whilst in the interview, be calm and confident. You obviously have the qualifications needed to do the job because you were successful at the sifting stage, you now just need to sell yourself.

You should also try to maintain eye contact and think through your answers instead of jumping straight into it. Interviewers would much rather see you take a few seconds to consider your response and give a more thought through answer, than talk straight away and not make much sense.

Stage 4 and 5: Security checks and job offers

Following your interview there isn’t much else to do but wait for the outcome!

If you have passed the interview stage, you will receive a provisional offer. This is conditional based on you passing the security checks needed to complete your role.

For security checks, you must provide three different forms of identification.These could be your passport, driving/provisional licence, birth certificate or a bank statement with your name and address on it.

Finally, once you have passed all the security checks, you will receive your official employment offer. This will come with your contract of employment, and then you will officially be employed by the Civil Service.

If you aren’t successful, please don’t be disheartened. Make sure you ask for feedback and use the experience to help you prepare for future applications and interviews.

More information

I’ve gathered some other helpful resources for further reading – from CV prep to acing your interview!

How to write a good CV
How to write a good personal statement
How to stay confident during interviews

civil service cv and personal statement

IMAGES

VIDEO

COMMENTS

Application Forms , Personal Statements

What Should a Civil Service Personal Statement Include?

BONUS TIP – How do I write a CV for a government job?

How to Structure a Civil Service Personal Statement?

What Should you Avoid in a Personal Statement?

Writing the Perfect Civil Service Personal Statement – What are the Civil Service Success Profiles?

CHANGING AND IMPROVING

MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS

COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING

WORKING TOGETHER

DELIVERING AT PACE

DEVELOPING SELF AND OTHERS

MANAGING A QUALITY SERVICE

Richard McMunn

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Civil Service CV

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