Why do you need to know how to create a powerful personal statement? Because it will make you a more powerful person.
The idea of a personal statement probably began in academia, where admission personnel had to distinguish between hundreds of qualified candidates. In many cases colleges began to ask applicants to provide personal statements in order to gain insights into their unique personalities and qualities.
The value of personal statements has been recognized in other settings now. Many professional resumes begin with a short personal statement. Some employers request personal statements. Career coaches urge their clients to hone their personal statements to use in job interviews.
The Harvard Business Review has observed, “At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.”
Who doesn’t want to have drive, interest and nuance?
You Should Have a Personal Statement
The simple fact is that everybody ought to have a personal statement. It can help anybody clearly understand and define who they are (and who they want to be.) Everyone should look at their personal statement from time to time and fine-tune it. They should keep it in the back of their minds. When they need to apply for a new job they should provide a condensed version at the top of their resume. When they sit down for a job interview they should use their personal statement as the framework for many of their answers to the interviewer’s probing questions.
But beyond those practical uses, your personal statement can accomplish even more, whether or not you ever want to get into a school or apply for a job. By preparing a personal statement you are telling yourself who you are and possibly, who you want to be. Just by observing and recording your positive qualities and proudest accomplishments, you will change yourself in subtle ways. Scientists call this phenomenon the “observer effect.”
“The observer effect is the fact that observing a situation or phenomenon necessarily changes it. Observer effects are especially prominent in physics where observation and uncertainty are fundamental aspects of modern quantum mechanics.” Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
By preparing and periodically tweaking your personal statement, you will boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. Over time you will recognized your own personal and professional growth. You will stand taller.
Create a Personal Statement
We make it easier to prepare a personal statement with the template shown below. Be honest with yourself and don’t be afraid to blow your own horn. Your personal statement is a place to record your strengths, your positives. Take credit for what you should be proud of. Do it enthusiastically and you will change the way you think about yourself. Every time you find a way to improve your personal statement your self-respect will grow.
If you discover you need help, I offer a no-cost, no-obligation discovery call. We can talk things over and answer your life coaching questions.
“My Personal Statement Template” is shown below. Beneath the image is a DOWNLOAD button so you can get a printable .pdf version of the template.
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