PERSONAL ESSAY

PERSONAL ESSAY

When applying for jobs, internships and graduate programs, you are often required to present the following documents:
a) application form
b) CV (resume)
c) official university transcript
d) letters of recommendation
e) a personal essay (500-1,000 words)
The personal essay is a personal statement (also known as a “statement of purpose” or a “letter of intent”). It should describe your goals, experiences and qualifications, highlighting your strengths. The personal essay differs from an application letter as it is not addressed to a specific person and does not conclude with a request for an interview. Unlike an application letter, it does not refer to your CV but stands on its own as a declaration. As this document is an important first introduction to a potential employer or program director, it requires considerable care and planning. Some important points:

Answer the question

If a specific question is being asked, read it very carefully and make sure your answer focuses on it. If you are asked to explain why you have chosen this particular course or internship, do not spend too much time listing your qualifications but concentrate on your motives for applying.

Use the personal pronoun “I”

This document is a personal statement and so using “I” is recommended. Be careful, however, to get the right balance of personal and academic characteristics.

Make your essay distinctive

You may want to make your essay memorable in some way. For example, you might like to include an anecdote that illustrates an important moment in your life: the inspiring influence of a family member or teacher, or a personal experience that influenced your decision to pursue a particular career or field of study.

Keep it short

Most personal essays are limited to about 500 words or one A4 page, so make sure you do not duplicate information that is included elsewhere in your application. Structure the essay carefully and focus on one idea in each paragraph.

Revise the final draft

Make sure you leave enough time for a careful revision of this document, which may be vital to get an interview or a place on a program. When writing it, always use a spell-check and a grammar-check, if possible, and re-read it carefully yourself.

Structuring the essay

Memorable opening, gain reader‟s attention, 

“The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet”.