Parts of a Personal Statement: Story/Q & A

The story is a brief description of the skills and achievements applicable to the potential student’s acceptance into a school of choice, or which demonstrates the reason they are best suited to receive a scholarship. This section is important for presenting the potential student as different from other applicants, and should include:

• a strong opening
• an angle—something which makes the potential student memorable
• a demonstration of skills, achievements and experience applicable to the school, department or scholarship
• use of language relative to professionals within the school, department, or field of study

The story may be based on questions presented by the school, department or scholarship board. If questions are presented, this section should include:

• a direct answer to each of the questions presented
• (or) a direct answer to the questions selected by the potential student (if the option of choosing a selection of questions is given)
• original answers to the questions being asked (even if the questions are the same or similar to those asked by other schools, departments or scholarship boards)

While the story does provide a larger image of who the writer is, it should remain concise and applicable. Avoid obvious statements and clichés, and only include those subjects that apply to the school, department, scholarship history or field of study.

Parts of a Personal Statment

A personal statement generally includes some standard sections:

1. Contact information: a list of information that allows the school or scholarship board to reach the potential student.
2. Objective/Summary: a short sentence which describes the reason the student is interested in attending the school or receiving the scholarship of their choice.
   
3. Story/Q & A: a brief story which exemplifies the skills and achievements applicable to the potential student’s acceptance into the school, or which demonstrates the reason they are best suited to receive the scholarship. This story may be based on questions presented by the school, department or scholarship board.
   
4. Profile: a short statement which encourages the representative of the school or scholarship board to read further.
5. Call to Action: closes the letter, and requests contact.

See also:
What is a Personal Statement?

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Types of Personal Statement: Comprehensive vs. Specific

When creating a personal statement, it is important for the potential student to answer all the questions the school, department or scholarship board may have. This can be done in a variety of ways, but typically is done through a comprehensive or specific personal statement.

Comprehensive Personal Statement:

When no questions are directly asked, a comprehensive personal statement can be used as a general statement which sells the potential student based on their personal history and achievements. This type of statement is often the standard for medical or law school application forms.

Specific Personal Statement:

If questions are directly asked, a specific personal statement can be used to sells the potential student based on direct answers to those questions. This type of statement is often the standard for scholarship applications, liberal arts and business schools.

The following video by Senior Law School Consultant, Derek Meeker, for Admissions Consultants, describes some of the things that should be avoided in either form of application essay:

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a short letter (typically no more than 1 – 2 pages) which accompanies application materials for a scholarship, school, or particular department within a school.

A personal statement serves several purposes:

1. Introduction to a representative for the school or scholarship board
2. Indicates interest in attending a school/program, or receiving a scholarship
3. Clarifies and humanizes other application materials
4. Demonstrates a knowledge of the school, program, or scholarship board
5. Potentially answers questions provided by the school, program, or scholarship board
6. Assists in application or award recipient decisions

The following video from the University of California Television discusses the steps they suggest taking when creating a personal statement for applying to UC:

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Parts of a Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Call to Action

The call to action section of a cover letter or personal statement is the section which closes the letter, and requests contact. This section should include:

• a request for an interview from the potential employer
• (or) a request for contact from the representative of the school/scholarship board
  
• (or) a date and time the writer plans to follow up on the application
• a notice of any enclosures or attachments (application, resume, CV, etc.)
  
• a closing line and signature
  

The following video by Gloria Dixon Campbell with Advantage Training Systems provides reason for including a cover letter with a resume:

Parts of a Cover Letter

A resume generally include some standard sections:

1. Contact information: a list of information that allows a potential employer to reach the applicant.
2. Objective/Summary: a short sentence which describes the position an applicant is interested in obtaining and a brief list of skills and achievements applicable to the position of interest.
3. Profile: a short statement which encourages a potential employer to read further.
4. Call to Action: closes the letter, and requests an interview.

See also:
What is a Cover Letter?

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Parts of a CV: Industry Contributions

The industry contributions section of a CV can be one or several sections which lists all contributions the applicant has made to their field. This section should include:

• publications written by the applicant
• presentations the applicant has given
• classes the applicant has taught
• the dates the applicant published, presented or taught
• potentially, awards or key achievements of these publications, presentations or classes

This section should list any contributions by the applicant, with minimal description (unless a short description will add dramatically to what is presented).

The following video, by Laura Turner on eHow, offers some additional thoughts on planning a CV:

Parts of a CV: Industry Involvement

The industry involvement section of a CV can be one or several sections which lists all involvement the applicant has had in their field outside of formal education of standard employment. This section should include:

• conferences attended by the applicant
• continuing education and ongoing study into the applicant's field
  
• the dates the applicant attended conferences or completed study

Parts of a CV

A CV generally includes some standard sections:

1. Contact information: a list of information that allows a potential employer to reach the applicant.
2. Education: a list of the high school, college, professional training and certification experience of the applicant.
3. Work history: a list of the professional experience and employment history of the applicant.
4. Industry Involvement: one or several sections which lists all involvement the applicant has had in their field outside of formal education of standard employment.
5. Industry Contributions: one or several sections which lists all contributions the applicant has made to their field.

Other sections may include:

• Profile: a short statement which encourages a potential employer to read further.
• Awards and Honors: presents academic and occupational awards and honors.
• Outreach and Volunteer Experience: lists the volunteer experience and community outreach of the applicant.
• Extracurricular activities: presents hobbies and activities relevant to the desired position, which don't fit in any other section.
• Computer & Technical Skills:
• Languages:
  

See also:
What is a CV?

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Parts of a Resume/CV: Extracurricular Activities

The extracurricular activities section is an optional section of a resume or CV which presents hobbies and activities relevant to the desired position, which don't fit in any other section. This section may include skills, hobbies, activities or involvement which:

• set the applicant apart from others
  
• demonstrate leadership capabilities
  
• demonstrate the ability to work with a team
• can create an interesting talking point for an interview
  

Majoring in Careers describes this section in further detail at: http://www.majoringincareers.com/2007/11/29/resume-enhancement-five-criteria-for-the-perfect-extracurricular-activity/

The following video, from Danielle at the Goizueta Business School, describes building the extracurricular section of her resume:

Parts of a Resume/CV: Outreach and Volunteer Experience

Outreach and volunteer experience is an optional section of a CV or resume which lists the volunteer experience and community outreach of the applicant. This section should include:

• companies or organizations where the applicant has volunteered
  
• the applicant's title at these organizations
  
• the dates the applicant volunteered in these organizations
• a brief description of the applicant's responsibilities and duties at these organizations
• key achievements during employment or involvement in these organizations
• potentially, newly learned skills
  

This section should be formatted similarly to the applicant's work history. Like a work history, a selection of volunteer experiences may be highlighted in a resume, but a CV should include a full history of volunteer experience and community outreach.

The following video, from Ken in Simon Frazier University's Cognitive Science department, offers some additional thoughts on the importance of outreach and volunteer experience on a resume or CV:

Parts of a Resume/CV: Awards and Honors

The awards and honors section is an optional section of a resume or CV which presents academic and occupational awards and honors. This section may include:

• academic honor societies
  
• memberships and offices in professional societies
  
• awards and scholarships
  

If there are not enough awards and honors to warrant a separate section, these should be included in the education or job history sections.

The following video, again by the Employment Network, offers some additional thoughts on the benefits of an awards and honors section:

Parts of a Resume/Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Objective/Summary

The objective is typically a short sentence which describes the position an applicant is interested in obtaining. This section optional in a resume, but is typical of a cover letter. This section should include:

• the job title of the position of interest
  
• (or) a description of the positions the applicant may be interested in
  
• (or) goals the applicant would like to achieve in future employment

In a personal statement, the objective is a short statement which describes the reason the potential student is interested in the school/scholarship of their choice (or particular program within a school). This section should include:

• a knowledge of the department or particular program of interest
• a knowledge of the school's mission and/or accomplishments
  
• (or) a knowledge of the scholarship of interest
• (and) a knowledge of the history of that scholarship and those funding it

The objective will follow the contact information on the resume, cover letter or personal statement, and may replace a profile in the resume. Sample objectives can be found on About.com at: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/sampleresumes/a/sampleobjective.htm

In addition to the objective, the applicant may choose to add a summary, which provides a brief list (often using bullets) of skills and achievements applicable for the position of interest. This section should not be included in a personal statement, but in a cover letter or resume, it could include:

• professional skills transferable to any position in the applicant's field
  
• skills related to the position being applied to
  
• key achievements or skills that demonstrate abilities beyond other applicants

The summary will follow the objective on the resume or cover letter, and will replace a profile in the resume. Often such a list is shorter on a cover letter, as it can slow the reading process.

The following video by the Employment Network offers some additional thoughts on the importance of objectives and summaries:

Parts of a Resume/CV/Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Profile

The profile is typically a short statement (3 - 4 sentences long) which encourages a potential employer or representative of a school/scholarship board to read further through the writer's resume, CV or personal statement. This section is optional in a resume or CV, but is typical of a cover letter or personal statement. This section should include:

• professional skills transferable to any position in the applicant's field
  
• (or) special circumstances (such as academic achievement or disadvantages) which relate to the potential student
  
• key words or phrases that highlight related skills
  
• key achievements or skills that demonstrate abilities beyond other applicants
• potentially goals the applicant would like to achieve in future employment
• (or) academic goals the potential student would like to achieve
  

In a cover letter, the profile typically follows the objective section. The profile will follow the contact information on the resume or CV, and will be the first thing the potential employer sees. Since these documents are rarely looked at for more than 10 - 30 seconds, this section may be all the employer uses when determining if an interview should be scheduled. In a personal statement, the profile will follow any story used to draw interest in the potential student. Writers should use this section to really sell themselves, anticipating it may be their last chance to do so.

The following video by Glen Hughs, Director of cvsthatwork.com, offers some additional thoughts on the importance of a profile:

Parts of a Resume: Skill Sets

The skill set section of a functional resume is the section which lists the professional experience and skills of the applicant. This section should include:

• the applicant's titles or positions relevant to the job being applied to
  
• a brief description of the responsibilities and duties in these positions
• key achievements or promotions when functioning in these positions
  

While these skill sets will be followed by a brief, recent work history, there are no descriptions in that work history. The skill sets will function as a highlight of experience within this history, but should by no means be limited to that history.

The following video by Tine Buechler, President of Business Growth Training, Inc., offers some additional thoughts on formatting a functional resume to include skill sets:

Parts of a Resume/CV: Work History

The work history section of a CV or resume is the section which lists the professional experience and employment history of the applicant. This section should include:

• companies or organizations where the applicant has worked
  
• the applicant's title at these organizations
  
• the dates the applicant was employed or involved in these organizations
• a brief description of the applicant's responsibilities and duties at these organizations
• key achievements or promotions during employment or involvement in these organizations
  

It may also include:

• additional professional experience
  
• volunteer work
  
• newly learned skills
  

In a chronological resume, the work history section need only highlight your most recent work experience (typically no more than four positions, and nothing older than 10 years). Applicants with substantial work experience may choose to provide a "select work history" of the most relevant positions held in the past 10 years. Those with limited work experience may wish to increase the size of other sections.

In a functional resume, the work history should follow a list of skill sets, with only the most recent work experience. In this type of resume, there are no descriptions for the positions (as the bulk of this information should be covered in the skill sets), only the name of the organization, the applicant's title there, and the dates of employment.

In a CV, the work history section should list the entire work history of the applicant. However, descriptions should be even shorter, focusing almost entirely on key achievements and promotions, unless the job description would be unclear with only the organization and title.

The following video by Pat Goodwin, of PatGoodwinAssociates.com, offers some additional thoughts on planning to write a work history:

Types of Resume: Chronological vs. Functional

When creating a resume, it is important for an applicant to provide a potential employer with a sense of their work experience. This can be done in a variety of ways, but typically is done through a chronological job history or a list of functional skill sets.

The Chronological Resume:

• lists the most recent (or most applicable) jobs
• presents those jobs in reverse chronological order
• is best if the work history has little or no gaps between jobs
• is best for those without too large or too small of a work history

An example of a Chronological Resume (with a downloadable Word version of the template) can be found here: http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-samples/sample-resume-office-manager/article.aspx

The Functional Resume:

• lists the applicant's most applicable accomplishments and skills
• presents this background in groups of "skill sets"
  
• is best if the work history has long or multiple gaps between jobs
• is best for those with too large or too small of a work history

An example of a Functional Resume (with a downloadable Word version of the template) can be found here: http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-samples/sample-of-a-functional-resume/article.aspx

The following video by Janis Smith, of RDE Specialists, offers some additional thoughts on deciding between Chronological and Functional Resumes:

Parts of a Resume/CV: Education

The education section of a CV or resume is the section which lists the high school, college, professional training and certification experience of the applicant. This section should include:

• schools and trainings attended by the applicant
  
• the locations of those schools or trainings
  
• the graduation or completion date from those schools or trainings
• (or) the anticipated graduation or completion date
  
• any degrees or certifications earned
  

It may also include:

• grade point average (GPA), if over 3.0
• academic honors or achievements
  
• specific classes or specializations (if applicable to the job being applied to)
  

In a resume, the education section need only highlight your relevant schooling, training and certification. Applicants with substantial work experience may choose to keep the education section brief, while those with limited work experience may wish to increase the size of this section.

In a CV, the education section should list all schooling, training and certification.

The following video by Tine Buechler, President of Business Growth Training, Inc., offers some additional thoughts:

Parts of a Resume/CV/Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Contact Information

The contact information section of a cover letter, CV, resume or personal statement is the section which lists information that allows a potential employer (or school of choice/potential scholarship) to reach the applicant (or potential student). This section should include the writer's:

• full name
• permanent address
• primary phone number
• primary email address
  

It may also include the writer's:

• local or campus address
• secondary phone numbers
• secondary email addresses
• fax number
• web address

While accuracy is important throughout a cover letter, CV, resume or personal statement, it is vital that the information in this section is completely correct and up-to-date. This information will be used to contact the writer, and any errors may cost the writer an interview/scholarship or, worse yet, an acceptance into the company/school.

Further, it is important that this information is easy to read and appealing to look at. Larger fonts and centered text are often used to achieve this goal. Whatever design is used, be sure to keep a consistent appearance between your cover letter, CV, resume, personal statement and any other documentation that will be sent.

The following video by Brian Krueger, President of CollegeGrad.com, offers some additional thoughts:

Parts of a Resume

A resume generally include some standard sections:

1. Contact information: a list of information that allows a potential employer to reach the applicant.
2. Education: a list of the high school, college, professional training and certification experience of the applicant.
3. Work history: a list of the professional experience and employment history of the applicant.
4. (or) Skill sets: a lists of the professional experience and skills of the applicant. Used in functional resumes.

Other sections may include:

• Profile: a short statement which encourages a potential employer to read further.
• Objective/Summary: a short sentence which describes the position an applicant is interested in obtaining and a brief list of skills and achievements applicable to the position of interest.
• Awards and Honors: presents academic and occupational awards and honors.
• Outreach and Volunteer Experience: lists the volunteer experience and community outreach of the applicant.
• Extracurricular activities: presents hobbies and activities relevant to the desired position, which don't fit in any other section.
• Computer & Technical Skills:
• Languages:
  

See also:
What is a Resume?

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What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a short letter (2 - 3 paragraphs) which accompanies a resume or curriculum vitae.

A cover letter serves several purposes:

1. Introduction to a potential employer
   
2. Indicates interest in a position of employment by:
   
3. responding to known job openings
4. (or) inquiring in regard to possible openings
5. (or) requesting information and assistance in a job search

The following video from HowTo.com provides a simple description and some basic advice regarding cover letters:



See also:
What is a CV?
What is a Resume?

What is a CV?

The phrase "curriculum vitæ" is Latin for "courses of life."

A curriculum vitae (vitæ, or CV) is an all-encompassing document that provides an overview of education, employment history, and experiences relevant to qualifications for a employment opportunities.

A CV serves several purposes:

1. Used as a tool to obtain an interview
2. Provides an overview of education and job history
3. Provides the opportunity to present strengths, abilities and qualifications
   
4. Provides an outlook of employment future
   

The following video from WatchMojo.com explains the difference between a standard resume, and a curriculum vitae:



See also:
What is a Cover Letter?
What is a Resume?

What is a Resume?

The word résumé is French for "summary," deriving from the past participle "résumer," meaning "to summarize."

A resume (or résumé) is a brief document (typically no more than 1 - 2 pages) that summarizes education, employment history, and experiences relevant to qualifications for a specific employment opportunity.

A resume serves several purposes:

1. Used as a tool to obtain an interview
2. Provides a select summary of job history
3. Provides the opportunity to present strengths, abilities and qualifications
   
4. Provides an outlook of employment future
   

The following video by Catherine Breet Byers offers some additional details:



See also:
Parts of a Resume
What is a Cover Letter?
What is a CV?