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How to Write a Personal Statement & Cover Letter
How to Write a Personal Statement & Cover Letter
For how to write a personal statement and or cover letter continue reading or click on the Youtube to the left. The key components of a personal statement also known as a statement of interest used for application to university or college and a cover letter used for job applications include an introduction, main body, and conclusion (please see samples of each below).
However, keep in mind that the length of a personal statement varies from institution to institution, some may require a maximum of 500 words others no more than a 1000. Others may specify two pages. However, the standard is often somewhere between two to three page length, double-spaced, and 12 font size. But remember the more succinct your statement is, the better! Also, most times for a personal statement or statement of interest, including personal information such as your name, address, and others are left out at the beginning of the statement. The same format applies to a cover letter, but often times cover letters are shorter. They are between 1 to two pages in length, and you include personal information such as your name, address, and information of prospective employer at the top of the letter.
1. Introduction: briefly introduce yourself, this should include a brief description of the reasons why you are interested in applying to study the particular program (or apply for the job position), followed by your qualifications and skills that you possess that makes you competent to study the program (or for the job position), here you can mention the previous degree you completed and GPA. Also, don’t forget to briefly mention why you chose to study in the particular school or department (or apply to the particular company). 2. Main body: is where you go into further details about the things you have briefly mentioned in the introduction such as detailing the specific part of the program that you want to expand your knowledge on and the type of research that you want to accomplish, if you want to develop a thesis make sure to include the specifics of it here. Further detail the specific knowledge and skills you have acquired from previous education, and how they particularly have prepared you and will help you whilst pursuing your research. Lastly, go into detail about how specifically the program will help you in the future, perhaps like a career, and why you chose the particular department or school. Here you can write about the professors in the department and how their research and expertise align with yours and or can help you in pursuing your own goals. You can also discuss how your knowledge and skills will benefit the department.
For a cover letter, the same format applies, however you want to give a specific example of how you demonstrated or performed similar tasks to the job description, and include what the implications or outcomes were such as how the task performed benefited the company and benefited you, perhaps in the form a promotion/award/pay rise. 3. Conclusion: should be brief and non-repetitive of what you have already stated before, simply express appreciation for the program (or company) considering your application and your confidence in the program (or job) being a good fit for you, and you a good fit for the department/program (or job). Don’t forget to end with a formal parting such as yours faithfully, your name, and thank you.
Best of luck!16/11/2019
However, keep in mind that the length of a personal statement varies from institution to institution, some may require a maximum of 500 words others no more than a 1000. Others may specify two pages. However, the standard is often somewhere between two to three page length, double-spaced, and 12 font size. But remember the more succinct your statement is, the better! Also, most times for a personal statement or statement of interest, including personal information such as your name, address, and others are left out at the beginning of the statement. The same format applies to a cover letter, but often times cover letters are shorter. They are between 1 to two pages in length, and you include personal information such as your name, address, and information of prospective employer at the top of the letter.
1. Introduction: briefly introduce yourself, this should include a brief description of the reasons why you are interested in applying to study the particular program (or apply for the job position), followed by your qualifications and skills that you possess that makes you competent to study the program (or for the job position), here you can mention the previous degree you completed and GPA. Also, don’t forget to briefly mention why you chose to study in the particular school or department (or apply to the particular company). 2. Main body: is where you go into further details about the things you have briefly mentioned in the introduction such as detailing the specific part of the program that you want to expand your knowledge on and the type of research that you want to accomplish, if you want to develop a thesis make sure to include the specifics of it here. Further detail the specific knowledge and skills you have acquired from previous education, and how they particularly have prepared you and will help you whilst pursuing your research. Lastly, go into detail about how specifically the program will help you in the future, perhaps like a career, and why you chose the particular department or school. Here you can write about the professors in the department and how their research and expertise align with yours and or can help you in pursuing your own goals. You can also discuss how your knowledge and skills will benefit the department.
For a cover letter, the same format applies, however you want to give a specific example of how you demonstrated or performed similar tasks to the job description, and include what the implications or outcomes were such as how the task performed benefited the company and benefited you, perhaps in the form a promotion/award/pay rise. 3. Conclusion: should be brief and non-repetitive of what you have already stated before, simply express appreciation for the program (or company) considering your application and your confidence in the program (or job) being a good fit for you, and you a good fit for the department/program (or job). Don’t forget to end with a formal parting such as yours faithfully, your name, and thank you.
Best of luck!16/11/2019
Sample Personal Statement
Sample Personal Statement
Sample Cover Letter
Sample Cover Letter
Why Students Fail Essay-Written Assignments & How to Improve Assignment Score Grades
Why Students Fail Essay-Written Assignments & How to Improve Assignment Score Grades
Want to know why students fail essay-written assignments and tips on how to improve your grades then keep reading. Or click on video by the left to direct you straight to Youtube.
There are many reasons why student fail essay-written assignments but here are the common ones:1. Students don’t always take the time to read carefully the instructions and questions.2. When they do read, they don’t always correctly understand the instructions or questions i.e. what is exactly required of them.3. So they fail to properly or substantially answers the questions. Or they write the right answers but for the wrong question.4. Students when they don’t understand the questions fail to ask questions.
So here are tips on how to avoid such errors and improve your assingment scores:1. Always read the instructions.2. Make sure to understand what are required.3. Ask questions if you don’t understand
Furthermore, whether you’re writing a one paragraph, one page or an essay assignment - remember to keep it structured by integrating the 5 essential components (see the sample that was used in the video on how to improve your assignment grade scores below):1. Introduction - Start with an introduction or introductory sentence or statement.2. Argument - State your argument i.e. our answer3. Example(s) - Include an example or more depending on the length of your assignment to illustrate and support your argument. Don’t just state your example, discuss how and why the example used illustrate or supports your argument.4. Conclusion - Write a conclusion or concluding statement.5. Citation & Reference - Lastly, this is major, don't forget to use or include citations in their answers/assignments. You need to demonstrate that your examples and arguments are supported by other third party scholarly or reputable sources even when it is a personal opinion because it is academia. Unless instructed otherwise, also always include a reference list of all citations used in your answer at the bottom of the assignment. Why so that your professor/grader can see what types of third party works you’ve used and can double check them to determine if they are reputable or not.
However, if you have a three page essay assignment. The format is pretty much the same, follow the same steps just mentioned. It will however need to be more detailed and creative so for example:1. The introduction should be at least one paragraph length, which should comprise of the introductory statement and a summary of the entire essay.2. The next 2 to 4 paragraphs will be your argument. Here is where you can be more detailed and creative, you can for instance include counter arguments, and use examples of studies to demonstrate how and why they are proven wrong. etc3. Last paragraph will be the conclusion. Similarly, you will have to write a concluding statement, and end with a strong note on why you stand with your argument. This should be more or less like writing a summary of the positive implications of your argument and the findings from the studies used as examples in the essay.
Don't forget to include citations and a reference list of all the citations used in your essay!
Best of luck!05/10/2019
There are many reasons why student fail essay-written assignments but here are the common ones:1. Students don’t always take the time to read carefully the instructions and questions.2. When they do read, they don’t always correctly understand the instructions or questions i.e. what is exactly required of them.3. So they fail to properly or substantially answers the questions. Or they write the right answers but for the wrong question.4. Students when they don’t understand the questions fail to ask questions.
So here are tips on how to avoid such errors and improve your assingment scores:1. Always read the instructions.2. Make sure to understand what are required.3. Ask questions if you don’t understand
Furthermore, whether you’re writing a one paragraph, one page or an essay assignment - remember to keep it structured by integrating the 5 essential components (see the sample that was used in the video on how to improve your assignment grade scores below):1. Introduction - Start with an introduction or introductory sentence or statement.2. Argument - State your argument i.e. our answer3. Example(s) - Include an example or more depending on the length of your assignment to illustrate and support your argument. Don’t just state your example, discuss how and why the example used illustrate or supports your argument.4. Conclusion - Write a conclusion or concluding statement.5. Citation & Reference - Lastly, this is major, don't forget to use or include citations in their answers/assignments. You need to demonstrate that your examples and arguments are supported by other third party scholarly or reputable sources even when it is a personal opinion because it is academia. Unless instructed otherwise, also always include a reference list of all citations used in your answer at the bottom of the assignment. Why so that your professor/grader can see what types of third party works you’ve used and can double check them to determine if they are reputable or not.
However, if you have a three page essay assignment. The format is pretty much the same, follow the same steps just mentioned. It will however need to be more detailed and creative so for example:1. The introduction should be at least one paragraph length, which should comprise of the introductory statement and a summary of the entire essay.2. The next 2 to 4 paragraphs will be your argument. Here is where you can be more detailed and creative, you can for instance include counter arguments, and use examples of studies to demonstrate how and why they are proven wrong. etc3. Last paragraph will be the conclusion. Similarly, you will have to write a concluding statement, and end with a strong note on why you stand with your argument. This should be more or less like writing a summary of the positive implications of your argument and the findings from the studies used as examples in the essay.
Don't forget to include citations and a reference list of all the citations used in your essay!
Best of luck!05/10/2019
Sample Assignment on How to Improve Grade Scores
Sample Assignment on How to Improve Grade Scores
What's the Difference between a CV & Resumé - How to Write a CV vs Job Resumé
What's the Difference between a CV & Resumé - How to Write a CV vs Job Resumé
For how to write a CV and resumé and or the differences between them continue reading or click on the Youtube video to the left. A Curriculum Vitae or CV short is used for an academic application to a university or college and a resumé is used for job applications in the United States (please see the samples of each in the section below). However, a CV is almost universally used in other countries for a job or academic application. The format for this though varies.
Length of an academic CV vs job resumé/CV: an academic CV is often long, especially for people with much academic related experiences, from anywhere between 2 or more pages, and sometimes more than six pages long. However a job resumé/ CV is shorter in length (between 1 and two pages max) if possible limit it to one page length. This is usually because of the massive number of applications received by an employer compared to academic institutions. Nonetheless, for a CV/resumé, the font size can vary between 10 to 12 but just remember to be consistent with whatever font style and size that you chose, and in the organization.
Layout of an academic CV vs job resumé/CV: For an academic CV, name and basic personal information is included at the top right (much more formal), followed by the sections namely profile, education, relevant experience, publications, awards/honors, grants and scholarships, and references (which is optional but highly recommended). But for a job resumé/CV, name and personal information is written at the top centre of the page, followed by a summary of qualifications tailored to that specific job, then a section on education, relevant coursework and experience, additional experience, interests, and references (which is very much optional). Also if you like, for a job resumé/CV, you can add a section on skills (were you can point out specific skills that may be needed in the job such as a software tool that you are experienced with or have expertise on, certifications for perhaps a training that you developed a certain or certain relevant skills, and sometimes people add language expertise especially if the job application requires it.
Content of an academic CV vs job resumé/CV: a key important feature that is necessary to take note of is the content, what is included and how. In general, that for an academic CV is often broad whilst that for a job resumé/CV is specific and as a result more detailed. 1) For instance, in the first section of an academic CV and job resumé/CV, the purposes are similar, which is to provide the employer/academic institution of a summary of who you are. But are quite different for both, for an academic CV, it is more about your research interests, whilst for a resumé, it is more about demonstrating your skill set related to that job position and that you are capable of working in that job position.
2) Another instance, the second section which is education that for an academic cv is much more simple. It includes a brief indication of your academic qualification, the subject/degree area and the year completed. Your other documents attached to an academic application such as transcripts already provide more information. Whereas, in a job resumé/CV, it is more detailed and specific. It also includes the academic GPA and specifics about the courses taken, which is detailed in the next section titled relevant coursework. Moreover, you often don’t attach a transcript(s) as part of the application process.
3) A third instance, is that whilst both types of CVs have a relevant experience section, it is also different in content and style. That for an academic CV reads like a summary, whereas that for a job application is specific and uses bullet points. In the sample below, you notice that bullet points are used throughout the job resumé/CV to highlight the specific task or experiences in each section. For a resumé, you want the employer or the application system to be able to quickly spot your skill and experiences at a quick glance. However, for both types of CVs, you want to make sure that you highlight the dates of the beginning and or ending of a particular experience, or whether its current and ongoing.
4) The other subsequent sections of both types of Cvs also differ in content. In an academic CV, the other sections include publication (were you include published research that you have produced), Awards/Honours section, and Grants/Scholarship section (n these sections, as the title reads, you want to specify any award, grants and or scholarships you may have received from former schools and or are related to your research). However, in contrast, in a job resumé/CV, it is different, rather you include an additional experience section, and interest section - to provide the employer with more details about who you are as a person outside of the specified job role and transferable skills (which can include other non-job roles or extra curricular experiences that you may hold or have held in the past as well as hobbies). These sections indicate what makes you an interesting or relatable person that can get along with others in the work environment. And lastly, as I mentioned before the reference section for both CVs are optional, but is advisable especially for academic CVs.
Best of luck!30/11/2019
Length of an academic CV vs job resumé/CV: an academic CV is often long, especially for people with much academic related experiences, from anywhere between 2 or more pages, and sometimes more than six pages long. However a job resumé/ CV is shorter in length (between 1 and two pages max) if possible limit it to one page length. This is usually because of the massive number of applications received by an employer compared to academic institutions. Nonetheless, for a CV/resumé, the font size can vary between 10 to 12 but just remember to be consistent with whatever font style and size that you chose, and in the organization.
Layout of an academic CV vs job resumé/CV: For an academic CV, name and basic personal information is included at the top right (much more formal), followed by the sections namely profile, education, relevant experience, publications, awards/honors, grants and scholarships, and references (which is optional but highly recommended). But for a job resumé/CV, name and personal information is written at the top centre of the page, followed by a summary of qualifications tailored to that specific job, then a section on education, relevant coursework and experience, additional experience, interests, and references (which is very much optional). Also if you like, for a job resumé/CV, you can add a section on skills (were you can point out specific skills that may be needed in the job such as a software tool that you are experienced with or have expertise on, certifications for perhaps a training that you developed a certain or certain relevant skills, and sometimes people add language expertise especially if the job application requires it.
Content of an academic CV vs job resumé/CV: a key important feature that is necessary to take note of is the content, what is included and how. In general, that for an academic CV is often broad whilst that for a job resumé/CV is specific and as a result more detailed. 1) For instance, in the first section of an academic CV and job resumé/CV, the purposes are similar, which is to provide the employer/academic institution of a summary of who you are. But are quite different for both, for an academic CV, it is more about your research interests, whilst for a resumé, it is more about demonstrating your skill set related to that job position and that you are capable of working in that job position.
2) Another instance, the second section which is education that for an academic cv is much more simple. It includes a brief indication of your academic qualification, the subject/degree area and the year completed. Your other documents attached to an academic application such as transcripts already provide more information. Whereas, in a job resumé/CV, it is more detailed and specific. It also includes the academic GPA and specifics about the courses taken, which is detailed in the next section titled relevant coursework. Moreover, you often don’t attach a transcript(s) as part of the application process.
3) A third instance, is that whilst both types of CVs have a relevant experience section, it is also different in content and style. That for an academic CV reads like a summary, whereas that for a job application is specific and uses bullet points. In the sample below, you notice that bullet points are used throughout the job resumé/CV to highlight the specific task or experiences in each section. For a resumé, you want the employer or the application system to be able to quickly spot your skill and experiences at a quick glance. However, for both types of CVs, you want to make sure that you highlight the dates of the beginning and or ending of a particular experience, or whether its current and ongoing.
4) The other subsequent sections of both types of Cvs also differ in content. In an academic CV, the other sections include publication (were you include published research that you have produced), Awards/Honours section, and Grants/Scholarship section (n these sections, as the title reads, you want to specify any award, grants and or scholarships you may have received from former schools and or are related to your research). However, in contrast, in a job resumé/CV, it is different, rather you include an additional experience section, and interest section - to provide the employer with more details about who you are as a person outside of the specified job role and transferable skills (which can include other non-job roles or extra curricular experiences that you may hold or have held in the past as well as hobbies). These sections indicate what makes you an interesting or relatable person that can get along with others in the work environment. And lastly, as I mentioned before the reference section for both CVs are optional, but is advisable especially for academic CVs.
Best of luck!30/11/2019
Sample of CV (i.e. Academic Curriculum Vitae)
Sample of CV (i.e. Academic Curriculum Vitae)
Sample Job Resumé
Sample Job Resumé
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