When you write your personal statement, you’re frequently told to include ‘skills’. But what skills should you include, how should you write about them and why are they important?
The skills to include in your personal statement are the ones which best illustrate your suitability for academic study and your knowledge of your intended subject. You should include skills gained from relevant practical experience and those which are suited to further progression in the subject.
I’ve explained each of these four skills areas in detail below, so that you can create a compelling, successful and skills-rich personal statement in no time at all…
Evidence Your Suitability with Academic Skills
If you’re planning to study at degree level or beyond, the institution you are applying to needs to see evidence of your academic suitability in your personal statement. Yes, you’ll predicted grades to support you, but that’s not enough. What’s key is to evidence your broader academic ability, not just your subject knowledge.
You can click here to read my post on exactly how to make your personal statement outstanding!
Academic abilities break down into three sections, and you need to include examples of each of these in your application:
| RESEARCH SKILLS | ANALYTICAL SKILLS | COMPREHENSION SKILLS |
|---|---|---|
| These are skills that allow you to efficiently and accurately make use of existing sources of information. Key components are: | These are skills that allow you to draw conclusions from research and apply those conclusions comparatively or in context: | These are the language skills that will allow you to communicate your research and arguments in a logical and effective way: |
| Online research Library research Referencing Note-taking | Persuasive writing Data handling Organisation Forecasting | Essay structure SPAG Formal tone Vocabulary |
The logical way to approach these three elements is to combine them into a single point. Each point should show that you have successfully made use of research skills, analysed the relevant data and presented it well, regardless of your subject focus.
You can discover resources that will help you develop your research and analytical skills here, and find out how to strengthen your study skills here.
Take a look at the following extract. It covers all three elements in a concise and compelling way, and it is the kind of approach you need to aim for in your own personal statement:
If you’re not sure about the best way to structure your work, or want some extra support with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, then I often steer students towards using Grammarly. It’s a free piece of software that can really lift your writing; it’s highly intuitive and allows you to phrase content in a concise and compelling way. If you want to find out more about how to make Grammarly work for you, check out this link.
Show the Skills that Prove Your Subject Knowledge
As well as being an appropriately academic candidate, admissions teams will want to see strong evidence of skills related to your subject. They will expect a range of relevant, tangible skills, built up over time and related to both academic and practical study.
They will also want to see evidence that you have acquired skills based on practical experience and engagement with your chosen subject outside of the formal curriculum.
The table below lists the kinds of opportunities that might equip you with the subject-specific skills you should include in your personal statement:
| Practical experience volunteering in a relevant context | Field trips or research trips where you developed skills | Work experience or internship opportunities undertaken |
| Additional subject related courses/qualifications, IRL or online | Wider reading and research that you have then applied | Publications, performances, research or presentations |
| Creating your own products, companies, performances or work | Mentoring others who are developing an interest in your subject | Closely related hobbies, or clubs/organisations you engage with |
Just like your academic skills, it is important to put these into context using the following formula:
Explain the relevant skill you have, identify how this skill was developed and indicate how it will be of value on the course you are applying for
Your Personal Statement Support
Here’s an example that follows this formula, so that you can see how you might write it down effectively:
Shine by Including Transferable ‘Soft’ Skills
For a long time, transferable or ‘soft’ skills we considered less important in academic applications. You would often hear of students who had been told to ‘add a sentence about their hobbies’. This is not the case today, and admissions officers and employers want to be reassured that applicants have the interpersonal and social skills to succeed in a pressurised and often stressful environment.
In a high-IQ job pool, soft skills like discipline drive and empathy mark those who emerge as outstanding.
Daniel Goleman
What kinds of transferable skills are universities looking for?
- Punctuality and preparedness
- Resilience
- Ability to study independently and effectively
- Creativity
- Motivation and dedication
- Physical stamina and engagement
- Teamwork and cooperative skills
- Organisation
- Pressure management and well-being strategies
- Awareness of personal finance
- Awareness of multi-form diversity
- Effective use of technology (personal and professional)
- Community contribution and volunteering
As before, the important thing is to make sure you put these transferable skills into context. Don’t write them like the list above but indicate why and how they are of value to you and those around you.
For more powerful personal statement strategies, check out my post here.
Prove you have the Skills to Succeed in the Future
Last of all, your personal statement should indicate that you’ve got the potential to develop the skills you’ll need after you graduate, whether that’s in the workplace or in further study.
Common examples include:
| Ability to work successfully and flexibly from a variety of locations | Verbal, physical and written communication skills | Decision-making and accountability strengths and experience | Understanding and application of appropriate technology |
| Ability to balance work and personal time to maintain wellbeing | Appropriate use of social media and an understanding of reputational loss | Ability to cultivate multiple income streams and cross platform contacts | Understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector |
By illustrating your existing use of these skills, you are reassuring an employer or course leader that you are not only likely to complete the course, but will be ready to move forwards with strategy and purpose once you graduate.
Good luck with your personal statement, and don’t forget to contact me if you’d like some 1-1 support. You’ve got this! D
Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet.
