Personal Statements for Historical/Fictional Characters

Delights in a bit of jousting and a good feast - particularly fond of venison.

You can include some of your interests in this first section, but make sure that they are related to the job you're applying for.

An enthusiastic and hard-working team player who possesses excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail - great at problem-solving and thrives when under pressure.

Try to avoid cliches. Many recruiters will see phrases like these constantly. Try to set yourself apart and be a bit more specific about how you show these skills.

Dynamic and charismatic, proficient in multiple languages, with significant previous experience in a high-profile leadership role as the King of England.

Years spent at the royal court mean I can keep my head when others are losing theirs, allowing me to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and confidently meet any challenge.

I enjoy making war and besieging castles - I desire a glorious English victory in France.

Make it apparent how your experience might be useful in the workplace. Also, try to use the ‘smart' third person where possible.

I was a competent ruler who sometimes had success on the battlefield but mostly just enjoyed feasting.

It's important to be positive and confident about your skills and experience. Try to relate these back to the job you are applying for.

Continually motivated: future goals include pressing my ancient claim to the throne of France and initiating widespread religious reform.

Seeking glory on the battlefields of France whilst also having a fulfilling career as a food taster.

Make sure your career goals don’t sound too contradictory.

King of England, the second ruler of the Tudor dynasty, who oversaw the beginning of the English Reformation.

Use this final section to outline your career goals and aspirations.

Head and shoulders above the rest - a general of surprisingly average height with a head for strategy and a keen eye for detail.

Lacking substance. This could maybe be taken further to explain how these skills have been acquired, developed or used.

A bold and inspiring leader, a graduate of military school with a proven skill for organisation and strategy after 15 years on the French throne.

Pursuing a career worthy of my prestige and genius as a strategic analyst.

Use this first section to sum up who you are in terms of education, experience and interests.

Fought with the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians and won.

It is good to give examples of your achievements; however, make sure to mention the skills that you used, learned, or developed.

Nearly 20 years of experience in battlefield tactics, communications and multiple victories have helped me develop excellent problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail.

Dedicated, driven, and ambitious.

These are all good qualities but try to give an example or two of when you’ve used them.

Pursuing a career as a strategic analyst where I can put my problem-solving and organisational skills to use.

Studied hard in arithmetic, algebra and geometry, the latter of which has made me very good at aiming cannons.

Use the final section of your personal statement to lay out your career goals and aspirations.

I am looking for a job in business development.

This is a bit short; give a bit more of an explanation of your career goals.

A skilled outdoorsman with a passion for social justice and helping the community, developed through my years of charity work.

Insightful, genius, daring, dashing, and chivalrous are some of the words I would use to describe myself.

It’s important to be positive and confident about your skills and experience, but try not to sound too conceited. Also, be a bit more specific about your skills and give a sense of how you learned and used them.

I live deep in Sherwood Forest, where the Sheriff of Nottingham can’t find me, stealing King John’s taxes to give to the poor of Nottingham.

This doesn't offer much information on why an employer should hire Robin Hood. It could also be said in a more concise way.

I have a lot of experience doing outreach work and offering unofficial tax rebates.

Remember to explain what skills you developed. Also, try to use the ‘smart’ third person where possible.

Plenty of strings to my bow - experienced leader and team player thanks to many years living in Sherwood Forest with my Merry Men and dodging the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Looking for a job where I can rob from the rich to give to the poor.

Wait until the final section of your personal statement before outlining your career aspirations. It’s also not a good idea to tell a prospective employer you intend to commit a crime - however noble.

After years of swindling, cheating, and robbing, I'm looking for a position as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Be bold and confident about your aspirations and career aims, but also be realistic.

I want to build on my already successful career and apply my unique skills and knowledge to a new challenge.

This is too cliched. Try to be more specific about your career aims and goals.

Seeking a role at a charity where I can continue to help those less fortunate.

Looking for a fulfilling career in fashion design where I can let my natural talent and flair shine through.

This would be good in the final section of a personal statement. However, try to use the first section to tell a prospective employer more about yourself.

My brother is the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II, and my husband is Louis XVI, the king of France.

Your personal statement should be about you and what you can offer an employer, not about your family.

A bold fashion icon, learned and cultured after years at the royal court, with a particular love of diamond necklaces.

Lots of experience frivolously spending the taxes of the sans-culottes on art and haute couture.

This is not something that would recommend Marie Antoinette for a job. Make sure to personalise your personal statement for the job that you are applying for.

My extravagant hair, intrepid sense of style, and years of experience throwing top-quality raves mean I’m sure to spice up any dry, old board meeting - where I go, the party follows.

It is best to keep your personal statement professional and relevant. Remember that you want to present the best version of yourself to a recruiter.

Spending years in the French court at Versailles has made me adept at conflict management, engaging in court intrigue, and diplomatically approaching negotiations - skills I’m excited to bring to the workplace.

Seeking a role in fashion design as dynamic as I am - I dream of taking Paris Fashion Week by storm.

Looking for a career in fashion with plenty of free cake.

Expand on this - this section is your chance to give an employer an idea of your goals and aspirations.

My name is Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna von Ӧsterreich-Lothringen, and I want a career in fashion.

Try to be succinct in this section and give more detail about your career aspirations.

I had a very famous 1964 film made about me - Julie Andrews played me, and the film won five Academy Awards.

Keep it relevant. This section should be focused on your experience and interests. These should recommend you for the job you're applying for.

Accomplished nanny with over 50 years of experience, adept at magic and keeping misbehaving children in line.

Firm and resolute, with a stiff upper lip, I am very well-equipped to be a nanny.

Give a prospective employer an idea of how you acquired your qualities and skills. Also, try to use this first section to outline your experience, education, and interests.

Enthusiastic, hardworking, and determined with a positive can-do attitude.

Cut out the cliches. While these are all good qualities, no evidence of them has been shown. Give an example or two of how you display these qualities.

Pursuing a career in childcare, musical theatre, or a mix of both.

The second section should be about your experience and what you can offer an employer. Write about your career plans in the final section of your personal statement.

My wealth of experience has enhanced my creativity and conflict management skills, as illustrated by my reconciliation of Mr Banks and his children - there’s nothing a spoonful of sugar can’t solve.

Seeking a job as an au pair in a London residence with an environment that will allow me to use my insightfulness and creativity to help people.

Looking for a position as an au pair with a wealthy family in a London residence - must be a Georgian-style townhouse with an SW1 postcode and lots of nearby parks with plenty of dancing chimney sweeps and good rooftop access.

It may be a good idea not to be too specific in your career aspirations - recruiters may be able to recommend you for other roles you may be a good fit for.

I look forward to new challenges.

Be more specific about your career aspirations. What kind of role do you see yourself in?