Civil Service personal statement (statement of suitability)

How Success Profiles work

Success Profiles is the Civil Service's recruitment framework. It has five elements: behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical skills. Each advert chooses the elements that matter for that role. See the official Success Profiles guidance on GOV.UK.

A personal statement usually assesses experience, and sometimes behaviours too. Behaviour statements are often requested separately, each with its own word limit. See the behaviours guide.

How to write the statement

1. Read the job description and the 'Person specification' or 'Essential criteria' section.
2. List each criterion and match it to a real example from your experience.
3. Write short paragraphs that show what you did and the result, ideally in STAR order.
4. Use the advert's language where it's true for you.
5. Keep strictly within the word limit given in the advert.
6. Check spelling and grammar. Applications are often sifted name-blind, so the evidence has to speak for itself.

Tip: Don't just restate the criteria ('I have excellent communication skills'). Give the example that proves it.

Short example paragraph

"The role asks for experience of handling enquiries from the public. In my current job I answer around 40 calls and emails a day from customers about billing. I explain policy in plain English, log each contact accurately and escalate complex cases with a clear summary. Last year my team leader asked me to write our standard replies for common questions, which the whole team now uses."

This example is illustrative. Use your own evidence. There's also an Administrative Officer CV example.