Personal Statement Guidance
The Personal Statement gives you the opportunity to explain why you are applying for the Mountbatten London Program, what you hope to gain, and what value you can offer to a Host Organisation. Be candid, focused, and confident in your abilities.
Limit your statement to one page and use clear examples to highlight your transferable skills; such as communication, time management, teamwork, and IT proficiency. Avoid vague claims (e.g. “I’m a good team player”) and instead demonstrate your abilities through tangible examples (e.g. “I led a group project where…”).
If you are successful in your application and Mountbatten interview, you willl be asked to further tailor your statement to align with the needs of a potential Host Organisation.
Key Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement:
- Introduction
Start with a brief overview of your academic and professional background. Summarise what you offer and what you aim to achieve during the placement year. - Main Body
Highlight specific examples of achievements, leadership experiences, and relevant tools or software you have used. Emphasise transferable skills that apply across industries. - Conclusion
End by reinforcing the value you can bring to the program and a Host Organisation, along with a forward-looking statement about your goals and development.
Don’t forget to mention your motivation for the academic component of the program, and how it supports your long-term career ambitions.
Suggested Power Words to Strengthen Your CV or Personal Statement
Using strong, action-oriented words can help you clearly demonstrate your skills and achievements. Consider incorporating some of these power words to make your personal statement more dynamic and impactful:
Leadership & Initiative: led, organised, initiated, managed, facilitated, directed, coordinated
Communication & Collaboration: communicated, presented, collaborated, negotiated, consulted, liaised
Problem-Solving & Analysis: analysed, evaluated, researched, resolved, improved, designed, developed
Results & Impact: achieved, delivered, increased, enhanced, reduced, implemented, supported
Adaptability & Learning: adapted, learned, adjusted, embraced, overcame, innovated, explored
Use these words to show your active contribution and to make your examples stand out confidently.
Adapting Your Statement for a Host Organisation
If you are invited to the candidate pool, you will be asked to tailor your Personal Statement to better align with the needs of Host Organisations. Here are some general guidelines to help you revise effectively:
Tone
Your revised statement should remain professional and engaging, but not read like a cover letter for a single role. Use a confident, open tone that reflects your versatility and eagerness to contribute across a variety of potential sectors. Avoid overly formal or sector-specific language.
Length and Structure
Keep it concise and easy to read. Limit your statement to one page maximum, ideally broken into three or four clear paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a purpose; introduction, experience, skills, and conclusion, and avoid dense or overly detailed sections.
Focus on Transferable Skills
Rather than describing job roles or industry-specific tasks in great detail, focus on transferable skills that are valued across sectors. Emphasise competencies such as:
- Project coordination
- Communication and collaboration
- Time management
- Analytical thinking
- Stakeholder engagement
Support each skill with a brief, tangible example showing how you have applied it effectively in the past.
Industry Neutrality
Host Organisations operate across a range of industries, so avoid tailoring your statement to one particular sector. If you refer to specific industry experience, make sure to extract and highlight the universally applicable skills or insights gained from it.
IT Skills and Measurable Impact
Clearly mention your proficiency with relevant software or platforms, and wherever possible, include measurable outcomes (e.g., improved efficiency by 20%, reduced errors, supported delivery of project X on time).
Strong Conclusion
Close your statement with a confident summary of what you can offer a Host Organisation. Reinforce your adaptability, enthusiasm for professional growth, and motivation to contribute meaningfully to a team. Briefly state how this opportunity supports your career goals.
Submitting Your Personal Statement
Once you have updated your Personal Statement, please follow these guidelines to prepare your final submission:
- Do not include personal details such as your name, address, phone number, or email in the statement itself. These are already captured separately and managed centrally by Mountbatten.
- Submit your statement as a Word document (.doc or .docx) so that we can apply light formatting if needed for consistency.
- Use a clear file name, such as
Professional_Statement_FirstName_LastName.docx.
By keeping your statement clear, skills-focused, and broadly appealing, you will maximise your chances of being matched and placed with a Host Organisation that values your strengths and potential.
Final Reminder
Proofread everything carefully. Your attention to detail and written communication skills will be closely evaluated, by both Mountbatten and prospective Host Organisations. Make sure your documents are polished, professional, and reflect your best self.