Statement in support of application for a Research Technician

Hi all,

Hope you are doing great!

I intend to apply for a Research Assistant post, and for that I have been asked the following:

Please state why you believe you are a suitable candidate for this post by explaining how you meet its requirements and the experience for you which is relevant. Please give examples of particular achievements.

I can understand that I need to write about how much lab work I've done all these years, the different techniques I've learnt, how I've coped with stresses and disappointments when things haven't worked (showing my determination and strong will; the strong points)... however, my statement still seems rather ordinary. That is to say, I've written what everyone writes, why I want this job, what I can bring to the institution, my experience in the lab, whether I'm a member of various organisations etc.

Would you guys have any ideas on what else to include apart from what I've already mentioned to make my statement stand out more?

Many thanks,
~*Spellbound*~

Ask yourself sincerely: What do you offer that everyone else doesn't offer? Make sure you include that.

You can also make your essay stand out by using simple writing techniques to make the essay engaging. Assessors wade through scores or even hundreds of essays, feeling utterly bored by their similarity. How can you break through? First, start strong. Just like the lead in a magazine or newspaper article, your first sentence should draw readers in and make them want to read more.

Next, keep them reading. Use direct, concise sentences in the active voice. Wherever possible, use strong action verbs. Season your sentences with colorful modifiers in moderation.

All of which is to say that, when it comes to cover letters and application essays, style counts almost as much -- and perhaps even more -- than content. So, post your draft here and let our redundancy patrol and action verb experts have at it.

Aye, the content of these sorts of essay tend to be fairly standard. You have to talk about certain things, simply to have a chance of getting in. What will make you stand out, apart from any marks of distinction you may have academically or personally that are truly unique (if you have any of these), is how well-written your essay is. So, write as concisely and as strongly as you can, then post the draft here for revision.