PERSONAL STATEMENT La Letter of Application (oppure `Covering

PERSONAL STATEMENT
La Letter of Application (oppure ‘Covering Letter’) può anche essere rivolta ad un’istituzione
accademica, presso la quale si intende far domanda per un corso di studi oppure un posto come
insegnante o ricercatore.
Nel mondo accademico è nota anche come Personal Statement, in cui il candidato praticamente
spiega le motivazioni del suo interesse.
Fondamentalmente, lo scopo di questa lettera è quello di convincere il responsabile
dell’ammissione/assunzione dell’università che tu sei la persona giusta per quel corso (il numero di
studenti ammessi ai corsi è limitato) o quel posto di lavoro.
Nel processo di scelta, infatti, il responsabile si pone le seguenti domande:
- Vogliamo questo studente nel nostro corso/nella nostra università? ovvero
- Questo studente è idoneo al corso per il quale sta presentando domanda?
- Lo studente possiede le qualifiche e le qualità necessarie per il corso?
- Lo studente è coscienzioso, disposto a lavorare sodo? Quanto è probabile che non lasci il
corso a metà percorso?
- Lo studente sarà in grado di far fronte a ciò che il corso richiede?
- È in grado di lavorare sotto pressione?
- Quali sono i suoi ‘communication skills’?
- Possiede un interesse genuino nella materia ed è spinto dal desiderio di migliorare le sue
conoscenze in questo campo?
Trattandosi, appunto, di un personal statement, parlerai di te stesso, trattando quindi i seguenti
aspetti:
- Gli aspetti della materia che ti interessano e perché; esperienze e motivazioni personali che
spiegano l’interesse
- Corsi specifici già completati
- Lavoro pratico ed esperienze lavorative svolte in quel campo
- Esperienze fatte che mostrano il tuo processo/livello di maturazione personale e conoscenza
tecnica
- Interessi personali
- Aspirazioni ed aspettative specifiche in relazione al corso per cui fai domanda
Vediamo quindi un esempio, analizzando questi aspetti:
Personal Statement
Introduzione generale, in cui si spiega la motivazione fondamentale del proprio interesse nel
soggetto
I have always had a genuine interest in archaeology, partly because of my travels that have taken
me to places like Rome and Athens since my earliest childhood, partly because of my interest in
Ancient History, which has taught me how the past has influenced our modern lifestyles.
I think much of my passion for these subjects lies in the idea of becoming a part of charting our
social evolution through historical and scientific methods.
Qui si entra nello specifico e si spiega come la propria formazione si sia gradualmente indirizzata
verso la materia scelta, cominciando già ad accennare ad alcune delle proprie qualità e qualifiche
Studying Classics at school inspired me to broaden my insight into ancient culture. I began
understanding how important the language is in the original text, spurring my interest in Greek and
Latin.
My three-year-long university course (see CV enclosed) has given me the necessary basics in
Roman and Greek archaeology (introduction to archaeological methods, principles and practice of
archaeology, the origins of humanity, the ancient world, and the archaeological history of my region
(Apulia), museum work, basic analysis and conservation methods).
I also had the chance to attend a special course on ritual activity in Pre-historic Italy.
Paragrafo in cui si approfondiscono gli aspetti personali relativi a capacità particolari e più
pratiche
This summer I had the chance of attending an archaeological field school in Tuscany (Italy) under
the tuition of renowned archaeologist Professor Giovanni Bottari. This helped me understand what
field archaeology is like, and to gain essential skills like section drawing, finds processing and
archaeological planning.
Spiegazione del perché stiamo presentando questa domanda, elenco di motivazioni specifiche
Since Italian universities don’t offer any chance for further expanding my theoretical and practical
skills in the new scientific methods for archaeological analysis (computing, microscopy, stable
isotope analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry etc.), I decided to apply for a course abroad.
Esperienze lavorative che forniscono informazioni sul nostro modo di apprendere e sulle nostre
abilità nella vita (come impariamo dall’esperienza, fiducia in sé, senso di responsabilità, capacità
di lavorare sotto pressione, accuratezza e perspicacia, senso sociale, ecc.)
My work experience consists of a part-time job at a shoe shop, and I feel the tasks and issues I was
faced with helped me to become more confident and responsible, and also taught me how to handle
pressure, especially during Christmas sales.
Being an avid reader of political essays led me to attend an essay writing class thanks to which I
have improved my writing skills and learned how to analyse specific points with accuracy.
In my spare time I work as a volunteer at our local charity shop and am a member of an
environmental association, which makes me feel useful to our society.
Le nostre aspettative verso il corso richiesto
By studying this course I will be able to expand my knowledge and skills in the field of archaeology
at a higher scientific level and perhaps have the opportunity of doing more field work.
Exercise 5:
Ecco una specie di ‘Personal Statement’ redatto da un personaggio storico, in questo caso mirato
all’ottenimento di un posto di lavoro. Aiutandoti con un vocabolario, cerca di indovinare di che
personaggio si tratta. Segnaliamo l’uso di un inglese arcaico in questo testo “antico”. (Nelle
soluzioni agli esercizi troverai anche la traduzione in italiano di questo testo)
“My Most Illustrious Lord,
Having now sufficiently seen and considered the achievements of all those who proclaim
themselves skilled contrivers of instruments of war, and having noted that the invention
and operation of the said instruments are nothing different from those in common use: I
shall endeavour, without prejudice to anyone else, to explain myself to your Excellency,
showing your Lordship my secrets, and then offering them to your best pleasure and
approbation to work with effect at opportune moments on all those things which, in part,
shall be briefly noted below.
1. I have a sort of extremely light and strong bridges, adapted to be most easily carried,
and with them you may pursue, and at any time flee from the enemy; and others, secure
and indestructible by fire and battle, easy and convenient to lift and place. Also methods
of burning and destroying those of the enemy.
2. I know how, when a place is besieged, to take the water out of the trenches, and make
an endless variety of bridges, and covered ways and ladders, and other machines
pertaining to such enterprises.
3. If, by reason of the height of the banks, or the strength of the place and its position, it
is impossible, when besieging a place, to avail oneself of the plan of bombardment, I
have methods for destroying every rock or other fortress, even if it were founded on a
rock, etc.
4. Again, I have kinds of mortars; most convenient and easy to carry; and with these I
can fling small stones almost resembling a storm; and with the smoke of these cause
great terror to the enemy, to his great detriment and confusion.
5. I have means by secret and tortuous mines and ways, made without noise, to reach a
designated spot, even if it were needed to pass under a trench or a river.
6. I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable, which, entering among the enemy
with their artillery, there is no body of men so great but they would break them. And
behind these, infantry could follow quite unhurt and without any hindrance.
7. In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of fine and useful
forms, out of the common type.
8. Where the operation of bombardment might fail, I would contrive catapults,
mangonels, trebuchets, and other machines of marvellous efficacy and not in common
use. And in short, according to the variety of cases, I can contrive various and endless
means of offence and defence.
9. And if the fight should be at sea I have kinds of many machines most efficient for
offence and defence; and vessels which will resist the attack of the largest guns and
powder and fumes
10. In times of peace I believe I can give perfect satisfaction and to the equal of any
other in architecture and the composition of buildings public and private; and in guiding
water from one place to another.
I can carry out sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay, and also I can do in painting
whatever may be done, as well as any other, be he who he may.
Again, the bronze horse may be taken in hand, which is to be to the immortal glory and
eternal honour of the prince your father of happy memory, and of the illustrious house of
S.
And if any of the above-named things seem to anyone to be impossible or not feasible, I
am most ready to make the experiment in your park, or in whatever place may please
your Excellency – to whom I commend myself with the utmost humility.”
Prendendo il personaggio misterioso ad esempio, si capiscono molto bene i punti più importanti
nella struttura del Personal Statement.
My Most Illustrious Lord,
Scegliere con cura il destinatario (Dear Mr/Mrs, HR Manager, Professor M. Jenkins).
Having now sufficiently seen and considered the achievements of all those who proclaim
themselves skilled contrivers of instruments of war, and having noted that the invention and
operation of the said instruments are nothing different from those in common use: I shall endeavour,
without prejudice to anyone else, to explain myself to your Excellency, showing your Lordship my
secrets, and then offering them to your best pleasure and approbation to work with effect at
opportune moments on all those things which, in part, shall be briefly noted below.
Breve introduzione atta ad attirare l’attenzione di chi legge ed a spiegare lo scopo della lettera.
1. I have a sort of extremely light and strong bridges, adapted to be most easily carried, and with
them you may pursue, and at any time flee from the enemy; and others, secure and indestructible by
fire and battle, easy and convenient to lift and place. Also methods of burning and destroying those
of the enemy.
Scelta di evidenziare le nostre abilità e qualità in base a ciò che può interessare il
destinatario/datore di lavoro.
Il nostro autore è un uomo dai tanti talenti, ma in questo caso ritiene che ciò che potrebbe
maggiormente interessare il suo datore di lavoro sono gli strumenti da guerra, in particolare i
ponti, con cui comincia l’elenco delle proprie capacità.
Anche tu devi capire ciò che interessa maggiormente al tuo destinatario e dargli la giusta priorità.
2. I know how, when a place is besieged, to take the water out of the trenches, and make an endless
variety of bridges, and covered ways and ladders, and other machines pertaining to such enterprises.
Breve ed efficace elenco di particolari perizie del candidato, senza dilungarti troppo per evitare di
stancare chi legge.
3. If, by reason of the height of the banks, or the strength of the place and its position, it is
impossible, when besieging a place, to avail oneself of the plan of bombardment, I have methods
for destroying every rock or other fortress, even if it were founded on a rock, etc.
Dimostrare che capisci cosa verrà richiesto da te e che saprai destreggiarti a seconda della
situazione.
4. Again, I have kinds of mortars; most convenient and easy to carry; and with these I can fling
small stones almost resembling a storm; and with the smoke of these cause great terror to the
enemy, to his great detriment and confusion.
Elenca altre abilità, ma solo se è necessario, e fai capire come le sai impiegare a tuo vantaggio e a
vantaggio di chi ti assume.
5. I have means by secret and tortuous mines and ways, made without noise, to reach a designated
spot, even if it were needed to pass under a trench or a river.
6. I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable, which, entering among the enemy with their
artillery, there is no body of men so great but they would break them. And behind these, infantry
could follow quite unhurt and without any hindrance.
L’autore fa capire al proprio interlocutore le cose che potrà fare a beneficio di quest’ultimo. Se
intendi lavorare in un team di ricercatori, è bene evidenziare con esempi la tua abilità di lavorare
in gruppo, mentre, se stai presentando domanda per un progetto di ricerca in solitaria nella taiga
siberiana, sarà meglio evidenziare altri tuoi punti di forza.
7. In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of fine and useful forms, out of
the common type.
8. Where the operation of bombardment might fail, I would contrive catapults, mangonels,
trebuchets, and other machines of marvellous efficacy and not in common use. And in short,
according to the variety of cases, I can contrive various and endless means of offence and defence.
9. And if the fight should be at sea I have kinds of many machines most efficient for offence and
defence; and vessels which will resist the attack of the largest guns and powder and fumes.
Avendo parlato dei punti probabilmente più utili all’inizio, l’autore passa a quelli che, benché pur
sempre importanti, non meritano una posizione in cima alla lettera. Devi organizzare i tuoi ‘selling
points’ nell’ordine d’interesse per il lettore, piuttosto che elencare all’inizio le cose di te di cui vai
maggiormente fiero.
10. In times of peace I believe I can give perfect satisfaction and to the equal of any other in
architecture and the composition of buildings public and private; and in guiding water from one
place to another.
I can carry out sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay, and also I can do in painting whatever may be
done, as well as any other, be he who he may.
Il nostro autore era molto versato anche in altri campi, e decise di inserire anche queste sue qualità
nella lettera, ma le inserisce solo alla fine, perché le ritiene meno importanti per il suo potenziale
datore di lavoro.
Again, the bronze horse may be taken in hand, which is to be to the immortal glory and eternal
honour of the prince your father of happy memory, and of the illustrious house of S.
Per finire, qualcosa di poco pertinente, ma una qualità che poteva produrre risultati che
sicuramente solleticavano un po’ la vanità del destinatario.
And if any of the above-named things seem to anyone to be impossible or not feasible, I am most
ready to make the experiment in your park, or in whatever place may please your Excellency – to
whom I commend myself with the utmost humility, etc.”
Infine, se tutto ciò dovesse apparire troppo eccezionale, l’autore si dichiara disponibile a
dimostrare le proprie qualità in pratica, per dar loro maggiore credibilità. È importante sostenere
le proprie affermazioni con delle prove.