9 answers
Farida
Student
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
10
Questions
Asked
1061 views
How can I write a genuine personal statement, without making it feel too cliche?
I feel like personal statements can either feel too cliche, where there's too much trauma-dumping, however I feel like setbacks are what make every humans experience unique.
So how can I write about hardships, without making it seem like a trauma-dump with no consistency?
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9 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Farida,
Good question! Strong personal statements aim to frame difficult situations with purpose rather than to avoid them. Start with the insight, value, or change in perspective that resulted from the experience rather than the event itself. This immediately shifts the essay's tone from being cheesy to intelligent. You don't have to describe every aspect or difficulty you've faced; a single, thoughtful event that is described in detail is much more powerful than a long list of difficulties.
The most important thing is that you show agency and forward momentum, including the activities you performed, the skills you acquired, and the ways in which the event influenced your learning, thinking, or future planning. The story doesn't feel like a trauma dump when you can clearly relate that experience to who you are now and where you're heading. Instead of becoming dramatic, keep the tone reflective and grounded; real understanding is more captivating than intense emotion. As a general rule, focus more on your growth and lessons learned than on your experiences. The statement you make will feel genuine, consistent, and all your own when reflection drives the story.
Best wishes!
Good question! Strong personal statements aim to frame difficult situations with purpose rather than to avoid them. Start with the insight, value, or change in perspective that resulted from the experience rather than the event itself. This immediately shifts the essay's tone from being cheesy to intelligent. You don't have to describe every aspect or difficulty you've faced; a single, thoughtful event that is described in detail is much more powerful than a long list of difficulties.
The most important thing is that you show agency and forward momentum, including the activities you performed, the skills you acquired, and the ways in which the event influenced your learning, thinking, or future planning. The story doesn't feel like a trauma dump when you can clearly relate that experience to who you are now and where you're heading. Instead of becoming dramatic, keep the tone reflective and grounded; real understanding is more captivating than intense emotion. As a general rule, focus more on your growth and lessons learned than on your experiences. The statement you make will feel genuine, consistent, and all your own when reflection drives the story.
Best wishes!
Thank you very much for your response! Your words have truly stuck with me, and given me a lot of clarity!
Farida
You're welcome, Farida!
Chinyere Okafor
I agree with the suggestion to focus on one event, without feeling the need to cover your whole life. Describing what it was like / what happened, what I learned and how this "shows up" in my life today will demonstrate how you learn and grow from experiences. I would think about what is unique to you. In my experience, schools are looking for individuals who will contribute to their community. Schools want learners who have resilience, who are willing to take on challenges, and stick with it. College is a unique community where you will be able to contribute - in your classes, in clubs, in sports, in your living situation, in your jobs.
Stacie Hutzler
S I
Finance
24
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
S’s Answer
A personal statement can include challenges, but it's important to present them thoughtfully.
Here's a simple approach to follow: context, choice, growth, direction.
Focus on your response to events and how they shaped you, rather than just what happened.
Some practical tips:
1. Be specific, not overly dramatic.
Avoid vague phrases like "I faced many struggles." Instead, choose a specific moment or realization to describe clearly.
2. Highlight insights, not just hardships.
Briefly mention the challenge, then focus on what you learned, how it changed you, and how it influences your interests or goals now.
3. Show consistency, not escalating trauma.
Admission readers seek self-awareness and continuity, not the most dramatic story. Consider how the experience connects to who you are becoming.
4. Avoid overly neat conclusions.
It's okay to admit you're still learning. Genuine growth is often subtle and honest, not overly dramatic.
5. Focus on future goals.
End by connecting your experiences to what you want to explore next, whether academically, creatively, or personally. This shows direction without needing certainty.
A good test: If you remove the hardship from your essay, do you still shine through? If yes, you're on the right track.
Here's a simple approach to follow: context, choice, growth, direction.
Focus on your response to events and how they shaped you, rather than just what happened.
Some practical tips:
1. Be specific, not overly dramatic.
Avoid vague phrases like "I faced many struggles." Instead, choose a specific moment or realization to describe clearly.
2. Highlight insights, not just hardships.
Briefly mention the challenge, then focus on what you learned, how it changed you, and how it influences your interests or goals now.
3. Show consistency, not escalating trauma.
Admission readers seek self-awareness and continuity, not the most dramatic story. Consider how the experience connects to who you are becoming.
4. Avoid overly neat conclusions.
It's okay to admit you're still learning. Genuine growth is often subtle and honest, not overly dramatic.
5. Focus on future goals.
End by connecting your experiences to what you want to explore next, whether academically, creatively, or personally. This shows direction without needing certainty.
A good test: If you remove the hardship from your essay, do you still shine through? If yes, you're on the right track.
Thank you for your encouragement and wonderful advice! Everything you said was perfect, and perfectly listed tips and how to overcome common challenges!
Farida
James Chan
Director Solutions Consulting
3
Answers
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Updated
James’s Answer
Hi Farida,
Writing a genuine personal statement is all about telling the story of who you are in a way that feels both engaging and authentic. The best way to avoid clichés is to move away from generalities and draw directly from the specific stories that make up your life.
Often, the moments that shape us most are the difficult ones. When sharing these, it is important to focus not just on the hardship itself or the lesson learned, but on who you became as a result. Reflect on the values you developed through those experiences: What do you care about now? What excites you today because of what you went through?
Think of your personal statement as a "hero’s journey." In every great story, the protagonist faces a challenge, often hits rock bottom, and then undergoes a process of reinvention to overcome those obstacles.
You are currently living the story of your own life. To make your statement stand out, tell the story that makes you unique. Highlight the events that forged your values and the reasons why you are driven toward your future goals. Focus on what you care most about today, then work backwards through your life to find the stories that had the greatest effect on that. That might give you another way of thinking about writing your personal statement.
Writing a genuine personal statement is all about telling the story of who you are in a way that feels both engaging and authentic. The best way to avoid clichés is to move away from generalities and draw directly from the specific stories that make up your life.
Often, the moments that shape us most are the difficult ones. When sharing these, it is important to focus not just on the hardship itself or the lesson learned, but on who you became as a result. Reflect on the values you developed through those experiences: What do you care about now? What excites you today because of what you went through?
Think of your personal statement as a "hero’s journey." In every great story, the protagonist faces a challenge, often hits rock bottom, and then undergoes a process of reinvention to overcome those obstacles.
You are currently living the story of your own life. To make your statement stand out, tell the story that makes you unique. Highlight the events that forged your values and the reasons why you are driven toward your future goals. Focus on what you care most about today, then work backwards through your life to find the stories that had the greatest effect on that. That might give you another way of thinking about writing your personal statement.
Thank you for your advice, I greatly appreciate your support! Not only was your advice greatly valuable, but it was extremely well written, making it enjoyable to read!
Farida
Jacob Affinito
Senior Software Engineer
24
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
I would focus on the outcomes or the positive changes that your trauma led you to (where possible) and not necessarily on the problems themselves. You don't need to include everything that has happened, but you should try to craft a narrative using your experiences that shows how you learn, grow, and overcome, not how you wallow in what has happened or what you have been through. This also aligns with common interview questions about problems you have encountered and how you overcame or resolved them. I also don't think you need to worry to much, these types of things always feel odd to write, at least for me.
- Focus on the outcomes
- Say positive
- Build a narrative
- Focus on the outcomes
- Say positive
- Build a narrative
Thank you so much, your advice was truly helpful! You worded everything perfectly!
Farida
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
62
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Farida,
This is a really thoughtful question, and honestly the fact that you’re worried about this already puts you ahead. The biggest shift that helps is realizing that a strong personal statement is not about how intense your hardships were, but about how you processed them and what they changed about the way you think, act, or see the world. Trauma dumping usually happens when the focus stays on the event itself. Good personal statements focus on the growth, the insight, or the direction that came out of it.
A practical way to do this is to treat hardships as context, not the main character. You can briefly name what happened, then quickly move to what you did in response or how it shaped a value you carry now. Ask yourself questions like: What did this teach me about how I handle uncertainty? How did it influence the way I show up for others or approach learning? What habits, goals, or perspectives came out of it? When the story has a clear through line from challenge to action to reflection, it feels intentional instead of emotional overload.
Another thing that helps is grounding your story in specifics rather than dramatic language. Small, concrete moments often feel more genuine than big declarations about pain or resilience. You also do not need to explain everything or prove how hard it was. Admissions readers are not scoring suffering. They are looking for self awareness, maturity, and consistency between your experiences and your goals. If you keep the focus on who you are becoming, not what you survived, your statement will feel honest, cohesive, and far from cliche.
This is a really thoughtful question, and honestly the fact that you’re worried about this already puts you ahead. The biggest shift that helps is realizing that a strong personal statement is not about how intense your hardships were, but about how you processed them and what they changed about the way you think, act, or see the world. Trauma dumping usually happens when the focus stays on the event itself. Good personal statements focus on the growth, the insight, or the direction that came out of it.
A practical way to do this is to treat hardships as context, not the main character. You can briefly name what happened, then quickly move to what you did in response or how it shaped a value you carry now. Ask yourself questions like: What did this teach me about how I handle uncertainty? How did it influence the way I show up for others or approach learning? What habits, goals, or perspectives came out of it? When the story has a clear through line from challenge to action to reflection, it feels intentional instead of emotional overload.
Another thing that helps is grounding your story in specifics rather than dramatic language. Small, concrete moments often feel more genuine than big declarations about pain or resilience. You also do not need to explain everything or prove how hard it was. Admissions readers are not scoring suffering. They are looking for self awareness, maturity, and consistency between your experiences and your goals. If you keep the focus on who you are becoming, not what you survived, your statement will feel honest, cohesive, and far from cliche.
Thank you very much for your advice! Your advice felt personal, truly allowing me to immerse yourself in your writing and take in your advice!
Farida
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
42
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Farida,
Writing a personal statement feels overwhelming for most of us. Without a clear structure, it’s easy to get carried away by emotions. Here’s a simple framework that may help.
Think of your personal statement as an elevator pitch for your life so far:
Who you are → what shaped you → who you’re becoming → why that direction makes sense now.
A simple framework you can follow:
1. Who are you now?
In one sentence, explain who you are today.
Example: “Today, I’m someone who cares deeply about ___ and is motivated by ___.”
2. What shaped you?
This is where hardship can appear—but lightly. Choose one meaningful experience and focus on what changed how you think or act, not how difficult it was.
3. What did you do because of it?
This is the shift from what happened to you to what you did with it. This is where growth shows.
4. Where are you heading and why?
It’s okay to say you’re still learning. Direction matters more than certainty.
As others have pointed out, when you treat your personal statement as a clear story arc rather than an emotional confession, it naturally becomes more grounded, consistent, and genuine.
If this still feels hard, use this template as a starting point:
Today, I am someone who is interested in __________ and motivated by __________. I’m drawn to this path because __________.
This interest began to take shape when __________. At the time, __________, which forced me to __________. Instead of __________, I chose to __________.
Through this, I developed __________ and learned that __________.
Today, this shows up in my life through __________. These experiences reinforced that I enjoy __________ and thrive when __________.
As I look ahead, I want to continue exploring __________ because it allows me to __________. I see this next step as an opportunity to grow while contributing __________.
While I know my path will continue to evolve, I’m confident that pursuing __________ aligns with who I’m becoming and the kind of work I want to do moving forward.
Wish you the best!
Writing a personal statement feels overwhelming for most of us. Without a clear structure, it’s easy to get carried away by emotions. Here’s a simple framework that may help.
Think of your personal statement as an elevator pitch for your life so far:
Who you are → what shaped you → who you’re becoming → why that direction makes sense now.
A simple framework you can follow:
1. Who are you now?
In one sentence, explain who you are today.
Example: “Today, I’m someone who cares deeply about ___ and is motivated by ___.”
2. What shaped you?
This is where hardship can appear—but lightly. Choose one meaningful experience and focus on what changed how you think or act, not how difficult it was.
3. What did you do because of it?
This is the shift from what happened to you to what you did with it. This is where growth shows.
4. Where are you heading and why?
It’s okay to say you’re still learning. Direction matters more than certainty.
As others have pointed out, when you treat your personal statement as a clear story arc rather than an emotional confession, it naturally becomes more grounded, consistent, and genuine.
If this still feels hard, use this template as a starting point:
Today, I am someone who is interested in __________ and motivated by __________. I’m drawn to this path because __________.
This interest began to take shape when __________. At the time, __________, which forced me to __________. Instead of __________, I chose to __________.
Through this, I developed __________ and learned that __________.
Today, this shows up in my life through __________. These experiences reinforced that I enjoy __________ and thrive when __________.
As I look ahead, I want to continue exploring __________ because it allows me to __________. I see this next step as an opportunity to grow while contributing __________.
While I know my path will continue to evolve, I’m confident that pursuing __________ aligns with who I’m becoming and the kind of work I want to do moving forward.
Wish you the best!
George Zou, M.S.
Academic Advisor
38
Answers
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Updated
George’s Answer
Hi Farida,
Writing a genuine personal statement can feel very hard, especially because many people worry about sounding cliché or overly dramatic. A lot of students notice that personal statements often fall into two extremes. On one side, they feel boring and generic, like anyone could have written them. On the other side, they feel like trauma-dumps, where the writer shares a lot of pain but does not explain why it matters. The truth is that hardships are an important part of being human, and they *should* be included. The challenge is learning how to write about them in a clear, meaningful, and balanced way. A strong personal statement does not avoid hardship, but it also does not let hardship take over the whole story. The first thing to understand is that colleges or readers are not looking for the “saddest” story. They are not comparing levels of pain or judging whose life was harder. Instead, they want to understand *who you are* and *how you think*. This means the focus should not be on how bad something felt, but on how you responded to it. Many essays become cliché because they spend too much time describing sadness, fear, or stress without showing growth. Pain alone does not make a story strong. Reflection does.
When writing about hardship, it helps to choose just one main challenge instead of many. Trying to include every difficult thing that has happened in your life can make your essay feel messy and unfocused. A personal statement works best when it tells one clear story. This story should be something that truly affected you and changed the way you think, act, or see the world. By focusing on one experience, you give yourself space to explain it deeply and clearly instead of rushing through many events.
After choosing your main challenge, the next step is to decide *why* it matters. Ask yourself some important questions. What did this experience teach you? What skills did you gain from it? Did it change the way you handle problems, treat others, or plan your future? These questions help you move away from trauma-dumping and toward reflection. Reflection is when you look back on an experience and explain what it means, not just what happened.
A common mistake students make is spending too much time on the beginning of the story. They describe the problem in great detail, but by the time they reach the end, there is little room left to talk about growth. Try to keep the description of the hardship clear but short. The reader does not need every detail to understand that something was difficult. What they really want to see is what you *did next*. This is where your voice and character come through. One helpful idea is to think about actions, not just feelings. It is okay to talk about how something made you feel, but feelings alone are not enough. Show what choices you made during or after the hardship. Did you ask for help? Did you change your habits? Did you work harder, think differently, or become more patient? Actions show strength and maturity more clearly than emotional words do.
Having a clear theme is also very important. A theme is the main idea that ties your whole essay together. Examples of themes include perseverance, responsibility, curiosity, empathy, or independence. Once you decide on a theme, everything in your essay should support it. If a detail does not help explain your theme, it probably does not belong in the essay. This helps your writing feel organized and consistent instead of scattered. For example, if your theme is perseverance, your hardship should show how you kept going even when things were difficult. If your theme is empathy, your challenge might show how you learned to understand others better. The hardship is not the main point; the theme is. The hardship is just the tool you use to explain your growth.
Tone also matters a lot. Many personal statements feel cliché because they try too hard to sound inspirational or dramatic. You do not need big words, famous quotes, or emotional speeches. Simple and honest writing is usually more powerful. Write the way you naturally think and speak, just a little more organized. Imagine you are explaining your story to someone who truly wants to understand you. This helps your voice sound real instead of forced.
It is also important to avoid trying to impress the reader too much. A personal statement is not a place to show off or prove that you are perfect. In fact, showing mistakes and weaknesses can make your essay stronger, as long as you explain what you learned from them. Growth only makes sense if there was something to grow from. Being honest about struggles shows self-awareness, which is a very valuable trait.
Another way to avoid trauma-dumping is to show balance. Even during difficult times, there are often moments of learning, hope, or change. You do not need to pretend everything was okay, but you should show that the hardship did not completely define you. This balance helps the reader see you as a whole person, not just someone who went through pain. Structure also plays a big role in keeping your essay clear. A good personal statement usually has a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the situation or challenge. The middle explains how you handled it and what you struggled with. The end focuses on growth and how the experience shaped who you are today. When your essay has a clear structure, it feels thoughtful and intentional instead of emotional and scattered.
Transitions between ideas are also important. Make sure each paragraph connects smoothly to the next. This helps the essay feel like one complete story instead of separate thoughts. You can do this by reminding the reader of your theme or by showing how one moment led to another. Clear connections help your message stay strong. It can also help to focus on specific moments instead of general statements. Instead of saying, “This experience changed my life,” explain *how* it changed your life. For example, describe a moment when you realized you had grown or started thinking differently. Specific examples feel more real and less cliché because they come from your own life. Another helpful tip is to avoid comparing your pain to others. You do not need to explain that your hardship was worse than someone else’s. Every person’s struggle matters, and trying to rank pain can make your essay feel defensive or uncomfortable. Focus on your own journey and what it taught you.
When revising your personal statement, ask yourself a few questions. Does this essay show who I am today? Does it explain how I grew, not just what I went through? Is the focus more on learning than suffering? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you are likely on the right track. It can also be useful to have someone else read your essay. Choose someone you trust, like a teacher, counselor, or close friend. Ask them if the essay feels clear and honest. Sometimes others can notice when a part feels confusing or too emotional. Their feedback can help you improve balance and clarity.
Remember that a personal statement does not need to be perfect to be powerful. It just needs to be real. Admissions officers and readers have seen thousands of essays. What stands out is not the biggest tragedy or the most dramatic story, but thoughtful reflection and genuine voice. When you focus on meaning instead of pain, your essay becomes memorable. Hardships do make human experiences unique, but they are only one part of the story. What truly defines you is how you think, learn, and grow from those experiences. By focusing on growth, actions, and reflection, you can write about challenges without trauma-dumping. Your story will feel consistent, honest, and meaningful.
In the end, a strong personal statement answers one simple question: *Who are you becoming?* If your essay helps the reader understand that, then you have done your job well. I hope all of this makes sense and I wish you best of luck with your Personal Statement. You can always reach out to me for additional guidance.
Writing a genuine personal statement can feel very hard, especially because many people worry about sounding cliché or overly dramatic. A lot of students notice that personal statements often fall into two extremes. On one side, they feel boring and generic, like anyone could have written them. On the other side, they feel like trauma-dumps, where the writer shares a lot of pain but does not explain why it matters. The truth is that hardships are an important part of being human, and they *should* be included. The challenge is learning how to write about them in a clear, meaningful, and balanced way. A strong personal statement does not avoid hardship, but it also does not let hardship take over the whole story. The first thing to understand is that colleges or readers are not looking for the “saddest” story. They are not comparing levels of pain or judging whose life was harder. Instead, they want to understand *who you are* and *how you think*. This means the focus should not be on how bad something felt, but on how you responded to it. Many essays become cliché because they spend too much time describing sadness, fear, or stress without showing growth. Pain alone does not make a story strong. Reflection does.
When writing about hardship, it helps to choose just one main challenge instead of many. Trying to include every difficult thing that has happened in your life can make your essay feel messy and unfocused. A personal statement works best when it tells one clear story. This story should be something that truly affected you and changed the way you think, act, or see the world. By focusing on one experience, you give yourself space to explain it deeply and clearly instead of rushing through many events.
After choosing your main challenge, the next step is to decide *why* it matters. Ask yourself some important questions. What did this experience teach you? What skills did you gain from it? Did it change the way you handle problems, treat others, or plan your future? These questions help you move away from trauma-dumping and toward reflection. Reflection is when you look back on an experience and explain what it means, not just what happened.
A common mistake students make is spending too much time on the beginning of the story. They describe the problem in great detail, but by the time they reach the end, there is little room left to talk about growth. Try to keep the description of the hardship clear but short. The reader does not need every detail to understand that something was difficult. What they really want to see is what you *did next*. This is where your voice and character come through. One helpful idea is to think about actions, not just feelings. It is okay to talk about how something made you feel, but feelings alone are not enough. Show what choices you made during or after the hardship. Did you ask for help? Did you change your habits? Did you work harder, think differently, or become more patient? Actions show strength and maturity more clearly than emotional words do.
Having a clear theme is also very important. A theme is the main idea that ties your whole essay together. Examples of themes include perseverance, responsibility, curiosity, empathy, or independence. Once you decide on a theme, everything in your essay should support it. If a detail does not help explain your theme, it probably does not belong in the essay. This helps your writing feel organized and consistent instead of scattered. For example, if your theme is perseverance, your hardship should show how you kept going even when things were difficult. If your theme is empathy, your challenge might show how you learned to understand others better. The hardship is not the main point; the theme is. The hardship is just the tool you use to explain your growth.
Tone also matters a lot. Many personal statements feel cliché because they try too hard to sound inspirational or dramatic. You do not need big words, famous quotes, or emotional speeches. Simple and honest writing is usually more powerful. Write the way you naturally think and speak, just a little more organized. Imagine you are explaining your story to someone who truly wants to understand you. This helps your voice sound real instead of forced.
It is also important to avoid trying to impress the reader too much. A personal statement is not a place to show off or prove that you are perfect. In fact, showing mistakes and weaknesses can make your essay stronger, as long as you explain what you learned from them. Growth only makes sense if there was something to grow from. Being honest about struggles shows self-awareness, which is a very valuable trait.
Another way to avoid trauma-dumping is to show balance. Even during difficult times, there are often moments of learning, hope, or change. You do not need to pretend everything was okay, but you should show that the hardship did not completely define you. This balance helps the reader see you as a whole person, not just someone who went through pain. Structure also plays a big role in keeping your essay clear. A good personal statement usually has a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the situation or challenge. The middle explains how you handled it and what you struggled with. The end focuses on growth and how the experience shaped who you are today. When your essay has a clear structure, it feels thoughtful and intentional instead of emotional and scattered.
Transitions between ideas are also important. Make sure each paragraph connects smoothly to the next. This helps the essay feel like one complete story instead of separate thoughts. You can do this by reminding the reader of your theme or by showing how one moment led to another. Clear connections help your message stay strong. It can also help to focus on specific moments instead of general statements. Instead of saying, “This experience changed my life,” explain *how* it changed your life. For example, describe a moment when you realized you had grown or started thinking differently. Specific examples feel more real and less cliché because they come from your own life. Another helpful tip is to avoid comparing your pain to others. You do not need to explain that your hardship was worse than someone else’s. Every person’s struggle matters, and trying to rank pain can make your essay feel defensive or uncomfortable. Focus on your own journey and what it taught you.
When revising your personal statement, ask yourself a few questions. Does this essay show who I am today? Does it explain how I grew, not just what I went through? Is the focus more on learning than suffering? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you are likely on the right track. It can also be useful to have someone else read your essay. Choose someone you trust, like a teacher, counselor, or close friend. Ask them if the essay feels clear and honest. Sometimes others can notice when a part feels confusing or too emotional. Their feedback can help you improve balance and clarity.
Remember that a personal statement does not need to be perfect to be powerful. It just needs to be real. Admissions officers and readers have seen thousands of essays. What stands out is not the biggest tragedy or the most dramatic story, but thoughtful reflection and genuine voice. When you focus on meaning instead of pain, your essay becomes memorable. Hardships do make human experiences unique, but they are only one part of the story. What truly defines you is how you think, learn, and grow from those experiences. By focusing on growth, actions, and reflection, you can write about challenges without trauma-dumping. Your story will feel consistent, honest, and meaningful.
In the end, a strong personal statement answers one simple question: *Who are you becoming?* If your essay helps the reader understand that, then you have done your job well. I hope all of this makes sense and I wish you best of luck with your Personal Statement. You can always reach out to me for additional guidance.
Thank you very much for responding! Your advice was so helpful, and you answered every aspect of the question, even aspects I didn't realize possible!
Farida
Elizabeth Mahoney
Executive Assistant
3
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Farida,
Everyone is more than their challenge or setback. This is just one small part of getting us to where we are today. You can focus on key qualities, passions, or moments that shaped your character and values - what makes you, you! You can focus on a central theme that highlights your growth, interests, or aspirations, using specific examples to show rather than tell their story. What do you like? What have you done around this? Have you had any accomplishments? There is nothing too big or too small. If you had a setback you can frame it/ look at it from a perspective of what lesson you learned and how this made you grow.
You can keep your tone optimistic and forward-focused. Think about where you're going too! Not just about where you've been. You can focus on how your goals for the future can contribute to a job / application / new role / opportunity, etc. You can also look for feedback from a trusted friend or relative. Once you start writing, you'll find you have more than you think. We all do!
Everyone is more than their challenge or setback. This is just one small part of getting us to where we are today. You can focus on key qualities, passions, or moments that shaped your character and values - what makes you, you! You can focus on a central theme that highlights your growth, interests, or aspirations, using specific examples to show rather than tell their story. What do you like? What have you done around this? Have you had any accomplishments? There is nothing too big or too small. If you had a setback you can frame it/ look at it from a perspective of what lesson you learned and how this made you grow.
You can keep your tone optimistic and forward-focused. Think about where you're going too! Not just about where you've been. You can focus on how your goals for the future can contribute to a job / application / new role / opportunity, etc. You can also look for feedback from a trusted friend or relative. Once you start writing, you'll find you have more than you think. We all do!
Tracy Sas
Tech Operations Product Owner
1
Answer
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Tracy’s Answer
Farida, you have some great suggestions here to help you. Your question shows you want to be genuine and avoid clichés or AI influence. Here’s how you can talk about overcoming challenges in simple terms:
1. Explain what life was like before the challenge.
2. Share the steps you took to get through it.
3. Talk about what you learned or what you might do differently next time.
4. Describe how it has changed your life and work habits.
Wishing you the best! This is a wonderful way to show who you are and what you can offer to a team.
1. Explain what life was like before the challenge.
2. Share the steps you took to get through it.
3. Talk about what you learned or what you might do differently next time.
4. Describe how it has changed your life and work habits.
Wishing you the best! This is a wonderful way to show who you are and what you can offer to a team.