Importance of Essay in PR Application

[raptor_from_vietnam]

Dear all,

I would like to check with you if you know how much weightage is given to the essay we have to write in the PR application about our personal achievements. Do you think it accounts for much of the application outcome or just a small part? I mean they can look at our ethnicity, salary, career, educational details in the other parts of the application. So how important is the essay and what should be the best way to approach it?

[hopeislife]

Dear all,

I would like to check with you if you know how much weightage is given to the essay we have to write in the PR application about our personal achievements. Do you think it accounts for much of the application outcome or just a small part? I mean they can look at our ethnicity, salary, career, educational details in the other parts of the application. So how important is the essay and what should be the best way to approach it?

The below is just my opinion.

You dont have to write an essay, but you can just explain each of your personal achievements in one or two sentences. You should feel convinced that each achievement you list there is an achievement (at least in your eyes), meaning that it should not be some trivial thing. If you are of preferred race, then may be we can even leave it blank or just a few sentences are enough. I have heard of many like that who have just left it blank and got it. Since you and I are of not preferred race the best way we should approach is that we should try to emphasize our achievements as much as we can, but don't sound like boasting about your achievements with exaggerating words. It also does not need to be an essay, you can just list your achievements in bulletins.

Regarding your question about weightage, i believe it plays a small part (at least) so that it can give them an insight to what you consider as your achievements. However, this section can play a greater impact if, lets say, the applicant lists some of his patents/innovations that can be useful to sg in some way. I wont say this 'essay' section has no weightage, but it can at least play a small role.

[MOCHS]

This isn’t school exam, you don’t need to write essay.

You’re also not applying for a job, why need to write a lengthy CV-style letter?

People have gotten PR without adding any achievements into their application. Achievements would usually be inventions or patents. Anything else is just airy-fairy nonsense.

[Lisafuller]

Dear all,

I would like to check with you if you know how much weightage is given to the essay we have to write in the PR application about our personal achievements. Do you think it accounts for much of the application outcome or just a small part? I mean they can look at our ethnicity, salary, career, educational details in the other parts of the application. So how important is the essay and what should be the best way to approach it?

Present your achievements objectively and concisely. Simple.

[Lisafuller]

This isn’t school exam, you don’t need to write essay.

You’re also not applying for a job, why need to write a lengthy CV-style letter?

People have gotten PR without adding any achievements into their application. Achievements would usually be inventions or patents. Anything else is just airy-fairy nonsense.

Exactly. I'd argue that writing a fluffy, lengthy "essay" actually works against applicants. ICA officers don't have all day to sift through garbage - tell them what they need to know and nothing more.

[sundaymorningstaple]

In fact, That's why they never accept or otherwise read Cover Letters. Cover letters are usually nothing but braggadocio full of superlatives and lite on fact. Even the 25 years I spent in HR here I never read cover letters as they are normally full of nothing but BS.

[Lisafuller]

Right. Though (this may surprise you) cover letters are becoming increasingly popular among the younger folks, heard this from my daughter. They see it as a way to separate themselves from the pack.