英文自传是面试外资公司时又一道必不可少的程序。它是指求职者自述本生活平历程的书面材料,也是对求职者个人简历和求职信的一种补充。自传的写作内容除名字、性别、年龄、出生地、家庭状况、学历以外,工作历程、工作营业额、科研成就、求职目的、奖惩状况等内容非常重要。自传的内容决定了它可以带有一些个人化的语言和充满感情的表述,与公事公办的简历、求职信不尽相同,因此总是大型的外国公司和机构很重视。

申请出国留学时,自传(personal statement)的水平和内容也是成功的重点。写作英文自传时,不要一味说空话套话,有时一个日常的小例子远胜于长篇累牍的流水帐。还要特别注意:既不可以自吹自擂,也不必过于谦虚,应该本着实事求是,不卑不亢的原则。下附一例,以作说明:

Personal Statement/Autobiography

My name is Fang1 Yan. I am 24 years old and male. I was born in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. There are three people in my family including me, and I am the only son.

My father is an electronic engineer and my mother is a teacher of English. I completed elementary, junior and senior high school in Taiyuan. In 1993, I entered Shanghai Jiaotong University and graduated in 1997 with a bachelors degree in computer science. Since then I have been working as a computer programmer in Shanghai Wanda Company.

Influenced by my father, Ive been interested in electronics2 since I was quite young. I love breaking down and reas百度竞价推广bling little gadgets3 in spare time as well. I still remember that I made a portable4 transistor5 radio by myself in junior high school. And I made it a part-time job repairing TV sets and radios for neighbours in senior high.

Since childhood, Ive been taught by my parents to make friends with people around and always keep good manners in public. Besides, I learn the importance of helping6 people out when they need it most by doing my part-time job.

Besides, I like sports very much and I am physically7 well.

Of course I do admit that I have some shortcomings. I can be shy when speaking in the presence of large crowds of people. Sometimes I am hesitant in making quick decisions. But Im sure I will be able to overcome them.

Now Im applying for a position in your company. I believe a whole new working environment will surely provide better chances for me to build up future career and personal characters.

Thank you very much