Monday Morning Essay Tip: The Reverse Introduction
December 7th, 2009
When preparing personal statements that require significant information about a candidate’s career progress (Chicago, Kellogg and Wharton, for example), many choose to discuss their accomplishments in chronological order. While this approach is attractive because of its simplicity, one might consider an alternative—showcasing more recent and thus potentially stronger accomplishments first. By choosing the latter approach, a candidate can quickly capture the reader’s imagination and reduce the risk of being lost amid similar candidates.
Consider the examples of a Software Analyst who is now a Project Manager, managing a budget and leading a team of 20 programmers, and of an Investment Banking Analyst who is now in his/her third year with a company and has been sent abroad to work directly with a CFO:
The Project Manager:
Chronological: “Joining ABC Technology as a Software Programmer, I…”
Reverse: “Scrutinizing my plan one last time, I waited to present my team’s $3.7MM proposal to our client…”
The Investment Banker:
Chronological: “As an Investment Banking Analyst at Deutsche Bank, I started…”
Reverse: “Arriving in Taipei, I was admittedly nervous to finally meet the CFO of XYZ Co. and lead my firm’s due diligence process…”
In these examples, the candidate overcomes “overrepresentation” by offering standout accomplishments immediately. Although the reverse introduction is not “all purpose,” it can be a feasible option in such circumstances. Still, in choosing this approach, the candidate must also be able to fluidly return to earlier moments in his/her career later in the essay, a task that requires creativity and skill.
Posted in Monday Morning Essay Tips