Do you have to submit a graduate scheme personal statement if its optional?

Would it increase my chances of getting an interview if I included a personal statement, if its not mandatory to do so?

Would it increase my chances of getting an interview if I included a personal statement, if its not mandatory to do so?

Do you mean a covering letter? What's the context?

Yes, like a cover letter. I've been applying for graduate schemes, and a lot of them have a mandatory CV submission box, and often a personal statement/cover letter box thats optional, without any other questions. I've been seeing conflicting info on linkedin from recruiters about whether the cover letter helps the application or if its mostly ignored so was looking for some more insight

As long as someone has reviewed your cover letters and you therefore know how to write one well, there is never any harm in providing one if given the opportunity to do so.

Then 100% you should always send a covering letter, it's only half an application if you don't. A CV provides just the factual evidence of your skills, the covering letter provides the persuasive force of your application. The two should be considered inseperable.

The covering letter, or whatever equivalent simply describes why you want to do this sort of work, why you want to work for this organisation, and highlights the three best pieces of evidence that you would be good at the job.

Makes sense, thanks! Any ideas where I can get my cover letter reviewed? Ill try my university careers service of course, but appointments are a bit tough to get at the moment