英文自傳是應聘外資公司時又一道必不可少的程式。它是指求職者自述本人生平經歷的書面材料，也是對求職者個人簡歷和求職信的一種補充。自傳的寫作內容除姓名、性別、年齡、出生地、家庭情況、學歷之外，工作經歷、工作業績、科研成果、求職目的、獎懲情況等內容尤為重要。自傳的內容決定了它可以帶有一些個人化的語言和充滿感情的表述，與公事公辦的簡歷、求職信不盡相同，因此往往大型的外國公司和機構非常看重。
申請出國留學時，自傳（personal statement）的質量和內容也是成功的關鍵。撰寫英文自傳時，不要一味說空話套話，有時一個日常生活中的小例子遠勝於長篇累牘的流水帳。還要特別注意：既不能自吹自擂，也不必過於謙虛，應該本著實事求是，不卑不亢的原則。下附一例，以作說明：
Personal Statement／Autobiography
My name is Fang 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 bachelor’s degree in computer science. Since then I have been working as a computer programmer in Shanghai Wanda Company.
Influenced by my father, I’ve been interested in electronics since I was quite young. I love breaking down and reassembling little gadgets in spare time as well. I still remember that I made a portable transistor 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, I’ve been taught by my parents to make friends with people around and always keep good manners in public. Besides, I learn the importance of helping people out when they need it most by doing my part-time job.
Besides, I like sports very much and I am physically 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 I’m sure I will be able to overcome them.
Now I’m 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.