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Resume personal statement examples

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If you want to secure job interview, you need a strong personal statement at the top of your resume.

Your resume personal statement is a short paragraph which sits at the very top of your resume – and it’s aim is to summarize the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to read your resume in full.

In this guide I have included 17 resume personal statement examples from a range of professions and experience levels, plus a detailed guide of how to write your own personal statement that will get you noticed by employers

Resume templates 

17 resume personal statement examples

To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look , and what should be included.

Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates – if you are experienced, check out our resume summary examples instead.

College graduate resume personal statement (no experience)

College graduate no experience resume personal statement

Although this college graduate has no paid work experience , they compensate for it by showcasing all of the skills and knowledge the have gained during their studies, and demonstrating how they apply their knowledge in academic and personal projects.

When you have little or no experience, it’s important to draw out transferable workplace skills from your studies and extracurricular work, to showcase them to employers.

resume builder

College graduate resume personal statement (part time freelance experience)

Graduate with part time freelance experience CV personal statement

This candidate has graduated college with a degree in biochemistry but actually wants to start a career in marketing after providing some digital freelance services to fund their studies.

In this case, they haven’t made much mention of their studies because they aren’t relevant to the marketing agencies they are applying to. Instead they have focused their personal statement around their freelance work and passion for the digital field – although they still mention the fact they are degree educated to prove their academic success.

High school leaver resume personal statement (no experience)

High school leaver no experience resume personal statement

This candidate is 16 years old and has no work experience whatsoever, but they compensate for this by detailing their academic achievements that relate to the roles they are applying for (maths and literacy are important requirements in finance and accountancy roles).

They also add some info on their extracurricular activities and high school work-placements, to strengthen this student resume further.

Top tips for writing a resume personal statement

  • Thoroughly research the jobs and companies you are planning to apply for to identify the type of candidate they are looking for – try to reflect that in your personal statement
  • Don’t be afraid to brag a little – include some of your most impressive achievements from education, work or personal life
  • Focus on describing the benefits an employer will get from hiring you. Will you help them to get more customers? Improve their workplace? Save them time and money?
  • If you have no work experience, demonstrate transferable workplace skills from your education, projects, or even hobbies

High school leaver resume personal statement (part time experience)

High school leaver part time experience resume personal statement

Although this person has only just left high school, they have also undertaken some part-time work in a call center alongside their studies.

To make the most of this experience, they have combined their academic achievements with their workplace exposure in this personal statement.

By highlighting their future studies, summer programme involvement, work experience and expressing their ambitions to progress within sales, this candidate really makes an appealing case for hiring them.

College leaver resume personal statement (no experience)

College leaver no experience resume personal statement

This candidate has left college with good grades, but does not yet have any work experience.

To compensate for the lack of workplace exposure, they have made their honor results prominent and highlighted skills and experience which would benefit the employers they are targeting.

Any recruiter reading this summary can quickly understand that this candidate has great academic achievements, a passion for IT and finance and the ability to transfer their skills into an office environment.

College student resume personal statement (freelance experience)

College graduate freelance experience resume personal statement

As this student has picked up a small amount of freelance writing work during their studies, they have made sure to brag about it in their personal statement.

They give details on their relevant studies to show the skills they are learning, and boost this further by highlighting the fact that they have been applying these skills in a real-life work setting by providing freelance services.

They also include key action verbs that recruiters will be looking for , such as creative writing, working to deadlines, and producing copy.

Academic resume personal statement

Academic CV personal statement

Aside from junior candidates, the only other people who might use a personal statement, are academic professionals; as their resume’s tend to be more longer and detailed than other professions.

This candidate provides a high level overview of their field of study, length of experience, and the roles they have held within colleges.

High school leaver resume personal statement with sports experience

High school leaver sports focussed resume personal statement

Although this person has no work experience, they are still able to show employers the value of hiring them by selling their other achievements and explaining how they could benefit an organization.

They expand on their sports club involvement to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership skills, communication and motivation, which are all important traits in the workplace, and will be looked upon favourably by recruiters and hiring managers.

They also draw upon their future plans to study business studies at college and take a part time job, to further prove their ambition and dedication.

History graduate resume personal statement

History graduate CV personal statement

This history graduate proves their aptitude for both academic achievement and workplace aptitude by showcasing valuable skills from their degree and voluntary work.

They do this by breaking down the key requirements for each and showing how their skills could be beneficial for future employers, such as listening, communication, and crisis management.

They also describe how their ability to balance studies alongside voluntary work has not only boosted their knowledge and skills, but also given excellent time management and organizational skills – which are vital assets to any employer.

Law graduate resume personal statement

Law graduate resume personal statement

This legal graduate makes the most from their college work placements by using it to bulk out the contents of their resume personal statement.

They include their degree to show they have the necessary qualifications for legal roles, which is crucial, but more importantly, they showcase how they applied their legal skills within a real-life work setting.

They give a brief overview of the types of legal professionals they have been working alongside and the type of work they have been carrying out – this is all it takes to get the attention of recruiters and show employers they have what it takes to fulfil roles in the legal sector.

Medical student resume personal statement

Medical student resume personal statement

This medical student proves their fit for the role by showcasing the key skills they have gained from their studies and their work experience placements.

In just these few sentences, they are able to highlight the vast amount of experience they have across different disciplines in the industry, something which is particularly important in the medical sector.

As they have not graduated yet and are still studying, they have provided proof of their most recent grades. This can give the recruiter some indication as to the type of grade they could be graduating with in the near future.

Masters student resume personal statement

Masters student CV personal statement

This masters student has started by specifying their area of study, in this case, accounting, and given details about the specific areas of finance they are most interested in. This can hint towards their career goals and passions.

They have then carefully listed some of the key areas of accounting and finance that they are proficient in. For example, business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

They have also outlined some of the transferable skills needed for accounting roles that employers will be looking out for, such as communication, attention to detail and analytical skills.

Finance student resume personal statement

Finance student CV personal statement

As this finance student has recently undertaken some relevant work experience, they’ve made sure to shout about this in their personal summary.

But more than this, they have included a list of some of the important finance skills they gained as a result of this work experience – for example, financial reporting, processing invoices and month-end reconciliations.

Plus, through power words and phrases such as ‘prevent loss’ and ‘improve upon accuracy and efficiency’, they have also showcased how they can apply these skills in a workplace setting to benefit the potential employer.

Internship resume personal statement

Internship resume personal statement

This digital marketing professional has started their personal summary by outlining their most relevant qualifications and work experience, most notably their freelance role as a content manager.

They have also provided examples of some of the key marketing skills that potential employers might be looking for, including very detailed examples of the platforms and tools they are proficient in – for example, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

They have then closed their statement by giving a detailed description of the type of role or opportunity they are looking for. In this case, an in-house position in a marketing company.

College graduate career changer personal statement

College graduate career changer resume personal statement

Switching careers as a college graduate can be tough. Especially when it comes to writing a personal statement that will attract employers in your new chosen field.

This candidate is looking to move from history teaching into journalism, so they have created a statement which briefly mentions their current workplace, but mainly focuses on highlighting transferable skills which are relevant to journalism. They achieve this by discussing the writing skills they use in their current role, and mentioning their hobby of writing – including some publications they have been featured in for extra brownie points.

Business management graduate personal statement

Business management graduate CV personal statement

This business management proves their ability to work within a junior business management position by swiftly highlighting their impressive degree (to ensure it is not missed) and summarizing some of the real-life experience they have gained in management during their college placements and volunteering. They do not let their lack of paid work experience, stop them demonstrating their valuable skills.

PhD graduate

PhD graduate CV personal statement

PhD graduate roles attract a lot of competition, so it’s important that your resume contains a personal statement that will quickly impress and attract recruiters.

This candidate provides a short-but-comprehensive overview of their academic achievements, whilst demonstrating their exceptional level of knowledge in research, languages and publication writing.

By highlighting a number of skills and abilities that are in high-demand in the academic workplace, this resume is very likely to get noticed and land interviews.

How to write a personal statement for your resume

Now that you’ve seen what a personal statement should look like and the type of content it should contain, follow this detailed guide to one for your own resume – and start racking those interviews up.

Guide contents

What is a resume personal statement?

Resume personal statement or resume summary, personal statement format, what to include in a resume personal statement.

  • Personal statement mistakes

How to write persuasively

A personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your resume which gives employers an overview of your education, skills and experience

It’s purpose is to capture the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers when your resume is first opened – encouraging them to read the rest of it.

You achieve this by writing a tailored summary of yourself that explains your suitability for the roles you are applying for at a very high level, and matches your target job descriptions .

Personal statement basics

One question candidates often ask me is , “what is the difference between a personal statement and a resume summary?”

To be honest, they are almost the same – they are both introductory paragraphs that sit at the top of your resume… but there are 2 main differences:

A personal statement tends to be used more by junior candidates (college graduates, high school leavers etc.) and is relatively long and detailed.

A resume summary tends to be favoured by more experienced candidates , and is shorter in length than a personal statement.

Personal statement vs summary

Note: If you are an experienced candidate, you may want to switch over to my resume writing guide , or example resume summaries page.

To ensure you grab recruiters’ attention with your personal statement, lay it out in the following way.

Positioning

You need to ensure that your personal statement sits at the very top of your resume, and all of it should be totally visible to readers, without the need to scroll down the page.

Do this by reducing the top page margin and minimizing the space taken up by your contact details.

CV page margins

This will ensure that your whole personal statement can be seen, as soon as your resume is opened.

We have a resume template which can help you to get this right.

Size/length

Your personal statement needs to contain enough detail to provide an introduction to your skills and knowledge, but not so much detail that it bores readers.

To strike the right balance, anything between 8-15 lines of text is perfect – and sentences should be sharp and to-the-point.

As with the whole of your resume , your personal statement should be written in a simple clean font at around size 10-12 to ensure that it can be read easily by all recruiters and employers.

Keep the text color simple, ensuring that it contrasts the background (black on white is best) and break it into 2 or even 3 paragraphs for a pleasant reading experience.

It should also be written in a punchy persuasive tone, to help you sell yourself and increase your chances of landing interviews, I cover how to do this in detail further down the guide.

Quick tip: A poorly written resume will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy Resume Builder to create a winning resume in minutes with professional resume templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Once you have the style and format of your personal statement perfected, you need to fill it with compelling content that tells recruiters that your resume is worth reading.

Here’s what needs to go into your personal statement…

Before you start writing your personal statement, it’s crucial that you research your target roles to find out exactly what your new potential employers are looking for in a candidate.

Run a search for your target jobs on one of the major job websites, look through plenty of adverts and make a list of the candidate requirements that frequently appear.

Tailoring CV profile

This research will show you exactly what to include in your personal statement in order to impress the recruiters who will be reading it.

Education and qualifications are an important aspect of your personal statement, especially if you are a junior candidate.

You should highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that is a degree or your GED. You could potentially go into some more detail around modules, papers etc. if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for.

It’s important that you discuss the experience you have gained in your personal statement, to give readers an idea of the work you are comfortable undertaking.

This can of course be direct employed work experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can also include:

  • High school/college work placements
  • Voluntary work
  • Personal projects
  • Hobbies/interests

As with all aspects of your resume , the content should be tailored to match the requirements of your target roles.

Whilst discussing your experience, you should touch upon skills used, industries worked in, types of companies worked for, and people you have worked with.

Where possible, try to show the impact your actions have made. E.g.  A customer service agent helps to make sales for their employer.

Any industry-specific knowledge you have that will be useful to your new potential employers should be made prominent within your personal statement.

For example

  • Knowledge of financial regulations will be important for accountancy roles
  • Knowledge of IT operating systems will be important for IT roles
  • Knowledge of the national curriculum will be important for teachers

You should also include some information about the types of roles you are applying for, and why you are doing so. Try to show your interest and passion for the field you are hoping to enter, because employers want to hire people who have genuine motivation and drive in their work.

This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience, as you need something else to compensate for it.

Resume personal statement mistakes

The things that you omit from your personal statement can be just as important as the things you include.

Try to keep the following out of your personal statement..

Irrelevant info

Any information that doesn’t fall into the requirements of your target roles can be cut out of your personal statement. For example, if you were a professional athlete 6 years ago, that’s great – but it won’t be relevant if you’re applying to advertising internships, so leave it out.

Generic clichés

Poor resume profile

If you are describing yourself as a “ dynamic team player with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm” you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

These cliché terms are vastly overused and don’t provide readers with any factual details about you – so keep them to a minimum.

Stick to solid facts like education, skills , experience, achievements and knowledge.

If you really want to ensure that your personal statement makes a big impact, you need to write in a persuasive manner.

So, how do you so this?

Well, you need to brag a little – but not too much

It’s about selling yourself and appearing confident, without overstepping the mark and appearing arrogant.

For example, instead of writing.

“Marketing graduate with an interest in entering the digital field”

Be creative and excite the reader by livening the sentence up like this,

“Marketing graduate with highest exam results in class and a passion for embarking on a long and successful career within digital”

The second sentence is a much more interesting, makes the candidate appear more confident, throws in some achievements, and shows off a wider range of writing skills.

Quick tip: A poorly written resume will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy Resume Builder to create a winning resume in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Your own personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above guidelines you will be able to create one which shows recruiters everything they need.

Remember to keep the length between 10-20 lines and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

You can also check our college graduate resume example , our best resume templates , or our library of example resumes from all industries.

Good luck with the job hunt!

How To Write a Resume Personal Statement Professionally With Examples, Tips, and Guide

Andrew Stoner

What Is a Resume Personal Statement?

Key elements of a strong resume personal statement, how to write a personal statement for a resume, professional personal statement examples for job applications, best practices for crafting the best personal statements for resumes, additional resources, frequently asked questions about crafting a professional personal statement.

Writing a personal statement for your resume can help recruiters and hiring managers get a better idea of who you are as a candidate and how your experience and achievements align with the company’s mission. Learn what to include and how to format this section in this personal statement writing guide.

A resume personal statement is a few short sentences at the top of your resume that provide an overview of your professional background and experience. It’s designed to create a strong first impression and catch the hiring manager’s attention quickly. This is important considering research shows most recruiters spend just seconds per resume on average.

A personal statement differs from a resume objective in that it focuses on showing the hiring manager why you’re a good fit for the company’s needs instead of talking about your personal career goals.

Clarity and conciseness

A personal statement should be brief — no more than two to four sentences. Space is at a premium on your resume, so convey your message as clearly as possible, and leave out unnecessary details. Fragment sentences are fine, as long as they are still cohesive and otherwise grammatically correct.

Relevance to the job role

Focus on your most relevant experience and qualifications in your personal statement, and tailor this section to each job. Look for keywords or must-have skills from the job description that you can include. For example, if the position requires a specific certification that you have, make sure this is included in the statement.

Highlights key skills and achievements

Resumes cover a lot of information in a small amount of space, and it’s easy for hiring managers to gloss over your contributions. Ensure they notice your most relevant skills and accomplishments by including them in the personal statement as well as a separate key skills list .

Start with a strong opening line

How to start a resume personal statement depends on the position, but begin strong with an opening line that grabs the recruiter’s attention and shows that you’re an immediate fit for the position. Include a key metric, such as how many years of experience you have, or a specific industry skill.

Focus on your most relevant skills and experience

Look through the required skills and experience in the job description, and pick the top three to five that match your professional background. Include these in your personal statement by tying them to career accomplishments or general strengths and proficiencies.

Include some personality

While a resume should always be a professional document, more employers are looking for candidates who are a good cultural fit for the company. Injecting a little personality into the personal statement by showing how your passions and aspirations align with the organization’s mission or goals can help you stand out.

Personal statement for entry-level job seekers

A 2023 marketing degree graduate specializing in social media strategy with internship and volunteer experience in multiple verticals. A proven track record of working with cross-functional teams to create multimedia content, manage social media calendars, and host live events across various social platforms to increase user engagement and support campaigns.

Personal statement for mid-level professionals

Dedicated and results-driven business analyst with over seven years of experience. Background in fuel-related systems optimization and renewable energy. Possesses a strong analytical mindset coupled with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Leads cross-functional teams, conducts data analysis, and identifies opportunities for process enhancement.

Personal statement for senior-level and executive roles

A digital marketing director with over 10 years of experience defining marketing strategies for enterprise organizations. A proven track record of building high-performance marketing teams and collaborating with C-level executives. Adept at leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance market penetration and achieve positive business outcomes.

Personal statement for career changers

Experienced and dedicated technical support professional seeking to leverage skills in customer relations and product sales. Recognized for ability to find creative solutions and communicate complex instructions in a user-friendly manner. Adept with customer relationship management (CRM) software.

Tailor your statement for each application

Your resume should be customized for every job application you submit, and this includes your personal statement. Tweak the wording to reflect the keywords in the job description, and mirror the action verbs in the posting.

Keep it simple and straightforward

Your personal statement isn’t the place for industry jargon or overly complex language. While it’s fine to use key terms already present in the job description, stick with a clear, professional tone and easy-to-read language. Clear communication is an important skill for nearly every job, and your resume should reflect your abilities.

Proofread for clarity and accuracy

Just a few typos in your resume can dramatically reduce your chances of getting an interview . Always spend a few minutes checking your document for grammatical errors or inconsistencies before you hit the submit button. This is especially true for the personal statement because it’s the first section the hiring manager will read and is prone to errors when you’re adjusting it for each job.

Seek feedback

Ask a mentor or career advisor to take a look at your personal statement before you finalize it. They can help you identify confusing or vague words, suggest areas that could be more concise, and help you look for typos and other errors.

  • Action Verbs, Power Words, and Strong Synonyms To Use on Your Resume
  • Headline Examples for Your Resume
  • How To Build a Professional Resume (Plus Examples and Templates)
  • How To Write a Convincing Resume Profile

A personal statement is often also referred to as a resume summary . While the two are similar and almost interchangeable, there is one key difference. A resume summary pulls from your professional experience and skills to provide a two-second summary for the hiring manager.

Though a personal statement is formatted in the same way, there’s a little more leeway in what you can include. For example, a writer may add that they are passionate about the Oxford comma, and a French translator may indicate their love for classic French literature.

One of the best personal statement tips for job seekers is to use this section as part of your personal branding. Many applicants are likely to have a similar professional history or skills and qualifications, and it’s who you are as a whole candidate that can help you stand out.

The personal statement section is a place where you can immediately catch the hiring manager’s attention and give them something to remember you by, whether that’s being a Six Sigma Black Belt or having advanced Excel skills.

Your overall resume length should be between one and two pages, and your personal statement is a small fraction of that. In general, the personal statement should be about two to four sentences long, but depending on your resume formatting, it can be more helpful to measure it in lines of text. In most cases, it should be four to five lines at a maximum.

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.

ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.

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How To Write A Resume Personal Statement (With Examples)

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In This Guide:

The purpose of a resume personal statement, the elements of a good personal statement, the construction of a good personal statement, final words: writing a resume personal statement.

Resume image 1

Quick Answer: A personal statement on a resume summarizes the benefits of hiring you and encourages recruiters to pay attention to your resume. It's the first section of the resume that recruiters see, so it should be brief, easy-to-read, and attention-grabbing. Your statement should include who you are, suitable skills, achievements, your target company, and what you hope to do for your new employer. It should be short and concise, mentioning only the most relevant information for your target roles.

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Landing a job interview requires a memorable resume. Including a good personal statement at the top of your resume is a perfect way to do it.

Essentially, your resume personal statement is a brief paragraph that aims to summarise the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to pay attention to your resume.

If you are wondering whether you should include it.

And you will see why. In this article, we have all the information you need on how to write an eye-catching personal statement and a couple of useful examples.

Hundreds of resumes go through the hands of a Recruiter in just a day. So, you understand how important it is to grab his or her attention in just seconds. One really effective way is to write a personal statement at the top of a resume.

By including a strong personal statement you would for sure get more attention than one without.

1. State who you are

Begin with a description showing your current position in your profession and field of specialization. You could also include what you like most about your work and any characteristics and skills that would make you the perfect choice for the position.

2. Add measurements to your achievements

After that, you should communicate how suitable for the position you are and what is your value to the organization. This section should highlight accomplishments relevant to the position you are applying for. Show that you could be beneficial for the company.

If you are wondering which accomplishments to mention, select those that directly associate with your position. If the position requires managerial experience, mention previous situations that have placed you in such a role. This way, you could quickly establish yourself as the right candidate for the job.

3. State your career objectives

The third section of your personal statement should state why you are applying for this particular position. You have already communicated your skills and qualifications in the previous sentences, so you write the last one concise and direct.

4. Keep your personal statement short

Your whole personal statement should be short, concise, and easy to read. Keep in mind to use simple sentences telling the recruiter the most important information for you.

After telling you how to structure it, see how it is done.

“An efficient, and reliable administrative professional with 8+ years of experience supporting executives, sales personnel, and managers to improve the internal operations for their businesses.

Proficient in CRM applications and design programs. Diversified skill set covering administrative support, client relations, human resources and recruiting, account management, and project management. Excellent interpersonal, phone, and digital communication skills.”

“As a recent graduate from the University of Townville, with a 2:1 honors degree in marketing, I have undertaken internships at industry-leading agencies such as Beyond Imagination and Noah Freemans. These placements have allowed me to develop sector knowledge and gain hands-on experience, as well as expand transferable skills such as communication, negotiation, and analytical skills. My current goal is to gain a role that allows me to further my knowledge and take on increased responsibility at a market-leading digital marketing agency.”

“I am a highly competent IT professional with a proven track record in networking and managing databases. I have strong technical skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills, enabling me to communicate easily with clients. I am eager to be challenged in order to grow and further improve my skills. My greatest passion in life is using my technical know-how to benefit other people and organizations.”

Resume Personal Statement for Career Changers Example

Experienced Sales Manager

“As a Sales Manager with 7 years of experience, my tenacious and proactive approach resulted in numerous important contract wins. My excellent networking skills have provided my team with vital client leads, and my ability to develop client relationships has resulted in a 16% increase in business renewals for the organization I work for. I currently seek a new challenge which will utilize my meticulous attention to detail and friendly, professional manner.”

Resume Personal Statement for Entry Level Job

Entry Level Business Analyst

“Enthusiastic Business Analyst, skilled in leadership and communication. Seeking to enhance understanding of key metrics for IPSoft. As a business report writer for Valens Securities helped grow employee grasp of key concepts by 42%. My PowerPoint presentation of GBMP’s Policy Deployment plan was turned into a webinar that got 2,300 views.”

Resume personal statement for experienced professional

Experienced Teaching Assistant

“Enthusiastic teaching assistant with 6 years of experience. Seeking to maintain a graduate teaching assistant position at St. Andrews University. Mentored 70+ students for 3 years. Delivered lectures, edited 2 books. Commended by 2 professors for research quality. Graded 1000+ student papers. Skilled in materials development and research.”

And if you are still not sure how to write your personal statement, go through our Resume Examples . They are all approved by top Hiring Managers and have helped thousands get their dream job.

Your personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above tips and tricks we gave you, you will be able to create one which shows the Hiring Managers everything they need.

Remember to keep it short and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

Do you have any other questions about personal statements on a resume? Give us a shout-out in the comments below!

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How to Write a CV Personal Statement [20 Examples Included]

cv personal statement

By Jeffrey Stromes

10 min read

When applying for a job, it’s critical that you immediately grab the recruiter’s attention . Otherwise, you’ll remain unnoticed, even though you may be a real gem in the pool of candidates. But how are you supposed to arouse the hiring professional’s curiosity right off the bat? The answer is hidden in these three words: a CV personal statement.

While writing a curriculum vitae is somewhat straightforward, creating a persuasive personal statement may be a challenge. Luckily, we’re here to end your struggles and teach you how to craft an eye-catching one, so keep reading to learn more!

Key Takeaways

As a highlight of your professional history, a CV personal summary aims to spark a recruiter’s interest and make them read your CV .

A personal summary is beneficial for all candidates, regardless of their experience, as it will allow a recruiter to learn more about them .

To write a compelling personal statement, you should tailor it to the job you want to apply for, highlight your experience and skills, and include your career goal.

What Is a CV Personal Statement?

Also referred to as a personal mission statement or career summary, a CV personal statement sums up who you are and what you may bring to the company . Its primary purpose is to spark a recruiter’s interest in you.

Located at the top of your curriculum vitae, a CV personal statement consists of two to four sentences that describe:

Mandatory CV Personal Statement Information

Who you are

How you’ll benefit the company

What your career objectives are

So, in other words, this part lets you show your greatest strengths and career goals . As such, it can be of great help if you’re starting out or seeking a different career path.

Here’s an example of a nicely crafted CV personal statement:

CV Personal Statement Example

As a dedicated Registered Nurse with five years of experience, I bring a proven track record in delivering compassionate and high-quality patient care. Proficient in diverse healthcare settings, I excel at assessing and addressing patient needs while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. I am seeking a role where my skills and passion for excellence can contribute to the Houston Medical Clinic.

Why You Should Have a CV Personal Statement

By emphasizing your unique skills and talents and demonstrating why you’re the right fit for the job, a CV personal statement can help you stand out from other candidates . It will entice a hiring professional to continue reading and discover more about your skills, qualifications, experience, and achievements.

While a personal statement can help seasoned professionals with solid experience land a new job, it is also beneficial for job hunters seeking their first jobs. A CV personal statement for students allows high schoolers or undergraduates to get the job they want by summarizing their relevant academic achievements .

How to Write a Personal Statement for a CV

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Here’s how to write a CV personal statement and pitch yourself to a hiring professional:

#1. Introduce Yourself

The very first sentence of your personal statement should indicate that you’re a serious candidate for the position. Describe yourself and your work experience using strong adjectives and action verbs .

The simplest way to introduce yourself is to ask, “Who am I professionally?" and an eye-catching answer will pop out immediately.

#2. List the Skills Relevant to the Position

After you’ve introduced yourself, highlight two to three skills relevant to the position . Check out the job description and look for the required competencies; select a couple of them that refer to you, and then list them in your personal statement.

By doing so, you’ll not only tailor your statement to the role; you’ll also pass the pre-screening process carried out by an ATS hassle-free.

#3. Include a Specific Goal You Want to Achieve

The next step is to add an objective you’d like to accomplish . However, make sure that the goal isn’t solely yours; it should be in line with the company’s as well .

Mentioning a specific goal that also aligns with the company’s will make a hiring manager consider you a valuable addition to the team. 

#4. Mention Your Previous Experience/Background

Having relevant experience is a one-way ticket to the next stage of the hiring process. Hence, if you possess it, mention it right away.

To do it effectively, go over the job ad again and peruse the duties and responsibilities that will await you in this position. Try to remember similar activities and experiences from previous roles and list them.

#5. Quantify Your Achievements

Listing achievements along with experience indeed adds some value to your personal statement for a CV. However, supporting it with measurable results gives it more credibility .

You can back up your achievements with growth percentages, value increases, budget savings, customer happiness , etc. Such quantifiable results will show a hiring professional how you can contribute to the success of their company as well.

20 CV Personal Statement Examples

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Here, we’ll list 20 CV personal statement examples that you can use either to get inspiration or as personal statement templates.

#1. Recent Graduate CV Personal Statement

Here’s a personal summary example for a budding computer scientist CV:

Computer Scientist CV Personal Statement Example

As a recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, I am enthusiastic about applying my academic knowledge in software development. I am eager to embark on a career where I can use my technical skills and bring a fresh perspective to contribute to a dynamic development team. 

And here’s an example of a personal statement for a digital marketing graduate:

Digital Marketing CV Personal Statement Example

Having recently earned my Bachelor of Arts in Marketing with a specialization in Digital Marketing, I am eager to launch my career in the fast-evolving digital landscape. I am now eager to contribute my energy, fresh perspective, and dedication to excellence in a professional marketing environment that fosters continuous learning and growth.

This is an example of a law graduate personal statement:

Law Graduate CV Personal Statement Example

As a recent law graduate, I bring a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and a passion for justice. My academic journey has equipped me with strong research, analytical, and communication skills. I am eager to embark on a legal career where I can apply my knowledge to contribute to the pursuit of justice.

#2. Career Change CV Personal Statement Example

Check out an example of a CV personal statement for a transition from finance into data analytics :

Data Analytics CV Personal Statement Example

As a dynamic professional with a successful track record in finance, I am now eager to use my skills to start a new challenge in data analytics. My goal is to use my financial and newly acquired data analytics abilities to contribute to a forward-thinking company seeking to optimize its operations through actionable insights.

Here’s an example of a personal statement for a civil engineer seeking a career change :

Civil Engineer CV Personal Statement Example

After a successful decade in project management within the construction industry, I am excited to redirect my career toward sustainable development and environmental management. Armed with a Master's degree in Civil Engineering, I am eager to bring my proven leadership and technical skills to contribute to a sustainability-focused company looking to drive positive change.

Take a look at the CV personal statement of a software developer transitioning into web design:

Web Design CV Personal Statement Example

With a decade of experience in software development, I am seeking a career change that merges my passion for technology and web design. Having technical experience in coding and a deep understanding of web design trends, I am eager to apply my analytical thinking and technical skills to build attention-grabbing and highly functional web pages.

#3. Internship CV Personal Statement Example

This is an example of a CV personal statement for a marketing internship :

Marketing Internship CV Personal Statement Example

As a highly motivated and creative individual, I am seeking an internship in marketing where I can apply my strong analytical skills and passion for brand promotion. Proficient in social media marketing and content creation, I am eager to contribute fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to enhance the company's online presence. 

Check out a personal statement example for a cyber security internship personal statement:

Cyber Security Internship CV Personal Statement Example

As a dedicated and detail-oriented computer science enthusiast, I am actively seeking an internship in cyber security to apply my strong understanding of network security and information protection. Eager to expand my knowledge of cyber defense strategies and contribute to safeguarding digital assets, I am excited about the prospect of contributing to a dynamic cybersecurity team during my internship.

Check out the CV personal statement of a psychology student:

Psychology Student Internship CV Personal Statement Example

Enthusiastic Psychology student with a deep interest in understanding human behavior and emotions. Through coursework in cognitive psychology and research experience, I've developed analytical and critical thinking skills. Actively involved in campus organizations focused on mental health awareness, I am now seeking internships in the field of counseling or research to apply my academic knowledge to real-world situations.

Here’s what a CV personal statement of an environmental science student looks like:

Environmental Science Internship CV Personal Statement Example

Passionate Environmental Science student dedicated to sustainability and conservation. Through my coursework, I acquired a strong foundation in environmental science. I am actively engaged in campus projects focused on reducing carbon footprint. Eager to contribute my knowledge to real-world environmental initiatives, I am seeking internship opportunities to apply my skills to sustainable practices and conservation efforts.

#4. Experienced Professionals CV Personal Statement Example

Here’s an example of a seasoned finance professional personal statement: 

Finance Professional CV Personal Statement Example

As a seasoned financial analyst with over 10 years of experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling, I am proficient in optimizing financial processes. I've successfully led cross-functional teams to achieve cost savings of up to 15%. With an MBA in Finance and a proven ability to drive profitability, I am eager to bring my strategic financial expertise to a leadership role.

This is what an experienced marketing executive CV statement should look like:

Marketing Executive CV Personal Statement Example

Accomplished marketing executive with a demonstrated history of driving brand growth in competitive markets. Over 12 years of experience, I developed and executed comprehensive marketing strategies, resulting in a consistent 20% annual increase in market share. I am now seeking a senior leadership position to apply my strategic vision and foster innovation in an innovative company.

 Take a look at the CV personal statement example of an IT project manager :

IT Project Manager CV Personal Statement Example

A seasoned IT project manager with PMP certification and a commitment to staying at the forefront of tech trends. I have a track record of reducing project timelines by 25% and enhancing system efficiency by 30%. Ready for a leadership role, I'm excited to lead a team in overcoming the next technological frontier.

Here’s an example of a human resources director personal statement:

Human Resources Director CV Personal Statement Example

With a decade of experience sculpting positive workplace cultures, I created and implemented HR programs that enhanced employee engagement and retention. Initiatives I've led resulted in a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction and a 15% reduction in turnover. Armed with an SPHR certification, I am excited to bring my strategic HR leadership to a company committed to fostering a positive workplace culture.

#5. Student CV Personal Statement Examples

If you’re a business administration student, this is what your personal statement should look like:

Business Administration Student CV Personal Statement Example

As an ambitious Business Administration student specializing in marketing, I offer a combination of academic achievements and practical skills developed through internships. Eager to apply my knowledge in a dynamic business environment, I am seeking opportunities where I can use my skills and passion for marketing to drive tangible results.

Here’s a graphic design student personal statement example:

Graphic Design Student CV Personal Statement Example

As a Graphic Design student with a creative flair and technical proficiency, I bring a unique blend of design skills acquired through coursework and hands-on projects. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and experienced in translating conceptual ideas into visually appealing designs, I am eager to embark on a career in graphic design and apply my artistic talents to contribute to innovative design projects.

#5. Entry-Level CV Personal Statement Examples

Check out a CV personal statement for an entry-level paralegal :

Paralegal CV Personal Statement Example

As a dedicated and detail-oriented recent graduate with an Associate degree in Legal Studies, I am eager to launch a career as a paralegal, bringing strong research, organizational, and communication skills. I am excited to contribute to a dynamic legal team where I can use a solid understanding of legal procedures and a commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Here’s an example of a virtual assistant CV personal statement:

Virtual Assistant CV Personal Statement Example

Tech-savvy and highly organized professional seeking an entry-level virtual assistant position. With proficiency in office software and platforms, I am well-equipped to handle administrative tasks such as managing calendars and coordinating meetings efficiently. I am eager to contribute my multitasking abilities and proactive approach to help streamline operations and enhance overall productivity in a virtual work environment.

This is what a good entry-level office manager personal statement should look like:

Office Manager CV Personal Statement Example

An enthusiastic and detail-oriented professional with a degree in Business Administration and a strong foundation in office management and administration. Through internships, I demonstrated the ability to coordinate daily operations, manage office supplies, and ensure a smooth workflow. Eager to use my organizational skills and proactive mindset to contribute to a positive and efficient work environment through effective communication and problem-solving.

Take a look at an example of a personal statement for a nurse CV:

Nurse CV Personal Statement Example

A compassionate and dedicated medical professional with an Associate degree in nursing. Through my coursework and clinical rotations, I gained a solid foundation in medical procedures as well as hands-on experience in patient care, medication administration, and treatment planning. I am seeking an opportunity to apply my knowledge and commitment to providing high-quality care.

Final Thoughts

To compel a recruiter to read your curriculum vitae to the very end, you need to grab their attention immediately. The best way to do it is by including a CV personal statement.

Though a bit tricky to write, this brief section of your CV is well worth the effort. Hopefully, our guide will ease the struggle and help you create an eye-catching personal statement and land that dream job!

Jeffrey Stromes

Create your resume once, use it everywhere

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