personal statement for carer

11 Caregiver Resume Summary and Profile Examples

Crafting an effective resume is a vital step in securing a position as a caregiver, a role that demands empathy, patience, and a specific skill set.

A caregiver resume summary or profile is a brief but impactful section at the top of a resume that showcases a candidate’s most relevant skills, experience, and personal traits, tailored to the caregiving role they seek.

A compelling resume summary or profile can make all the difference, capturing the attention of potential employers and emphasizing qualities and experiences that align with the job requirements.

The summary section on your resume is important because it serves as a personal introduction and highlights why you are an ideal fit for a position.

Let’s explore 11 summary examples and make your caregiver resume as friendly and strong as you are.

11 Summary Examples for a Caregiver Resume

Tips for Writing a Great Summary Statement for a Caregiver Resume

• Be Concise : Keep your summary brief, ideally within 3-4 sentences, focusing on your most relevant qualifications and experiences.
• Include Your Title : Start with your professional title or target role to provide clarity about your position in the caregiving sector.
• Showcase Key Skills : Highlight essential skills such as patient care, medical knowledge, and any certifications that are pertinent to the job.
• Highlight Experience : Mention your years of experience or specific notable roles to give a quick snapshot of your background.
• Mention Personal Qualities : Emphasize important personal traits like empathy, reliability, and a strong work ethic to show suitability for caregiving.

1. What is a caregiver resume summary? A caregiver resume summary is a brief section at the top of your resume that highlights your most relevant skills, experiences, and personal traits. It serves as an introduction to potential employers, showcasing why you are an ideal fit for the caregiving role you seek.

2. Why is a resume summary important for caregivers? A resume summary is crucial because it quickly captures the attention of potential employers. It emphasizes the qualities and experiences that align with the job requirements, making your resume stand out from other applicants and increasing your chances of securing an interview.

3. How long should a caregiver resume summary be? A resume summary should be concise and to the point, ideally within 3-4 sentences. It should focus on your key qualifications, experiences, and personal traits relevant to the caregiving position.

4. What key skills should I include in my caregiver resume summary? In your caregiver resume summary, you should highlight essential skills such as patient care, medical knowledge, empathy, strong work ethic, and relevant certifications like CPR and First Aid.

5. What should I avoid in my resume summary? Avoid using vague or generic statements and ensure your summary is specific to your caregiving experiences. Steer clear of lengthy descriptions and focus on being concise. Additionally, avoid including irrelevant information that does not pertain to the caregiving role.

Selected Comments

These resume summary examples are incredibly helpful! I was struggling to pinpoint the right words to describe my caregiving experience, and this guide gave me exactly what I needed. Thank you!

As someone new to the caregiving field, this article was a game-changer. The step-by-step guide to writing a summary statement was clear and easy to follow. I feel much more confident about my resume now.

The detailed explanations and real-life examples are exactly what I was looking for. It’s evident that this guide was written by someone who understands the caregiving profession. Highly recommend this to all caregivers!

• Top 20 Caregiver Resume Objective Examples (Also for Entry Level)
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Health and social care personal statement example.

Due to previous experiences of working with a range of people in the care sector I believe that throughout my time on various work placements with people who have disabilities and difficulties in communicating, along with the experiences gained throughout my studies, my wish to pursue a career in the care profession has grown.

To further my interest in working with and around people I completed a course in childcare. Throughout this course I was able to gain valuable experience of working with special needs children. While this was very challenging I also found it an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience.

To further my knowledge and passion for working with people I took a health and social care advanced course and took a weeks experience in a day centre that involves working with people who suffer from difficulties in communicating and having disabilities.

This again helped to broaden my understanding of working with people and also how to deal with children and adults with disabilities. Within my spare time I have researched the job role and requirements for health promotion to find out what is involved.

To build upon these interests further, I am taking up a one week work experience within the health field. I will be spending the first week in a care home focusing on helping elderly people that suffer from dementia and my second week assisting a health promoter to experience a more professional job role in health care. I am looking forward to this valuable experience as it will further consolidate my desire to study health and social care.

I currently work as a sales assistant which has given me a valuable experience of working with people and how to assist their needs in any way possible. During this time I am developing effective communication skills and good working relationships.

In addition to this it is also helping me to show how committed I am to my responsibilities as well as demonstrating good organisation skills. Having to juggle work and school as well as social activities this also shows that I am developing my time keeping skills to make myself more committed and more punctual.

During my first year of sixth form I helped to raise money for the McMillan Cancer trust charity. I also found this very rewarding as I was helping others that were in need, just like during my work placements. I often play sports after sixth form with my friends; this has helped me to develop extra skills in working well in a team.

In addition I have completed voluntary work with a year six class to increase my knowledge of working with young people, another activity that I very much enjoyed and found extremely rewarding. To further my interest in working with people I have recently volunteered to do a level 3 v-volunteering in my spare time, the certificate itself is an accreditation form Newcastle University.

During my spare time I mainly like to dance and sing. I find this is a good way to express myself in addition to help me keep fit. I also attend the gym often to also help keep me fit I also like to attend various different events and take advantage of any activities that I am offered whether it is through school or outside of school.

This helps to increase my confidence and also helps me to meet new people. I feel that university is definitely the right path for me. I am always working extremely hard to achieve the best I can, a feat which I intend to carry on throughout my university years.

I feel I have the necessary skills needed to enjoy university to the full and also be successful in future years. In addition I would also like to go to university to help develop my skills even further so I can gain a good job in the health and social care sector which is always my main interest.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by fayej44 for application in 2011.

fayej44's university choices Newcastle College University of Sunderland

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

fayej44's Comments

This is what i have sent to the universities i am applying to. could people please give me feedback on what you think of how my personal statement sounds please. one of the universities i have apllied for has already recived it and i'm hoping that with this p.s it is good enough.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Its very good but you should.

Sun, 01/09/2013 - 19:34

Its very good but you should write what universities you had applied for just for the help of other people.

You have written in such simple writing that makes it even more incredible. Well Done. :)

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a Care Assistant Role

When applying for a new role, many of us can struggle when it comes to writing a personal statement. How do we know whether we are saying the right thing, showcasing our suitability for the role and highlighting our strengths and enthusiasm, whilst also keeping it short, friendly and to the point?

In this blog, we share our tips for writing a personal statement for a care assistant job, whether you have no experience, some or lots of experience. Learn how to highlight your skills and effectively communicate your experiences. Click here to find out more about the key duties of a carer, that you could expand on within your own personal statement. Read on to also see our template care assistant statement.

No experience: If you have very little or no previous experience, it can be daunting to write a personal statement and you may be wondering where to start. When starting a career as a care assistant, you will likely find you already have many of the soft skills needed, and everything else can be learnt along the way. Soft skills are general character traits that describe how you work and interact with others, and are typically built through day-to-day experiences.

An example of soft skills are:

• Communication - good communication skills means you are able to effectively share your own perspectives, whilst also being able to listen and understand others. This is essential when communicating with others such as service users, their loved ones, and other healthcare professionals.
• Team work - being able to work as a team is extremely important when working as a care assistant.
• Problem solving - unexpected problems can arise that you may need to resolve. Being able to identify a problem, think critically and determine the best resolution is an important skill, no matter how big or small the problem may be.
• Time management - when working as a care assistant, you will have time slots dedicated to each client. Good time management skills are important, to ensure that you arrive at each client on time, and complete the tasks required within the time allotted.
• Adaptability - for a care assistant, no two days are the same. Being able to adapt your approach depending on your client and their needs is an extremely important skill.

Soft skills are also transferable skills that you can use in many different situations, and you may already have examples of when you used these skills that you are able to highlight within your personal statement. Check out our blog on transferable skills for care to find out more.

A personal statement is a chance to express yourself to the employer. Don’t forget to include why you are pursuing a career as a care assistant. Let them know why you think you are the right person for the role, and why you have chosen this career path.

A personal statement template for a care assistant role with no experience: Embarking on a career in care, I am determined to support and uplift others. With strong interpersonal skills and a compassionate demeanour, my ability to empathise, communicate effectively, and adapt quickly equips me with the skills needed to start a career in care. I am dedicated to delivering person-centred care with empathy, respect, and kindness, and I am eager to learn from experienced colleagues to further develop my skills. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute positively to your team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need of care and support.

Some experience/Personal experience: When writing a personal statement for a care assistant with some experience, it is important to highlight both your previous experience and your soft skills. You may have gained experience through looking after a loved one or doing some work as an unpaid carer. These experiences can equip you with more than enough skills to start your career as a care assistant.

Within your personal statement, you could include the condition(s) you supported with and how you cared for an individual. Highlight how you learnt to support them, and what you learned from this experience. Discussing the skills you have gained so far, through the support you have provided is sure to make your personal statement stand out.

Maybe you have gained some experience through studying. Whether you are currently studying health care or have studied in the past, the skills you have learnt and qualifications you may have gained are hugely beneficial when applying for a position as a care assistant. Within your personal statement, briefly discuss what you have learned and how you believe the experience will benefit you within your career. Highlight any moments that stand out for you, or if there are any areas you would like to explore further within your career.

A personal statement template for a care assistant role with some experience: With a year of experience in providing care to a loved one, including support with dementia and mobility limitations, I am eager to bring my expertise to your team. My previous care experience has equipped me with the skills to deliver compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of each individual. I am able to collaborate effectively with others, and uphold high standards of care. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of those I serve and am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your organisation.

Lots of experience: If you are writing a personal statement for a health care assistant with experience, it’s important to highlight your most important experiences, skills and what value you can bring to your new role.

If you have worked as a care assistant previously, you could discuss what you have learnt, any conditions you have assisted your service users with and the interpersonal skills you have honed, such as time management and effective communication. Maybe you have experience working within a hospital, a care home, or a provided care in the community with another company. Whatever your role and wherever you were based, communicating your duties, learnings and responsibilities will help to create an effective personal statement.

Within your care assistant personal statement, you could discuss your future goals and what you would like to achieve within a new position. Are there any specific routes within the care industry that you would like to explore further, such as clinical care, nursing or branch management? There are many opportunities to advance your career within care. You can find out more about the different pathways you can take here . Or hear from our very own Lucy , who began her career as a care assistant and worked her way up to Branch Manager. You can also be inspired by Tony’s story about his journey from an unpaid carer to Quality Manager .

A personal statement template for a care assistant role with lots of experience: I have over 5 years of experience in care. I've supported individuals with diverse health conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and mobility issues. My role involved medication management, assisting with daily tasks, and providing emotional support.

I have strong interpersonal skills, enabling me to build trust with clients and collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals and loved ones. Looking ahead, I'm passionate about advancing in healthcare. I aim to learn more about clinical care and to continue making a positive impact on others' lives.

Overall, your personal statement should highlight your previous experiences, your future goals and why you think you’re the perfect fit for the role. Be sure to keep it between half a page to a page long, but most importantly, express yourself!

Has your personal statement helped you get that interview? Here’s our blog on some of the most common care interview questions and how to answer them .

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A Quick Guide to Writing Unique Caregiver Statements

Table of Contents

It is no secret that having a positive  caregiver personal statement  can give you a unique advantage during the application process.

In fact, many hiring managers regard well-written statements as an important part of an application. That’s because they offer applicants an opportunity to share their experiences and stories in a way that cannot be effectively captured on the CV.

A strong personal statement communicates your passions and motivations. It can make all the difference when competing against similarly qualified candidates.

Tips for Writing an Engaging Caregiver Personal Statement

Caregivers or care assistants are one of the most undervalued groups in the workforce today. But their time and efforts make all the difference in the lives of children, the elderly, and the sick.

If you need specific tips to make your  caregiver personal statement  stand out, this section is for you.

Focus on Relevant Strengths and Skill

A good personal statement should properly highlight the strengths and skills you’re bringing to the job . Highlight those experiences and skills that make you best suited for the position. Doing this puts you a step ahead of other candidates. Tailor the personal statement to the particular job opening that you are applying for.

Be Specific

By all means, try to be specific and engaging in your writing, using concrete examples whenever possible to illustrate your points. Don’t just write generalizations or platitudes! You should ensure that all of your statements are backed up by relevant experience or qualifications. Don’t throw empty words around.

Keep It Brief

Like any other type of personal statement, this should be brief too. Employers usually aren’t interested in reading long-winded essays from potential employees. 

Read through your personal statement carefully before submitting it. You need to ensure that there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

Examples of Caregiver Personal Statements

We have a few caregiver personal statements you can use as a template. Check them out below.

 As a caregiver, I pride myself on my compassion and patience. I have extensive experience working with seniors and those who are ill or disabled. I am skilled in providing both physical and emotional support. Above all, I firmly believe in the importance of giving each individual the respect they deserve. This means spending time listening to them, talking about their day and helping them with basic tasks like bathing or getting dressed. I take great satisfaction in being able to assist someone in need. My goal is always to make sure that whoever I’m caring for feels comfortable and happy while under my care.

 As a caregiver, I pride myself on having the ability to develop strong relationships with those in my care. I do this by providing companionship or engaging in meaningful conversation. I work hard to ensure that each person under my care feels valued and loved. In addition to being able to connect with people individually, I also have experience leading group activities and handling difficult conversations. This combination of skills makes me ideally suited for a career as a caregiver and allows me to provide support both emotionally and practically.

I’m a patient, compassionate caregiver. I have over six years of experience caring for elderly family members who require assistance with their physical and emotional needs. Also, I have excellent problem-solving skills and can handle difficult situations calmly and effectively. My priority is the health and well-being of my patients, which I always seek to maintain through close communication with families.

I am an experienced nurse and professional caregiver. I have worked in a home health setting for many years. And I have experience providing care to patients with a variety of needs. I am patient, reliable, and capable of managing complex situations. Above all, I am committed to the safety and well-being of my patients.

 I am a caregiver with years of experience in the field. My work has always been centered around service, and I have found great satisfaction in being able to help others. What truly sets me apart as a caregiver is my ability to connect with people. I believe that this empathy is key in establishing trust and rapport with those under my care. In addition to my skills as a caregiver, I am also an excellent team player and work well under pressure. I firmly believe that, given the opportunity, I would be an asset to your home or organization.

My name is ________, and I am a caregiver. As someone who has worked in the service industry for 12 years, I know how to deal with different types of people. My years of experience have also taught me important skills, including patience as well as empathy. These skills come in handy when dealing with patients or elderly individuals. In addition to my work experience, I am also educated in the field of healthcare, having earned an Associate’s degree from Everest University. All these factors combine together to make me an excellent caregiver and someone who can provide quality care for your loved ones.

Final Thoughts

If followed meticulously, the tips in this guide can help you stand out from other caregivers. If you’d like to write a good personal statement faster, why not consider the Hey INK tool ? We generated the templates above with the tool.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to write a Care Assistant cover letter (with examples)

Your Care Assistant cover letter, or Care Worker cover letter, is an important part of your job application. It’s a one page document that you submit alongside your CV. Its purpose is to highlight the important details of your skills and experience. Having a well written cover letter is crucial. It could convince the recruiter to read your CV and increase your chances of being invited for an interview .

If you’re looking for information about the role of a Care Assistant and don’t want to create a cover letter, you can still apply today! Our application process is simple as we don’t require a cover letter or a CV and it only takes two minutes.

Enjoy great pay, flexible working hours and access our exclusive Alina Homecare Training Academy. All you need is a can do attitude, a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. Apply now and be amazing!

If you chose to create a strong and detailed care CV , it’s time to craft the perfect Care Assistant cover letter. 83% of recruiters like to see a cover letter with an application as it shows you’ve gone the extra mile. 1

This guide will help you understand what to include in a Care Assistant cover letter. We’ve also included tips to write more effectively so you’ll be in the best position for an interview.

How to write a Care Assistant cover letter

Ultimately, your Care Assistant cover letter should be a summary of your skills and experience – whether that’s work or life experience. Remember, your cover letter isn’t a replacement for your CV but rather a supplement to it. You shouldn’t just repeat what’s already in your CV. Three main goals to keep in mind when writing your Care Assistant cover letter are to be relevant, persuasive and concise.

Thinking about where to start with your cover letter can be tough. However, as long as you cover the main elements you should include and follow a clear format, you’re likely to leave a good impression on the Recruiter reading your cover letter.

Here is a suggested format to follow when creating your Care Assistant cover letter:

• Introduction

Cover letter header

A cover letter header is important as it provides the Recruiter with your contact details. This lets them know how to contact you to arrange an interview, for example. You should include your key details such as your name, phone number and email address. Typically, your information goes in the top right hand corner of your letter.

Following this, on the left hand side, you should write the name of the person you’re writing to, the company and their address. This can usually be found by a quick online search. If you don’t know the name of the person, simply put ‘Recruiting Manager’.

The following image shows how to lay out your Care Assistant cover letter header:

Cover letter greeting

An important skill you need to be a successful Care Assistant is effective communication. Therefore, you want to make sure this is shown throughout your cover letter from start to finish. Your initial greeting should be clear and formal to start you on the right foot.

You should begin your greeting with ‘Dear’ and where possible, include the name of the Recruiting Manager. This can sometimes be found within the job description. When using someone’s name, you should use only ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’, not any other alternate prefixes. However, be careful. You don’t accidentally want to use the wrong title and misgender someone.

When in doubt, their name is enough. If you don’t know their name, you can direct your cover letter to the Recruiting Manager by writing ‘Dear Recruiting Manager’.

Cover letter introduction

Recruiters will likely spend a very limited amount of time reading your cover letter. It’s important you grab their attention from the beginning. Your introduction is the part of your Care Assistant cover letter where you can provide a quick insight into your most relevant attributes. Only a few sentences are necessary as the aim of this section is to make a quick impact.

You want to make sure you’re not being generic and avoid overly vague statements. Instead, grab the recruiter’s attention with an introduction tailored specifically to the role you’re applying for. You want it to be memorable, conversational and for it to express your passion for the role.

Here are some ideas of what you might want to include in your introduction:

• Include the role you’ve applied for – the reader of your application may appreciate you including this as they may receive many applications for different jobs
• Your enthusiasm for the role – how do your personal or professional attributes make you the right choice for this role?
• Your passion for the company – why do you want to work for the company? Doing some research online will make this easier as it could give you an idea of what to write
• Any accomplishments that stand out – do you have a relevant accomplishment that will make you a great fit for the role? Briefly include them to demonstrate you have the necessary Care Assistant skills . It could make you stand out from other applicants, increasing your chances of success

Cover letter main body

After you’ve introduced yourself and why you’re applying for the role of a Care Assistant, you can move on to the main body of the letter. As the name suggests, this is the main part of your Care Assistant cover letter where you want to include the key information relating to your skills and experience.

 Here, you can also mention any achievements, whether they be personal or professional – as long as they’re relevant to the role, duties and responsibilities of a Care Assistant job. If you have past work or life experience, this is where you want to include it. However, if you don’t have any past experience or qualifications, you can focus on your skills.

A lot of the time, you don’t need any experience or qualifications to become a Care Assistant if you have the right skills and a willingness to learn.

Ultimately, you want to convince the recruiter why you’re the best person to hire for this role. If you’re stuck on what to include in this section, look back at the job description for inspiration as this typically includes information about the type of person they’re looking to hire.

Cover letter conclusion

The final section of your Care Assistant cover letter is the conclusion. Initially, you could thank the Recruiter for taking the time to read your cover letter. You could also use this section to reiterate your passion for the role or the company you’re applying for.

The last sentence you want to write in this section should include a call to action. This politely encourages the Recruiter to get in touch with you to take the next step within your application, which could be to set up an interview, for instance.

Finally, sign your Care Assistant cover letter with ‘Yours sincerely’ and your name, to ensure professionalism.

Care Assistant cover letter examples

To help you write your own Care Assistant cover letter, here are some examples which follow our recommended structure. Not knowing where to start can be daunting but you can use these Care Assistant cover letter samples as a guide to help you make your own.

You need to make sure your final copy is unique to you and is tailored to the company you’re applying to.

Check out these Care Assistant cover letter examples:

Example 1 – no previous experience

Dear Mr Smith,

I am writing to you today regarding the Care Assistant position advertised on XX (name of company). I would be a great candidate for this role as I have a passion to care for people due to caring for my elderly grandparents for the past four years. It would be an honour to work for (name of company) as I believe I share the same values such as compassion, respect and integrity.

Previously, I have worked in different positions in retail which I believe has developed my skills greatly. These skills include active listening, organisation and time management, which are all essential skills for the role of a Care Assistant. Consequently, I find it easy to listen to and understand people’s needs; being organised and able to manage my time effectively means I stay on top of tasks and am always on time for meetings and appointments.

Caring for my elderly grandparents has created a desire in me to help make a positive difference in people’s lives. In doing so, I have learnt how to be patient and how to support them with their needs whilst ensuring their dignity and independence are of utmost importance. Therefore, I would appreciate the opportunity to work for (name of company) so I may continue this role as a career.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to consider my application for this position. My passion would make me a great fit for the role of a Care Assistant and I would make a positive impact being a part of your team. I look forward to hearing from you to arrange an interview for this role.

Yours sincerely,

Katherine Duprez

Example 2 – previous experience

Dear Recruiting Manager,

I was excited to learn about your Care Assistant vacancy and believe I would be a great fit for your company. Currently, I have three years experience working in a care home and the skills and knowledge I have developed would make me a great candidate for this position.

I would be the right fit for your company as I have a passion to care and make a positive difference which from my research, as do (name of company). I have advanced first aid medical training and have Health and Social Care qualifications which puts me in a great position to support clients effectively.

Presently, I work at a care home, where I support elderly people with different daily tasks. My professional background has provided me with both the knowledge and the confidence needed to effectively help people with their personal requirements. I have experience in washing and dressing clients, being a friendly companion and a helping hand with daily tasks. This has given me skills which fulfil several areas of the job description.

Helping people is my passion therefore I have completed different courses on how to care for people with specific abilities and requirements. I also have several qualifications that have helped me advance my abilities greatly. I am a hardworking and dependable individual who takes great satisfaction in seeing the work I do make a difference. Genuine care and respect of the clients’ needs are always my priority. I believe my friendly and bubbly personality is what has made me excel in my current position and I am looking for a company, such as (company name), that will allow me to continue to develop my skills and abilities.

I would like to thank you for the time you have taken considering me for this role. Being part of a team that helps you achieve greatness is my goal, hence my application for (name of company). I hope to hear from you soon to discuss my application and suitability for this role further.

Yours faithfully,

Nikkita Sharma

Care Assistant cover letter tips

When writing your own Care Assistant cover letter, it’s important you make it your own and it represents you. This will get you further than copying example cover letters you may have found online. Instead, use them as a baseline to organise your unique ideas. As you’re writing your cover letter, use these extra tips to add a personal touch:

Choose a tone that matches the company – you want to write your Care Assistant cover letter in a formal tone, but don’t over complicate it. Use language you would personally use but adapt it to suit the tone of the company. Read their website and social media. Is their content written in a fun manner or is it more formal? Use this to guide your writing style

Tell your personal story – you have your own work and life experience and unique motivators. Use this to tell your own story within your Care Assistant cover letter. You could discuss how you have gotten to where you are and your career goals. This could also be a good area to discuss any gaps you may have in your work history explain them

Be honest – avoid mentioning any experience which is not truthful and don’t include any skills you don’t have. If you’re invited for an interview and asked about them, this could work against you. Instead, focus on the skills and experience you do have that will make you stand out

Avoid being generic – Recruiters read many cover letters and don’t want to see the same phrases or statements mentioned repeatedly. Instead, avoid these generic phrases that are commonly used within cover letters and instead, do your best to be original and most importantly, yourself

Proofread – it’s essential you go back over your Care Assistant cover letter and proofread It. Always check for any spelling or grammatical errors. It could be a good idea to read it out loud to check if it sounds natural

Now that you know how to craft the perfect Care Assistant cover letter, get started now! You can also use these tips to apply for a Care Coordinator job or a Field Care Supervisor job – you just need to have some experience first.

You can email our Jobs Team or apply now .

1. ResumeLab, “Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2023? Do I Need A Cover Letter?” , Reviewed 23 January 2023 2. MAD Careers, “ How to Write a Care Assistant Cover Letter “, Reviewed 23 January 2023

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How To Write A Standout Carer Profile

Annika Eade

November 26, 2020

How to write a great carer profile? Rest assured, it’s not hard when you know the basics. This Curam guide will help you improve your carer profile and give you the hints and tips needed to write what clients want to read. A good profile is a powerful way to market yourself to clients and a great help in getting new job offers. 

Putting it simply, writing a great profile is the best way to attract clients. Our clients rely on carer profiles to help choose who to contact for work. The information in your profile is much more than a CV - it’s a chance to let your personality shine through.

Care is about people, and the relationships we create. Care is a role which requires empathy, compassion and patience. Care is about closeness, the joy of supporting others to live independently, giving respite to struggling family members and helping people find peace at the end of their lives. 

Here’s our guide to writing a great carers profile.

The Carer app contains sections for:

Contact details and rates

Your qualifications and professional training courses: eg. NVQ levels, health & safety,

Your expertise: e.g late stage dementia care

Household duties: eg. administration, washing etc 

Personal care duties: eg. bathroom assistance, grooming etc

Your interests and hobbies

A personal bio

The ‘My Bio’ section - is the part of your personal profile which summarises all your skills. It’s the first impression you give clients. 

THREE WORDS

A good way to write a profile is to describe yourself in three words. The most successful profiles contain words and phrases which clients want to see. 

·       Compassionate

·       Caring

·       Kind

·       Friendly

·       Approachable

·       Good listener

·       Empathetic

·       Experienced

·       Professional

·       Hard working

·       Excellent communication skills

·       Skilled

·       Patient

PROFILE 1: “I am kind, hardworking and a good communicator.”

PROFILE 2: “I am patient, a good listener and enjoy working closely with others - especially older people.”

PROFILE 3: “I am friendly, chatty and hard working.”

INTRODUCTION

Three word phrases are a good introduction for a carer profile - but they don’t work on their own. You need to give them meaning with short examples. Start by saying how many years experience you have as a carer. 

PROFILE 1: “I have 7 years experience working in the care industry and have developed a compassionate approach. I work hard to get to know my clients, so I can help them enjoy their interests and hobbies. 

PROFILE 2: “I have more than 10 years experience as a carer. I enjoy listening to older people, I am a very patient person and am always happy to work at my clients pace, following their lead. 

PROFILE 3: “I have worked as a carer for 9 years now and work very efficiently. I enjoy my job and like talking with clients as I perform my duties. 

EXPERIENCES

Next, you need to tell clients what areas of care you can perform. It’s important to be honest so you find the right client. 

Some areas to consider are:

Conditions specialism (dementia, autism, stroke, children) 

Skills (grooming, cooking, driving)

Types of care (hourly, overnight, live-in, respite)

PROFILE 1: “I have worked with people with dementia, chronic conditions and I have provided end of life care. Recently, I provided care for stroke rehabilitation including speech and language therapy. I also have experience of anxiety and depression care.”

PROFILE 2: “I have worked in end of life care for many years, helping to make clients comfortable at home as a live in carer. I work well with other palliative care team members, such as doctors, and also with supporting family members with respite care.”

PROFILE 3: “I am experienced in personal grooming and I enjoy helping clients look their best. I can assist with hygiene, toileting, eating, cooking, cleaning and any administrative tasks which need support. I have a full clean driving license and enjoy taking clients out to meet friends.”  

What made you become a carer? Do you have experiences outside of care which are interesting or relevant? A short answer can give clients a reason to believe you are the best. 

PROFILE 1: “Before becoming a carer, I worked as a primary teacher for 20 years, I enjoyed the experience of working with children.”

PROFILE 2: “I became a carer while looking after my partner. When he died, I decided to carry on, working as a live-in carer to support people with end of life needs.”

PROFILE 3: “I love looking after other people, when my children left home, I decided to become a carer and continue what I’m good at.”

Care is about the relationships we create. Clients often want to know if they share interests or hobbies - this can create a good connection with a new carer. 

PROFILE 1: “I love reading, especially crime fiction novels. I am part of my local church and help to run the childrens activities. Last year, I got a Scottish terrier puppy called ‘Bobby’ and I love taking him on long walks.”

PROFILE 2: “I am a good cook! It’s a big part of my life and I love trying out new recipes. I can bake well and once won a competition for my pineapple turnover cake.”

PROFILE 3: “I’m passionate about sport - both watching and playing. I’m a Manchester United fan and play 5 a side every week with my friends.”

A goodbye, could turn into a hello. Encourage clients to contact you by keeping your sign off brief, polite and friendly. 

PROFILE 1: “Please get in touch if you think I could help you.”

PROFILE 2: “Contact me, and I’ll reply as soon as I can. Thank you.”

PROFILE 3: “Get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.”  

Each carer profile is unique - that’s because you are! The best Curam carer profiles present  their skills and experience, provide short professional examples and let a bit of their personality show. 

Good luck! If you have any questions, please get in touch, so we can help you stand out on the CuramCarer App.

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• Carer CV example

If you’re looking for a rewarding carer role, the first thing on your action plan should be to write a professional and compelling CV.

You’ll be looking after vulnerable clients, so your CV needs to prove you’ve got the right skills, along with a caring and empathetic personality.

This step-by-step writing guide includes an example carer CV, so you know exactly what to aim for.

It’ll help you highlight why you’re a suitable candidate for the role and land you plenty of interviews. Here’s what I’ll cover:

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your carer CV

CV templates 

Carer CV example

The CV example above should help you understand how to effectively showcase your sector skills and experience.

While it gives a thorough overview of the applicant’s suitability, it’s also very easy to read and won’t overwhelm busy recruiters or hiring managers.

Carer CV structure & format

The format and structure of your CV are important because they will determine how easy it is for recruiters and employers to read your CV.

If they can find the information they need quickly, they’ll be happy; but if they struggle, your application could be overlooked.

A simple and logical structure will always create a better reading experience than a complex structure, and with a few simple formatting tricks , you’ll be good to go.

Check them out below:

Formatting Tips

• Length:  Two sides of A4 makes for the perfect CV length , though one page is okay for less experienced applicants. This forces you to make sure that every single sentence adds value to your CV and ensures you avoid waffle.
• Design:  Don’t waste time adding fancy designs to your CV. It generally adds no value to your application and may even end up distracting recruiters away from the important written content.
• Readability:  Help out time-strapped recruiters by formatting your CV for easy reading. Using lots of bullet points and lists will help them to skim through your info, while clearly formatted headings will allow them to navigate towards the content which is most useful to them.
• Avoid:  If your CV has photos, images or profile pictures, hit the delete button. They’re not needed and won’t add any value to your application.

Build your CV now 

Structuring your CV

Work to the simple but effective CV structure below:

• Name and contact details – Pop them at the top of your CV, so it’s easy for recruiters to contact you.
• CV profile – Write a snappy overview of what makes you a good fit for the role; discussing your key experience, skills and accomplishments.
• Core skills section – Add a short but snappy list of your relevant skills and knowledge.
• Work experience – A list of your relevant work experience, starting with your current role.
• Education – A summary of your relevant qualifications and professional/vocational training.
• Hobbies and interests – An optional section, which you could use to write a short description of any relevant hobbies or interests.

As I move through the guide, I’ll explain what you should include within each of the CV sections above.

CV Contact Details

Kickstart your CV with your contact details, so recruiters can get in touch easily.

Here’s what you should include:

• Mobile number
• Email address – Make sure it’s professional, with no silly nicknames.
• Location – Your town or city is sufficient, rather than a full address.

Quick tip:  There’s no need to list your date of birth, marital status or other irrelevant details at this stage of the application process.

Carer CV Profile

Your CV profile  (or personal statement , if you’re a junior/entry-level applicant) is the first thing recruiters will read – so your goal is to give them a reason to read onto the end of the document!

Create a short and snappy paragraph that showcases your key skills, relevant experience and any impressive accomplishments.

Ultimately, it should prove to the reader that you’ve got what it takes to carry out the job.

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Avoid clichés:  Clichés like ‘Enthusiastic and hard-working team player with a go-getter attitude’ might sound impressive to you, but they don’t actually tell the recruiter much about you. Concentrate on highlighting hard facts and skills, as recruiters are more likely to take these on board.
• Tailor it to the job:  No matter how much time you put into your CV profile, it won’t impress if it’s irrelevant to the role you’re applying for. Before you start writing, make a list of the skills, knowledge and experience your target employer is looking for. Then, make sure to mention them in your CV profile and throughout the rest of your application.
• Keep the tone punchy:  When it comes to CV profile length, less is more, as recruiters are often time-strapped. Aim to write  around 3-5 lines.
• Ditch objectives:  Career goals and objectives are best suited to your cover letter , so don’t waste space with them in your CV profile.

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

What to include in your carer CV profile?

• Experience summary – Where have you worked — as a live-in carer, in a care home, in a hospital, for an agency? How many years of experience do you have? Start your profile with a general summary of your relevant carer experience so far.
• Relevant skills –  Take a look at the job description and make a list of the key skills and knowledge your target employer is looking for. Then make sure to mention what you can match within your profile, to showcase that you’re the perfect fit.
• Qualifications – Highlight any relevant qualifications that you’ve gained, such as a Health & Social Care diploma .

Core skills section

In addition to your CV profile, your core skills section provides an easily digestible snapshot of your skills.

As care jobs might receive a huge pile of applications, this is a great way to stand out and show off your suitability for the role.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and be made up of skills that are highly relevant to the job of a carer.

Work experience/Career history

Next up is your work experience section, which is normally the longest part of your CV.

Start with your current (or most recent) job and work your way back through your experience.

Can’t fit all your roles? Allow more space for your recent career history and shorten down descriptions for your older roles.

Don’t have much relevant experience? You can still write about unrelated jobs. Just try to pinpoint how you used your transferable skills — such as caring for or helping others, communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork and time management — in the role.

Structuring your roles

Whilst writing your CV, it’s essential to look at it in the eyes of a recruiter.

If they’re met with giant blocks of text which are impossible to navigate, they might skip onto the next CV.

Instead, make use of the 3-step structure, as shown below:

Begin with a summary of your role, detailing what the purpose of your job was, who you cared for, who you reported to and what size of team you were part of.

“Provided high-standard care to a number of patients in their own homes with an emphasis on maintaining their well being and independence; reported to the Senior Care worker”

Key responsibilities

Next up, you should write a snappy list of your day-to-day duties within the job.

Recruiters are most interested in your sector skills and knowledge, so highlight these wherever possible.

• Assisted with everyday care for elderly patients, including personal hygiene, mental health support and basic medical support.
• Carried out basic domestic duties to ensure the upkeep of patient’s homes, focusing on creating a safe, clean and comfortable environment.
• Booked necessary appointments for patients and transported them to and from appointments, ensuring the patient felt safe and comfortable at all times.

Key achievements

To finish off each role with extra impact, list 1-3 stand out achievements , results or accomplishments.

This could be anything which had a positive outcome for the company you worked for, or perhaps a client/customer.

Where applicable, quantify your examples with facts and figures.

• Received 7 personal written commendations from relatives for efficiency, patience and dedication to the welfare of their family member.
• Pinpointed a serious medical problem in a patient, which prevented a potential fatality.

Although there should be mentions of your highest and most relevant qualifications earlier on in your CV, save your exhaustive list of qualifications for the bottom.

If you’re an experienced candidate, simply include the qualifications within the care sector . You can also discuss relevant exams, assignments and modules in detail.

However, less experienced candidates can also provide a more thorough list of qualifications, including A-Levels and GCSEs.

Interests and hobbies

The hobbies and interests CV section isn’t mandatory, so don’t worry if you’re out of room by this point.

However, if you have an interesting hobby or interest that could support a recruiter’s decision making, you might want to add them.

Be careful what you include though. Consider hobbies that exhibit skills that are required for roles as a carer.

But generic hobbies like ‘watching TV’ won’t impress recruiters, so you’re best off saving the space for other CV sections.

Essential skills for your carer CV

The skills required as a carer will vary widely, depending on where you’re working and who you’re caring for. However, some of the basic skills are:

Interpersonal skills & empathy  – You’ll need to put your client’s needs before your own, and approach their care with a high level of empathy and patience. With that said, a caring and empathetic attitude, paired with strong interpersonal skills, are essential for any care role. Showcase this in your CV by providing examples of how you’ve cared for or helped people in difficult situations.

General patient care & hygiene – From helping patients wash and dress themselves, to helping them cook meals, you’ll need to feel confident in following day-to-day care plans. In your work experience section, make sure to pinpoint the different tasks and activities you’ve carried out whilst caring for patients or clients.

Administering medication – You’ll often be required to administer medications to patients (or, at least, assist them with the process). As administering medications in the wrong dose can be dangerous, any qualifications or experience will be highly advantageous, so make sure to showcase it in your CV.

Observations & reporting – You might be the only person your patient sees for days or even weeks, so it’s your responsibility to observe, monitor and record clients’ physical and emotional well-being. If you notice any causes for concern, you’ll need to report any changes to senior staff.

Writing your carer CV

Creating a strong carer CV requires a blend of punchy content, considered structure and format and targeting.

By creating a punch profile and core skills list, you’ll be able to hook a recruiter’s attention and ensure your CV gets read.

Remember that research and relevance is the key to a good CV, so research your target roles before you start writing and pack your CV with relevant skills.

Best of luck with your next application!

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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 18 August 2023 | 22 min read

How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps

Stand out from the crowd: here's how to write a good personal statement that will get you noticed

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Your personal statement forms a core part of your university application, and the sooner you get going, the better you can make it. You may think that your personal statement won’t matter as much to unis as your grades and experience but a great personal statement could make all the difference between you and a candidate with the same grades. Sure, your application might not reach that deal breaker stage. But is it something you want to leave to chance?  Here we’ll take you through the process of planning, writing and checking a good personal statement, so you end up with something you can submit with confidence. And to make sure the advice we're giving you is sound, we’ve spoken to admissions staff at loads of UK universities to get their view. Look out for video interviews and advice on applying for specific subjects throughout this piece or watch our personal statement playlist on YouTube .

• Are you looking for personal statement examples? Check our library of hundreds of real personal statements, on The Student Room

Personal statement deadlines

You'll need to make sure you've got your personal statement written well in advance of your application deadline. Below are the main university application deadline dates for 2024 entry.

2024 entry deadlines

16 October 2023: Deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities, along with most medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses.   31 January 2024: Deadline for applications to the majority of undergraduate courses. After this date, universities will start allocating places on these courses –   but you can still apply after the 31 January deadline , as this article explains . 30 June 2024:  Students who apply after this date will be entered into Clearing .

• Read more: Ucas deadlines and key application dates

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a central part of your Ucas application, where you explain why you’ve chosen a particular course and why you’ll be good at it. It's your chance to stand out against other candidates and hopefully get that all-important offer. You only write one personal statement which is then read by each university you apply to, so if you are applying for more than one subject (or it's a combined course) it's crucial that you include common themes or reference the overall skills needed for all subjects. Personal statements are especially important if you’re trying to get on a very competitive course, where you need to do anything you can to stand out to admissions tutors. Courteney Sheppard, senior customer experience manager at Ucas, advises that your personal statement is "the only part of the application that you have direct control over. Do lots of research to demonstrate your passion, curiosity and drive to pursue your chosen subject." There’s a limit on how much you can write: your personal statement can be up to 4,000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines of 95 characters (including spaces); whichever is shorter. This may appear generous (read: long) but once you've got going you may find yourself having to edit heavily.

• Read more: teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

1. Plan what you want to cover

The first thing you need to do is make a plan. Writing a personal statement off the top of your head is difficult. Start by making some notes, answering the following questions:

• What do you want to study?
• Why do you want to study it?
• What is there about you that shows you’re suited to studying this subject at university? Think about your personality, as well as your experiences.
• What are your other interests and skills?

These few points are going to form the spine of your personal statement, so write them in a way that makes sense to you. You might want to make a simple bulleted list or you might want to get all arty and use a mindmap. Whatever you choose, your aim is the same. You want to get it clear in your own head why a university should offer you a place on its course. Getting those details down isn't always easy, and some people find it helpful to make notes over time. You might try carrying a notebook with you or set up a memo on your phone. Whenever you think of something useful for your personal statement, jot it down. Inspiration sometimes comes more easily when you’re thinking about something else entirely. It might help to take a look at The Student Room for some sample personal statements by university and sample personal statements by subjects , to give you an idea of the kind of thing you want to include. 

• Read more: personal statement FAQs

2. Show off your experience

Some things are worth adding to your personal statement, some things are not. Firmly in the second camp are your qualifications. You don’t need to mention these as there’s a whole other section of your personal statement where you get to detail them very precisely. Don’t waste a single character going on about how great your GCSE grades are – it’s not what the admissions tutor wants to read. What they do want to see is: what have you done? OK, so you’ve got some good grades, but so do a lot of other applicants. What have you done that’s different, that shows you off as someone who really loves the subject you’re applying for? Spend some time thinking about all the experience you have in that subject. If you’re lucky, this might be direct work experience. That’s going to be particularly appropriate if you’re applying for one of the more vocational subjects such as medicine or journalism . But uni staff realise getting plum work experience placements is easier for some people than others, so cast your net wider when you’re thinking about what you’ve done. How about after-school clubs? Debating societies? Are you running a blog or vlog? What key skills and experience have you picked up elsewhere (eg from hobbies) that could be tied in with your course choice? Remember, you’re looking for experience that shows why you want to study your chosen subject. You’re not just writing an essay about what you're doing in your A-level syllabus. Use this checklist as a guide for what to include:

• Your interest in the course. Why do you want to spend three years studying this subject at university?
• What have you done outside school or college that demonstrates this interest? Think about things like fairs/exhibitions, public lectures or voluntary work that is relevant to your subject.
• Relevant work experience (essential for the likes of medicine, not required for non-vocational courses such as English )
• Skills and qualities required for that career if appropriate (medicine, nursing and law as obvious examples)
• Interest in your current studies – what particular topics have made an impression on you?
• Any other interests/hobbies/experiences you wish to mention that are relevant either to the subject or 'going to uni'. Don't just list your hobbies, you need to be very selective and state clearly what difference doing these things has made to you.
• Plans for a gap year if you’re deferring entry.

Read more: 6 steps you need to take to apply to university

3. Be bold about your achievements

Don't be bashful about your achievements; that’s not going to help you get into uni. It's time to unleash your inner Muhammed Ali and get all “I am the greatest” with your writing. Do keep it focused and accurate. Do keep your language professional. But don’t hide your qualities beneath a layer of false modesty. Your personal statement is a sell – you are selling yourself as a brilliant student and you need to show the reader why that is true. This doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and if you’re finding it difficult to write about how great you are it’s time to enlist some help. Round up a friend or two, a family member, a teacher, whoever and get them to write down your qualities. Getting someone else’s view here can help you get some perspective. Don’t be shy. You are selling your skills, your experience and your enthusiasm – make sure they all leap off the screen with the way you have described them.

• Read more: the ten biggest mistakes when writing your personal statement  

4. How to start your personal statement

Type your personal statement in a cloud-based word processing program, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word and don’t copy and paste it into Ucas Hub until it’s finished.  One of the benefits of doing it this way is that you can run spell check easily. (Please note, though, that Word adds "curly" quotation marks and other characters (like é or ü) that won't show up on your Ucas form, so do proofread it on Ucas Hub before submitting it to ensure it is how you typed it.)  Another big benefit is that you'll always have a backup of what you've written. If you're being super careful, you could always save your statement in another place as well. Bear in mind that extra spaces (eg adding spaces to the beginnings of paragraphs as indentation) are removed on Ucas. In your first sentence, cut to the chase. Why do you want to do the course? Don’t waste any time rambling on about the daydreams you had when you were five. Just be clear and concise – describe in one line why this course is so important to you. Then, in the rest of your intro, go into more detail in demonstrating your enthusiasm for the course and explaining how you decided this is what you want to do for the next three or more years. However you choose to start your statement, just avoid the following hoary old chestnuts. These have been some of the most used lines in personal statements over the years – they are beyond cliche, so don’t even think about it.

• From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]…
• For as long as I can remember, I have…
• I am applying for this course because… 
• I have always been interested in… 
• Throughout my life I have always enjoyed… 
• Reflecting on my educational experiences… 
• [Subject] is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course]… 
• Academically, I have always been… 
• I have always wanted to pursue a career in… 
• I have always been passionate about…   

5. Focus your writing on why you've chosen that subject

So you’ve got your intro done – time to nail the rest of it. Bear in mind that you’ve got to be a little bit careful when following a personal statement template. It’s easy to fall into the trap of copying someone else’s style, and in the process lose all of your own voice and personality from your writing. But there is a rough order that you can follow, which should help keep you in your flow. After your opening paragraph or two, get into any work experience (if you’ve got it). Talk about extracurriculars: anything you've done which is relevant to the subject can go here – hobbies, interests, volunteering. Touch on your career aspirations – where do you want this course to take you? Next, show your enthusiasm for your current studies. Cite some specific examples of current work that you enjoyed. Show off your relevant skills and qualities by explaining how you’ve used these in the past. Make sure you’re giving real-world examples here, not just vague assertions like “I’m really organised and motivated”. Try to use examples that are relevant.   Follow this up with something about you as a person. Talk about non-academic stuff that you like to do, but link it in some way with the course, or with how it shows your maturity for dealing with uni life. Round it all off by bringing your main points together, including a final emphasis of your commitment to studying this particular course.

• Read more: how to write your personal statement in an evening  

6. How long should a personal statement be?

You've got to work to a very specific limit when writing your personal statement. In theory you could use up to 4,000 characters – but you’re probably more likely to be limited by the line count. That's because it's a good idea to put line breaks in between your paragraphs (to make it more readable) and you only get a maximum of 47 lines. With this in mind, 3,500 characters is a more realistic limit. But when you’re getting started you should ignore these limits completely. At first, you just want to get down everything that you feel is important. You'll probably end up with something that is far too long, but that's fine. This is where you get to do some polishing and pruning. Keep the focus of your piece on the course you’re applying for, why you want to do it and why you’re perfectly suited to it. Look through what you’ve written so far – have you got the balance right? Chop out anything that goes on a bit, as you want each point to be snappy and succinct.

• Read more: universities reveal all about personal statements  

7. Keep it simple

8. Smart ways to end your personal statement

Writing a closing line that you’re happy with can feel as tricky as coming up with your opener. What you’re looking for here is a sign-off that is bold and memorable. The final couple of sentences in your statement give you the opportunity to emphasise all the good stuff you’ve already covered. Use this space to leave the reader in no doubt as to what an excellent addition you would be to their university. Pull together all your key points and – most importantly – address the central question that your personal statement should answer: why should you get a place on the course?

• Read more: universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang  

9. Make sure your personal statement has no mistakes

Now you’ve got a personal statement you’re happy with, you need to make sure there are no mistakes. Check it, check it a second time, then check it again. Once you’ve done that, get someone else to check it, too. You will be doing yourself a massive disservice if you send through a personal statement with spelling and/or grammatical errors. You’ve got months to put this together so there really is no excuse for sending through something that looks like a rush job. Ask your teachers to look at it, and be prepared to accept their feedback without getting defensive. They will have seen many personal statements before; use what they tell you to make yours even better. You’ve also got another chance here to look through the content of your personal statement, so you can make sure the balance is right. Make sure your focus is very clearly on the subject you are applying for and why you want to study it. Don’t post your personal statement on the internet or social media where anyone can see it. You will get picked up by the Ucas plagiarism checker. Similarly, don't copy any that you find online. Instead, now is a good time to make your parents feel useful. Read your personal statement out to them and get them to give you feedback. Or try printing it out and mixing it up with a few others (you can find sample personal statements on The Student Room). Get them to read them all and then try to pick yours out. If they can't, perhaps there's not enough of your personality in there.  

10. Don't think about your personal statement for a whole week

If you followed the advice at the very start of this guide, you’ve started your personal statement early. Good job! There are months before you need to submit it. Use one of these weeks to forget about your personal statement completely. Get on with other things – anything you like. Just don’t go near your statement. Give it a whole week and then open up the document again and read through it with fresh eyes. You’ll gain a whole new perspective on what you’ve written and will be well placed to make more changes, if needed.

• Read more: how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say  

10 steps to your ideal personal statement

In summary, here are the ten steps you should follow to create the perfect personal statement.  

Personal statement dos and don'ts

• Remember that your personal statement is your personal statement, not an article written about your intended field of study. It should tell the reader about you, not about the subject.
• Only put in things that you’re prepared to talk about at the interviews.
• Give convincing reasons for why you want to study the course – more than just "enjoying the subject" (this should be a given).
• For very competitive courses, find out as much as you can about the nature of the course and try to make your personal statement relevant to this.
• Be reflective. If you make a point like 'I like reading', 'I travelled abroad', say what you got from it.
• Go through the whole thing checking your grammar and your spelling. Do this at least twice. It doesn’t matter if you’re not applying to an essay-based course – a personal statement riddled with spelling mistakes is just going to irritate the reader, which is the last thing you want to do. If this is something you find difficult then have someone look over it for you.
• Leave blank lines between your paragraphs. It’s easier for the reader to get through your personal statement when it’s broken into easily digestible chunks. Remember that they’re going to be reading a lot of these! Make yours easy to get through.
• Get someone else's opinion on your statement. Read it out to family or friends. Share it with your teacher. Look for feedback wherever you can find it, then act upon it.
• Don’t write it like a letter. Kicking off with a greeting such as "Dear Sir/Madam" not only looks weird, it also wastes precious space.
• Don’t make jokes. This is simply not the time – save them for your first night in the union.
• Don’t criticise your current school or college or try to blame teachers for any disappointing grades you might have got.
• Be afraid of details – if you want your PS to be personal to you that means explaining exactly which bits of work or topics or activities you've taken part in/enjoyed. It's much more compelling to read about one or two detailed examples than a paragraph that brushes over five or six.
• Just list what you're doing now. You should pull out the experiences that are relevant to the courses which you're applying to.
• Mention skills and activities without giving examples of when they have been demonstrated by you or what you learnt from them. Anyone can write "I have great leadership skills" in a PS, actually using a sentence to explain when you demonstrated good leadership skills is much rarer and more valuable.
• Refer to experiences that took place before your GCSEs (or equivalent).
• Give explanations about medical or mental health problems. These should be explained in your reference, not your PS.
• Apply for too many different courses, making it difficult to write a convincing personal statement which supports the application.
• Write a statement specific to just one institution, unless you're only applying to that one choice.
• Copy and paste the statement from somewhere else! This means do not plagiarise. All statements are automatically checked for plagiarism by Ucas. Those that are highlighted by the computer system are checked manually by Ucas staff. If you’re found to have plagiarised parts of your statement, the universities you apply to will be informed and it could jeopardise your applications.
• Use ChatGPT or another AI program to write your personal statement for you. Or, if you do, make sure you thoroughly edit and personalise the text so it's truly yours. Otherwise you're very much at risk of the plagiarism point above.

You may want to look at these...

How to write your university application.

Tips for writing your university application, including deadlines and personal statements

The Ucas personal statement is changing in 2025

A question-based personal statement will be required as part of university applications from autumn 2025 onwards

How long does it take for universities to reply to your application?

It might feel like it's taking forever for your uni offers to come through. Find out what's going on, and when you should hear back

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Personal statement for resumé

When you’re applying for jobs, a strong resumé and cover letter are essential for making an impact on prospective employers. Including a well-written personal statement on your resumé might be just the thing that gets you an interview. 

This short introduction of your skills, experience and qualifications gives employers an at-a-glance summary of who you are and what value you’d bring to their organisation. It’s a quick overview of your most relevant traits and abilities, so recruiters can see instantly if you’d be a good match for the role.

Here’s how to write a great personal statement for your resumé.

What is a personal statement?

Key elements to include in a personal statement, personal statement examples, tips on writing a personal statement for your resumé, formatting and structuring your personal statement, common mistakes when writing a personal statement.

A personal statement is a short introductory section at the top of a resumé . Its purpose is to catch the hiring manager’s attention and show them why you’re a good match for the position. It’s also known as a career objective, a summary statement, an executive summary, or a personal profile for a resumé.

Your personal statement is your chance to show a glimpse of your personality and share your career aspirations. The rest of your resumé simply lists your achievements, which might overlap with those of the other people applying for the role. A personal statement for a resumé can provide more insight into your unique strengths. A well-written personal statement may convince an employer that they should seriously consider you for the role.

A good personal statement for a resumé usually has the following elements:

Who you are.  This is your professional identity – it might be your most recent job title or a more general term, such as ‘high school student’ or ‘recent graduate’, along with any qualities or passions that make you unique.

A summary of your experiences.  This might be professional experience, recent qualifications or volunteer work.

Your value proposition as an employee.  This is what you could bring to the role, such as hard or soft skills , or personal qualities that can help you succeed.

Your career objectives.  This is what you want to achieve professionally.

Before you start writing, read through these personal statement examples to see how the key elements come together.

For students looking for internships

• I’m in my third year of a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) degree and seeking a summer internship to deepen my understanding of electrical engineering and obtain industry experience. I earned high distinctions in all my courses last semester and have a passion for applying theory to real-world problems. I enjoy collaborating with others in my field and working towards finding solutions that positively impact society.
• I am a second-year Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) student at the University of Auckland seeking a summer internship to learn from HR professionals who share my passion for people and business. As a sales assistant for a small clothing boutique, I have learned how to manage open tasks, schedule projects, and engage customers through social media platforms. I believe my strong communication skills, emotional maturity, and passion for human resources recommend me as a strong candidate for an internship.

For fresh graduates

• I recently graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and am ready for to launch a career in digital marketing. Managing a YouTube channel with 20,000 subscribers has complemented my studies and given me skills in audience engagement, brand management, and brand voice. I am a naturally creative person with an aptitude for technologies such as Canva and ChatGPT. I hope to develop my marketing knowledge with a position that lets me learn and grow and learn from experienced industry professionals.
• As a recent graduate of the University of Otago, I am ready to apply the knowledge and experience I gained in my Bachelor of Accounting program to a role in this dynamic industry. I am seeking a role that can support me as I study to become a Certified Practicing Accountant. I value mentorship from senior professionals and can work independently and efficiently to meet deadlines. I hope to find a role within a growing organisation that encourages skill development and professional advancement.

For working professionals

• I am an experienced store manager with more than five years in my current position within a fast-paced tech-retail setting. I’m a passionate team leader, having mentored junior staff and supported training programs to upskill team members. My commitment to customer service and strong commercial acumen have driven my teams to exceed their sales targets and increase annual departmental profits. I hope to secure a role with a national company, with a view to progress to senior management level.
• I am a journalist with 10 years’ experience in news reporting. I’m passionate about sharing local stories and providing a voice to community members. I consider myself an intrepid reporter, with an ability to connect with people from all walks of life – in the newsroom and the field. I have a high level of journalistic integrity and can reliably meet deadlines. After living in Sydney’s greater west for the last five years, I am looking to relocate and pursue a career in Auckland. 

For mid-career transitions

• I am a sales associate and women’s wear designer seeking a full-time position as an in-house designer. For the last seven years I have sold my own line of clothing through local markets and Etsy, and I’m keen to take the next step in my move towards a career in the fashion industry. A Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion, and Textiles complements my self-taught technical knowledge and hands-on experience in pattern-making and clothing design. Looking for a long-term role for a New Zealand-owned label.
• Mid-level marketing manager with in-house and agency experience, seeking to pivot into creative copywriting. Recent AWARD School graduate and freelance business writer with an international portfolio, skilled in brand strategy and writing for social media. Keen to learn and grow within a respected ad agency. 

The following sections discuss ways that you can make your own personal statement more effective.

Select the most impactful experiences to share

Writing about the most impactful experiences can help make a personal profile for a resumé more persuasive and concise. Choose experiences that are most relevant to the role. These may be experiences that demonstrate your relevant skills or show you can successfully perform the job duties. 

Recent experiences are usually more impactful than older ones, as they show current skills and knowledge. Unique relevant experiences can also help your resumé stand out.

Keep it relevant to the job scope

Your resumé personal statement can be more effective if it shows how your skills and experience align with the role’s requirements. You might mention scenarios where you’ve demonstrated leadership or analytical skills, for example. 

The job description can tell you what skills and experience are most relevant for the role. Writing about positive results you’ve achieved in the past can demonstrate your ability to excel in a similar role. If you’re transitioning in your career, you can highlight the transferable skills that can help you succeed.

Keep your personal statement concise

Impactful personal statements are usually three or four sentences – between 50 and 200 words. Sticking to this length makes it easier for the most important information to stand out. Stripping out unnecessary details also make your personal statement more engaging. Filler words such as ‘very’ add little to your statement, so it’s best not to use them. Rephrasing wordy sections can also help you reduce your word count.

The way you format and structure your personal statement can make this part of your resumé easier to read and help you seem more professional. These layout tips can make reading your personal statement easier.

Use paragraphs and bullet points effectively.  A single paragraph is the most common personal statement format. 

Use consistent formatting for your personal statement and resumé.  Use a font, font size, and style that matches your resumé’s body to appear professional. A basic font between 10 and 12 points is usually appropriate. Serif fonts are more common for corporate resumés, while sans serif fonts are popular in creative fields.

Write in first person.  As your personal statement and resumé are personal to you, it’s best to write the entire document in the first person, using ‘I’ statements. This perspective can give your statement a warmer tone, help you connect with the manager, and make it clear that you wrote your own resumé. You may write your statement without using the word I, but take care to maintain the first-person perspective.

Learning what mistakes people commonly make when writing a personal statement can help you spot and avoid them when writing your own.

Using common cliches and overused phrases

Cliches and overused phrases are so commonplace that they’ve lost their power. Choosing more unique words and sharing personal experiences that demonstrate your qualities can help your resumé’s personal statement stand out. Some common clichés and overused words include:

• highly-qualified
• self-motivated
• team player
• hard worker
• strong written and oral communication skills
• results-oriented

Including information best left out

Including only the most important information makes your personal statement stronger. Here are some details that are best left out :

• early career experience
• anything negative, such as professional weaknesses or the reason you left your last job
• personal details, such as your marital status, age or religion
• your salary expectations

Bad personal statement examples

Recognising the flaws in other personal statements can help you improve your own writing. Here are some examples of bad personal statements.

I have been a content creator for the last seven years. During this time, I have been a key member of my team that everyone could rely on. My commitment to hard work, technical skills and passion for this career would make me an asset to any business. I am looking for a new challenge that lets me apply my skills in content creation.

Why it’s bad:  it’s generic and vague. As ‘content creator’ is such a broad term, the writer could have highlighted specific skills, such as videography or blogging. They list qualities people expect of their employees, such as reliability and hard work, rather than noting how they're outstanding. ‘New challenge’ is another generic term that makes their career goals unclear.

I am a software developer seeking my first management role. I have no experience in leadership, but I am a quick learner with a can-do attitude. My comprehensive programming knowledge and enjoyment of teamwork would make me an asset to any business.

Why it’s bad : it shows the job seeker wants to transition in their career, but does not show they’re ready for the role. They frame their lack of leadership experience negatively rather than instilling confidence that they could succeed in a management role. While their programming knowledge may help them in a technology field, the employer could also presume this given their job title. They also didn't mention any transferable skills that demonstrate their leadership potential.

Take the time to write personalised statements that show you’re a great choice for every role you apply for. Writing a strong personal statement can help you make a positive first impression on an employer and clearly demonstrate your job suitability. Applying the tips above can help you write an effective personal statement that increases your chances of securing the right role.

What should I write in my personal statement for a resume?

You should introduce who you are, highlight the most relevant experience you have and show the value you would bring to the position. You should also include your career goals in your personal statement.

Can you provide personal statement examples for a job application?

You should include a personal statement on your resu,e when you apply for a job. Above is a selection of personal statement examples for different levels of experience.

How long should a personal statement be on a resume?

A personal statement should be three or four sentences or between 50 and 200 words. The more experience you have, the longer your personal statement is likely to be.

What are some dos and don'ts for writing a resume personal statement?

Do include relevant and compelling information and write with personality. Don’t write more than a paragraph or use third-person perspective.

How can I make my personal statement stand out to employers?

Using strong, specific language and sharing your personal experiences and career goals can help your personal statement stand out. Try to reflect your personality, as you're the only person who can bring your blend of skills, experience, and personality to the role.

Are there any online tools to help me craft a personal statement?

There are many AI personal statement generators online, but you should use them with caution as they may give generic results. You might like to use AI tools as a starting point , and then customise the results to make them more personal and unique.

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• Applying for Graduate School: Application Essay or Personal Statement guide

The following ideas and questions can guide your development of an application essay or  personal statement.

Introduction

Ask Yourself

• When did I first consider this career?
• What elements were meaningful to me?
• What led to my commitment to it?

Tell Your Story

• Start in the middle of the action with limited lead-in.
• Describe relevant details.
• Connect it to goals related to the program.
• Specify the school and program.
• What are my career interests and goals?
• What have I done to prepare myself for this career and program?
• Why does this specific program interest me?

Make Your Case

• Identify experiences such as shadowing which gave you an understanding of the career.
• Describe how you developed your qualifications for the program and career including internships, research, coursework, or other relevant experiences.
• Share your career interests and goals.
• Connect your interests and goals to the program concentration areas, faculty, research, and/or internship opportunities.

Ask yourself

• How have my experiences affected my initial interest in the career?
• How will this program help me reach my career goals?
• How do I feel about the potential of being in the program?

Make Your case

• Reference the story in your introduction.
• Reinforce the connection between your interests and goals to the program.
• Express confidence in your readiness for the program.

Diversity Statement

Some programs may request an additional statement on diversity. Such a statement may incorporate the diversity you will bring to the program and/or your experience with diverse populations. Consider your experiences on campus, education abroad, workplaces, and social settings and think of diversity broadly as you develop your statement.

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• Planning for Graduate School Applications
• Developing a Parallel Plan

Careers & Employability Service

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Many employers and educational institutions will ask you to apply online using their application form. In this form you will likely need to provide basic information about yourself, as well as provide evidence of your skills and motivation through answering questions or writing a personal statement.

Preparing to write an application form

Includes information on how to research the opportunity and how to reflect on how you meet the requirements.

Find out more

Answering application form questions

Advice on how to answer motivational and competency-based questions in an application form.

Writing a personal statement

Advice on how to structure a personal statement effectively for job, placement and internship opportunities.

Applications for further study and research

Specific advice on personal statements for postgraduate research, research posts and how to structure research proposals.

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UCAS personal statements | 10 ways to support your child

Applying to university can be a long and complex process as your child explores what and where they want to study, making decisions that will shape their future career and happiness..

Although this is a journey only they can take, you can offer both practical and emotional support as they prepare their application – and that includes helping them as they plan and write their personal statement.

What is a personal statement?

Why are personal statements important, what should a personal statement include, why must personal statements be unique, how can i help my child with their personal statement, tips for international parents.

A personal statement is a key element of your child’s UCAS application. Submitted online with their application, it’s a mini essay they must write that showcases their ambitions, skills and experience.

Even though they can apply to up to five courses at once in a single UCAS application, they only need to write one statement.

For your child, a personal statement is their first opportunity to impress a university with their passion and flair for their chosen degree. In their own words they can show what makes them the best candidate for the course. It can make their application stand out.

For admissions staff, a strong personal statement that shows your child’s suitability for their course and commitment to their chosen subject, can tip the balance in favour of making them an offer.

Your child has just 4,000 characters (including spaces) to create a well-rounded personal statement. It needs to be impactful and reflect their personal and academic journey. It should include:

• an engaging introduction that shows their passion for their subject, setting the tone for the rest of their statement
• their achievements and interests and how these have prepared them for their chosen course
• any relevant experience – from work experience to placements, internships and volunteering – especially if these relate to their course
• extracurricular activities that have helped them grow and learn and that demonstrate transferable skills such as resilience, teamwork, and leadership
• skills and personal attributes that make them a strong candidate
• their ambitions and career goals, and how their course will help them achieve their dreams
• a strong conclusion that shows they're ready for university life

A personal statement has to be your child’s own work. It must be unique to them. They shouldn’t copy anyone else’s statement or share their own.

UCAS has a dedicated verification team that checks applications and personal statements for fraud and similarities with previous applications. This includes similarities to text on the internet if, for example, an AI chabot has been used to generate the statement.

Any incidents are flagged and the relevant universities alerted, potentially stopping them from making offers.

The guidance from UCAS is simple: your child’s personal statement should be just that – personal and written by them.

Even though your child must write their own personal statement, there are things you can do to help them.

• Talk to them about why they want to go to university, their experiences, achievements and ambitions – it’ll spark ideas about what they want to include, and why.
• If they want to start writing straight away – great! It not, encourage them to make notes that they can come back to. But don’t let them leave it too long.
• Help them organise what they want to say into sections – it’ll allow them to focus on what’s most important to include.
• Once they’ve written a draft, offer to read it. You might be able to suggest improvements, spot grammar or spelling mistakes.
• Don’t over-edit their work. This is their personal statement, expressed in their words, not yours.
• Be encouraging – it could take several rewrites before they’re happy with their personal statement.
• Make sure they know the deadline for completing their personal statement.
• Some schools/colleges review students’ personal statements before submission. If this is the case, encourage your child to make the most of the feedback.
• Don’t be upset if your child doesn’t want your help. They’re growing up and this might be something they want to do on their own. Respect that. But if you know they’re running out of time, or suspect they’re floundering, ask them what you can do.
• Download our guide to writing a personal statement – it’s packed with helpful, practical tips, as well as insights from our staff about what admissions teams look for in personal statements.

Your child’s personal statement must be written in English so, if that’s not your native language, it can be difficult to support them practically. But there are still things you can do.

Encourage your child to research the UK university system, the requirements of their chosen course, and what universities are looking for in applicants. This will help guide the content of their personal statement.

UCAS’s official website features a range of resources to help your child plan and structure their personal statement. Once they’ve registered with UCAS and set up their online Hub, they’ll also be able to access a personal statement builder.

Online educational forums in your country can offer useful insights, while grammar and spell-checking tools can provide valuable language support.

Similarly, English-speaking friends or teachers familiar with the UCAS system can offer valuable feedback, and help your child’s abilities, dreams, and ambitions shine through in their personal statement.

Although we use the terms parent/child in this blog for simplicity, it is intended for anyone fulfilling a parenting role.

Published By Judith Charlton on 30/08/2024 | Last Updated 30/08/2024

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