How to Write a Personal Statement (CV)
Writing a personal statement is a crucial step in the application process. It’s your chance to set the tone for your CV and make a strong first impression, encouraging recruiters to take a closer look at your application. Learn how to write a personal statement that grabs their attention and makes you stand out.
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Positioned at the top of your CV, a personal statement provides a concise snapshot of your professional profile and creates the first impression of your application. It allows you to showcase your most relevant skills, experience and achievements up front, positioning you as a strong candidate for the role. It is your first opportunity to explain why you are the ideal person for the job.
Did you know that experienced recruiters only spend a few seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to proceed?
A strong personal statement can be the key to grabbing their attention and encouraging them to read on. With our CV builder, you’ll have access to expertly tailored personal statements for any job or industry to make a lasting impression.
What to Include in a Personal Statement
Your personal statement should be a true reflection of who you are – your skills, experience and aspirations. Avoid generic phrases that don’t add value or insight. Think of it as your chance to introduce yourself and make a strong first impression.
Here’s what to write in a personal statement:
Who you are: Start by introducing yourself. Whether you’re applying for a job or to university, highlight your current role or target position. Mention your job title, industry or relevant background to set the stage.
What you have to offer: Share your key skills, focusing on those that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. Highlight the specific technical or soft skills that make you stand out and match the job description.
How you meet the requirements: Briefly describe your experience and any key achievements that demonstrate your expertise. Highlight how these attributes make you a great fit for the role.
Did you know recruiters often spend just a few seconds reviewing a CV before deciding to move forward? A compelling personal statement could be the difference between getting noticed or being passed over. With our CV templates, you can access expertly written personal statements designed to capture attention and make a lasting impression.
Personal Statement Format
Following a structured format and using a personal statement template can give you a clear idea of what makes a strong introduction to your CV. For more inspiration, check out our CV examples with strong personal statements tailored to different jobs and industries.
Remember that a great personal statement should always be tailored to your specific situation. Customise it to highlight your unique strengths and the value you bring to the table.
A personal statement for job applications is a concise introduction that sits at the top of your CV and provides a brief but impactful overview of your candidacy. Typically limited to three or four powerful sentences, it serves as a snapshot of your qualifications, skills and career goals. Due to its brevity, every word counts – it should clearly and directly communicate your potential, highlight your relevant experience and explain why you are a good fit for the company and the role.
The tone should be professional but engaging, giving an insight into both your technical skills and your personal drive. As it’s often the first thing recruiters read, it needs to grab their attention quickly and encourage them to read on. Although it’s short, it should be tailored specifically to the role you’re applying for, making it clear how your unique combination of skills and experience will benefit the employer.
A personal statement for university applications is a comprehensive, stand-alone document that accompanies your university application. Unlike a CV, a personal statement is longer and more detailed, allowing you to fully express your passion for the subject and your career aspirations. The aim is to explain why you want to study your chosen subject and how your experiences have prepared you for it.
The character limit for a university personal statement is 4,000 characters, which is usually about two pages. It should be divided into clear paragraphs in which you explain your motivation for choosing the subject, your current academic or professional experience and its relevance to the subject, and your career goals.
CV Personal Statement Example
Before you start writing a personal statement, review examples of strong personal statements to get a feel for structure and tone. Looking at examples from your industry can give you an insight into the key skills and achievements that successful candidates tend to highlight. This will help you understand what employers value and guide you in showcasing your own strengths more effectively.
Art Teacher Personal Statement Example
Professional Art Teacher focused on maximising student educational potential by applying diverse instructional strategies and classroom management techniques. Gifted in lecturing students, facilitating discussions, and planning hands-on activities to enhance learning.
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Web Designer Personal Statement Example
Seasoned graphic artist and web designer bringing 8 years of experience applying technical and creative abilities to diverse customer projects. Highly effective at collaborating with artistic, project, production and administrative leadership to complete tasks according to budget and schedule goals.
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Fitness Instructor Personal Statement Example
Health and fitness professional who is driven to teach and inspire clients to reach their personal fitness goals through a combination of proper diet, tailored exercise regimes, rest and stress management. Caring, compassionate and outgoing with a strong reputation for maintaining long lasting professional relationships with clients.
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Radiographer Personal Statement Example
Proactive Radiographer with extensive experience across a diverse range of general and specialist examinations. Offering expertise in X-ray and ultrasound processes, with maintained CPD to offer comprehensive, thorough, accurate radiology services.
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Software Engineer Personal Statement Example
Results-oriented software engineering professional with 8 years’ expertise in building secure applications. An excellent team player with a positive attitude. Seeking a role building web and mobile applications for a well-established software company.
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Sales Assistant Personal Statement Example
Highly experienced Sales Assistant with expertise in store opening and closing procedures, money handling, and merchandising. Able to manage all tasks with efficiency and accuracy. Proficient in monitoring security and serving diverse customer needs.
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Human Resources Officer Personal Statement Example
Detail-oriented Human Resources Officer with 12 years of experience in human resources. Adept at double-checking logistics with a talent for accurate evaluations and effective time management. Successful at quality assurance and complex problem-solving.
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Accountant Personal Statement Example
Experienced accountant with a history of financial statement preparation and servicing accounts. Adept at writing detailed reports and budgets, completed detailed financial analysis and planning strategically for top client services.
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Personal Statement Examples for CV with No Experience
If you’re a student or entry-level candidate, your personal statement should focus on demonstrating your enthusiasm, potential and willingness to learn. Even without extensive work experience, emphasise your passion for the field and your willingness to contribute and grow in the role.
Student CV Personal Statement Examples
Curious and proactive recently qualified Marketing Consultant focused on using marketing education to grow professionally. Holds a 2:1 degree in Digital Marketing from Bradford University. Seeking opportunities to put digital marketing strategy, content creation and data analysis skills into practice as a Digital Marketing Consultant.
Graduate CV Personal Statement Example
Ambitious hospitality graduate with two years’ experience in entry-level roles. Knowledgeable in customer service, event planning and team management. Clear communicator with great attention to detail and a hard working nature.
Teenager CV Personal Statement Example
Dedicated teenager seeking part-time opportunity to develop professional skills and work experience. Particular skills in group projects, assignment preparation, essay writing and IT including Adobe software. Fast learner with immediate availability.
Personal Statement: Skills to Include
Having a skill set that matches the job description is essential to stand out in a competitive job market. Your personal statement is a great place to highlight these key CV skills and show how they match the role you’re applying for. Including relevant skills not only demonstrates your qualifications, but also shows employers that you understand their needs and can contribute effectively.
3 Personal Statement Skills For Customer Service Roles
- Communication skills
- Problem solving
- CRM software proficiency (e.g. Salesforce)
3 Personal Statement Skills For Lawyers
- Negotiation
- Courtroom proceedings
- Legal compliance and regulations expertise
3 Personal Statement Skills For Project Managers
- Project management software proficiency (e.g. Jira)
- Multitasking
- Leadership and team management
3 Personal Statement Skills For Nursery Teachers
- Patience and compassion
- First aid
- Creative thinking
3 Personal Statement Skills for Receptionists
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Confidentiality
How to Write a Personal Statement in a Few Simple Steps
Save writing a personal statement for the final step of your CV creation. At this point, you’ll have a clear, up-to-date view of your career and you’ll have thoroughly analysed the job offer. You’ll also know exactly what you need to emphasise to potential employers. Follow our steps to create a powerful personal statement that will leave a lasting, positive impression.
Keep it concise and factual
The key to a good personal statement writing is brevity and clarity. Avoid overloading it with unnecessary detail or fluff. Stick to the key facts that highlight your skills, experience and goals. A well-written personal statement is usually between 50 and 200 words, so keep it short but to the point.
Use three simple sentences
Aim to structure your personal statement using concise, abbreviated sentences. This will allow you to pack more information into a small space without losing your message. A strong format might be
- Introduction: Who you are and what you do.
- Key skills: Highlight your most important skills.
- Unique value: Explain why you are a good fit for the role.
Sound confident
Be proud of your skills and achievements. Don’t downplay your achievements or shy away from highlighting your experience. This is your moment to make an impression, so project confidence and show why you’re the right candidate. Recruiters may only read this section, so make it engaging and assertive.
Quantify your achievements
Whenever possible, include figures to demonstrate your impact. For example, mention the number of clients you’ve managed, the percentage increase in revenue you’ve achieved or the number of awards you’ve won. Quantifying your experience adds credibility and helps recruiters visualise your contributions.
Use descriptive adjectives
Include powerful adjectives to make your statement more dynamic. For example, instead of just saying you’re ‘experienced’, say you’re also ‘highly skilled’ and ‘dedicated’ professional. This adds personality and makes your statement more compelling. However, make sure that the adjectives are in line with your skills and experience.
Be clear and concise
Use short, sharp sentences to make your point. Keep the tone neutral and professional and avoid writing in the first person.
For example:
“An ambitious marketing graduate with a proven track record in content creation and social media management. Known for creative problem solving and strong analytical skills”.
Stick to the ideal length
Stick to the recommended length of between 50 and 200 words. This will ensure that your personal statement is easy to read and focuses on the most important aspects of your application. A concise, well-structured statement gives recruiters all the information they need without overwhelming them.
Put it all together
Example personal statement
Proactive marketing graduate with a 2:1 in Digital Marketing from Bradford University. Proven success in developing social media strategies that increased engagement by 25%. Eager to apply content creation and analytics skills as a Digital Marketing Consultant.
FAQ: Your Questions About Personal Statements
What is a good opening statement for a CV?
A good CV opening statement should be concise and effective, introducing who you are and what you bring to the table. Its aim is to briefly summarise your key skills, experience and what makes you ideal for the role, and ultimately encourage the recruiter to read your full CV.
What is a good personal profile for a CV?
A good personal profile (personal statement) is a short paragraph at the top of your CV that highlights your key skills, relevant experience and career goals in 2-3 sentences. The main purpose is to summarise your application and show why you’re the right person for the job. Use confident, action-oriented language and make sure it’s tailored to the job description.
How do I introduce myself in a personal statement?
To introduce yourself professionally in a personal statement, start with a concise but compelling summary of who you are, your current position or recent experience, and what you bring to the table. Tailor this introduction to the role you’re applying for, focusing on your key strengths and relevant experience. Be sure to highlight your most notable achievements and express your enthusiasm for the role or industry to grab the reader’s attention.
Key Takeaways About Writing a Personal Statement
- Personal statement should be tailored to the job description and brief. A personal statement is your opportunity to make a strong first impression by highlighting your skills, experience and career goals. It should be concise, ideally between two and four sentences, and avoid unnecessary detail or generic phrases.
- Structure and format of your personal statement matter. A well-structured personal statement typically contains three key components: an introduction to who you are, a summary of your key skills, and an explanation of how you meet the requirements of the job. This helps recruiters quickly assess your fit for the role.
- Use quantifiable achievements. Whenever possible, use figures and metrics to quantify your achievements. For example, mention the number of clients served, percentage of revenue increased or awards won. This will help validate your claims and make your statement more powerful.
- Confidence and descriptive language are key to making a strong impression. Your personal statement should convey confidence. Use descriptive adjectives to make it more dynamic and engaging, and don’t be afraid to highlight your achievements and potential in a positive, assertive way.
- Examples and templates of personal statements can be helpful. Reviewing examples of strong personal statements from your industry can provide valuable insights into structure and tone. Using a template ensures that you cover all the essential aspects, while customising it to highlight your unique strengths and qualifications.
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