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CV personal statement: how to write a strong profile
Your CV personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your CV that tells employers who you are, what you’re good at, and what role you’re targeting.
What is a CV personal statement?
A CV personal statement is a 3–6 line introduction that helps recruiters understand your value in seconds. It sits at the top of your CV (under your name and contact details) and sets the tone for the rest of your application.
- Best for: every candidate — especially graduates, career changers, and anyone with limited experience.
- Goal: make the recruiter want to read your work experience and skills sections.
Where does it go on the CV?
Place it right under your header (name + contact details), before work experience. If you’re using a two-column layout, it usually goes at the top of the main column.
Best length and format
Recruiters scan. Your personal statement should be easy to read and hard to skip.
- Length: 3–6 lines (usually 50–120 words)
- Style: clear, specific, and tailored to the role
- Voice: professional, no “I” (optional, but cleaner and more consistent)
Do
- Use keywords from the job description (naturally).
- Include proof: numbers, outcomes, or clear scope (team size, budget, volume).
- Match your statement to the level: graduate vs senior should not read the same.
Avoid
- Generic claims: “hard-working”, “team player”, “motivated”.
- Long paragraphs (anything over 6 lines is often ignored).
- Life story, personal details, or “objective” statements without value.
A simple personal statement formula (copy/paste)
Use this structure to write a strong profile quickly:
- Role + level (who you are)
- Specialism (what you focus on)
- Strengths (2–3 relevant skills)
- Proof (1–2 achievements/results)
- Target (the role you’re applying for + how you’ll help)
Fill-in template:
[Role/level] with [X years / training / project experience] in [industry/specialism]. Known for [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3], delivering [result/proof]. Now targeting a [job title] role to [value you bring].
How to write your personal statement in 10 minutes
- Copy 5–8 keywords from the job description (skills, tools, outcomes).
- Pick your top 2–3 strengths that match those keywords.
- Choose proof: a result, a metric, a project scope, or a responsibility level.
- Write a first draft using the template above (don’t overthink it).
- Cut 30%: remove filler words and generic claims.
- Tailor the target line to the exact job title you’re applying for.
Once your statement is done, build the rest of your CV around it — especially work experience and your skills section.
Personal statement templates by situation
Not sure what to write for your situation? Use the template that matches your profile, then swap in your target job title, 2–3 relevant skills, and one proof point (a result, scope, or project).
If you’re a graduate
Focus on: course highlights, projects, placements, transferable skills, and motivation for the role.
Template: Graduate [degree] with hands-on experience in [project/placement]. Strong in [skill 1] and [skill 2], demonstrated through [proof]. Seeking a [job title] role to contribute to [business goal/value].
If you have little or no experience
Focus on: transferable skills, volunteering, school projects, customer-facing experience, reliability.
Template: Reliable [role/level] with strengths in [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3]. Proven through [project/volunteering/part-time work] where delivered [proof]. Looking for a [job title] role to support [team/customer outcomes].
If you’re an experienced professional
Focus on: outcomes, scale, leadership, specialism, and what you can deliver next.
Template:[Job title] with [X years] experience in [industry/specialism]. Known for [strength 1] and [strength 2], delivering [measurable results]. Now targeting a [job title] role to drive [impact].
If you’re changing careers
Focus on: the “bridge” — skills that transfer + proof you can do the new role.
Template: Former [previous role] transitioning into [target role], bringing strong [transferable skill 1] and [transferable skill 2]. Built capability through [course/projects] and delivered [proof]. Seeking a [job title] position to apply [value] in a new context.
If you have gaps or are returning after a break
Focus on: confidence, current skills, and readiness — keep explanations short.
Template:[Job title] with experience in [specialism] and strengths in [skill 1] and [skill 2]. Recently refreshed skills through [course/self-learning/project] and ready to return to a [job title] role, delivering [value].
CV personal statement examples (short and effective)
Use these as inspiration — then tailor keywords, tools, and outcomes to your target role.
Customer service
Customer-focused professional with experience handling high-volume enquiries and resolving issues quickly. Strong in communication, de-escalation, and CRM systems, consistently delivering positive feedback and fast response times. Seeking a Customer Service role to improve customer satisfaction and retention.
Administrative / office support
Organised administrator with experience supporting busy teams through accurate scheduling, document control, and inbox management. Known for attention to detail and proactive problem-solving, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Now targeting an Admin role to support delivery, compliance, and customer communication.
Marketing (junior to mid-level)
Data-driven marketer with experience supporting campaigns across email, social, and content. Strong in copywriting, reporting, and optimisation, improving engagement through structured testing and clear insights. Seeking a Marketing role to help grow traffic, leads, and conversion through measurable work.
Project management
Structured project professional experienced in coordinating stakeholders, timelines, and risks to deliver on time. Strong in planning, communication, and process improvement, supporting teams through clear priorities and reporting. Targeting a Project Coordinator / PM role to drive delivery and operational clarity.
Software / tech
Software developer with experience building and improving features with clean, maintainable code. Strong in debugging, collaboration, and shipping reliably, with a focus on performance and user experience. Seeking a Developer role to contribute to scalable products and continuous improvement.
Finance / accounting
Detail-focused finance professional experienced in reconciliations, reporting, and accuracy-driven processes. Strong in Excel and analysis, improving clarity and reducing errors through structured checks. Seeking a Finance role to support timely reporting and sound decision-making.
Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
- Mistake: Too generic (“hard-working, motivated”).
Fix: Replace with 2 role-specific strengths + proof. - Mistake: No proof.
Fix: Add one metric, scope, or outcome (“reduced errors”, “supported X clients”, “delivered weekly reporting”). - Mistake: Reads like an objective (“Looking for a challenging role…”).
Fix: Lead with value (“Known for… delivering…”). - Mistake: Too long / too dense.
Fix: Cut to 3–6 lines. Remove filler words. - Mistake: Not tailored to the job title.
Fix: Mirror the job title and key keywords once.
Final checklist for your personnal statement
Before you submit your CV, run through this quick checklist:
- It’s 3–6 lines and easy to scan.
- It includes 2–3 role-relevant strengths.
- It contains at least 1 proof point (result, scope, outcome).
- It matches the exact job title you’re applying for.
- It points the reader to the rest of your CV (skills + work experience).
CV personal statement FAQ
Is a personal statement the same as a cover letter?
What is a personal statement on a CV?
How long should a CV personal statement be?
Should I write my personal statement in first person (“I”)?
Do I need to tailor my personal statement for every job?
What should I write if I have little or no experience?
Can I use bullet points instead of a paragraph?
Build a personal statement that actually gets read
Use the templates above, tailor keywords to your target role, and keep it short. Once your statement is strong, the rest of your CV becomes much easier to write.
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