How to Write a CV Personal Statement + Examples

You know you can beat the competition with your qualifications. But if you fail to catch the hiring manager’s attention, they won’t even know you’re worth a call. That’s why you need a surefire method to show your value straight away. And an impressive personal CV statement can do that very thing.

This guide will show you:

• 20+ personal statement examples to inspire you.
• What is a CV statement and why your job application needs it.
• How to write a personal profile step-by-step.

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Are you writing a resume? We’ve got articles dedicated to resume profiles:

• How to Write a Resume Profile (+ Samples)
• Resume Summary Examples & Writing Tips
• What Is a Resume Objective? (+ Examples)

Need to write a CV? Check these guides:

• How to Write a CV for a Job
• Best CV Format in 2025
• What Is a CV & When Do You Need It?
• Academic CV Example & Writing Tips
• What to Include in a CV for a Job
• Best Free CV Templates for Word

Keep reading to learn what’s a CV profile and how to make a strong personal profile for your job application:

What Is a Personal Statement for a CV or Resume?

A personal statement, also called a CV profile, is a short paragraph at the top of your application. It’s like an elevator pitch: a catchy summary of your expertise, skills, and achievements. Think of it as an introduction to your CV. 

Why do you need a CV profile? Well, an eye-tracking study shows that well-performing CVs include a personal statement at the top of the document. An average recruiter takes around 6–8 seconds to look at a job application, so it’s very important to grab their attention straight away.

This image shows a heatmap of eye activity. And as you can see, readers usually read the whole personal profile and skimmed through the rest of the CV. That’s why it’s important to put extra effort into your CV profile—your success may depend on it!

If you don’t feel comfortable showing off your strengths, you should practice more. Check here: How to Talk About Your Greatest Strengths

How to Write a Personal Statement in 6 Steps

Writing about yourself is not easy, even for natural storytellers. Yes, you’re supposed to show how great you are, but you also can’t appear arrogant. Striking the right balance can be difficult.

So, what’s the best approach to crafting a CV profile? Leave it till you fill in all the other sections of your CV. Then, you can simply combine the most impressive parts to make a nice personal statement that sounds like an elevator pitch.

Here’s how to write a personal statement step-by-step:

1. Say Who You Are in the First Sentence

The first sentence of your personal profile must show that you’re a serious candidate for the job. So, skip your zodiac sign or your favorite football team, even if they’re a big part of who you are. Focus on your job title or degree, add a good word to describe yourself, and mention your professional experience. Plus, skip personal pronouns.

Here’s an example: Motivated project manager with 5+ years of experience in creative agencies.

2. Show Skills Tailored to the Job Posting

Next, highlight 2–3 skills for the job. How will you know which skills to mention on your CV? Easily—just take a look at the job advertisement and see which abilities are required. Your personal profile must be tailored to the job offer, so add only the skills that match it closely.

For example: the job ad says “Looking for someone with good an eye for details and strong communication skills.” Then, your CV profile can state: Detail-oriented and communicative. 

3. State a Specific Goal That Aligns with the Company

The next part of your personal statement for a resume or CV should focus on what you want to achieve. But not just for yourself—for the company you’re applying to. Showing a concrete goal that will be beneficial to the company will get them thinking about your value straight away.

For example: Eager to use the Agile approach to coordinate advertising projects within established deadlines and improve the efficiency of creative teams at Flowerpot Visuals Inc.

4. Mention Relevant Experience or Background

Having relevant experience is like owning a ticket that admits you to the job you want. So, your personal profile must say a word or two about your professional background. Read the job advertisement again, and focus on what responsibilities await you in this role. Then, try to recall similar experiences from your previous jobs or other activities (yes, the academic experience can count, too).

For example: At Sunlight Video Prod, led 4 advertising campaigns involving cooperation between cross-functional teams through all development stages.

5. Provide Facts & Figures to Back Up Achievements

While having experience is valuable, owning relevant achievements is pretty much priceless. To make your accomplishments stand out, use numbers. How? Mention budgets, savings, value increases, and even groups of people you worked with. Saying “trained people during onboarding” sounds fine, but stating “trained 100+ people during onboarding” is much more impressive.

For example: In 2022, saved $23,000 by outsourcing technical maintenance teams.

6. Keep It Short and on Point

Your personal statement is not your biography. It should be around 2–5 sentences long. Remember, you want to convince the hiring manager to read the rest of your CV, so there’s no need to provide a lot of detail in your personal profile.

Want to make the writing process even faster? Try this CV profile template:

Personal Profile Template

[Personality trait] + [job title] + [years of experience]. Keen/Eager to use [two skills] to [specific goal] at [company name]. At [previous company], helped/managed to [past achievement].

Let’s see a comparison of a good personal profile and a badly-written CV profile:

CV Personal Profile Example

The first CV profile features all the good elements mentioned above:

• a brief introduction of the candidate
• a career goal
• and relevant achievements

Plus, the tone is professional and perfect for a job application.

The second personal profile example is different—while it expresses the candidate’s enthusiasm, it doesn’t mention relevant experience, uses weak language instead of achievement statements, and focuses too much on what the applicant wants to gain.

Now, head on to the next chapter to see more personal profile examples for various job types.

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20+ Personal Statement Examples

These CV profile examples can help you grasp what a great personal profile looks like even easier. I’ve included samples for different types of candidates, including experienced and student applicants, as well as examples for different job types. Enjoy!

Personal Statement Examples for Experienced Candidates

As an experienced candidate, you should highlight your expertise in the CV profile. Show off achievements, certifications, and valuable knowledge to impress employers.

CV Profile Example: Marketing Jobs

See more: Sample CV for Marketing Jobs

Personal Profile for CV Example: Teaching Assistant Jobs

See more: Teaching Assistant CV Sample (+ Instructions)

Profile Summary for CV—Sample for IT Support Jobs

See more: IT Support CV Example + How to Write

Personal Career Profile Sample for a Graphic Designer

See more: Sample Graphic Designer Resume & Tips

CV Profile Sample for Software Engineers

See more: Software Engineer CV: How to Write & Examples

Personal Statement for Nurse CV

See more: Registered Nurse CV Example & Writing Tips

Personal Profile for Project Manager CV

See more: Sample Project Manager CV & Writing Guide

Personal Statement Example for Teaching Jobs

See more: Teacher CV Example & Tips

CV Profile for HR Jobs

See more: How to Write a CV for HR Jobs

Personal Statement Examples for Students

Not all employers want to work with students. You need to convince them that you’ve got the skills and will to perform well at your desired job. In a personal profile, highlight relevant abilities, knowledge, and experience from academic activities, volunteer work, or part-time jobs.

Personal Profile for College Student CV

Learn more: How to Write a CV for a College Student

CV Profile Sample for Business Administration Graduates

Learn more: CV for Graduates: Examples & Writing Tips

Personal Statement for a High-School Student CV

Learn more: High-School Student CV Example & Instructions

CV Profile for Internships

Learn more: How to Write a CV for Internships

Personal Statement Examples for Entry-Level Applicants

If you’re an entry-level candidate, your CV profile must show professionalism. Mention transferable skills and any relevant experience you have, even from volunteer activities or school projects.

Personal Profile for Entry-Level Customer Service CV

Check here for more information: Customer Service CV Example

CV Profile Sample for Entry-Level Sales Jobs

Check here for more information: How to Write a Sales Associate CV

Entry-Level Personal Statement Example for Personal Assistant CV

Check here for more information: Personal Assistant CV Sample (Entry-Level & Experienced)

CV Profile Sample for Entry-Level Cashier Jobs

Check here for more information: Cashier CV Example

Entry-Level Personal Statement Example for Waitress Jobs

Check here for more information: How to Write a CV for Waitress Jobs

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Here’s a quick reminder of the formula for a great CV profile.

How to write a strong personal statement for a CV:

1. Introduce yourself in the first sentence.
2. Mention skills that match the job requirements.
3. Name a goal you want to achieve for the company.
4. Show your relevant experience.
5. Demonstrate accomplishment with numbers.
6. Limit your personal profile to 2–5 sentences max.

And that’s all!

Do you struggle with writing a personal profile from scratch? What’s the hardest part for you? Have you got any tips for other readers? Let us know in the comments below!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.