How to Write a CV Personal Statement: Examples for 2025

What is it about a book that makes you turn it down? A bad intro, that’s for sure. Trust me: recruiters work the same way. On average, they spend less than 8 seconds reading a CV, which means no hook = “no” pile. I know a way to get them hooked, though: it’s called a CV personal statement.

This guide will show you:

• What a CV personal statement is and why it’s important, no matter your career.
• 18 CV personal statement examples for UK job applications.
• An easy formula for writing a personal profile for a CV for any type of job.
• How to write a personal statement for a job, and what’s the perfect length for a CV profile in the UK.

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What is a personal statement on a CV?

A personal statement on a CV (also a CV personal profile or a personal summary) is your CV’s opening paragraph that introduces you as a professional, showcases your core skills, relevant work experience, and career goals, all tailored to the job you’re after. It’s a concise, elevator-style pitch designed to capture the employer’s attention and explain why you’re an excellent fit for a specific role.

📝 Essential parts of an effective personal statement include:

• Introduction: stating your current profession or field of study and specialisation.
• Professional skills and relevant experience: only those that are relevant to the role you’re pursuing.
• Key achievements: measurable accomplishments from work or school that demonstrate your worth.
• Work goals: what you’re aiming to achieve and how your goal is connected to the employer.

💡 Read more: How to Start a CV: The Best Tips to Start Your CV

Do you need a personal statement on a CV?

Yes, you need a CV personal statement—it’s your chance to sell yourself to the hiring manager. On average, recruiters spend 7.4 seconds skimming your CV for the qualifications they’re looking for. Your personal profile for a CV has to pack a punch and do it fast.

That’s why a good CV profile is short and impactful: no more than 200 words and around four lines of text. It should appear right under your contact details. Also, you should add a heading, such as ‘Personal Profile’, ‘Personal Statement’, or ‘Profile Summary’, directly above it, so it’s easy to spot.

💡 Yes, a personal CV profile is suitable for any CV format. Learn more: What’s the Right CV Format for Your Job Application?

How to write a personal statement for a CV?

Your CV profile has to answer three questions: Who are you? What can you offer? What are your goals? Let me show you an easy set of rules for what to write in a personal profile that works for every job:

1. Introduce yourself in the first sentence

Your CV profile must say who you are straight away. Dedicate the first sentence to a brief introduction. Mention your job title, add a neat character quality, and give details about your professional experience. Combine these elements, and you’ll get a powerful CV personal profile.

2. Target the job in question

Don’t write a generic personal profile for a CV. Write it specifically for the job you’re applying for. Mention the name of the company and show that you know what they need. Refer to the job requirements and state that you’ve got the skills they seek.

3. Offer value to the employer

Recruiters reading your CV want to know if you’re a good match for the job opening. You can convince them by saying how you will help the employer. Be as specific as possible: research the company, see its struggles, and understand its objectives. Then, state a goal that you can help them achieve. In my experience, it’s even better to mention something you achieved in the past that can convince the employer you know what you’re talking about.

4. Optimise for ATS

ATS bots screen job applicants and select only the CVs that match the job requirements. To pass ATS, include CV keywords from the job advertisement. So, if the job ad mentions specific skills, follow my advice and ensure that you include them in the personal profile section of your CV. That’s important because 75% of recruiters use ATS. 

5. Mention your career goals

If your job experience is limited, show that you’re not green behind the ears by stating career goals that align with the company. Don’t be vague! Say exactly what you want to learn, the skills you want to develop, and the goals you want to achieve. Use flattery to convince the employer that you want to learn only at this specific job.

Next, I’ll show you some great examples of personal profiles for CVs.

💡 Discover how long your CV should be in our guide: Should a CV Be One Page?

CV personal statement template

If you’re not sure how to write your CV personal profile, use this tried-and-tested formula:

💡 Pro Tip: Write a rough version first, then refine and adjust it to fit each job you apply for.

Tips for writing a powerful CV personal profile

Here’s a handy list of what you should – and absolutely shouldn’t – do when writing your CV personal profile:

✅ Do:

• Tailor it to the job: Avoid using the same personal statement for every application. Personalise it to the role and employer.
• Start strong: Your opening line should immediately grab attention with your job title, experience, or a notable achievement.
• Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers, percentages, or specific outcomes to show your impact.
• Keep it concise: Stick to around 4–6 lines or roughly 150–200 words.
• Use active language: Strong verbs make your writing more dynamic and impactful.
• Focus on value: Clearly state how you’ll benefit the employer, not just what you want.
  
  

❌ Don’t:

• Write in first person: CVs in the UK should generally avoid personal pronouns like “I” or “my”.
• Include clichés: Terms like “hardworking,” “team player,” or “go-getter” without evidence sound generic.
• Add irrelevant info: Personal details like age, marital status, or unrelated hobbies don’t belong in your CV profile.
• Lie or exaggerate: Stretching the truth will almost always come back to haunt you.
• Be too vague: Phrases like “seeking a challenging role” mean nothing without context or examples.

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18 CV personal statement examples

Personal profiles vary as much as the people writing them and the jobs they’re applying for. Check out these CV personal profile examples for UK applications that you can use to get inspired:

Good CV profile: example for a real estate agent

CV personal statement example: IT professional

💡 Writing a CV for IT jobs? Check our sample: IT Professional CV Example & Tips

Student CV profile example

💡 Are you a graduate student? I’ve got a guide just for you: Graduate Student CV Sample

CV profile example: UK office manager 

CV personal statement example: retail manager

💡 Save time writing your CV with our professional Retail Manager CV Example

CV personal statement example: financial analyst

💡 Need a CV for finance jobs? See more: How to Write a CV for Finance

CV profile example for sales

💡 Learn to write a powerful sales CV here: Curriculum Vitae for Sales Jobs

Personal profile on CV: example for marketing jobs

💡 You don’t have to waste your time inventing a CV from scratch – check our Marketing CV Example to save time

CV profile example for graphic design

💡 Looking for work in creative fields? Check this Graphic Designer's CV Example

Personal profile for a CV: example for engineering jobs

💡 If you’re an engineer, your CV must show more than just your expert knowledge. See more: How to Write a CV for Engineering

Personal profile: example for a CV for project managers

💡 Learn how to highlight project management skills now with this guide: How to Write a Project Manager CV

CV “about me”: example of a personal trainer’s CV

💡 A personal trainer needs a professional job application, too. See more: Personal Trainer Curriculum Vitae Sample

Personal profile: example CV for a teacher

💡 See a great Teacher CV Example to get ahead in your job search.

About me in a CV: example for a receptionist CV

💡 Get the receptionist job you want with a professional Receptionist CV Sample

CV personal statement: example for UK customer service jobs

💡 See what really matters in a CV for customer service jobs: How to Write a Customer Service CV

CV profile: example for UK data analysis jobs

💡 Are you a data analyst? Learn more about writing a great CV: How to Write a CV for Data Analyst Jobs

Personal profile for CV: example for executive assistants

💡 Thinking of becoming an executive assistant? Learn more: What’s a Great Executive Assistant CV Like?

Personal profile CV examples: administration jobs sample

💡 Writing a CV for an administrative assistant? Check out this guide: How an Excellent Administrative Assistant CV Example Should Look Like?

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV 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:

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Need reliable information on how to make an effective CV? See these guides:

• How to Write a Curriculum Vitae
• How to Write a CV Introduction
• What Is a CV Summary
• Best Free CV Templates for the UK
• What Makes a Good CV?
• How to Write a CV With No Work Experience

You may also check our collection of 100+ CV examples for various jobs.

Key takeaways

Now you know how to write a compelling personal statement for your CV. I've prepared a brief recap for you:

• Keep it concise. Your CV personal profile should be no more than 200 words.
• Make your CV's personal summary ATS-friendly. Create a new personal profile for every new application using keywords from the job description.
• Remember the three simple questions when writing your CV profile for a job: Who are you? What can you offer? What are your goals?
• Use the correct grammar to optimise your personal summary: active voice, third person, no pronouns.

Thanks for reading my article about CV personal statements. Now that you know how to write a personal profile for a CV, feel free to explore our other guides to help you make a job-winning CV that will bring you closer to your dream job!

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Sources

• The Ladders, "Eye-tracking study"
• CIO, "5 insider secrets for beating applicant tracking systems"