How to Write a CV Personal Statement + Examples
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You only have one chance to make a great first impression. When it comes to your CV, doing it right will make your recruiter read your CV further. Failing means not standing a chance of landing the job you’re after.
A great CV personal statement will help you not only to impress a recruiter but also to land an interview. Today, I will show you how it’s done.
This guide will show you:
- What is a CV personal statement
- How to write a personal statement for a CV.
- 15 CV personal statement examples to get you inspired.
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What is a CV personal statement?
A CV personal statement (also called an opening statement, a personal profile, a CV profile, or a personal summary) is a short paragraph at the top of your CV. It summarises why you’re the perfect candidate for the position you’re after.
A good CV personal statement should work like an elevator pitch, briefly giving the reader all they need to know about you. Its main goal is to make them interested in further reading and, finally, invite you for a job interview.
Having a well-written CV personal statement is extremely important, as it creates, together with your CV format, a first impression of you as a candidate. Do it well, and you’ll be remembered as a perfect one. Do it badly, and the recruiter won’t bother to read on.
So, without further ado, let’s figure out how to write a perfect CV personal statement.
Can you lie in your CV personal statement? Find out: Can you lie on your CV?
How to write a personal statement for a CV
Choosing what’s most important when writing your personal statement might be difficult. After all, you want a great CV that proves you’re the perfect candidate right from the top. Luckily, there are some simple rules to follow.
Here’s how to write a personal statement: CV to-do-list
- Understand the requirements. Read the job offer carefully and see who they’re looking for exactly. Pay special attention to the skills and traits the ad mentions and use them on your CV statement.
- Introduce yourself. Start with a strong adjective, follow by your job title, and finish with years of experience.
- Explain why you’re the perfect fit. Show and quantify your greatest achievements to prove you understand their impact on the company's profit. Mention your most relevant skills that will answer the requirements included in the job offer.
- State your career goal. Explain why you want to join this specific company and how your work will help them with their needs.
- Keep it short. The introduction, explaining your value, and addressing your goals should be no more than three sentences and up to 400 words.
- Avoid using pronouns. Write your CV personal statement in the third person instead.
- Write it last. Once all the other parts of your CV are ready, this will only summarize them. Leave it till the end; writing a great personal profile for your CV won't take long.
Now that you know how to write a CV personal statement, let’s figure out how to write the entire CV. Visit our guide: How to write a CV
When making a CV in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional CV template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s CV builder will score your CV and tell you exactly how to make it better.
15 CV personal statement examples
These examples of personal statements for CVs 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!
1. CV personal statement example: copywriter
Creative and deadline-driven copywriter with 4+ years of experience crafting compelling content for diverse industries, including tech and healthcare. Excited to join InkWell Communications to create persuasive copy that drives engagement and conversion. At AlphaMedia, increased client website traffic by 40% through SEO-optimised content strategies.
Read more: Copywriter CV Example
2. CV personal statement example: architect
Innovative architect with 7+ years of experience in sustainable residential and commercial building design. Skilled in AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp, and passionate about incorporating green building technologies. Eager to contribute to EcoSpace Architecture’s projects, focusing on reducing carbon footprints. Designed a LEED Gold-certified mixed-use development in 2022.
Read more: Architect CV Example
3. CV personal statement example: teacher
Dedicated and passionate primary school teacher with 5 years of experience fostering engaging and inclusive classroom environments. Seeking to inspire students at Maplewood Academy by implementing modern teaching methods and personalised learning plans. Improved students' test scores by 20% by introducing interactive learning techniques.
Read more: Teacher CV Example
4. CV personal statement example: engineer
Detail-oriented mechanical engineer with a proven track record of designing efficient and cost-effective solutions in the automotive industry. Eager to join DeltaTech to develop innovative vehicle systems using cutting-edge materials and processes. Spearheaded a project that reduced production costs by 15% while maintaining safety standards at AutoTech Systems.
Read more: Engineer CV Example
5. CV personal statement example: waitress
Enthusiastic and customer-focused waitress with 3 years of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Eager to bring friendly service and efficiency to Blossom Café. Known for upselling menu items, leading to a 12% increase in average ticket size, and regularly received top ratings for customer service.
Read more: Waitress CV Example
6. CV personal statement example: receptionist
Organised and personable receptionist with 4+ years of experience managing front desk operations in busy corporate environments. Looking to bring my communication and multitasking skills to GlobalexTech Inc., where I can provide seamless office support and exceptional client service. Managed daily schedules for 50+ employees, ensuring smooth appointment coordination.
Read more: Receptionist CV Example
7. CV personal statement example: data analyst
Analytical and results-driven data analyst with a strong foundation in statistical analysis and data visualisation. Seeking to leverage data insights to improve decision-making at DataVista Analytics. Created predictive models that increased forecasting accuracy by 30% in my previous role at Greenleaf Corp.
Read more: Data Analyst CV Example
8. CV personal statement example: project manager
Experienced project manager with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver projects on time and within budget. Eager to join BuildCraft Ltd. to optimise workflows and improve project outcomes. Successfully managed a £5M construction project from inception to completion, resulting in a 25% reduction in project costs.
Read more: Project Manager CV Example
9. CV personal statement example: warehouse operative
Hardworking and reliable warehouse operative with 3 years of experience in inventory management and stock control. Excited to bring attention to detail and strong organisational skills to NextGen Logistics. Consistently exceeded daily pick/pack targets by 15% and contributed to improving stock accuracy by 10%.
Read more: Warehouse Operative CV Example
10. CV personal statement example: dentist
Compassionate and meticulous dentist with 6 years of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. Dedicated to providing high-quality care and patient education at BrightSmile Dental. Successfully reduced patient anxiety and improved overall dental health outcomes through gentle treatment techniques and thorough consultations.
Read more: Dentist CV Example
11. CV personal statement example: executive assistant
Proactive and resourceful executive assistant with 5+ years of experience supporting C-level executives in high-pressure environments. Skilled in managing calendars, travel arrangements, and confidential projects. Eager to join Apex Holdings to ensure smooth operations for senior leadership. At Zenith Corp, reduced the administrative workload by 20% through process improvements.
Read more: Executive Assistant CV Example
12. CV personal statement example: retail manager
Dynamic retail manager with 7 years of experience in driving sales, managing teams, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Eager to bring leadership and operational expertise to StyleSpace. Implemented new sales strategies at TrendStore, which resulted in a 35% increase in quarterly revenue and improved staff retention by 20%.
Read more: Retail Manager CV Example
13. CV personal statement example: junior marketing specialist
Ambitious marketing specialist with a passion for digital campaigns and brand storytelling. Seeking to apply my skills in content creation and social media management at Glow Marketing. During my internship at BrandSpark, I contributed to a campaign that boosted social media engagement by 50%.
Read more: Marketing Specialist CV Example
14. CV personal statement example: cleaner
Diligent and detail-oriented cleaner with 4 years of experience ensuring clean and sanitary environments in residential and commercial settings. Eager to maintain the highest cleanliness standards at SparkleClean Services. Known for my punctuality and commitment to deep cleaning, leading to a 100% client satisfaction rate.
Read more: Cleaner CV Example
15. CV personal statement example: career changer
Former financial analyst with 5 years of experience transitioning into marketing. Eager to bring my analytical mindset and data-driven approach to CreativeCurve Agency. In my previous role, I spearheaded data analysis projects that saved 15% in operational costs, and am now keen to apply those skills to optimise marketing strategies and campaign performance.
Read more: Career Changer CV Example
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:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key takeaway
Here’s a quick recap on how to write a personal statement for a CV:
- Understand the job ad.
- Introduce yourself using a strong adjective, job title, and experience.
- Highlight achievements and relevant skills that match the job.
- Explain why you want to join the company and how you’ll help.
- Limit your CV personal statement to three sentences.
- Write in the third person.
- Create it once the CV is complete.
Do you have any additional questions about writing a personal statement for your CV? Let me know in the comments section below, and let’s chat about it!
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