Personal Statements for CV: Examples, Template & How to Write

CV Personal Statements: Examples

Rather than give you complete CV personal statements, here are some snippets you can amend to suit your own application. You want to cover relevant topics we summarise in the next section, but don’t make it overly wordy – get to the point.

1. Entry-level candidate: “As a recent graduate with a degree in marketing, I am eager to bring my creative problem-solving skills and passion for the industry to a challenging entry-level role in marketing. My coursework, internship experiences, and involvement in student organizations have given me the opportunity to develop my communication, teamwork, and project management skills. I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to your team.”
   
2. Experienced professional: “With over 10 years of experience in the finance industry, I have honed my skills in financial analysis, portfolio management, and project management. I am now seeking a challenging new opportunity that will allow me to utilize my expertise and continue to grow my skills. I am passionate about helping organizations achieve their financial goals and am committed to providing the highest level of service to my clients.”
   
3. Career changer: “After spending several years in the legal field, I am eager to pursue a new career in the field of data analysis. My strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work with large amounts of information make me confident in my ability to excel in this field. I have been working on several personal data analysis projects in my spare time and have developed a deep interest in the field. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and passion to a new role in data analysis.”

How to write a Personal Statement CV

a) Research the company and job: Before writing your personal statement, research the company and the job you are applying for. Look at their mission statement, values, and recent company news. Read the job description and requirements carefully, and make a list of the skills and experiences that are required for the role. Use this information to tailor your personal statement to the specific job and company.

b) Tailor your statement to the specific job or company: Your personal statement should demonstrate how your skills and experiences make you a strong fit for the job and align with the values and goals of the company. Use specific examples to show how your experiences have prepared you for the role. Highlight achievements and accomplishments that demonstrate your potential for success in the position.

c) Keep it concise and to the point: Your personal statement should be brief, typically no more than 200-300 words. Be concise and avoid unnecessary details. Focus on the most important information that will demonstrate your fit for the job and engage the reader. Use clear and concise language, and avoid using technical jargon or overly complex sentences.

In summary, to write an effective CV personal statement, research the company and job, tailor your statement to the specific job and company, and keep it concise and to the point. By following these steps, you can create a personal statement that showcases your skills and experiences, aligns with the company and job, and makes a strong impression on the hiring manager.

Personal Statement CV for Students

A CV personal statement for students is similar to a personal statement for mature adults in that it should focus on highlighting the skills, experiences, and goals that are relevant to the job and company they are applying to. However, students may face some unique challenges in writing their personal statement, such as limited work experience and less developed skills compared to more mature adults.

We all have to start somewhere, so don’t let this intimidate you.

Here are some tips for students writing a CV personal statement:

1. Emphasize transferable skills: Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, you likely have developed transferable skills through activities such as volunteering, internships, extracurricular activities, or coursework. Highlight these skills and experiences in your personal statement to demonstrate your potential for the role.
2. Focus on your motivation and passion: If you don’t have a lot of work experience, use your personal statement to demonstrate your motivation and passion for the job and industry. Explain why you are interested in the role and how you see yourself contributing to the company.
3. Highlight achievements: Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, you likely have achieved something worth mentioning in your personal statement. This could be anything from awards or honors, to a particularly successful project or presentation. Highlight these achievements to demonstrate your potential for success in the role.

A personal statement for university is different from a CV personal statement in that it is focused on demonstrating the student’s fit for a particular academic program, rather than a specific job.

It instead focuses on the student’s academic background, research interests, career goals, and any relevant experiences that have prepared them for the program.

Make sure you don’t get confused and write the wrong type of personal statement!

Personal Statement CV Template

I personally find it is better to write really rough edits of any work first, and then refine later. I suggest you do the same with this template.

Just jot down ideas and phrases first in the template. Then run through again turning each into a sentence.

Here’s a template that you can use as a starting point for writing your own CV personal statement:

[Name] [Contact Information (phone number, email address)]

Personal Statement: [1-2 sentence introduction that summarizes your overall career goal or objective]

[1-2 paragraphs that elaborate on your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that make you a good fit for the job you are applying for. Highlight specific examples, if possible. Make sure to mention any relevant coursework, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or other relevant experiences. Explain how these experiences have prepared you for the role you are seeking. Mention any special certifications, licenses, or awards that you have received.]

[1-2 sentences that summarize your long-term career goals and how this specific job fits into those plans.]

[Closing sentence that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and your eagerness to contribute to the company.]

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Note that this is just a template, and you should customize your personal statement to reflect your own experiences, skills, and goals. Make sure to also tailor it to the specific job and company you are applying to, highlighting how your experiences align with the job requirements and the company’s values and goals.

Personal Statement CV ideas & Elements to include

Using the template above, write your own personal statement with these key ideas and elements. If you get stuck, bullet point first and then expand out. Good luck!

1. Highlight your unique strengths and skills that make you a great fit for the position you’re applying for.
2. Discuss your relevant education and professional experience, and how they have prepared you for the role.
3. Emphasize your achievements and successes, such as awards or promotions, to show your capabilities and value to an employer.
4. Explain your career goals and how this position fits into your overall plan.
5. Discuss any relevant extracurricular activities or volunteer work, and how they have helped you develop important skills.
6. Emphasize your enthusiasm for the industry, company, or role.
7. Show your personality and give a sense of what you would bring to the company culture.
8. Discuss any relevant language or technical skills that make you a strong candidate.
9. Mention any unique experiences or challenges that have shaped your perspective and how they can be applied to the role.
10. End with a strong closing statement that summarizes why you’re the best candidate for the position.

Personal Statement and CV difference

A personal statement and a CV (curriculum vitae) serve different purposes.

A personal statement is a brief paragraph at the top of a CV or resume that provides a summary of who you are, what motivates you, and what you bring to the table as a candidate. It’s an opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer by highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences.

A CV, on the other hand, is a comprehensive document that provides a detailed overview of your education, skills, experiences, and accomplishments. It’s often longer than a resume and is used primarily when applying for academic or research-related positions. A CV should be well-organized and formatted, and it should provide a complete picture of your professional background and qualifications.

In short, a personal statement is a brief introduction to your CV, while a CV is a complete document that outlines your entire career history and qualifications.

Personal Statement vs Resume

A personal statement and a resume are both important tools for job seekers, but they serve different purposes.

A personal statement is a brief, concise paragraph that appears at the top of a CV or resume, as discussed in the section above.

A resume, on the other hand, is a document that provides a more detailed overview of your education, skills, experiences, and accomplishments. It’s typically shorter than a CV and is used primarily when applying for non-academic or non-research related positions.

A well-crafted resume should be easy to read, well-organized, and highlight your most relevant and transferable skills for the position you’re applying for.