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CV guide

CV personal statement examples

A personal statement is the short paragraph at the top of your CV. It tells an employer who you are, what you bring and what you are looking for. Here is how to write one, with examples for different situations.

How to write it in three parts

  1. 1

    Who you are

    Start with your situation or the kind of role you do, such as “Sixth-form student” or “Experienced warehouse operative”.

  2. 2

    What you bring

    Two or three skills or experiences that match the advert, ideally with something specific.

  3. 3

    What you are looking for

    The kind of job you want. Use the job title from the advert where it fits.

Examples

These examples are invented. Use them for ideas, but write your own from what you have actually done and the job you are applying for.

School or college leaver

Hard-working A-level student with weekend experience in a busy café and a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Looking for an apprenticeship in business administration.

Returning to work

Organised administrator returning to work after a career break caring for family. Five years' experience of reception, diary management and customer queries. Looking for a part-time office role.

Changing career

Former hospitality supervisor with six years' experience of leading shifts, training new staff and handling complaints. Looking to move into a customer service team leader role.

Retail and customer service

Friendly and reliable sales assistant with two years' experience on the tills and shop floor of a busy high-street store. Looking for a full-time customer service role.

Warehouse and logistics

Experienced warehouse operative with a counterbalance forklift licence and three years of picking, packing and stock counts in a distribution centre. Looking for a permanent warehouse role.

Graduate

Recent business graduate with a placement year in a marketing team, including helping to run social media campaigns. Looking for a graduate role in marketing.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Qualities with nothing to back them up
  • More than four or five lines
  • The same statement for every job
  • Claims you could not explain at interview
  • Mixing “I” and no “I”
  • Clichés such as “team player” on their own

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Questions about personal statements

How long should a CV personal statement be?
Two to four lines. It sits at the top of your CV and is often the first thing an employer reads, so keep it short and to the point.
Is a personal statement the same as a profile?
Yes. A CV personal statement, profile and summary all mean the same thing: a short paragraph at the top of your CV.
Should I write it with “I”?
Either way is acceptable. Many UK CVs leave out “I” to keep it short (“Friendly and reliable…” rather than “I am friendly and reliable…”). Whichever you choose, use it all the way through.
Should I change it for every job?
Yes. Make sure it uses the job title and the most important skills from the advert you are applying for.