CV / Resume

How to write a personal statement on your CV

📅 June 2025 · ⏱ 6 min read · ProfesionalDocuments.com

The personal statement — also called a profile, personal profile or professional summary — sits at the very top of your CV. It's the first thing a recruiter reads and the last thing most candidates get right. Here's how to write one that actually works.

What is a CV personal statement?

It's a short paragraph (3–5 lines) at the top of your CV that summarises who you are professionally, what you offer and what you're looking for. Think of it as the elevator pitch version of your entire application.

Done well, it gives a recruiter an immediate, clear picture of your value. Done badly, it's generic filler that wastes the most prime real estate on the page.

How long should it be?

Between 50 and 100 words. Three to five sentences. Anything longer is too much — anything shorter doesn't give enough context. If you can't summarise your professional value in five sentences, keep editing.

What to include

A strong personal statement answers three questions:

Who are you? — Your professional identity, level and specialisation
What do you bring? — Your key skills, experience or achievements
What are you looking for? — The type of role or contribution you want to make

💡 The formula: [Professional identity] + [Key strength or experience] + [What you're seeking or can contribute]

Examples by career stage

Graduate / no experience

✗ Generic (avoid)

"I am a hardworking and motivated recent graduate looking for my first opportunity in marketing. I am a quick learner who works well in a team and independently."

✓ Specific (use this approach)

"Recent Marketing graduate from the University of Leeds with a dissertation focused on influencer ROI measurement and hands-on experience managing social media for a 5,000-follower student magazine. Seeking a junior digital marketing role where I can apply my analytical approach to content strategy."

Mid-career professional

✗ Generic

"Experienced project manager with a proven track record of success. Strong communicator and team leader. Looking for new challenges."

✓ Specific

"PMP-certified Project Manager with 8 years in financial services, specialising in regulatory technology implementations. Led cross-functional teams of up to 20 people and consistently delivered projects 15% under budget. Seeking a senior PM role in fintech where complex stakeholder environments are the norm."

Career changer

✓ Framing a career change

"Secondary school teacher with 10 years' experience in curriculum design, behaviour management and large-group facilitation, making a deliberate transition into corporate Learning & Development. Proven ability to translate complex content into engaging, measurable learning programmes for diverse audiences."

The most common mistakes

Using clichés: "passionate", "results-driven", "team player", "think outside the box" — these say nothing
Writing in third person: "John is an experienced..." sounds odd. Use first person implicitly (no "I" needed)
Making it too long: Over 100 words and recruiters stop reading
Not tailoring it: Your personal statement should subtly reflect the language of the job description
Focusing on what you want, not what you offer: Lead with your value, not your wishes

Should I use "I" in my personal statement?

Most UK CVs write the personal statement without explicit "I" — it reads as implied. So instead of "I am an experienced designer", write "An experienced designer with..." or just "Experienced designer specialising in..." Both are correct; the second is more common and slightly cleaner.

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