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Tips on writing a Personal Statement for your CV

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Winning CVs

How to craft a personal statement for your CV that gets you noticed

You’re applying for your dream job and you know the recruiter has dozens of CVs to sift through. They may only glance at each one before deciding if it’s worth reading in detail. How do you stop them in their tracks and grab their attention? A killer personal statement is an opportunity to set out your suitability for the role and convince the recruiter to take a closer look at your experience. 

Sometimes called a profile or career summary, your personal statement sits at the very top of your CV under your name. It enables the recruiter to quickly identify the strategic value you can add to their organisation.

Many candidates struggle with writing the statement but it doesn't have to be difficult. You should aim for between 75 and 100 words, and it's important not to ramble. Remember you always have your cover letter for interesting and engaging information.

Your personal statement should demonstrate how your skills and experience match what the employer is looking for. Make sure you read the job specification carefully - you can even use some key words and phrases from the job description or advert. Write in the first person because your CV is all about you and your skillset. It needs to keep the recruiter engaged in your value and transferable skills.

Ready to learn more? Here are the three essential elements for a kick-ass statement that packs a punch:

1. Who you are

During ten years working for leading media groups, I have gained extensive industry experience and a valuable transferable skill set in building international partnerships - critical in this fast-paced sector.

The above opening allows the recruiter to quickly identify where you are coming from, and shows you have industry experience and core transferable skills (something that may be in the selection criteria). This alone could be enough for your opening statement, but it can be expanded on by adding some additional information.

2. What you can bring to the table

At ABC I worked on major projects including the award-winning China Max Documentary, the first project the company co-produced with Chinese partners. I was responsible for research, liaising with local consultants, leading the steering group and securing £500K of sponsorship.


Here, you need to be specific about some of your key achievements. Focus on what you actually did, and what the outcomes were. Get straight to the point; avoid lengthy descriptions and make your testimonies punchy and informative. 

3. Your career aim

I’m now looking for a senior position in a media group expanding its global reach, where I can bring immediate strategic value to help secure the organisation’s international growth.

Tell the recruiter what you want from your next role and make sure your description matches the job you’re applying for. Include the ways you can add value and demonstrate your understanding of some of the key industry challenges - in this example it's achieving global reach. 

Three key points for writing a dynamic and interesting personal statement:

  • Read your profile out loud to ensure it reads naturally

  • Don't mix first and third person sentences

  • Visualise reading your statement from the employer’s perspective. Have you covered everything they need to hear? 

Do you need a fresh perspective on your CV, and how you’re presenting your skills and experience to employers? I offer a free 30 minute consultation. Get in touch and let’s chat about how you can land your dream role.