IELTS Podcast

Pass IELTS with expert help.

ielts tutor - Ben Worthington | IELTSPodcast

We help students improve their band score by giving expert feedback. Sign up to IELTSPodcast here

How to write a Resume Personal Statement That Gets You the Job – with Examples and Tips

 

In this article, we look at how to write a resume personal statement that gets you the job including examples and tips.

resume personal statement

Table of Contents

What is a Resume Personal Statement?

It’s a concise paragraph or summary of four sentences maximum that details what you can bring to a job or company. It’s also known as an opening statement or executive summary.

It gives you the chance to convince recruiters that you’re a good fit for the role and to highlight your strengths.

It should be brief and direct, with a focus on highlighting relevant experiences or training that will help you get this particular job.

It’s also a sales pitch for potential employers, encouraging them to pay closer attention to your CV.

Another thing that catches the eye of potential employers are well-structured and modern resumes tailored for specific job positions.

By using examples of modern resumes, you can build a strong resume that will showcase your experience and your personality, making you a favourable candidate from a sea of job applicants.

 

Top tip!

If you have a profile on a networking site such as LinkedIn, make sure that your profile overview is more general, mentioning your experience, qualification and skills.

The profile you send to individual employers will have a lot of the same information but it will be tailored to that specific company which a good recruiter will notice and be impressed by.

Why do you need a Resume Personal Statement?

1. To highlight your key qualifications and experience

A resume personal statement can help you:

  • Highlight your key qualifications and experience by researching positions of interest
  • Assess your skills and credentials

Start by drafting phrases that summarize your Skills/Experience/Accomplishment/Knowledge/Education and writing a sentence describing your “professional role”.

Then put all of the sentences together into a concise profile statement.

By creating a personal statement that highlights key qualifications and experience, you will be able to better showcase what makes you qualified for the job position in question.

This will increase your chances of being selected for an interview or receiving an offer from the company you are applying to.

2. To provide the recruiter with insight into your personality

If employers can get a better sense of who you are as a person they can know whether or not hiring you will be beneficial to their business.

If your personality and skillset match with what they are looking for in a candidate, they will decide to hire you.

3. To persuade the recruiter to contact you for an interview

A strong personal statement can help you stand out and get an interview.

It should be concise, easy to read, and include the most important information about you and your skills.

The recruiter will be looking at many applications.

A strong personal statement gives you a better chance of being contacted for an interview because your application will stand out.

4. To help you better focus your resume

You know that you need a concise, high-impact introduction that clearly outlines your strengths and goals.

You must ensure that your personal statement and resume are focused and keyword-rich, which will help to ensure its success when applying for jobs.

Whatever the keywords are in the job description (self-starter, working independently, client-facing) you need those words and phrases in your personal statement.

5. Above all – To show the recruiter that you are a good match for the job

A personal statement can help you show a recruiter that you are a good match for the job by highlighting your key achievements, work experiences, and skills that tie into the position.

It should also demonstrate how you can add value to the company and help solve any problems they may be facing.

By writing a concise yet detailed statement about why you are an ideal candidate for the job, using keywords from the job description, you are showing that you are qualified, motivated to take on this role and already fitting into the company culture by using their own keywords to describe yourself.

How to write a Resume Personal Statement

Step 1: State who you are

  • Begin by introducing yourself and giving a brief overview of your experience. For example, “As an experienced assistant manager with 8 years in the hotel industry, I have a proven track record of…”
  • Always provide specific examples of your accomplishments and what you can offer. For example “During my two years as assistant hotel manager with the InterContinental Greenwood Park, I trained a team of 20, and…”
  • Finish with a short sentence about what your career goals are (e.g., “I am looking to further my career in hospitality management by pursuing an MBA degree at Brown University”).

Step 2: Add the years of relevant experience you have

  • Start by writing down how many years of experience you have in the CV opening statement. For entry-level applicants, you don’t need to include any work experience in your personal objective in your resume.
  • Next, add relevant achievements, work experiences, and skills that match the specific job you are applying for.
  • Determine how you can add value to the company and how you can help them solve their problems through these experiences and skill sets. For example, perhaps one of the job requirements is to help with recruitment and training, this would be a great time to mention that you re-wrote a training module in your previous job and have interviewed more than 30 candidates!
  • Finally, make sure all of this information is tailored to the job – written out in a way that highlights your suitability for the position you’re applying for so that it stands out from other applicants’ resumes!

Step 3: Mention your values and relevant skills in the CV personal statement

  • List your skills: Include your most important skills that are applicable to the job position such as customer service, teaching experience, computer programming skills etc., in this section of your CV personal statement.
  • Mention achievements: Highlight any achievements that showcase your strengths such as awards won or recognitions received from past employers in this section of your CV personal profile statement.
  • Include target company name: Finally, include the name of the company you are applying for in order to make it clear what position you are aiming for with them in this section of your CV personal statement.
  • What do you hope to do for the new employer? End with a sentence outlining what you hope to achieve working with them if they choose to hire you.

Step 4: Keep your personal statement short

Your personal statement should be short, concise, and easy to read. It should be no longer than four sentences and should focus on highlighting the most important information about you.

Make sure to use fairly simple sentences so that your message is clear and easy for the recruiter to understand.

Step 5: Include suitable keywords

  • Research keywords related to the field or position you are applying for.
  • Include a few of these keywords in your resume personal statement, but do not overdo it as it will look awkward. Remember, you can add extra keywords to the rest of your CV.
  • Read out loud to get a feel for how it would sound to someone else.
  • Avoid using jargon or generic buzzwords such as expert, go-getter/go-to person/guy/girl etcetera; instead, use more specific terms like “detail-oriented” or “team player” that relate specifically to the job description you are applying for
  • Avoid cliched words and phrases like “thinking outside the box” which may have been used in many other resumes before yours

Examples of Resume Personal Statements

1. Teaching

A personal statement for a teaching career should demonstrate your candidate’s passion for helping others, especially young children, teenagers or adult learners.

You need to show an understanding of the challenges learners face today, as well as an appreciation for the opportunities that education can provide them.

In just a few lines, the candidate should be able to demonstrate their compassion, empathy and care for young people and their futures. They should also inspire confidence in potential employers.

An example of this could be something like: “I am a loyal, talented and caring teacher with 4 years experience teaching students aged 3 to 7. I love making a difference in the lives of young children through providing a nurturing and differentiated classroom environment where every child is encouraged to progress at their own pace.”

or “I have taught more than 100 pupils from all backgrounds English and Grade 8 Math, successfully preparing them for national tests to support them with the next stages of their academic lives”

2. Finance

Always remember that you need to write about your qualifications, what you can do and what you have achieved (with numbers).

If you don’t have a work history yet, talk about the software you can use and achievements you can relate to the job. For example:

As a master’s student in accounting, I am highly interested in the field of finance. I have gained extensive experience in business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

I have led three study groups with my peers and tutored 8 classmates in the use of XYZ accounting software, in which I am highly proficient. This, in addition to being a volunteer student ambassador for my college, has helped me develop strong communication and analytical skills that would be beneficial for any accounting role.

3. Sales & Marketing

I have 3 years of experience in marketing, working 20 hours a week while attending college full-time. I worked with clients on a $90,000 account and received excellent feedback for a swift response to email enquiries and outstanding customer service.

My goal is to improve my skills by completing an MBA and I believe I would be an asset to the NY123 marketing team.

4. Non-profit

Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in South Carolina and the Peace Corps in Malawi were life-changing experiences for me and I believe that my organisational and people skills will make me an ideal candidate to support NGO field workers. Every non-profit needs outstanding administrative and logistics staff who share the vision of the organisation to improve the lives of marginalised people and I passionately believe that this is my calling in life.

5. Engineering

I have 2 years of experience as a civil engineer working on the South Down Link Access Road project as well as multiple smaller projects for the local government. I am a highly organised team player, believe in the importance of mentoring and supporting other women in the profession and am committed to improving infrastructure to better serve our communities.

6. Medicine

“I want to become a nurse because I have always had a passion for helping others and providing compassionate care. My experience working as a volunteer at the local hospital has given me the opportunity to develop my communication skills and gain insight into the daily challenges faced by nurses.

I am dedicated, hardworking, and passionate about my chosen field of study, and I am excited to further my education so that I can one day make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.”

7. Media

“After graduating from high school, I decided to take some time off before starting college so that I could explore different career paths and decide what area best matched my interests.

During this time, I took an internship at a local radio station where I learned valuable production skills while also gaining exposure to various types of music genres.

This experience helped me realize that journalism is indeed the field for me; it provides an outlet for storytelling while allowing me to stay up-to-date on current events worldwide.

With this degree, I look forward to one day becoming an influential voice in media while still being able to use my creativity in new ways every day.’”

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a resume personal statement?

A resume personal statement is a short paragraph that summarizes the candidate’s work experience, skill set, and achievements.

It should be concise yet comprehensive in order to highlight the candidate’s strengths.

It should also provide an overview of who they are as well as their career goals. A resume personal statement can be found under the header of a resume or CV and is typically 2-3 sentences long.

What should be included in a resume personal statement?

A resume personal statement should include:

  • Relevant keywords related to the job profile you are applying for.
  • A brief description of relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Specific examples of accomplishments or successes in past roles.
  • Details about any skills or certifications that would be beneficial for the job role you are applying for.

How do I write an effective resume personal statement?

  • Identify your goal: Before you begin writing your personal statement, determine what you want the reader to take away from it. Is it an opportunity for an interview? To showcase your skills and experience? Or something else?
  • Brainstorm ideas: Think about what makes you unique and stand out from the competition, then use that as inspiration for crafting your statement.
  • Craft a concise statement: Once you have figured out what message you want to convey in the personal statement, write it down in a concise manner that highlights your strengths without being too lengthy or vague.
  • Proofread thoroughly: Make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes before submitting or sharing it with anyone else!

What are keywords and how do they help my resume personal statement?

Keywords are words or phrases used to describe a job profile or position.

They help recruiters filter through hundreds and thousands of resumes more quickly, allowing them to select suitable applicants more efficiently.

Including keywords in your resume personal statement can help it get past an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and get the attention of employers searching for specific profiles.

Avoid using commonplace skills (for example, Microsoft Office) or overused words (such as multitasker/team player).

Instead, try using action words that demonstrate achievements in order to make your resume stand out.

How can I make my resume personal statement stand out?

  • Make sure it reflects your personality, experience and career goals.
  • Write an engaging opening sentence that will catch the attention of the reader and make them want to read on.
  • Explain why you are qualified for the job you are applying for in detail, using examples from your past experience or education to support your argumentative statements.
  • Finish off with a closing sentence that summarizes what you have written, leaving the reader with a positive impression of you as a candidate for employment or further studies/training opportunities.

What kind of formatting should I consider for my resume personal statement?

When writing a resume personal statement, it is important to consider the formatting so that it is consistent with the rest of your CV.

You should use the same font size, font type and text justification as in other sections of your CV. You can also add a heading titled “Personal Statement” if desired.

It is also recommended that you write in either the first person or third person point of view depending on which feels most comfortable to you.

Make sure to keep this consistent throughout your entire CV so that there are no inconsistencies between sections.

Should I include a personal statement on my resume?

Yes, it is a good idea to include a personal statement on your resume.

A personal statement can help you stand out from other applicants by giving the hiring manager an overview of who you are and why you are qualified for the job.

It should be written in the same way as an elevator pitch, with a focus on concisely introducing yourself and highlighting relevant keywords that relate to the targeted job profile.

Additionally, including a personal statement on your resume will help ensure that it gets past an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) faster since it will contain more relevant keywords than without one.

How much data should I include in my resume personal statement?

It is generally best to limit your statement to three or four sentences, totalling a maximum of about 200 words.

This should be enough for an impactful personal statement that remains easy to scan for the employer.

To ensure your statement is comprehensive and effective, include the following information:

  • A brief introduction of yourself and why you are interested in the position
  • A summary of your relevant qualifications and experience related to the position
  • Any noteworthy achievements or successes related to this position or similar ones in the past
  • Any other pertinent information that would support your candidacy for this position

How to write a professional summary for a resume if you have no work experience?

Instead, focus on writing a personal statement that is:

  • Tailored to the specific job or university program you are applying for
  • Unique to you and highlights your most relevant qualities and achievements
  • Free of clichés and full of concrete, specific examples that demonstrate your skills and abilities
  • Written in a clear, concise, and easy-to-read style

How to write a professional summary if you’re changing careers?

As before, make sure your skills match the requirements of the new job. So, if you are a teacher but want to be a translator:

‘I have more than 3,000 hours experience of teaching French to adults, involving rapid translation and tailoring information depending on the level of language skill. I have taught business French for 2 years, making me an ideal candidate to work in a formal industry setting.’

More Personal Statement Tutorials