We all remember how anxious we were in our first job interview. Questions were rushing through our minds about what we could be asked. Our biggest fear was saying something we didn’t actually mean out of nervousness.
For most beginners who have just gotten started with their professional careers, this is a ghost that haunts them at night. They’re confused about what to say and what to avoid.
Now, consider the same scenario, but this time you have to write instead of speaking to get the job. Sounds easier? But a list of skills and experience isn’t enough. You need to impress recruiters before they even see you in person. This is what a CV personal statement is for.
If you haven’t made resumes before and don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here’s how you can craft a winning statement of purpose like a pro.
What Exactly Is A Personal Statement For a Resume?
Think of this as the first couple of minutes of your job interview. This is your chance to grab the reader’s attention. The first thing he’ll see is the paragraph at the top. You have only a few seconds before he decides whether to keep reading or not. First impressions matter, so make this section speak on your behalf.
Lists Aren’t Enough
Your resume has your skills and experience, but that’s not enough. Writing a personal statement for a CV isn’t just about explaining how capable you are. You need to show your enthusiasm for working in the company.
It’s a brief personal introduction outlining your experience, skills, and personal capabilities. This section also highlights your future goals and aspirations and how you wish to achieve them.
Now, this seems a bit difficult when you’re required to speak in a face-to-face interview. Luckily, writing gives you more time to think. Here’s how you can make the most of your resume’s personal statement.
Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Winning Personal Statement
Keep these tips in mind when writing personal statement for CV.
Keep It Short
Don’t go overboard and try to fit in every detail about your skills and experiences. The resume already has a separate section for that. Keep the word limit to a maximum of 200. Only highlight the most important information for a stronger impression.
- 81% of hiring managers spend less than a minute reviewing a CV.
Add Personal Details
Recruiters only skim through job applications. Use this paragraph to reveal who you truly are in a concise manner. Explain what makes you unique. You could start like this:
“A motivated project manager with over 5 years of experience in the beauty industry.”
Ensure Skill Relevance
Imagine picking up a book thinking it’s from your favorite genre, only to flip through the pages and find out that it’s something completely different. It’s disappointing, right? The same goes for resumes. Use the personal statement to show the hiring manager how you’re a perfect fit for the job.
- Pro Tip: Adding keywords will make the resume ATS-friendly. You can also reach out to CV personal statement writing service UK. They will help you with this.
Show Action, Not Just Facts
You may have achieved a lot in your previous roles and earned numerous certificates. But this won’t show the impact you made. Remember, quantifying results is always more effective than simply mentioning milestone achievements.
Pro tip: Explain what effect your actions and strategies had on the success of your projects.
Here’s how you can quantify your key achievements:
| “Increased sales by 35% by leveraging effective social media marketing strategies.” |
What to Include
Now you know the dos of writing a good CV personal statement, here are some things to include
- An opening hook
- Your previous job title, for example, “Junior Designer”
- Soft and technical skills
- Your short and long-term goals
Mistakes to Avoid
Now you know what needs to be added to a CV personal statement. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid
Excess Personal Details
A hiring manager doesn’t want to know what you do first thing in the morning. Remember, you’re writing a professional job application. Focus only on the value you can bring to the company as an individual. Explain how your skills align with the role.
Overlooking The Company’s Goal
Your statement isn’t just about what you’ve done in the past. It should state clear goals. But these can’t just involve you as an individual. Your aspirations must align with those of the company. For assistance, you can consult personal statement writing help. Here’s how they’ll do it:
- Research the company’s goals and mission.
- Identify your skills and goals as a professional.
- Create a connection between the two.
Generic Descriptions
Don’t use any broad or overused terms. This will bore the recruiter. You need to be specific about who you are and what you wish to achieve in the future. Here are some examples to help you:
| Generic | Specfic |
| Creative professional looking for a marketing position to grow in. | A creative marketing specialist with 4 years of experience in brand storytelling and campaign strategy. I’ve helped boost engagement by 75% through data-driven strategies. I’m eager to use my digital expertise to contribute to a growth-driven team like [company name] |
Exaggeration
You want to impress the hiring manager with your personal statement. But this doesn’t mean you can go overboard and make bold claims. This will set unrealistic expectations for you. Furthermore, failing to provide evidence can backfire badly.
Here are some tips for avoiding this:
- Mention past achievements:
Like professional SOP writers, show the impact you’ve made before. Quantify your previous feats to show potential for future success.
- Use friendlier language:
Don’t make claims that sound like you’re a one-man army who can save the company.
Here’s an example:
A claim like “I will transform your entire marketing strategy to drive more leads” sounds a bit overconfident. Adopt a collaborative tone. This could be phrased as “I helped increase sales by 30% through targeted strategies and wish to use my full potential to contribute to [company name]’s success as well.”
People Also Ask
- Is a personal statement necessary?
This section isn’t a must-have, but it’s highly recommended. It helps the readers understand your abilities and past experiences.
- Do I need to customize my statement for each role?
Yes, tailoring this paragraph for specific jobs will increase your chances of getting a call for an interview.
- Can I add bullet points?
No, write the statement in paragraph form and avoid using bullet points. Keep it as short as possible. You can use the bullet points in later parts.
Wrapping Up
The job market is always growing more competitive. Your application needs to stand out from the rest on the recruiter’s desk pile. A well-crafted personal statement will surely be a breath of fresh air for them. It will also encourage them to continue reading to learn more about you.
Now that you know the dos and don’ts of writing a CV personal statement, go ahead and make some magic happen!