Personal statement for resumé
When you’re applying for jobs, a strong resumé and cover letter are essential for making an impact on prospective employers. Including a well-written personal statement on your resumé might be just the thing that gets you an interview.
This short introduction of your skills, experience and qualifications gives employers an at-a-glance summary of who you are and what value you’d bring to their organisation. It’s a quick overview of your most relevant traits and abilities, so recruiters can see instantly if you’d be a good match for the role.
Here’s how to write a great personal statement for your resumé.
What is a personal statement?
A personal statement is a short introductory section at the top of a resumé. Its purpose is to catch the hiring manager’s attention and show them why you’re a good match for the position. It’s also known as a career objective, a summary statement, an executive summary, or a personal profile for a resumé.
Your personal statement is your chance to show a glimpse of your personality and share your career aspirations. The rest of your resumé simply lists your achievements, which might overlap with those of the other people applying for the role. A personal statement for a resumé can provide more insight into your unique strengths. A well-written personal statement may convince an employer that they should seriously consider you for the role.
Key elements to include in a personal statement
A good personal statement for a resumé usually has the following elements:
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Who you are. This is your professional identity – it might be your most recent job title or a more general term, such as ‘high school student’ or ‘recent graduate’, along with any qualities or passions that make you unique.
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A summary of your experiences. This might be professional experience, recent qualifications or volunteer work.
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Your value proposition as an employee. This is what you could bring to the role, such as hard or soft skills, or personal qualities that can help you succeed.
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Your career objectives. This is what you want to achieve professionally.
Personal statement examples
Before you start writing, read through these personal statement examples to see how the key elements come together.
For students looking for internships
- I’m in my third year of a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) degree program at the University of Newcastle, and seeking a summer internship to deepen my understanding of electrical engineering and obtain industry experience. I earned high distinctions in all my courses last semester and have a passion for applying theory to real-world problems. I enjoy collaborating with others in my field and working towards finding solutions that positively impact society.
- I am a second-year Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) student at the University of South Australia seeking a summer internship to learn from HR professionals who share my passion for people and business. As a sales assistant for a small clothing boutique, I have learned how to manage open tasks, schedule projects, and engage customers through social media platforms. I believe my strong communication skills, emotional maturity, and passion for human resources recommend me as a strong candidate for an internship.
For fresh graduates
- I recently graduated from Torrens University with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and am ready for to launch a career in digital marketing. Managing a YouTube channel with 20,000 subscribers has complemented my studies and given me skills in audience engagement, brand management, and brand voice. I am a naturally creative person who believes in collaboration and utitlising new technologies such as Canva and ChatGPT for greater efficiency. I hope to develop my marketing knowledge with a position that lets me learn and grow and learn from experienced industry professionals.
- As a recent graduate of Charles Darwin University, I am ready to apply the knowledge and experience I gained in my Bachelor of Accounting program to a role in this dynamic industry. I am seeking a role that can support me as I study to become a Certified Practicing Accountant. I value mentorship from senior professionals and can work independently and efficiently to meet deadlines. I hope to find a role within a growing organisation that encourages skill development and professional advancement.
For working professionals
- I am an experienced store manager with more than five years in my current position within a fast-paced tech-retail setting. I’m a passionate team leader, having mentored junior staff and supported training programs to upskill team members. My commitment to customer service and strong commercial acumen have driven my teams to exceed their sales targets and increase annual departmental profits. I hope to secure a role with a national company, with a view to progress to senior management level.
- I am a journalist with 10 years’ experience in news reporting. I’m passionate about sharing local stories and providing a voice to community members. I consider myself an intrepid reporter, with an ability to connect with people from all walks of life – in the newsroom and the field. I have a high level of journalistic integrity and can reliably meet deadlines. After living in Sydney’s outer west for the last five years, I am looking to relocate and pursue a career in Melbourne.
For mid-career transitions
- I am a sales associate and women’s wear designer seeking a full-time position as an in-hour designer. For the last seven years I have sold my own line of clothing through local markets and Etsy, and I’m keen to take the next step in my move towards a career in the fashion industry. A Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion, and Textiles complements my self-taught technical knowledge and hands-on experience in pattern-making and clothing design. Looking for a long-term role for an Australian-owned label.
- Mid-level marketing manager with in-house and agency experience, seeking to pivot into creative copywriting. Recent AWARD School graduate and freelance business writer with an international portfolio, skilled in brand strategy and writing for social media. Keen to learn and grow within a respected ad agency.
Tips on writing a personal statement for your resumé
The following sections discuss ways that you can make your own personal statement more effective.
Select the most impactful experiences to share
Writing about the most impactful experiences can help make a personal profile for a resumé more persuasive and concise. Choose experiences that are most relevant to the role. These may be experiences that demonstrate your relevant skills or show you can successfully perform the job duties.
Recent experiences are usually more impactful than older ones, as they show current skills and knowledge. Unique relevant experiences can also help your resumé stand out.
Keep it relevant to the job scope
Your resumé personal statement can be more effective if it shows how your skills and experience align with the role’s requirements. You might mention scenarios where you’ve demonstrated leadership or analytical skills, for example.
The job description can tell you what skills and experience are most relevant for the role. Writing about positive results you’ve achieved in the past can demonstrate your ability to excel in a similar role. If you’re transitioning in your career, you can highlight the transferable skills that can help you succeed.
Keep your personal statement concise
Impactful personal statements are usually three or four sentences – between 50 and 200 words. Sticking to this length makes it easier for the most important information to stand out. Stripping out unnecessary details also make your personal statement more engaging. Filler words such as ‘very’ add little to your statement, so it’s best not to use them. Rephrasing wordy sections can also help you reduce your word count.
Formatting and structuring your personal statement
The way you format and structure your personal statement can make this part of your resumé easier to read and help you seem more professional. These layout tips can make reading your personal statement easier.
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Use paragraphs and bullet points effectively. A single paragraph is the most common personal statement format.
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Use consistent formatting for your personal statement and resumé. Use a font, font size, and style that matches your resumé’s body to appear professional. A basic font between 10 and 12 points is usually appropriate. Serif fonts are more common for corporate resumés, while sans serif fonts are popular in creative fields.
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Write in first person. As your personal statement and resumé are personal to you, it’s best to write the entire document in the first person, using ‘I’ statements. This perspective can give your statement a warmer tone, help you connect with the manager, and make it clear that you wrote your own resumé. You may write your statement without using the word I, but take care to maintain the first-person perspective.
Common mistakes when writing a personal statement
Learning what mistakes people commonly make when writing a personal statement can help you spot and avoid them when writing your own.
Using common cliches and overused phrases
Cliches and overused phrases are so commonplace that they’ve lost their power. Choosing more unique words and sharing personal experiences that demonstrate your qualities can help your resumé’s personal statement stand out. Some common clichés and overused words include:
- highly-qualified
- self-motivated
- team player
- hard worker
- proactive
- reliable
- punctual
- strong written and oral communication skills
- results-oriented
Including information best left out
Including only the most important information makes your personal statement stronger. Here are some details that are best left out:
- early career experience
- anything negative, such as professional weaknesses or the reason you left your last job
- personal details, such as your marital status, age or religion
- your salary expectations
Bad personal statement examples
Recognising the flaws in other personal statements can help you improve your own writing. Here are some examples of bad personal statements.
I have been a content creator for the last seven years. During this time, I have been a key member of my team that everyone could rely on. My commitment to hard work, technical skills and passion for this career would make me an asset to any business. I am looking for a new challenge that lets me apply my skills in content creation.
Why it’s bad: it’s generic and vague. As ‘content creator’ is such a broad term, the writer could have highlighted specific skills, such as videography or blogging. They list qualities people expect of their employees, such as reliability and hard work, rather than noting how they're outstanding. ‘New challenge’ is another generic term that makes their career goals unclear.
I am a software developer seeking my first management role. I have no experience in leadership, but I am a quick learner with a can-do attitude. My comprehensive programming knowledge and enjoyment of teamwork would make me an asset to any business.
Why it’s bad: it shows the job seeker wants to transition in their career, but does not show they’re ready for the role. They write in a negative tone about a lack of leadership experience rather than instilling confidence that they could succeed in a management role. While their programming knowledge may help them in a technology field, the employer could also presume this given their job title. They also didn't mention any transferable skills that demonstrate their leadership potential.
Take the time to write personalised statements that show you’re a great choice for every role you apply for. Writing a strong personal statement can help you make a positive first impression on an employer and clearly demonstrate your job suitability. Applying the tips above can help you write an effective personal statement that increases your chances of securing the right role.
FAQs
What should I write in my personal statement for a resume?
You should introduce who you are, highlight the most relevant experience you have and show the value you would bring to the position. You should also include your career goals in your personal statement.
Can you provide personal statement examples for a job application?
You should include a personal statement on your resu,e when you apply for a job. Above is a selection of personal statement examples for different levels of experience.
How long should a personal statement be on a resume?
A personal statement should be three or four sentences or between 50 and 200 words. The more experience you have, the longer your personal statement is likely to be.
What are some dos and don'ts for writing a resume personal statement?
Do include relevant and compelling information and write with personality. Don’t write more than a paragraph or use third-person perspective.
How can I make my personal statement stand out to employers?
Using strong, specific language and sharing your personal experiences and career goals can help your personal statement stand out. Try to reflect your personality, as you're the only person who can bring your blend of skills, experience, and personality to the role.
Are there any online tools to help me craft a personal statement?
There are many AI personal statement generators online, but you should use them with caution as they may give generic results. You might like to use AI tools as a starting point, and then customise the results to make them more personal and unique.
