personal statement cv internships

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. You've already included your jobs and experience , and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add.

This is when you need to utilize a personal statement at the top of your CV.

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples] 

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement.

This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.

Why do I Need a Personal Statement?

A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants.

This statement summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents . The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job. 

Even med students need a medical school personal statement , as it is what differentiates them from all the other students applying. Plus, it allows them to share their personal stories and objectives.

Where do I Start? 

Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly.

Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value you’ll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that. 

Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. It’s important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50-200 words will do.

Don’t forget that you have your whole cover letter to show some personality and include engaging content.

The personal statement should be a quick summary that highlights why you are the best person for the job. 

You’ll need to decide whether you are writing your personal statement in first- or third-person. This should follow how you've written the rest of your CV.

For example, if you've already written, “I grew and developed a team of 50 salespeople,” in your CV then you will want to keep your personal statement in first-person to match the prevailing style.

No matter what you choose, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout. Do not switch between first- and third-person as that will get confusing to the hiring manager.

Writing a personal statement for your CV in first-person does not mean you need to start every sentence with “I.”

There are ways to craft your personal statement to sound snappy, concise and personal, and here are a few examples to help inspire your personal statement. 

CV Personal Statement Examples

It doesn’t matter what chose as your desired career or how much experienc e you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement.

You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience.

If these examples don’t fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch. 

#1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV

“As a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast-paced, professional environment.”

Explanation: This example should be customized to include the university you’ve graduated from and any relevant internships. A compelling personal statement always highlights relevant skills and experiences.

In this case, a recent graduate does not have extensive experience in the workforce, so soft skills like experiencing success in a fast-paced work environment and becoming a trusted team member become even more critical.

#2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV

“A highly motivated and experienced office administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis.”

Explanation: After time off from a career, it can be hard to break back into the market. This personal statement outlines the reason for the break, the relevant qualifications and what the applicant has been doing in between jobs.

Any volunteer experience becomes highly relevant when there is no concrete professional experience to draw upon, to demonstrate the use of those skills. 

#3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV

“With over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high-functioning sales teams that consistently achieve budget numbers. In fact, my ability to grow talent led to a 20% increase in annual renewals across the board. Now, after 15 years, I am seeking new challenges to flex my marketing muscles in a fast-paced environment.” 

Explanation: When changing careers , it's essential to highlight skills that are transferable between industries.

In this case, leadership and team-building experience can apply to any industry. Homing in on concrete numbers and percentages increases credibility when applying for a position.

The applicant ends with the reason behind the desired career change. This part is not necessary but may be appealing to some hiring managers who are wondering what the impetus for the career change.

#4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV

“As a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand student’s needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. I’ve worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.”

Explanation: With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft. 

A personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position.

You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement. 

If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the table, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.  

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume  [With Tips + Tricks]
• How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

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How To Write A Personal Statement For An Internship

Home / Uncategorized / How To Write A Personal Statement For An Internship

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Personal statements are a great way for employers to learn more about the potential interns applying for their internships. It is also a chance for those who want an internship to showcase their amazing skills and talents.

So, that is why it is important that you are able to write a fantastic personal statement. 

A personal statement is an opportunity to show how you are more than just the figures on your resume. It is a chance for you to tell them about your background, challenges you’ve faced, and prove to them that you are the type of person they are looking to hire for this internship. 

It can seem a little daunting trying to figure out what to write about yourself. Well, don’t panic. This guide will help you to figure out what to include and how to write a personal statement for an internship. 

Table of Contents

What Is A Personal Statement?

Plan and reflect, plan your format, writing your opening paragraph , writing about your experience, summarizing, use the active voice, keep your personal statement short and sweet, proofread your work, get someone to give you constructive criticism, don’t repeat yourself, final thoughts .

Before we look at how to write a personal statement, it is important to go through what a personal statement is. 

A personal statement is an essay that goes through the individual’s skills, background, and why the individual would be perfect for the internship . A personal statement should be all about you. 

It might seem like a personal statement is a biography but it is important to keep linking what you’ve put in your personal statement to what you are applying for. This is why it is more like an essay than a biography of your life. 

It is an opportunity to show how you stand out from the other applicants. 

Now that you know what a personal statement is, let’s look at some things you can do to help you write a personal statement. 

The best personal statements are the ones that have been planned out thoroughly. Your personal statement should have a clear structure to it. However, before you can plan what you are going to include, you need to reflect on your life. 

You need to be able to take the time to reflect on your life experiences and what makes you a unique candidate for the internship.

You should go back to the description of the internship and ask yourself what they need that you’ve got to offer. You should think about what you’ve got but they don’t realize they need it. 

If you are struggling with what makes you stand out, then you can ask some of your family and friends. Discuss what qualities they think make you a great candidate for the internship. 

Once you have an idea of what you want to write about to sell yourself, then you can move on to formatting your personal statement.

Personal statements tend to have the same format. They often start with an introduction, then a few main body paragraphs that discuss your skills, experience, knowledge, and how they relate to the internship you are applying for.

Then you might want to include a paragraph of your future goal in relation to your career and link how this internship will help you achieve your goals.

Then it ends with a paragraph that concludes what you have discussed. This paragraph should be like a closing statement of the argument you have explained. 

However, there might be other guidelines as to how you should format your paragraphs from the internship you are applying for. Make sure you follow any instructions they have when it comes to writing your personal statement.

These instructions could be the font you are allowed to use or the size of the font. They might even have a word count limit for how much you can write for each paragraph or in total. 

You might be tempted to state who you are and where you are from in your opening paragraph. However, this doesn’t make you stand out from the crowd like your personal statement is supposed to. 

Instead, you should start your introductory paragraph with a story about the moment in your life that made you decide to pursue the career you have chosen. The point of this story is to hook the reader so that they want to read on. 

For this to be a good opening paragraph, it needs to be personal to you. Don’t go for any generic moment, make sure you are able to convey the importance and influence this moment had over your life. 

The main body paragraphs or the middle paragraphs should be about your experience. You should explain how your experience benefits the internship you are applying for.

During these paragraphs, you want to talk about your experience and what skills you have developed because of this experience. 

Make sure you look over the description of the internship you are applying for and that you have included examples to show that you meet the requirements of the candidate they are looking for. 

The aim of the middle paragraph is to discuss your life and how the things you have experienced in your life have made you right for the role you are applying to.

An example of this would be discussing how being part of the relay team during college has helped you develop resilience, determination, and teamwork skills. 

For your final paragraph, it is important to include a summary of what you have stated in your essay. It is a good idea to link back to the story you included in your first paragraph and develop the significance of that event. 

At this point, some decide to write about their life goals. Others prefer to write a paragraph before their conclusion about these life goals.

Either way is perfectly fine as long as you do include information about your career goals and how this internship will help you achieve your dreams. 

Top Tips 

Here are some tips to help you when writing and after you’ve finished writing your personal statement. 

When writing your personal statement make sure you are using the active voice rather than the passive voice. The active voice will make your personal statement seem more personal and the reader will feel more connected to you when reading your personal statement. 

When writing your personal statement it is important that you are genuine and authentic. The reader will be able to pick up on any moments where you are not being genuine in your personal statement. 

Personal statements are about you, so you need to be yourself when writing about your life. Don’t over-dramatize events that have happened in your life as the reader will be able to see that you’ve done that. 

The point of a personal statement is to prove to the employer that you are worthy of a place on this internship. If you are not being truthful or genuine in your statement then you are proving that you are not worthy of a place. 

You might be tempted to include skills that you haven’t developed yet because those skills seem easy to learn. However, if you do get through to the next stage, then you might be required to demonstrate those skills. This will only reflect poorly on you.

The last thing you want to do for a personal statement is to talk about yourself for pages and pages. This will not leave a good impression of you on your employer. Instead, you want to be selective about what you include in your personal statement. 

They are not interested in where you went to kindergarten. You should only be writing about the life experiences that are relevant to what they are looking for. If you do this, it shows them you are able to stay on topic and cut out any unnecessary information. 

There is nothing more important than proofreading your personal statement. If you send off a personal statement that has a lot of small mistakes littered in it, this gives those reading your personal statement a bad impression.

Sending off a personal statement that hasn’t been checked for mistakes gives the impression that you don’t care. It makes it seem like you are less passionate about the role you are applying for compared to other candidates. 

Attention to detail is a valuable skill that a lot of employers want their interns to have, so if your personal statement has mistakes in it, you’ve expressed to your employer that you don’t have this skill. 

Those who are looking at your application are able to tell when you have rushed your personal statement. So, give a good first impression by thoroughly proofreading your work for mistakes. 

Something that you can do in order to check your work is to get someone else to give you feedback. Ask your family or friends for help with proofreading. They might be able to spot mistakes that you haven’t noticed in your work. 

Having someone else read your work is a great way to see what they know about your personal statement and whether it is effective or not. They can help you with the structure of your personal statement to see if it flows smoothly. 

One thing to keep in mind is that you are not repeating yourself. These could be phrases like ‘I am a good fit for the internship because’. Try not to repeatedly use ‘I’. Instead of explicitly telling them you are a good fit, explain how the skills you have are relevant to the role. 

That brings us to the end of this guide on how to write a personal statement for an internship. The main thing to remember is that a personal statement should highlight your strengths and what makes you valuable to them.

As long as you are true to yourself then you should find it easy to plan what you are writing. Make sure to stick to any instructions they give you about writing your personal statement. 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you feel more confident about writing your personal statement. 

Related Resources

• How To Write An Email For An Internship
• How To Write A Cover Letter Engineering Interns
• How To Put An Internship On A Resume
• How To Apply For An Internship

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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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CV personal statement examples

If you want to secure job interview, you need a strong personal statement at the top of your CV.

Your CV personal statement is a short paragraph which sits at the very top of your CV – and it’s aim is to summarise the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to read your CV in full.

In this guide I have included 17 CV personal statement examples from a range of professions and experience levels, plus a detailed guide of how to write your own personal statement that will get you noticed by employers

CV templates 

17 CV personal statement examples

To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look , and what should be included.

Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates – if you are experienced, check out our CV profile examples instead.

Graduate CV personal statement (no experience)

Although this  graduate has no paid work experience, they compensate for it by showcasing all of the skills and knowledge the have gained during their studies, and demonstrating how they apply their knowledge in academic and personal projects.

When you have little or no experience, it’s important to draw out transferable workplace skills from your studies and extracurricular work, to showcase them to employers.

Graduate CV personal statement (part time freelance experience)

This candidate has graduated with a degree in biochemistry but actually wants to start a career in digital marketing after providing some digital freelance services to fund their studies.

In this case, they haven’t made much mention of their studies because they aren’t relevant to the digital marketing agencies they are applying to. Instead they have focused their personal statement around their freelance work and passion for the digital field – although they still mention the fact they are degree educated to prove their academic success.

School leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate is 16 years old and has no work experience whatsoever, but they compensate for this by detailing their academic achievements that relate to the roles they are applying for (maths and literacy are important requirements in finance and accountancy roles).

They also add some info on their extracurricular activities and school work-placements, to strengthen this student CV further.

    Top tips for writing a CV personal statement

• Thoroughly research the jobs and companies you are planning to apply for to identify the type of candidate they are looking for – try to reflect that in your personal statement
• Don’t be afraid to brag a little – include some of your most impressive achievements from education, work or personal life
• Focus on describing the benefits an employer will get from hiring you. Will you help them to get more customers? Improve their workplace? Save them time and money?
• If you have no work experience, demonstrate transferable workplace skills from your education, projects, or even hobbies

School leaver CV personal statement (part time experience)

Although this person has only just left school, they have also undertaken some part-time work in a call centre alongside their studies.

To make the most of this experience, they have combined their academic achievements with their workplace exposure in this personal statement.

By highlighting their GCSE results, summer programme involvement, work experience and expressing their ambitions to progress within sales, this candidate really makes an appealing case for hiring them.

College leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate has left college with good grades, but does not yet have any work experience.

To compensate for the lack of workplace exposure, they have made their A level results prominent and highlighted skills and experience which would benefit the employers they are targeting.

Any recruiter reading this profile can quickly understand that this candidate has great academic achievements, a passion for IT and finance and the ability to transfer their skills into an office environment.

College student CV personal statement (freelance experience)

As this student has picked up a small amount of freelance writing work during their studies, they have made sure to brag about it in their personal statement.

They give details on their relevant A level studies to show the skills they are learning, and boost this further by highlighting the fact that they have been applying these skills in a real-life work setting by providing freelance services.

They also include key action verbs that recruiters will be looking for , such as creative writing, working to deadlines, and producing copy.

Academic CV personal statement

Aside from junior candidates, the only other people who might use a personal statement, are academic professionals; as their CV’s tend to be more longer and detailed than other professions.

This candidate provides a high level overview of their field of study, length of experience, and the roles they have held within universities.

School leaver CV personal statement with and sports experience

Although this person has no work experience, they are still able to show employers the value of hiring them by selling their other achievements and explaining how they could benefit an organisation.

They expand on their sports club involvement to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership skills, communication and motivation, which are all important traits in the workplace, and will be looked upon favourably by recruiters and hiring managers.

They also draw upon their future plans to study business studies and take a part time job, to further prove their ambition and dedication.

History graduate CV personal statement

This history graduate proves their aptitude for both academic achievement and workplace aptitude by showcasing valuable skills from their degree and voluntary work.

They do this by breaking down the key requirements for each and showing how their skills could be beneficial for future employers, such as listening, communication, and crisis management.

They also describe how their ability to balance studies alongside voluntary work has not only boosted their knowledge and skills, but also given excellent time management and organisational skills – which are vital assets to any employer.

Law graduate CV personal statement

This legal graduate makes the most from their work university work placements by using it to bulk out the contents of their CV personal statement.

They include their degree to show they have the necessary qualifications for legal roles, which is crucial, but more importantly, they showcase how they applied their legal skills within a real-life work setting.

They give a brief overview of the types of legal professionals they have been working alongside and the type of work they have been carrying out – this is all it takes to get the attention of recruiters and show employers they have what it takes to fulfil roles in the legal sector.

Medical student CV personal statement

This medical student proves their fit for the role by showcasing the key skills they have gained from their studies and their work experience placements.

In just these few sentences, they are able to highlight the vast amount of experience they have across different disciplines in the industry, something which is particularly important in the medical sector.

As they have not graduated yet and are still studying, they have provided proof of their most recent grades. This can give the recruiter some indication as to the type of grade they could be graduating with in the near future.

Masters student CV personal statement

This masters student has started by specifying their area of study, in this case, accounting, and given details about the specific areas of finance they are most interested in. This can hint towards their career goals and passions.

They have then carefully listed some of the key areas of accounting and finance that they are proficient in. For example, business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

They have also outlined some of the transferable skills needed for accounting roles that employers will be looking out for, such as communication, attention to detail and analytical skills.

Finance student CV personal statement

As this finance student has recently undertaken some relevant work experience, they’ve made sure to shout about this in their personal profile.

But more than this, they have included a list of some of the important finance skills they gained as a result of this work experience – for example, financial reporting, processing invoices and month-end reconciliations.

Plus, through power words and phrases such as ‘prevent loss’ and ‘ improve upon accuracy and efficiency’, they have also showcased how they can apply these skills in a workplace setting to benefit the potential employer.

Internship  CV personal statement

This digital marketing professional has started their personal profile by outlining their most relevant qualifications and work experience, most notably their freelance role as a content manager.

They have also provided examples of some of the key marketing skills that potential employers might be looking for, including very detailed examples of the platforms and tools they are proficient in – for example, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

They have then closed their statement by giving a detailed description of the type of role or opportunity they are looking for. In this case, an in-house position in a marketing company.

Graduate career changer personal statement

Switching careers as a graduate can be tough. Especially when it comes to writing a personal statement that will attract employers in your new chosen field.

This candidate is looking to move from history teaching into journalism, so they have created a statement which briefly mentions their current workplace, but mainly focuses on highlighting transferable skills which are relevant to journalism. They achieve this by discussing the writing skills they use in their current role, and mentioning their hobby of writing – including some publications they have been featured in for extra brownie points.

Business management graduate personal statement

This business management proves their ability to work within a junior business management position by swiftly highlighting their impressive degree (to ensure it is not missed) and summarising some of the real-life experience they have gained in management during their university placements and volunteering. They do not let their lack of paid work experience, stop them demonstrating their valuable skills.

PhD graduate

PhD graduate roles attract a lot of competition, so it’s important that your CV contains a personal statement that will quickly impress and attract recruiters.

This candidate provides a short-but-comprehensive overview of their academic achievements, whilst demonstrating their exceptional level of knowledge in research, languages and publication writing.

By highlighting a number of skills and abilities that are in high-demand in the academic workplace, this CV is very likely to get noticed and land interviews.

How to write a personal statement for your CV

Now that you’ve seen what a personal statement should look like and the type of content it should contain, follow this detailed guide to one for your own CV – and start racking those interviews up.

Guide contents

What is a CV personal statement?

Cv personal statement or cv profile, personal statement format, what to include in a cv personal statement.

• Personal statement mistakes

How to write persuasively

A personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your CV which gives employers an overview of your education, skills and experience

It’s purpose is to capture the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers when your CV is first opened – encouraging them to read the rest of it.

You achieve this by writing a tailored summary of yourself that explains your suitability for the roles you are applying for at a very high level, and matches your target job descriptions .

One question candidates often ask me is , “what is the difference between a personal statement and a CV profile?”

To be honest, they are almost the same – they are both introductory paragraphs that sit at the top of your CV… but there are 2 main differences

A personal statement tends to be used more by junior candidates (graduates, school leavers etc.) and is relatively long and detailed.

A CV profile tends to be favoured by more experienced candidates , and is shorter in length than a personal statement.

Note: If you are an experienced candidate, you may want to switch over to my CV profile writing guide , or example CV profiles page.

To ensure you grab recruiters’ attention with your personal statement, lay it out in the following way.

Positioning

You need to ensure that your personal statement sits at the very top of your CV, and all of it should be totally visible to readers, without the need to scroll down the page.

Do this by reducing the top page margin and minimising the space taken up by your contact details.

This will ensure that your whole personal statement can be seen, as soon as your CV is opened.

We have a Word CV template which can help you to get this right.

Size/length

Your personal statement needs to contain enough detail to provide an introduction to your skills and knowledge, but not so much detail that it bores readers.

To strike the right balance, anything between 8-15 lines of text is perfect – and sentences should be sharp and to-the-point.

As with the whole of your CV or resume , your personal statement should be written in a simple clean font at around size 10-12 to ensure that it can be read easily by all recruiters and employers.

Keep the text colour simple , ensuring that it contrasts the background (black on white is best) and break it into 2 or even 3 paragraphs for a pleasant reading experience.

It should also be written in a punchy persuasive tone, to help you sell yourself and increase your chances of landing interviews , I cover how to do this in detail further down the guide.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional CV templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Once you have the style and format of your personal statement perfected, you need to fill it with compelling content that tells recruiters that your CV is worth reading.

Here’s what needs to go into your personal statement…

Before you start writing your personal statement, it’s crucial that you research your target roles to find out exactly what your new potential employers are looking for in a candidate.

Run a search for your target jobs on one of the major job websites , look through plenty of adverts and make a list of the candidate requirements that frequently appear.

This research will show you exactly what to include in your personal statement in order to impress the recruiters who will be reading it.

Education and qualifications are an important aspect of your personal statement, especially if you are a junior candidate.

You should highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that is a degree, A levels or GCSEs. You could potentially go into some more detail around modules, papers etc. if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for.

It’s important that you discuss the experience you have gained in your personal statement, to give readers an idea of the work you are comfortable undertaking.

This can of course be direct employed work experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can also include:

• School/college Uni work placements
• Voluntary work
• Personal projects
• Hobbies/interests

As with all aspects of your CV , the content should be tailored to match the requirements of your target roles.

Whilst discussing your experience, you should touch upon skills used, industries worked in, types of companies worked for, and people you have worked with.

Where possible, try to show the impact your actions have made. E.g . A customer service agent helps to make sales for their employer.

Any industry-specific knowledge you have that will be useful to your new potential employers should be made prominent within your personal statement.

For example

• Knowledge of financial regulations will be important for accountancy roles
• Knowledge of IT operating systems will be important for IT roles
• Knowledge of the national curriculum will be important for teachers

You should also include some information about the types of roles you are applying for, and why you are doing so. Try to show your interest and passion for the field you are hoping to enter, because employers want to hire people who have genuine motivation and drive in their work.

This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience, as you need something else to compensate for it.

CV personal statement mistakes

The things that you omit from your personal statement can be just as important as the things you include.

Try to keep the following out of your personal statement..

Irrelevant info

Any information that doesn’t fall into the requirements of your target roles can be cut out of your personal statement. For example, if you were a professional athlete 6 years ago, that’s great – but it won’t be relevant if you’re applying to advertising internships, so leave it out.

Generic clichés

If you are describing yourself as a “ dynamic team player with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm” you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

These cliché terms are vastly overused and don’t provide readers with any factual details about you – so keep them to a minimum.

Stick to solid facts like education, skills , experience, achievements and knowledge.

If you really want to ensure that your personal statement makes a big impact, you need to write in a persuasive manner.

So, how do you so this?

Well, you need to brag a little – but not too much

It’s about selling yourself and appearing confident, without overstepping the mark and appearing arrogant.

For example, instead of writing.

“Marketing graduate with an interest in entering the digital field”

Be creative and excite the reader by livening the sentence up like this,

“Marketing graduate with highest exam results in class and a passion for embarking on a long and successful career within digital”

The second sentence is a much more interesting, makes the candidate appear more confident, throws in some achievements, and shows off a wider range of writing skills.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Your own personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above guidelines you will be able to create one which shows recruiters everything they need.

Remember to keep the length between 10-20 lines and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

You can also check our school leaver CV example , our best CV templates , or our library of example CVs from all industries.

Good luck with the job hunt!

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Guidelines for Writing a Personal Statement for Internship

Table of Contents

A personal statement for internship applications suggest that the firm wants to know more about you than just your résumé.

As with any application, the internship personal statement is your chance to demonstrate the organization who you are and why they should hire you. It is a separate document you submit alongside your internship application, resume, and other required documents.

This article explains what an internship entails, provides guidelines and an example to help you draft great personal statements .

What Is an Internship?

An internship is an opportunity to learn about a particular job or field by working in it. It provides students still in school with job experience and enables them to determine if they wish to pursue that career route after graduation.

Internships can also be an excellent way for recent graduates to gain more work experience and make connections in their industry.

A personal statement should begin with an introduction, then description of relevant experiences related to the field , and end with a great conclusion

Internship coordinators will typically have additional requirements, such as requiring you to use a specific typeface (such as Times New Roman or Arial), a particular point size (10 or 12), and a word restriction (500 or 800 words).

Use a standard 10- or 12-point font, and keep the statement to up to two pages if you don’t obtain specific instructions. Put “Personal Statement for” and your name at the top. Other great tips include the following:

1. Seek a Background Connection

Take a moment in your life that made you want to go into this industry and think about it. Hearing a famous politician speak or learning carpentry from your grandfather may have peaked your curiosity.

A captivating narrative will keep the reader interested and make you stick in their mind. The “thread” of your argument should consist of anecdotes.

2. Describe your Abilities and Experiences

Think about what it is that makes someone successful in that industry. Reading the internship advertisement, job description, and LinkedIn profiles of industry professionals can help you understand what an employer wants. Drawing on your findings.

Use the body of your essay to discuss your abilities and experiences. You can discuss, for instance,

• How your leadership on the debate team improved your public speaking
• Your time on a summer construction crew toughened you up and taught you to work hard.

This section still serves as a personal narrative but also makes your case for why you should be chosen as an intern.

3. Proofread Your Draft

Correct any spelling or grammar issues in your initial draft when you’ve finished writing it. Whether a student or a recent grad, your statement should reflect your best efforts as a professional candidate.

4. Conclusion

A story’s beginning is only as good as its conclusion, so ensure they’re connected. The decision should emphasize critical points about your character and the story you’re telling. To conclude reasonably, think about why the story is worth telling in the first place.

Great Example of Personal Statement for Internship

An internship is a great way to gain experience in your desired field. It can allow you to learn about the company, its culture, and how things operate from the inside. Here’s a sample of a great one:

I am writing to apply for the internship program I saw on your website.

I am a recent college graduate looking for an opportunity to gain experience in the marketing field. My studies have focused on marketing and business. An internship would be a great way to learn more about the industry and develop my skills.

I can provide examples of my work from previous jobs or internships and references from professors or colleagues. I would appreciate the chance to come in for an interview to discuss this position further. Thank you for your time.

A personal statement for internship is an opportunity for you to lay out your experience, interests, and future goals . Take your time because it is well worth the investment.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Writing a personal statement for your CV

CV personal statements are like the sales pitch of your CV, but not everyone thinks they're useful. Discover if they're really necessary, how to write a CV personal profile and templates for inspiration

What is a CV personal statement?

A CV personal statement is a concise paragraph or summary, which details what you can bring to a job or company. It's also known as an opening statement, personal profile, personal summary or executive summary.

Sitting at the top of your CV, it's your opportunity to sell yourself to employers and to highlight the relevant skills and experience you possess.

While effectively and succinctly convincing recruiters that you're a good fit for the role, a personal statement gives you the chance to show off your strengths and share your career goals.

'The focus of your CV statement should be to target your offer to employers - why should they hire you and how are you different to other graduates? Therefore, making your personal statement as unique as possible is crucial to ensure you stand out from the crowd,' explains Alex Proctor, careers consultant at the University of Bradford.

Do I need a personal summary on my CV?

Traditionally, almost all CV types include a personal statement but there is some debate about whether you actually need to include one.

Some recruiters and careers advisers believe that personal profiles are one of the most important parts of a CV, as they provide an easily accessible overview of a candidate's ability, while others feel that personal statements are a waste of valuable space and time.

The latter belief is often the case with graduate CVs, as some employers feel that those just stepping onto the career ladder don't necessarily have enough knowledge or experience to warrant a personal statement. Because of this, a graduate's personal profile runs the risk of being bland and generic and stating things that should be a given, such as, 'I'm hardworking and organised,' which is why some recruiters believe that they are best suited to more senior CVs.

So while your CV doesn't need a personal statement, employers spend only seconds looking at application documents. With this in mind, a CV personal statement gives you an invaluable opportunity to make your application stand out as quickly as possible.

Alex believes 'that a CV personal statement is a good idea, because employers often have so many CVs to read through and the personal statement, if clear and concise, can elevate your chances of getting through to the next stage of the recruitment process.'

If you'd like to include a personal statement on your CV it might be best, as a graduate, to focus on your educational background and the career path you'd like to embrace. If you have relevant experiences use these to make your personal statement unique. 'If you haven’t got much work experience, focus on what experience you can extract from your degree,' advises Alex. 'If you have taken part in various projects demonstrate what your role was. Alternatively, if you have written a dissertation, showcase your topic and what skills you have developed from this experience. Employers will value your individuality even if you haven't had masses of practical work experience.'

If you're struggling to give it context and get it right, make an appointment with your university's careers or employability service and ask an adviser to help you hone your writing. 

What should I include in my CV personal profile?

In terms of length, a CV personal profile should be no longer than 150 words. 'It should be short, impactful and aligned effectively with the CV content,' explains David Ainscough, careers consultant team lead and deputy director at the University of Cambridge.

'A personal CV profile should include details of your educational background, evidence of work experience, as well as your career aspirations. You ideally need to ensure you are telling the reader what you can offer skill-wise and don't be afraid to also share any accomplishments,' adds Alex.  

If you're struggling with what to write, break your personal statement down into three parts. Focus on:

• who you are
• what you can offer
• your career aims.

Start by introducing yourself. For example, 'A recent graduate with a 2:1 in English literature from the Hillview University' or a 'Highly-skilled physiotherapist with five years’ experience…'

Next, detail what you can offer the company. Ask yourself why you're suited to the role and cover any relevant skills or experience. If you lack practical work experience instead draw attention to your academic achievements, such as contributing to university publications, which developed written communication, attention to detail and teamworking skills. Or how you applied skills learned on your physical therapy degree during your time as a physio assistant for university sport teams.

Conclude your personal statement by highlighting your career goals. For example, 'I am looking to start my career in the exciting world of publishing and to develop the skills learned through my university studies and internships.'

It's up to you how you present this information; there is no hard and fast rule. However, personal statements are generally displayed as a single paragraph, without a title or subheading. You'll need to keep it consistent with the rest of your CV formatting, meaning that the font size and type will need to be the same throughout your document.

Also, consider the voice and tense you'd like to use. Personal statements can be written in either the first or third person, but you'll need to maintain this voice throughout - don't switch between the two.

Take a look at  how to write a CV .

How can I make it stand out to employers?

• 'Remember that first impressions count so make sure you're giving the recruiter a comfortable reading experience. Layout and clarity are crucial,' says David.
• Tailor your CV personal statement (and CV in general) to each application.
• Be honest. Untruths are easy to uncover and lying on your CV is a criminal offence.
• Provide evidence of skills and experience but remember to keep it brief. For example, 'experienced event manager, who led a team to organise a charity ball for 150 people, raising £5,000 - a 20% increase on previous years.'
• Use the job description to help form your CV personal profile.
• Stick to the word limit.
• Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. The personal summary sits at the top of your CV so any errors will be immediately apparent.
• 'Keep it fresh. It needs to be reviewed in each application you make so consider something new to say each time,' adds David.
• Read it aloud once you've finished writing to make sure it flows.
• Copy and paste from your  cover letter or from online CV personal statement examples. Your personal summary needs to be unique and personal to you.
• Include unnecessary personal information such as your age, marital status etc.
• Use clichés, slang or jargon.
• Use bland, empty statements like 'I work well independently and as part of a team'. This tells employers absolutely nothing about what you’re capable of.
• Overuse buzzwords.
• Include quotes from previous employers.
• Ramble. Recruiters don't have time to read through waffle, so get to the point.

Think about the connotations of the words you use - 'currently studying' implies things might change, 'trying' implies failure, 'might' or 'maybe' sounds like you're not sure. The words you use have power so choose them carefully. You want to sound confident, positive and enthusiastic.

Find out more about the  top 7 CV mistakes .

CV personal statement examples

To help you get started take a look at the following CV personal profile examples.

As a recent graduate from the University of Townville, with a 2:1 honours degree in marketing, I have undertaken internships at industry-leading agencies such as Beyond Imagination and Noah Freemans. These placements have allowed me to develop sector knowledge and gain hands on experience, as well as expand transferable skills such as commercial awareness, communication and negotiation and analytical skills. My career aim is to gain a role which allows me to further my expertise and take on increased responsibility at a market-leading digital marketing agency.

I am a highly motivated 2:1 forensic science graduate from Groveshire University, looking to secure a graduate position that enables me to use and develop my analytical, attention to detail and communication skills. I have gained relevant experience in both scientific and hospital laboratories, which allowed me to build on my problem solving, concentration and team working skills. My career goal is to assume a role that enables me to analyse and interpret forensic data and to eventually move into crime scene investigation.

Remember; avoid copying and pasting ready-made examples. Instead use them as a guide to craft your own, tailored CV personal statement. Take a look at our  example CVs .

Find out more

• Learn more about  applying for jobs .
• Get more advice on CVs and cover letters .

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More From Forbes

7 chatgpt prompts to land you that leadership role in education.

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7 ChatGPT Prompts When Applying For A Leadership Role In Education

Becoming a leader in education is a career milestone that demands thorough preparation.

You must be able to articulate a clear vision, demonstrate a deep understanding of leadership and show your ability to drive school success through strategic planning and colleague engagement. The following ChatGPT prompts are designed to help teachers refine their interview skills, craft compelling personal statements and develop a robust leadership strategy. Each prompt is tailored to address critical aspects of the preparation process.

Get this right and present yourself as the well-rounded, confident and capable leaders you are.

1. Role Play The Interview

Using ChatGPT for this purpose can help you practice responses to potential questions. This will allow you to refine your answers and build confidence. It is an opportunity to receive constructive feedback, so you can improve your communication skills.

"I am preparing for an educational leadership interview. Act as the interviewer and ask me a series of questions about my experience, my leadership philosophy, and how I handle specific challenges in an educational setting. After each response, provide detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement. Focus on questions that test my strategic thinking and ability to lead a team."

ChatGPT: "Can you describe a time when you had to manage a conflict between staff members? How did you handle it and what was the outcome?"

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You: "In my current job, two colleagues disagreed over resource allocation. I arranged a meeting and listened to their concerns. I was able to facilitate a meaningful discussion to reach a consensus. The solution improved team collaboration."

ChatGPT Feedback: "Good job facilitating a discussion and reaching a consensus. Next time, highlight any specific conflict resolution techniques you used such as active listening or mediation to show a deeper understanding of conflict management."

2. Drafting A Resume

Your resume will stand out when it clearly highlights specific achievements and quantifies results.

Demonstrating your tangible impact is crucial. Using a clean, professional format with well-organized sections makes the document easy to read and visually appealing.

"Help me draft a resume tailored for an educational leadership position. Include sections for professional summary, work experience, education, skills and certifications. Emphasize my leadership accomplishments, my impact on student outcomes and my experience with school administration. Use bullet points and highlight the special projects or initiatives I led. Ask me questions that will help make this an accurate and outstanding resume.”

3. Writing A Personal Statement

A personal statement that aligns with the job specifications and provides concrete examples is crucial. It will show your suitability for the role and demonstrate that your past experiences have prepared you to meet the specific needs of your new role. This will make your application stand out.

"Assist me in writing a personal statement for an educational leadership role that aligns with the job specifications. Emphasize my leadership experience, vision for the school and how my skills and accomplishments meet the requirements. Include examples of past successes and describe how I plan to contribute to the school's future success. Ask me questions that will help make this an accurate and outstanding resume."

4. Articulating Your Vision for Leadership

This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide the school community. It will foster a sense of purpose and direction. It makes you a compelling candidate for driving positive change and achieving long-term success.

"Help me articulate my vision for the educational leadership role I am applying for. Focus on my goals for academic excellence, staff development and community involvement. Include specific strategies and initiatives I plan to implement to achieve these goals."

Example Interaction:

ChatGPT: "My vision as an educational leader is to create a nurturing environment where every student can achieve academic excellence. I aim to implement professional development programs that empower teachers and foster a collaborative community that actively engages parents and local stakeholders. Specific strategies include introducing data-driven instruction, expanding extracurricular activities and building partnerships with local businesses to enhance educational opportunities."

5. Understanding Key Leadership Concepts

Understanding key educational leadership concepts will enable you to articulate your vision and approach to improving teaching and learning. It allows you to provide examples of how you have applied these concepts, showcasing your practical experience and impact on student outcomes.

"Explain key concepts and trends in educational leadership. Provide examples of how these can be applied in a school setting and how I can discuss them effectively during my interview. Ask me questions that will help make this an accurate and outstanding resume."

6. Developing a Strategic Plan

Developing a strategic plan to refer to in your interview will be very impressive. It demonstrates your ability to set clear, long-term goals and align resources to achieve them. It provides concrete evidence of your commitment to improving educational outcomes and your proactive approach to leadership.

"Guide me through developing a strategic plan for a school. Outline the steps and include key components such as vision, mission, goals, action plans and evaluation methods. Provide examples of how to set realistic goals and measure progress."

ChatGPT: "Step 1: Define the vision and mission of the school. Step 2: Identify strategic goals such as improving literacy rates and increasing student engagement. Step 3: Develop action plans for each goal detailing specific activities, responsible parties and timelines. Step 4: Establish evaluation methods to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed. For example, to improve literacy rates, set a goal of increasing reading proficiency by 15% over three years. Implement reading intervention programs, provide professional development for teachers and use standardized test scores to measure progress."

7. Reflecting on Your Personal Leadership Style

This will help you understand your strengths and areas for growth. This allows you to effectively communicate your value. This self-awareness also enables you to align your leadership approach with the school's vision and culture.

"Help me reflect on my personal leadership style and how it aligns with the needs of the school I am applying to. Provide examples of leadership styles (e.g., transformational, transactional and situational) and their impact on school culture and performance. Guide me in identifying my leadership strengths and areas for growth."

ChatGPT: "Reflect on whether your leadership style is transformational, transactional or situational. For instance, a transformational leader who inspires and motivates staff might be ideal for a school needing significant cultural change. Discuss how your style has positively impacted previous schools and how it aligns with the current school's goals. Identify strengths such as effective communication and decision-making and areas for growth such as delegating responsibilities or managing change."

These ChatGPT prompts can help you prepare for an educational leadership role. By practicing interview scenarios, drafting key documents and reflecting on leadership concepts, you can approach your interview with increased confidence and clarity.

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