Writing a Killer Personal Statement on Your Resumé

As a recruiter and resumé writer, I have rarely seen a great personal statement.

This is because most personal statements tend to repeat what's already covered in a resumé as well as overlook one's larger career picture.

Your past work experience is definitely important but recruiters want to see that you have a clear vision of where you see yourself in the next several years, as well as how focused and committed you are to developing your career and reaching your goals.

Unfortunately, most personal statements don't address this, and this is especially true of personal statements filled to the brim with overused, cookie-cutter descriptions, which are sure to elicit an eye-roll from recruiters - Not what you want when you're trying to impress them.

The personal statement should be placed directly under your contact details on your resumé/CV. You'll need to make sure that it is both compelling and gives a recruiter insight into who you are and where you see your career going.

To help you formulate a killer personal statement on your resumé/CV, read on for our Don’ts and Do's.

The Don’ts

• Don't use clichés or platitudes:
  By far the most common issue on a personal statement are stale expressions that may sound good but in fact convey very little. Examples are: “I have a bubbly personality” or “I'm a goal-oriented person.” Most recruiters ignore these phrases because they are rarely backed up with concrete facts to make them credible.
  
  A better way to go is to say: “I'm a CEO with a proven track record in turning around companies with financial hardships.” This statement can be supported by the facts contained in your resumé.

• Don't make the statement lengthy and verbose 
  A good personal statement should be no more than 100-150 words. Use this space wisely to convey why you’re the best candidate for the job.

The Do’s

• Briefly describe what you do and what you want:
  Provide a brief statement about who you are and what you do. For example: “A conscientious Marketing Director with extensive experience in product development and operational marketing, is currently seeking a new position as a Marketing Director.”

• Convey key skills relevant to the job
  Using the job description as a guide, highlight the skills that you possess that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Be as specific as possible and concisely mention achievements that show you’re a go-getter. For example: “Knowledgeable about the international cosmetic industry with a proven track record of successful product launches.”

• Include your mid- to long-term goals:
  While your resumé shows what you’ve done and where you’ve been, employers and recruiters alike want a glimpse into where you see your career going. Therefore, including your longer-term careers goals in your personal statement is imperative.
  
  For students, adding your goals is particularly important as it helps employers consider you for opportunities in your areas of interest where you may have limited experience.

Where do you go from here?

When writing your personal statement carefully follow the guidelines above and take the time to match your skills, goals and offerings with what the potential employer is seeking.

Need help crafting a personal statement in English that will dazzle any recruiter? Consider hiring GeoWord who has more than 20 years of experience recruiting for multinationals and native multi-lingual Editors ready to assist in French, Italian or German.

We'll first interview you via Zoom in your preferred language to understand your experience and career objectives and then create your new English resumé, which will include a well-written and persuasive personal statement that will get you noticed.