Resume Personal Statement: How to Write One & Examples

Your resume has mere seconds to grab a hiring manager's attention.

A well-crafted personal statement at the top of your resume can make those seconds count by quickly showcasing your most relevant qualifications and career goals.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly what a resume personal statement is, how to write one that captures attention, and see real examples that can help you craft your own compelling statement.

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What is a resume personal statement?

A resume personal statement is a brief paragraph (usually 3-4 sentences) at the top of your resume that summarizes your professional background, key qualifications, and career objectives. Think of it as a targeted resume introduction that helps hiring managers quickly understand who you are professionally and what value you can bring to their organization.

Unlike a resume summary that focuses solely on past achievements, or a resume objective that only states career goals, a personal statement combines both elements. It showcases your relevant experience while also highlighting your professional aspirations and what you're looking to accomplish in the role.

Note: While a personal statement is optional for a resume, it is a crucial component of a CV. When writing a CV, you should always include a personal statement to provide a comprehensive overview of your professional profile and career objectives.

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How to write a resume personal statement

Writing a compelling resume personal statement requires tailoring your professional story to the specific role you're targeting. While your core experience stays the same, how you present it should shift based on the job description and what each hiring manager is looking for in the candidate. 

The following step-by-step guide will help you craft a personal statement that effectively highlights your most relevant qualifications while showing hiring managers exactly how you'll add value to their organization.

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1. Self-reflection

Before writing your resume personal statement, take time to identify your key strengths, achievements, and career goals. If you're starting from scratch, write out your work experience and achievements first. This will help you pinpoint the most impactful elements to include in your statement.

If you have an existing resume, review your experience section and highlight:

• Major achievements and their measurable results
• Core technical and soft skills
• Areas of expertise
• Career progression
• Professional goals

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2. Start with a strong opening

Begin your personal statement with a clear introduction of your professional title and core expertise. This first sentence should immediately tell the hiring manager who you are professionally.

Opening examples:

• Strong opening: "Analytical Digital Marketing Manager with 6 years of experience driving measurable growth through data-driven campaign strategies."
• Weak opening: "Experienced professional looking for new opportunities in digital marketing."

Why this works: The strong example immediately establishes expertise and hints at measurable results, while the weak example is vague and focuses on what the candidate wants rather than what they offer.

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3. Highlight relevant qualifications and strengths

After your opening, focus on showcasing achievements and qualifications that directly align with what the employer is looking for. Your goal is to demonstrate not just what you've done, but how your past successes make you the ideal candidate for this specific role. This is where carefully reviewing the job description becomes crucial - it tells you exactly which skills and experiences to emphasize.

When selecting achievements to highlight, choose 2-3 key accomplishments that:

• Include measurable results (percentages, numbers, timeframes)
• Demonstrate relevant skills
• Show impact on business goals
• Align with the job requirements

Pro Tip: Not sure how to write impactful achievements? Use Teal's AI writing assistance to craft metric-driven bullet points that you can reference while writing your opening statement.

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4. End with a strong closing statement

Your closing statement needs to do more than just wrap up your personal statement – it should tie together your experience and aspirations in a way that compels hiring managers to keep reading your resume. This is your opportunity to connect your past achievements to future impact.

A strong closing in a personal statement should:

• Link your past successes to the company's needs
• Show clear intent for the role
• Demonstrate forward-thinking ambition
• Highlight the specific value you'll bring

Note: For maximum impact, align your closing with specific company goals or challenges mentioned in the job description. This shows you've done your research and understand how your expertise can address their needs.

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Resume personal statement examples

To help you craft your own resume personal statement, here are several example statements across different career stages and situations. Each example demonstrates how to effectively highlight your qualifications and goals based on your unique professional position.

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For entry-level applicants

An entry-level personal statement should focus on transferable skills, relevant internships or projects, and enthusiasm for the industry. This resume personal statement example effectively combines academic achievements with practical experience while showing clear career direction.

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For recent graduates

Recent graduates should emphasize their academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any practical experience gained through internships or projects. This personal statement example successfully balances academic credentials with practical skills and clear career goals.

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For career changers

Career changers writing a resume personal statement should focus on highlighting transferable skills and demonstrating how their previous experience relates to their target role. This example statement below effectively bridges past experience with new career goals while highlighting relevant capabilities.

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For experienced professionals

As an experienced professional, your resume personal statement should emphasize leadership skills and quantifiable achievements. This example statement effectively showcases industry expertise, measurable results, and strategic capabilities.

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For senior-level professionals

Senior-level personal statements should emphasize strategic impact, leadership accomplishments, and broad business acumen. This executive resume example demonstrates high-level achievements while showing clear executive-level capabilities.

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Tips for writing a resume personal statement

Here are some tips to help you write an effective personal statement that captures the attention of hiring managers and future employers.

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Keep it concise

Your resume personal statement should be between 3-5 sentences or roughly 50-200 words. Every word must earn its place – if a phrase doesn't add value or demonstrate your fit for the role, remove it.

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Use active voice

Write in an active voice to make your  resume personal statement more engaging and impactful. Instead of writing "Revenue was increased by 50%," write "Increased revenue by 50%." This approach makes your achievements more direct and powerful.

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Avoid clichés and buzzwords

Skip overused phrases like "team player" or "detail-oriented." Instead, demonstrate these qualities through specific examples and achievements from your career. Show rather than tell by using concrete examples that prove your capabilities.

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Customize for each application

Never use the same personal statement for different job applications. Analyze each job description and adjust your statement to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to that specific role. This targeted approach shows employers you understand their needs.

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Focus on value over duties

Instead of listing job responsibilities, emphasize the value you've brought to previous roles. Share specific achievements, results, and improvements you've made that directly relate to the position you're pursuing.

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Write a personal statement that captures attention

Your resume personal statement is your first opportunity to showcase your value to potential employers. A well-written personal statement acts as a compelling introduction, quickly demonstrating to hiring managers why you're the perfect candidate for the position.

To create an effective personal statement, keep it concise and impactful, emphasizing relevant achievements and tailoring it to each specific role.

Every word should serve a clear purpose – showcasing your expertise, highlighting quantifiable results, and demonstrating a strong match with the position's requirements.

Ready to write a personal statement that gets you noticed? See for yourself, how Teal can help.