How to write a resume personal statement

Your resume is one of the first impressions an employer has about you. Therefore, it has to grab the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter if you want to get your foot in the door to land that coveted interview. One element that can help you grab their attention is the resume personal statement. 

A well-written personal statement can make the difference between your resume going in the “no” pile, never to be seen again, or in the “yes” pile, getting you one step closer to landing the job. But first, you need to know how to write a resume personal statement.  

What is a resume personal statement?

The resume personal statement, also referred to as a resume profile, is a brief three to five-sentence paragraph that kicks off your resume and falls just below your resume heading. It incorporates your most relevant skills, experience, and education related to the position you’re applying for. 

A well-crafted personal statement:

• Shares who you are as professional

• Highlights the value you bring to a company

• Briefly states your career goals or objectives related to the job

If you think a personal statement sounds very similar to atype: entry-hyperlink id: 3ZmSJ4LWBRWEcPwANBqYov, that’s because it is. A resume personal statement often includes a brief career objective related to the position, however, whereas a resume summary generally doesn’t. 

When should you include a resume personal statement?

Whentype: entry-hyperlink id: 65CHrRs32OK7q5DJBMFb4o, you should almost always include a personal statement. A well-developed resume personal statement focuses on your professional history and the value you add. Though you provide a brief objective at the end of a personal statement, it’s typically focused on your goals to support the company vs. being about your general career goals.

How to write a resume personal statement

Writing a resume personal statement isn’t complicated once you understand how to write it and what to include. Here are some tips to help.

Make it compelling

Your personal statement should quickly show the reader enough that you’re a viable candidate for the job. This is especially true since most recruiters and hiring managers only spend a few seconds on a resume before making a decision about the candidate’s viability. 

Begin with your professional status

Include your current level or position to kick off the resume personal statement. If you’ve held several positions, include the title that aligns closest to the job you’re applying to. You also want to include an adjective that describes you. For example:

• Innovative Film Director

• Intuitive Career Counselor

• Motivated Marketing Manager

If you’re a type: entry-hyperlink id: pCWUPaabRcUtIU3gD9KIL with no work experience, you can include that and your degree instead of your title. Or, if you’re a student, you can notate that with an adjective and your pending degree. Some examples include:

• Recent graduate with a BS in Chemistry

• Dedicated student graduating with an M.A. in Film & Media production

• Committed journalism student 

Include quantifiable achievements

After your title introduction, include real examples of achievements you’ve had that align with the job. This is where it pays off to use quantifiable data that showcases your results. For example: 

• Increased sales by 12% as team lead

• Led $2 million dollar data validation project, increasing efficiency and reducing data errors by 23%

Include required skills

Highlight type: entry-hyperlink id: 3zk7EfdDRVLEiNPPmKMBgc you possess that are required for the job as part of your resume personal statement. Refer to the job description to help you identify the necessary skills you have and need to succeed in the role. 

End with your career objective or goals 

You’ll conclude your statement with a summary of your career goals or objectives. It should align with your value and how it can support the position or organization you’re targeting. 

Write it last

This might seem counterintuitive, though it can be helpful to wait to write your personal statement after you’ve completed the other sections of your resume. After completing your type: entry-hyperlink id: 3S9agOaCDnO8UNKcxkJRA9, skills, and type: entry-hyperlink id: 56DE6DI27uqpG4VmAcpbWQ, summarize your top accomplishments and qualifications for your personal statement. 

Tailor it to your audience and the job

Ideally, you will always tailor your resume to the job you’re applying to, which includes your resume personal statement. It’s important to tailor your resume in such a way that it precisely aligns with what the employers are looking for to help you get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and then grab the attention of the hiring team. Make sure your personal statement includes keywords from the job description to meet these goals. 

Be concise

Make your personal statement as brief and concise as possible – it should be around three to five sentences and somewhere between 50 and 150 words. If you need to shorten it, choose to include the most relevant information that allows you to stand out from the competition. 

Choose the style or point of view

Some choose to write a resume personal statement in the first person (“I am….”) or third person (“He is…). Others opt to leave pronouns out altogether (“Driven Sales Professional who…”). 

Today, leaving pronouns out of your resume is the general guidance from experts, so it’s best to forgo them in your resume personal statement. Let’s take a look at some examples.

Resume personal statement examples

Below are some examples of personal statements based on experience level. Feel free to use the most appropriate for your circumstances as a template to inspire your own. 

Experienced hire example

Innovative Marketing Professional with 15 years of experience in e-commerce. Spearheaded sales campaign with new product launch, increasing profits by 22% and customer satisfaction by 14%. Adept at email marketing, graphic design, buyer, psychology, and online media to support marketing initiatives and sales goals.

Recent college graduate example

Recent graduate with a master's in Human Resources and one year of experience working as an HR intern in the oil and gas industry. Developed content for a new HR resource website for entry-level hires and supported the implementation of a new employee relations training and development program for supervisors. Ability to strategize best next steps, empathize with clients, and provide guidance to support optimal outcomes to support company goals. 

College student example

Communications major seeking to apply media and content development experience in the role of Communications Assistant at ABC Organization. Awarded 2024 Best Impactful Communication Campaign for student communications competition and expected to graduate with an M.A. in communications in May 2025. Relevant coursework, commitment to learning, innovative approach, open-mindedness, and dedication to growth align well with the requirements provided in the job description.

Your personal statement can set you apart

You now have the tools to craft a resume personal statement that grabs the attention of hiring teams and puts you in the interview seat. Remember to keep it concise, showcase your most significant skills and experience, and tailor it to the job you’re applying to for the most impact. 

Does your resume personal statement make you stand out? Submit your resume for a free resume review with tips tailored to your needs!

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