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When writing a personal profile or personal statement there are key elements needed. With more than three-quarters of UK professionals looking for a new job in 2022, according to a recent survey, perhaps you are one of those looking to refresh your CV, ready to run headlong into the recruitment market.

If so, you need to read our guide on how to make your CV interesting at first glance, by creating a winning personal profile. The personal profile (also called a ‘personal summary’) sets out who you are right from the start, so let’s make sure you get it right, the first time.

What is a personal profile?

Sometimes called the personal statement or personal summary, the personal profile is a brief section right at the top of your CV that ‘sells’ you to the reader. It should grab attention and make them want to read the rest of your details.

Note: A Personal Statement is usually required for university applications, but this is a different topic and not one covered in this guide.

Why is a personal profile needed on my CV?

It’s more than just needed, it’s essential. It’s a brief overview of who you are; your ideals and your goals. After reading it, the reader should feel like they have an idea or ‘feeling’ about you, without having met or even seen you.

It really is your chance to create a good first impression. And you only get one chance to make a first impression, as the saying goes. Summing up your specific skills and experience relevant to the role you are applying for, the reader will be compelled to read on.

How long should it be?

About four or five lines of text should be plenty for your personal summary – think a max of around 180-200 words. Keeping it succinct and to the point is the idea here.

Does my personal profile need a title?

A simple, to-the-point CV is best, so placing your personal statement right at the top should be enough (under your name and contact details) don’t waste space stating that it’s a personal profile – it should be obvious, consider increasing the font size slightly and make it bold or italicise it to make it stand out

How to write the personal profile

Ok, so who are you? Answer that question in the first sentence – “An ambitious university graduate with a 2:1 degree in Economics and a commitment to pursuing a career in a related field.”

Remember to point out the most important information immediately after; why you’re applying for the role and what you’ll bring to it. Mention any relevant skills and finish with a summary of your professional goals – where you want to end up, professionally – but don’t suggest that this job is merely a stepping stone.

So, your finished personal profile may look something like this:

“An ambitious university graduate with a 2:1 degree in Economics and a commitment to pursuing a career in economics or a finance-related field. I have two years of work experience with XYZ company, giving me real-world skills to apply to what I have learned. I wish to excel in an Economics-focused role, eventually resulting in leading a team of Economists.”

Dos and don’ts

Before you craft your own personal statement, please check out our simple checklist of dos and don’ts:

Do

  • Keep it brief and clearly expressed – no waffle!
  • Evidence of your skills and experience – but again, no waffle – just enough to spark interest
  • Remember that it’s YOU that you’re selling – keep it focused on you
  • Make the profile purposeful – show that you know your subject, but don’t sound arrogant
  • Meet the job spec in your statement – show that it’s you they need for this role
  • You do you – show the recruiter who you are, be real
  • Proofread – always, get someone else to check it for you, then check it again
  • Read it out – if it sounds natural, great, if not, give it a tweak
  • Use an Active Voice – words like, ‘built’, ‘planned’, ‘created’, etc.

Don’t

Get carried away with ‘buzzwords’ – a list of empty, overused phrases isn’t very helpful, if you really must, then use them sparingly

  • Use poor grammar – make sure to keep the tense and person the same
  • Be dull – you want to keep the reader engaged with your exciting
  • profile, not turn them off
  • Copy – use guidance and examples, but keep it fresh
  • Ramble or waffle – keep it succinct and to the point

Personal statement examples

Here, we have created a few examples to give you an idea of how we think your personal profile should look, based on your circumstances. Feel free to use variations of these, tailoring them to your needs, including your skills and goals…

School Leaver personal profile example

If it’s your first time entering the job market, then this example should give you some guidance on how to write and structure your own personal statement.

I am an enthusiastic new entrant to the job market having just completed my A-Levels with top grades in Maths, Science and English. I am now looking for an apprenticeship opportunity or similar in the field of engineering with a progressive organisation. Ultimately, I would like to become a fully qualified XYZ engineer, leading a team of similar individuals.

Redundancy or Unemployment personal profile example

Have you been made redundant or left a role, and therefore need to explain a career gap on your CV? This example should give you some help.

A highly motivated and experienced Marketing Manager with 15 years’ experience in FMCG. Delivered multiple successful campaigns, managed large marketing budgets, and led a large team of marketeers throughout this time. Looking to re-enter the job sector after company closure and to lead another marketing team to continuing success.

Career Break personal statement example

Taken a break from your chosen career for some reason? This example will help you to construct a great personal profile designed to get you back into work.

A highly motivated and experienced Product Owner, currently seeking to continue my professional career after a three-year break to raise a young family. In possession of excellent organisational and people management skills, with a BA (hons) in Business Management. Looking to ensure product delivery that meets the needs of stakeholders and clients, once again.

Graduate personal summary example

You’ve studied hard and now you finally have your degree, let’s look at an example personal profile to help you secure your dream job.

A recent graduate with a 2:1 degree in Social Sciences from XYZ University, with a year’s work experience with a local government Social Services team. In possession of strong interpersonal skills, as well as advocacy, critical reflection, strong communication abilities, resilience and a robust intellect. Ready to join a team that mirrors my ambition and desire to make a difference. Available immediately.

Career Change personal profile example

Looking to change direction? Is your current career not fulfilling your ambitions? Let us help you create a personal statement that will help you follow another career path. Concentrate on the skills that you have that can move with you.

I am a successful sales professional with a tenacious and proactive approach that has helped my current organisation to rise to the top of its sector. I’m now looking to use my transferrable skills, gained over 10 years, to move to a senior marketing role where I can use my interpersonal and negotiating skills to elevate the business to a higher level. I am also currently working towards a diploma in Sustainable Marketing in my own time.

Final personal statement example

We’ll leave you with a great example of a personal summary from an applicant who has recently taken a career break:

A highly-skilled data engineer looking to resume a position in the healthcare or related sector. Extremely knowledgeable with ten years of industry experience. Possesses a wide skillset, including analysis and creation of dashboards and board-level reports on trends and other information. Looking to re-establish a career, after a brief career break to take care of a new addition to the family, in an industry-leading organisation which requires data engineering expertise.

When it comes to securing a new role, you’ll want to ensure you make the right impression. But do you know how to prepare for a job interview? It’s the key to success; and thorough research and planning is the only way to impress your interviewer.

Before the big day, you’ll need to consider several points; from the questions they’re likely to ask and how you’re going to get there, to who you’re meeting with and what to take with you.

By preparing everything you need ahead of time, you’re setting yourself up for success in the interview. You know what they say, if you fail to plan – you plan to fail.

Do your research

Research is essential before any job interview. Whether it’s memorising the company’s mission statement, or working out the quickest route to get there; it’s vital that you brush up on your knowledge. After all, you don’t want, the employer to catch you out.

When you prepare for a job interview, it’s important to start as soon as possible. Begin with an internet search of the company and read through its website, social media platforms and any other literature it may have online.

This should help you to build a better picture of the company’s values, goals, and even its clients; which is useful if you’re interviewing for a job in sales.

However, don’t limit your research to just learning about the company. Explore the sector it operates in, investigate its biggest competitors and note any industry trends or news that may be happening at the time.

By preparing for a job interview this way, you’ll prove to the interviewer that you’re passionate about the industry; plus, it will lead to more meaningful conversations during your meeting.

Finally, be sure to review the job description for the role you’re interviewing for. By going through this in detail, you’ll ensure that you’re fully aware of what the role requires. Ultimately, this will help you to pinpoint which skills and real-world examples to highlight; making sure you impress your interviewer.

Plan your journey

Another point to consider when you prepare for a job interview is your journey. To avoid any stress, make sure you know where you’re going and how long it will take you to get there.

If you don’t know the area well, it could be worth doing a trial run a few days before. This enables you to gauge how long the journey will take and gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with where you’re meeting.

On the actual day, make sure you leave with plenty of extra time to allow for possible delays; especially if you’re relying on public transport. The last thing you want to do is turn up late to the interview and feel stressed or panicked before you go in.

Pick a professional outfit

A key part of preparing for a job interview is picking the perfect outfit. The way you dress says as much about you as your CV or your performance in the interview itself.

Planning your outfit ahead of time will save you from stressing the morning of your interview. Plus, it gives you time to buy new clothes if necessary.

Dressing professionally is important; it shows the interviewer that you’re taking the opportunity seriously. Plus, sticking to a professional dress code also reduces the risk of your outfit distracting them (or you!)

Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it’s clean and not ill-fitting; you don’t want to be walking around in something that’s too tight or loose. Also, it’s worth considering your colour scheme when you prepare for a job interview. Keep it subtle.

Neutral or pastel colours will ensure you look smart and professional.

For women opting to wear a dress or skirt, it’s important to consider the length and ensure it’s appropriate. This also applies to vests or blouses; you don’t want your outfit to be too revealing.

Similarly, when applying make-up and choosing jewellery, try to keep it subtle. Heavy make-up doesn’t look professional and clunky jewellery could be distracting to both you and the interviewer. For men, it’s important that you look well groomed. Make sure that both your hair and facial hair are kept clean and trimmed. And, if you choose to wear a suit, try to avoid bold or novelty ties.

Practise your responses Although you can’t predict what questions the employer will ask when you prepare for a job interview, you can research and rehearse answers to the most common offenders.

Remember, the questions the interviewer may ask you will differ by industry. For example, questions for a cleaning job may differ to those for an Admin Manager role.

Practise responses that highlight your strengths and prepare the best examples for demonstrating your skills. It may help to do a mock interview with a friend, or even record yourself and listen to it back; that way you can also work on your presentation skills.

Prepare some questions

In your meeting (generally towards the end) the employer will probably ask if you have any questions of your own. So, it’s important to consider this when you prepare for a job interview!

After all, not having any is likely to reflect negatively on you; show you’re enthusiastic and curious by preparing questions beforehand.

The interview is a chance for you to find out more about the company, the job role and the people you’ll be working with. They want to know if you’re right for the company; but the interview is also your chance to see if the company is right for you!

If you have any doubts or questions, then keep a note so you can ask your interviewer on the day.

Decide what to take

Don’t forget to check if there’s anything you need to take to your interview. Depending on the job, you may need to bring a portfolio of work.

If this is the case, be sure to have this ready the night before. For most interviews, the employer won’t specifically ask you to bring anything; but as a rule, it’s a good idea to have an extra copy of your CV to hand.

You may also want to take a notepad and a pen with you. That way you can jot down any questions or notes that crop up throughout the meeting.

Finally, having a copy of the job role to refer to during the interview is always beneficial.

Mentally prepare for a job interview

Preparing for your job interview with research and a smart outfit should help to build your confidence and get you in the right frame of mind.

To tackle any last-minute nerves, allow time on the day to mentally prepare; run through your interview answers and recap on the research you’ve done on the company.

Think positively and remind yourself of your strengths and why you’d be right for the job.Arriving ahead of time also reduces the chance of feeling rushed or panicked before you greet your interviewer.

Good luck with your job interview

It may seem like a lot to remember, but careful interview preparation is key to securing yourself a job. Don’t scrimp on the research and don’t leave planning your travel and outfits to the last minute.

Preparing for a job interview in advance can help you feel confident and in control; resulting in a brilliant interview and hopefully a new job!

How do you go about landing a remote position, particularly if you’ve not had one before? Well, you can start by boosting your CV with these important skills.

Time Management

Several studies have shown that remote workers are able to manage their time better and are 47% more productive than those in the workplace.

When you’re working remotely, particularly from home, you have access to your computer from the morning through to the evening, and it can be tempting to start work earlier or continue to work later.

For this reason, being able to demonstrate time management on your CV is going to be very beneficial. You need to show that even when working out of the office, you will still be able to stay on top of your workload, meet deadlines and prioritise tasks without having a manager there to keep you on track.

But you need to be able to do all of this whilst also practising a strong work-life balance.

Adaptability

In any job, being flexible and able to adapt to change is important, especially with technology always moving and evolving. In remote positions, being adaptable is even more crucial for collaboration, dealing with technical issues, changing workloads, last-minute video conference calls and more.

Think about it, just a few months into the pandemic, the nation was faced with the first lockdown, and millions of professionals had to quickly adjust to working from home.

Employers are looking for people who can quickly adapt to changes like this and who can continue to work their hardest despite any issues or disruptions. Therefore demonstrating adaptability can instantly elevate your CV.

Virtual networking

Networking is an important skill for any professional. It is a crucial way to hone your communication skills, learn from those in your industry and open yourself up to new opportunities. This can be done in lots of ways, including collaborating with others in your office, attending industry events, leveraging social media, and volunteering.

However, when you’re working remotely, it’s challenging enough to speak with our colleagues, let alone meet new people and foster new professional relationships.

Therefore, being able to network virtually is such a beneficial skill and one that you should demonstrate on your CV. It shows that you have interpersonal skills and that you can communicate effectively and collaborate with others, even when working remotely.

Technical Literacy

Technical literacy is vital as we become increasingly reliant on computers and other devices.

When working remotely, you might be required to use different tools or systems that you’ve not used before to enable you to do your job. For example, video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams have become hugely popular amongst businesses.

Great news: you’ve been invited to a second interview…

Whether this fills you with fear, excitement, or confidence (or a combination of all three) – you’re probably wondering what it will involve and how you should prepare. And although many aspects will emulate a first interview, there’s likely to be some key differences.

What is a second interview?

A second interview is a way for employers to find out more about you following your initial interview.

It also helps an employer to compare candidates more closely – as the amount of interviewees is usually reduced.

Although not all employers use second interviews, they are usually standard for more competitive roles.

What’s the difference between a first and second interview?

A first interview is all about testing your personality and basic skills.

An employer uses it to see whether you match up to your CV and cover letter – and it will often involve a general overview of both what the role involves and how your capabilities fit.

A second interview may focus on this as well – but will place more of an emphasis on what separates you from other candidates.

Whether it’s through asking more specific questions, elaborating on aspects that were covered in your first interview, or covering salary expectations.

What should I expect in a second interview?

If your first round was particularly in-depth, you might even be wondering what’s left to cover; but you’d be surprised at how much the employer still doesn’t know.

To make sure you know what to expect, here are a few things that are usually covered in a second interview:

  • More questions. With many interviews carried out in a short space of time, there’s a good chance that the employer (and you) didn’t get all the information you needed in round one. A second interview is not only the perfect time for the employer to ask any questions they may have missed off – it’s also an opportunity for you to ask anything that’s on your mind.
  • Proof of your most relevant skills. Although you’ve probably talked about your basic skills and abilities, this stage is all about getting more specific – so be prepared to elaborate. This may involve tests, quizzes, or technical questions.
  • A salary discussion. If a recruitment process has more than one stage, the latter is usually the best time for salary chats. Make sure you’ve done your research to ensure what you’re asking for a reasonable amount, and be prepared to make the first move.
  • A tour of the workplace. You may have proved you’re a good fit in terms of your skills and experience. Now, the employer wants to see if you fit in culturally. This might involve meeting more members of the team and looking around the workplace. Be friendly and polite, and use this opportunity to work out if it’s the kind of atmosphere you could work in.
  • A different interview type. Second interviews often follow a different format than your first one. This means that if you originally had a group interview, this one might be one-on-one. Or if you met one-on-one last time, this could be where they bring more people in for a second/third opinion (que: the panel interview).
  • Tying up loose ends. A second interview is also a good opportunity for employers to find out the logistics of hiring you (e.g. your potential start date).Come armed with your availability (along with any other requirements/details), and you’re likely to move forward faster.