When it comes to preparing a CV, there’s a lot of debate over whether or not to include a CV personal profile, often known as an executive summary or personal statement.
While they aren’t required on a CV, they do give a short summary of your skills and fit for a position, which is useful for a busy recruiter or employer sifting through hundreds of applications.
Writing a short personal profile at the beginning of a CV, on the other hand, might be challenging. The CV personal statement, also known as a profile, is the first thing that potential employers and recruiters will read, so take the time to write a succinct yet well-written introduction to your experience, qualifications, and skills.
The statement must be a succinct summary of your qualifications as a professional. While it should just be a few lines long and summarize your CV and what you can offer the company, it must be particular to your skillset and targeted to the position you are looking for.
We have produced top suggestions to help you write the perfect personal profile after spending over four decades working with clients to construct standout CVs and reading through countless personal statements.
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What Is A CV?
The notion underlying the curriculum vitae might be best translated as “the path of one’s professional education and career” in current English. In short, organizations requesting these papers are primarily interested in a person’s broad range of qualifications for the position (as expressed through training and subsequent career experience). This is in contrast to traditional resumes, which place a greater emphasis on skills.
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When To Use A Curriculum Vitae
When should job searchers use a curriculum vitae (often known as a “CV”) instead of a resume? A curriculum vitae is generally utilized in the United States when applying for academic, educational, scientific, medical, or research employment. It can also be used to apply for fellowships or awards.
Expect to submit a CV rather than a resume when applying for jobs in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia.
Keep in mind that foreign employers frequently demand to see personal information on a curriculum vitae that would never appear on an American resume, such as date of birth, nationality, marital status, and birthplace.
The legislation controlling what information job candidates can be required to submit in the United States does not extend outside of the United States.
What To Include In A CV
The distinctions between a curriculum vitae and a resume are numerous. A curriculum vitae is a more thorough overview of your experience and abilities that is lengthier (two or more pages). You may require several versions of a CV for different sorts of employment, just as you would with a resume.
A curriculum vitae, like a resume, should include the following information:
- Your name
- Contact information
- Education
- Skills
- Experience
- Research and teaching experience
- Publications
- Presentations
- Grants
- Fellowships
- Professional associations and licenses
- Awards and honors
In an international CV, you may also need to include the following information, depending on the country:
- Nationality
- Marital status
- Age
- Number of children (ages optional)
- Personal interests like hobbies
- All education ( high school / secondary school)
- Photos are also recommended (a professional headshot)
How To Write A CV – Important Tips
1.Make it unique to the position.
It’s doubtful that every position you apply for will require you to have the same set of skills and expertise. Only the most important parts of your CV should be highlighted in your personal statement as a snapshot of your professional experience and suitability for the post.
Read also: 4 Ways to Emphasize Your ROI On Your Resume
2. Keep it short.
While there is no set amount of words, your CV should be no more than two pages long, which means a few phrases or a brief paragraph to introduce yourself is sufficient. It should be direct and to the point, referencing your academic achievements as well as the sectors in which you have worked.
3. Concentrate on your professional experience.
You are not required to identify yourself as a person or to discuss your long-term professional goals. Emphasize your professional accomplishments and objectives. Avoid using superfluous words like ambitious, forward-thinking, and so on, since they will only serve to detract from the main competencies you should be emphasizing.
Your academic background and credentials, the relevant sectors you’ve worked in, the goods and processes you’ve worked with that may cross over, and the significant job positions you’ve held are the five major themes you should attempt to cover in your personal statement. Outside of these regions, information should be omitted.
4 Make use of statistics and data.
Make careful to back up your assertions with facts and data to ensure your profile isn’t just a paragraph of empty claims. Include your university grades, the number of years you’ve worked in your field, and any noteworthy results from previous initiatives.
5. Double-check your work.
Your personal statement, like your CV and cover letter, should be error-free and simple to read. It should also be well-edited, clear, and devoid of spelling and punctuation errors.
Overall, your personal statement should be a one-of-a-kind expression of your professional experience. It should attempt to convey who you are, what you have to give, and what you are seeking for to the recruiter. The purpose of your statement may change depending on where you are in your career. You could be looking for an entry-level job or an internship if you recently graduated. If you’ve taken a professional hiatus, you could be interested in returning to the industry or attempting something new. You may be neglected if it is unclear what you want or what you can contribute to the table.
Check: How To Find Unadvertised Job Openings
Curriculum Vitae Sample
“I did numerous internships in the retail and fashion industries after graduating from the University of London with a 2:1 degree in marketing. While aiding in the development of worldwide marketing campaigns, I gained a strong eye for detail. Since starting freelancing assignments in 2021, I’ve won three student awards for my work in digital design.”
I have worked in the manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, marine, and commercial industries as a senior operations expert with over 10 years of experience in cutting-edge organizations. Change management, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, operational improvement, and QCD quality cost delivery are all areas in which I am highly trained and skilled.”
CV sample
Precious Miles
Portland, OR I 503-555-0123 | [email protected]
Education
Masters of Communication, 2019
University of Orleans
Experience
University of Orleans Center for Computational Chemistry
Research Assistant 2019–2020
- Conducted physical and chemical laboratory tests to aid qualitative and quantitative assessments by research experts.
- Assisted in the development of novel chemical engineering processes by operating experimental pilots.
- To guarantee a clean and safe working environment for students and teachers, I maintained all laboratory equipment.
Skills
Project management
Curriculum planning
Fluent in English and Mandarin
Awards and Honors
Wolf Hero Foundation
Wolf Hero Prize in Medicine, 2018
Each year, up to three persons from around the world are honored for contributions in medical science.
Publications and Presentations
Understanding Auditory Sensitivity Issues in Children with Autism
2016, World Autism Organization Conference
Professional Associations
American Society of Journalists, New York (2012–Present)
Grants and Scholarships
The Ogles by Snyder Grant for Equity and Cultural Diversity, 2012
Association for Applied Psychology
Licenses and Certifications
Certificate in Sociological Practice, 2008
Association for Clinical Sociology
Conclusion
There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” personal profile. There should be no two remarks alike, and you should take the time to make it as distinctive and effective as possible in order to stand out.