How to Write a CV Personal Profile with Examples and Tips

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, a personal profile is essential for your CV when targeting the UK job market. It is a pivotal section that is often misunderstood but carries significant weight in the eyes of employers. Companies seek individuals who exhibit competence and dedication during the application process. Consequently, you should perceive your personal profile as a golden opportunity to captivate the attention of recruiters and hiring managers, as it occupies the topmost position in your CV. Check out our how to master a personal profile video to learn more.

Before delving into the intricacies of writing a personal profile, it is crucial to clarify that this section has various naming conventions. Nonetheless, these different labels ultimately serve the same purpose. Below, you will find alternative designations for a personal profile:

• Summary

• Profile Summary

• Personal Statement

• CV Profile Summary

• Skills Summary

• Qualifications Summary

• About Me.

By embracing the information presented in this article and leveraging the tools provided by CVMaker, you can create the best personal profile that resonates with employers, propelling you closer to your desired career success in the dynamic UK job market.

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What is a personal profile? 

A personal profile is a paragraph at the top of your CV, serving as an introductory statement about yourself and your career objectives. Its purpose is to provide a concise overview of your professional background, educational attainment, aspirations, and core competencies, all tailored to align with your desired job and industry. To be effective, your personal profile must strike a balance between clarity, brevity, and relevance to make a strong impact on potential employers in the UK market.

What to include in a personal profile?

To create a comprehensive personal profile, it is essential to include two crucial components. First, incorporate a compelling power statement that grabs attention. Second, emphasise soft skills rather than hard skills. Ensuring the inclusion of both these elements is pivotal. In the subsequent sections, we will delve deeper into these aspects, providing you with personal profile examples and guidance on how to construct the personal profile section of your CV effectively.

Steps on how to write a personal profile for your CV

1. Start with a compelling power statement

Begin your personal profile with a strong opening sentence highlighting your current job title, years of experience, and primary career objectives. This statement should grab the attention of employers and set you apart from other applicants.

2. Align with the job description

Refer to the job description of the position you're applying for and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases. For example, if the job requires someone with over 10 years of experience or a qualified marketing professional, include those details in your personal profile to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

3. Focus on showcasing soft skills

The next part should emphasise your personal attributes and soft skills relevant to your career goals. Highlight qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the position. Remember, it's not necessary to list hard skills here, as there is a dedicated section for that elsewhere in your CV.

4. Seek inspiration from CV writing guidelines

To craft a compelling personal profile, refer to resources on how to write a good CV and what skills to include. These guidelines can provide further inspiration and help you identify the essential skills and qualities sought after by employers in your field.

By following these steps, you can create a robust and targeted personal profile that captures the attention of employers in the UK job market, increasing your chances of securing your desired position.

Benefits of a personal profile

1. Demonstrates your research and suitability

You showcase your understanding of the role and organisation by crafting a well-crafted personal profile. It conveys to recruiters or hiring managers that you have taken the time to align yourself with the job requirements, highlighting why you are the ideal candidate for the position.

2. Concisely summarises your experience and goals

The personal profile allows you to condense your professional experience and career goals into a concise, reader-friendly format. It enables you to present the most relevant information, avoiding overwhelming details that may not align with your career objectives.

3. Provides insight into your identity and motivation

Your personal profile offers a glimpse into your personality, motivations, and aspirations. It provides the reader with valuable insight, potentially leading to engaging interview discussions. You lay the groundwork for fruitful conversations during the interview process by mentioning key points in your personal profile.

By leveraging these benefits, a well-crafted personal profile becomes a powerful tool in your CV, helping you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers in the UK job market.

Avoid the following when writing a personal profile

1. Writing a generic summary

Avoid creating a generic summary that could apply to any candidate. The term "personal" implies specificity, so tailor your summary to reflect your unique qualities and attributes. If it's your first time writing a personal profile, take a look at our student CV example article for more inspiration.

2. Neglecting spelling and grammar

Spelling and grammar mistakes can be detrimental to your CV, particularly in the opening paragraph. Thoroughly proofread your text, read it aloud, use spelling check tools, or ask a friend to review your document.

3. Using incomplete sentences or relying solely on bullet points

While bullet points may work in certain instances, it's generally recommended to use complete sentences and write a short paragraph for your summary.

4. Using excessive keywords without providing substance

Avoid filling your personal profile with numerous keywords without conveying meaningful information. Keep it concise and ensure clarity in your statements.

5. Solely focusing on job requirements

While it's important to address job requirements, your personal profile should go beyond simply listing them. Use this opportunity to stand out by highlighting your unique qualities and attributes.

6. Writing in the third person

Instead of using third-person phrasing, opt for first-person language and omit personal pronouns (e.g., use "Manage" instead of "Manages").

7. Overloading with irrelevant details

Remember that a personal profile is a summary, so focus on the most pertinent aspects of your experience and skills. If you have limited experience, research the job requirements and highlight relevant personal attributes and transferable skills gained from education or other experiences like volunteering.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure that your personal profile effectively represents your strengths and enhances your chances of standing out to prospective employers in the UK job market.

Examples of CV personal profiles for the UK

To alleviate the daunting task of writing a personal profile, we have curated practical CV profile examples for your reference, catering to both short and long profiles. While the general guideline suggests having a minimum of four lines and a maximum of six, it is crucial to tailor your profile to your specific career goals. Remember, the key focus should be on relevant soft skills when crafting a personal profile.

If you are looking for more inspiration on how to write the best CV personal profile for your desired job, take a look at more of our CV examples articles like the software developer CV example or our language-specific French CV example.

Key takeaways

Crafting a compelling personal profile is crucial as it allows you to present yourself in a focused and impactful manner. Unlike a cover letter, a personal profile is more specific and directly aligned with your career objectives. It serves as an opportunity to highlight your strengths and achievements, leaving a positive impression on the reader. However, it's important to strike a balance and avoid sounding overly promotional or making exaggerated claims that could be exposed during an interview.

Consider the following tips when writing your personal profile:

• Seek inspiration from the examples provided above to guide your own writing process.

• Leave the personal profile section for the end, ensuring it reflects a coherent and accurate representation of yourself. Reading it aloud or asking for a friend's feedback can provide valuable insights.

• Be specific in your statements and provide concrete examples to support your claims during interviews.

• Reflect on your career goals and ensure they are conveyed in your personal profile. Additionally, highlight relevant soft skills that align with your objectives.

• Verify that the soft skills you mention are not only true but also relevant to the job you are applying for.

By following these guidelines and asking yourself the below questions, you can create a powerful personal profile that effectively showcases your qualifications and sets you apart as a strong candidate.

1. What are my long-term career aspirations, and how do they align with the position I am applying for?

2. Have I communicated my career goals and relevant soft skills in the personal profile to showcase my fit for the desired role?

3. Are my soft skills not only true but also explicitly connected to the job requirements and responsibilities?

4. Do my career goals and soft skills reflect a genuine passion and commitment to excel in the industry or field?

5. Have I highlighted any additional transferable skills that could be valuable in the role beyond the basic requirements?

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FAQ

How long should a personal profile be?

To maximise the effectiveness of your personal profile on a CV, it's essential to tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. Instead of listing everything, focus on creating a concise and targeted profile. Aim for a block of text that ranges from four to six lines, ensuring that it captures the key highlights of your qualifications. Maintaining a typical font size, limiting your word count to a maximum of 120 words is advisable, ideally slightly lower. With a professional CV template you can easily add a personal profile that will enhance your CV.

Do I need to include a personal statement on my CV?

Including a personal statement on your CV is optional, but it can be a valuable addition that helps to provide a concise summary of your skills, experience, and career goals.

Should a UK CV profile be written in the third person?

Instead of using third-person phrasing, opt for first-person phrasing and omit personal pronouns (e.g., use "Manage" instead of "Manages").

Where should I include the personal profile on my CV?

The personal profile, a personal statement or a CV summary should be placed near the beginning of your CV, typically after your contact information and before the work experience section. By positioning it in this prominent location, you ensure that it immediately captures the attention of recruiters or hiring managers. For more inspiration to help you write a personal profile, check out our modern CV example article.

How can I make my profile stand out to recruiters?

When crafting your personal profile, keep these essential tips in mind to maximise its impact:

• Tailor it to the specific job.

• Use impactful language.

• Showcase your unique selling points.

• Quantify your achievements.

• Incorporate keywords.

• Demonstrate soft skills.

• Provide specific examples.

• Keep it concise.

• Show enthusiasm and passion.

• Proofread and edit.