cv personal statement for change of career

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11 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2024

Stephen Greet

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  • Career Change Resumes
  • Changing Careers To Resumes
  • Changing Careers From Resumes
  • Career Change Resumes for Teachers

Perhaps you’ve spent decades crafting your profession only to feel drawn toward a new challenge. Maybe you’ve only spent a few years in your job but realized it’s not everything you’d hoped for. 

While the decision to pursue a new career can be thrilling, it comes with a challenge—convincing hiring managers to employ you. Whatever else, don’t let  building your resume  or writing a cover letter be a source of anxiety.

We’ve compiled  11 career change resume examples and a free guide to help steer you toward your dream job in 2024 . 

Even if your new career isn’t in our samples, that’s okay! What’s essential in these samples is the how and why, so keep reading because we’re sure there’s something here for you!

Career Change Resume

or download as PDF

Career change resume example with 14 years of experience

Why this resume works

  • A summary merges your background with the opportunities you’re seeking. In other words, a summary demonstrates how your experience has prepared you for your new field. However, you should only use a summary if you’ve had  at least 10 years of experience.
  • Choosing a  professional resume template  and  resume format  can help make your resume look professional and cohesive without much effort.

Multiple Career Resume

Multiple career resume example with 13 years of experience

  • The keywords you include will help tie your expertise together and prove that you have the right abilities for the job. 
  • Start by listing hard skills (aka technical, learned skills) listed in the job description. If you don’t have a lot, then simply use soft skills like “analytical” and collaboration.”
  • Whatever jobs you’ve held, find a common thread between them and the new job, then sew that thread into every job experience. It’ll be a subtle but powerful tool to increase credibility despite multiple career changes. 

Career Change To Accounting Resume

Career change to accounting resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • If you’re applying to be an accountant but it wasn’t your most recent role, be sure to add a certifications section highlighting that you are a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Career Change To Administrative Assistant Resume

Career change to administrative assistant resume example with 7 years of experience

  • Enhance your career change to administrative assistant resume with a short summary that shows recruiters where to draw parallels between your past experience and target title.

Marketing Manager Career Change Resume

Marketing manager career change resume example with 12 years of experience

  • There are numbers everywhere; look for percentages relating to your skills, like how you boosted efficiency or increased sales from last quarter. The sky’s the limit!
  • If you can’t find (or don’t have access to) percentages, then use plain numbers relating to how many team members you worked with, how many clients you took on, or how many referrals you gained.
  • Things like only using active verbs and avoiding personal pronouns might seem minor, but they make reading your resume easier, which is huge for recruiters and hiring managers.
  • And speaking of details, always  double-check your resume  for proper grammar, punctuation, and overall flow.

RN Career Change Resume

RN career change resume example with 17 years of experience

  • An objective is only two to three sentences, so make sure each word packs a verbal punch by showing off your years of experience, skills, and desire for the role you’re seeking.
  • For example, mentioning your adherence to HIPPA guidelines can demonstrate to hiring managers that you will stick to the rules. On the flip side, explaining how you used active listening to assist patients will show your compassion and customer service skills.

Journalist Career Change Resume

Journalist career change resume example with 7 years of experience

  • Start by keeping your resume to a single page. Otherwise, you’ll overwhelm hiring managers (who will likely toss your resume into the recycling).
  • It’s best to use reverse-chronological formatting on your resume to keep your most relevant job history at the top. While other formats are necessarily wrong, they aren’t standard, and they’re harder for hiring managers (and the ATS) to read.
  • In your contact header, include your email address (make sure it’s a professional email), your phone number, and your location. 
  • Consider adding a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile if you have a LinkedIn account.

Mechanical Engineer Career Change Resume

Mechanical engineer career change resume example with 17 years of experience

  • Consider asking a friend, relative, or even a career advisor from your alma mater to scan your resume for errors and discrepancies.
  • Nothing tells a recruiter you’re not the right person for the job like saying you’re great at “time management.” 
  • Put color in your section headers (or company titles) and your contact header. This will add visual interest without being overwhelming.
  • If you’re applying to work at a conservative financial firm, you may want to stick to traditional colors rather than pastel pink or lavender.

Teacher Career Change Resume

Teacher career change resume example with 10 years of experience

  • Look for ways to connect your previous duties to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
  • Many skills  indirectly  transfer from one job to another. Consider your collaboration skills: your ability to work well with fellow teachers will help you work on team projects at your next job.
  • Of course, if you have any skills, projects, or experience in your new field, include them, and explain how you’ve mastered them in your career change cover letter .
  • Using a  resume template  is invaluable here, as you can easily scooch sections to the side, adjust your margins, and fix your font type to give you some extra wiggle room.

Teacher to Project Manager Resume

Teacher to project manager resume example with 6 years of experience

  • The work experience bullet points to occupy the largest share of your CV—no more than four bullets for each role. As for your contact info, education, skills, hobbies, and certifications, a side column will do the trick. The cherry on top is restricting the entire resume to one page.

Teacher to Human Resources Resume

Teacher to human resources resume example with counseling experience

  • But more importantly, mention the relevant transferable skills you bring to this entry-level role, a requirement Elijah executes well in his teacher to human resources resume. Better yet, let your bullet points show how you used these proficiencies in previous teaching roles.

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How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

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Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. You've already included your jobs and experience , and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add.

This is when you need to utilize a personal statement at the top of your CV.

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples] 

cv personal statement example

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement.

This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.

Why do I Need a Personal Statement?

A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants.

This statement summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents . The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job. 

Even med students need a medical school personal statement , as it is what differentiates them from all the other students applying. Plus, it allows them to share their personal stories and objectives.

Where do I Start? 

Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly.

Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value you’ll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that. 

Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. It’s important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50-200 words will do.

Don’t forget that you have your whole cover letter to show some personality and include engaging content.

The personal statement should be a quick summary that highlights why you are the best person for the job. 

You’ll need to decide whether you are writing your personal statement in first- or third-person. This should follow how you've written the rest of your CV.

For example, if you've already written, “I grew and developed a team of 50 salespeople,” in your CV then you will want to keep your personal statement in first-person to match the prevailing style.

No matter what you choose, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout. Do not switch between first- and third-person as that will get confusing to the hiring manager.

Writing a personal statement for your CV in first-person does not mean you need to start every sentence with “I.”

There are ways to craft your personal statement to sound snappy, concise and personal, and here are a few examples to help inspire your personal statement. 

CV Personal Statement Examples

It doesn’t matter what chose as your desired career or how much experienc e you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement.

You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience.

If these examples don’t fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch. 

#1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV

“As a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast-paced, professional environment.”

Explanation: This example should be customized to include the university you’ve graduated from and any relevant internships. A compelling personal statement always highlights relevant skills and experiences.

In this case, a recent graduate does not have extensive experience in the workforce, so soft skills like experiencing success in a fast-paced work environment and becoming a trusted team member become even more critical.

#2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV

“A highly motivated and experienced office administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis.”

Explanation: After time off from a career, it can be hard to break back into the market. This personal statement outlines the reason for the break, the relevant qualifications and what the applicant has been doing in between jobs.

Any volunteer experience becomes highly relevant when there is no concrete professional experience to draw upon, to demonstrate the use of those skills. 

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#3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV

“With over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high-functioning sales teams that consistently achieve budget numbers. In fact, my ability to grow talent led to a 20% increase in annual renewals across the board. Now, after 15 years, I am seeking new challenges to flex my marketing muscles in a fast-paced environment.” 

Explanation: When changing careers , it's essential to highlight skills that are transferable between industries.

In this case, leadership and team-building experience can apply to any industry. Homing in on concrete numbers and percentages increases credibility when applying for a position.

The applicant ends with the reason behind the desired career change. This part is not necessary but may be appealing to some hiring managers who are wondering what the impetus for the career change.

#4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV

“As a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand student’s needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. I’ve worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.”

Explanation: With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft. 

A personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position.

You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement. 

If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the table, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.  

Suggested Reading:

  • How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
  • 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job
  • 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume  [With Tips + Tricks]
  • How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

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CV Personal Statement:  Examples and Actionable Tips

Elena Prokopets

Fact: recruiters spend only 6 seconds reviewing each CV. So poorly organized CVs inevitably get discarded. 

Having an effective CV layout is the first step to attracting their attention. And the second step is topping that CV with a compelling personal statement (also known as a personal profile, personal summary, or executive summary).

What is a Personal Statement in a CV? 

A personal statement for a CV is a short and compelling paragraph that summarizes why you’re the most qualified person for the offered role. It tells the reader who you are and what valuable qualifications you will be bringing to their company.

NB : Opening statement, personal profile, personal summary, or executive summary are the other common names for a personal statement. 

Many believe that the work experience section is the most important element of a CV. Yet, it is your personal statement that can end up making or breaking the success of your job application. 

Because it provides the reader with a quick answer to one question they have on their mind: Are you qualified for the job or not? 

Remember: You’ll be directly competing with numerous other applicants with similar skills and work experiences. A compelling CV statement sets you apart by giving the reader a condensed snapshot of who you are as a person. 

Do I Need To Include a Personal Statement On My CV?

The short answer is YES! A personal statement entices the reader to read your entire CV by giving them a preview of your most valuable skills. It also helps you differentiate from other candidates by explaining your background, motivation, and personal character traits concisely. 

In essence, a personal statement helps you express why you are the right choice for the job in one condensed paragraph.

Where Should a Personal Statement Go in a CV?

A personal statement goes into the header area of your CV. Include it right under your name and contact details as a separate, highlighted area. A good personal statement is about 3-4 sentences long and occupies not more than 1/4th of the page. 

Alternatively, you can design a two-column CV and allocate the upper sidebar area for your personal statement. As a recent survey found, 77% of recruiters prefer two-column CVs to single-column ones.

Sample personal statement placement on a CV template

personal statement in resume

What Do You Write in a CV Personal Statement?

A compelling personal statement summarizes your professional and educational background; highlights the main skills and accomplishments. It can also express your career objectives and/or interest in the particular industry or subject if you’re a current student or recent graduate.  

Personal Statement Examples for CV 

To give you an idea of how to write your statement, let’s look at some examples.

Remember: You need to write a unique personal statement for your CV. Simply copying and using these examples may not be the best move because the sample CV statements won’t reflect your unique experiences and personality. 

Good CV Personal Statement Examples

Employers want to see experts. Therefore, your personal statement must speak directly to your most marketable skills. 

You should never come off sounding desperate or diminish your worth (even if you have been recently laid off ). Use a confident tone with first-person implied and strong verbs to describe your core competencies and other benefits you can bring to the workplace. 

General Jobseeker Personal Statement Example

Highly motivated, fully trained engineer with 15 years of experience in the telecoms industry. Worked with XYZ Telecoms Ltd, Cool Mobile Carrier, and Acme Telco as a field engineer and project team leader. Successfully managed large commercial telecom infrastructure installations. Currently unemployed due to the relocation of the company. Open to new opportunities in NOC. 

Personal Statement CV Example For an Administration Position 

Adaptable and resourceful facilities manager with experience in supporting enterprise-sized organizations in real estate, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing industries. Strong organizational skillset: Six Sigma, standardized method of procedure (MOP) policies implementation. Was responsible for facilities operations on 2.4 million square feet in a 20-building chemical manufacturing campus, serviced by a 20+ people team of building engineers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and cleaners.

Accountant Personal Statement CV Examples

Below are two samples for a senior and a junior accountant. 

Chartered Accountant 

ACCA-certified accountant for mid-market and enterprise-sized companies. Conducted due diligence and tax audits for FTSE 500 companies. Commenced for a 100% accuracy track record in financial reporting, as well as fast turnaround on complex analytical reviews. Provide on-demand advisory on trust setup, company incorporation, and tax deferrals. 

Account Assistant 

Detail-oriented, certified accounting assistant with experience in payroll administration. Familiar with Gusto, Xero, and Intuit software. Effectively process payroll, benefits, taxes, and social contributions for over 1500 employees per month. Possess a strong foundation in employee classification,  tax reporting, and financial management. 

CV Personal Statement Examples for Students

Whether you’re applying for an internship or looking for a part-time job , a compelling personal is a must-have for a student CV. 

Since your work experience history may be a bit “thin”, you need to persuade the employer via other means — your transferable skills, academic interests, and personal traits. A personal CV allows you to spotlight all of these. 

Remember that you are bringing your energy, dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn to the table. As you will not have any employment history, you need to make sure to get your personality and your soft skills over in your statement.

CV Statement for a Student Looking for a Full-Time Summer Job 

Junior copywriter, enrolled in a BA Writing Program at the University of Manchester (graduation date: fall 2025). Alumni of the 2022 Copywriting Bootcamp program from Matters Agency. Well-versed in target audience analysis, brand positioning, and editorial campaign planning. Writing clips for eCommerce and SaaS brands are available in my portfolio.  

CV Statement for an Internship 

Second-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Leeds, seeking to apply theoretical knowledge in safety system design. Proficient in AutoCAD and completed a series of blueprints for fire and water safety systems as part of my coursework. Fast learner, self-starter, and team player, I’m excited to contribute my technical expertise to a dynamic engineering team.

CV Statement for a Student Looking for a Part-Time Job 

Junior front-end developer (React, Angular JS), seeking a part-time programming position in the Great London area. Current availability is 10-15 hours per week, preferably with hybrid work arrangements. Solid understanding of design systems and UX/UI best practices. Past work experience in finance and eCommerce sectors. 

CV Personal Statement Examples for 16-Year-Olds

Joining the workforce straight after high school makes sense if you want to take a gap year or pursue trade education later on. The wrinkle, however, is that most employers may be wary of your age and lack of experience.

The goal of a personal statement is to dispel those doubts by showing that you’re a serious, mature, and hard-working candidate, eager to learn and hone your craft. 

Personal Statement for a Barista Position 

Genuine coffee lover and frequent guest at Maddie’s Cafe, I would love to join the barista team. As a former head of the prom planning committee, I understand the importance of good teamwork, efficient planning, and following instructions. My main objectives are to learn more about beverage prep and deliver exceptional experiences to customers. 

CV Personal Statement Examples For A Graduate

Your personal statement should focus on your main educational attainments and experiences. If you are applying before you have had your degree results, it is fine to give a projected grade. You can also mention any specific modules you have studied that are relevant to the job on offer and how much you enjoyed working on them.

Remember: Your goal is to explain why you’re interested in this role and what you could bring to the table. 

Graduate Personal Statement Example

Business administration graduate with a 1:1 honors degree from XYZ University. Interested in an entry-level merchandising position within your Commercial Sales Department to expand my knowledge in retail merchandising, procurement, and inventory management. Looking to apply my analytical and data modeling skills for merchandising strategy optimization. 

Personal Statement for High School Graduate 

Energetic and enthusiastic high school graduate (June 2023) with top A-levels grades in English, Maths, and French. Seeking an entry-level role in sales, where I can make use of and develop my language skills. My long-term career goal is to further my language qualifications and position myself as a European sales manager living and working overseas for a global company.

Personal Statement Examples for CV With No Experience

Lack of experience in a particular role or industry should never discourage you from applying. Although you may not tick all the criteria boxes, you still have transferable skills and unique work experiences to showcase.

Moreover, ongoing talent shortages are prompting employees to reconsider their hiring criteria, plus invest more in new hire training and upskilling. Four in five companies now struggle to fill in open vacancies, which is the highest number in the past 17 years. 

So take your chances and apply even if you don’t have sufficient work experience. 

Personal Statement Example with No Relevant Work Experience 

Former front-desk hotel employee, looking for an opportunity to leverage strong service orientation and organizational skills in new roles (Customer Success or Customer Support). Familiarity with appointment booking software, digital chat apps, and CRM software. With my strong commitment to personal growth and my adaptable nature, I believe I could be a valuable asset to customer-centric teams.  

Personal Statement Example with No Industry Experience 

Self-starter with a BA degree in Communication and experience in corporate event management seeking a transition to music festival management. Experienced in organizing off-site events for 100+ people (including location scouting and travel coordination). I thrive in fast-paced environments and am eager to build a strong network of new partners. 

Discover even more personal statements from our collection of CV examples . 

CV Personal Statement For A Career Change

Career change is a big decision, but it can lead to a more fulfilling professional life. Besides, you’re not completely starting anew. Many of the hard and soft skills are quite universal. There is any number of different jobs that need the same set of skills that you have developed, so always try to lead with these and use real-life examples of your experience.

Career Change Personal Statement Example:

Working for the past 10 years as a regional sales manager has allowed me to develop keen skills in building strong working relationships and lucrative networks. Communication skills I developed during my time at my current employer enabled me to win vital contract wins that increased sales revenue by 20% over three years. I am now ready to take on a new challenge and want to work in the charity sector so that I can use my skills to give something back for the direct benefit of others.

How To Write A Strong Personal Statement for a CV 

An effective personal statement summarizes your skills and experience in a relevant way i.e., it indicates how you can be of help to the employer. 

In short, a compelling CV personal statement: 

  • Lists your most marketable skills and qualifications 
  • Highlights your industry knowledge and work experiences 
  • Mirrors some of the key phrases, used in the job description 

And here’s how to write a personal statement that makes a mark.

1. Review the Job Description Once Again 

As you go through the role description, pay attention to the words, used by the employer, to describe the candidate’s requirements, duties, and personality. Keep those in the back of your head. 

These are the keywords you’d want to use all around your CV — in the personal statement, work experience, education, and skills areas. 

2. Do a Mental Tally of Your Skills 

Try to remember the times in your previous work roles when you accomplished notable objectives, went above and beyond expectations , or otherwise did better than your peers.  

Note down everything that springs to mind including your years of experience in a similar role, challenges you took on and the positive results achieved, new projects you kick-started – anything that has close relevance to this new position.

3. Make a Draft Personal Statement 

Write down a sample personal statement. Don’t worry about the length – just put as many details as you’d like on paper. Once you’re done, revisit the job description. See how your personal statement compares to the description. Does it paint a picture of someone who would fit the role? 

4. Edit for Clarity and Briefity 

A good CV personal statement shouldn’t be longer than 3-4 sentences. Take a critical look at your draft version and condense it to the bare essentials: 2-3 main skills, a major accomplishment, and a note on your motivation and/or personal traits. 

Other things that don’t belong in your personal statement are:

  • Explanation of employment gaps or present unemployment status 
  • Information about hobbies or personal interest 
  • Any mention of references or recommendations 
  • Irrelevant skills or work experiences 

Want to stand out even more? Add a persuasive opening statement that highlights your strengths as a candidate. 

A compelling personal statement can be the key between your CV making the ‘yes’ pile or the reject bin. Take some time to get your statement right and always write a new one for each job you apply for by mirroring the employer’s language. 

Finally, to give your CV a polishing touch, try out one of our fancy, but free CV templates , coming in multiple styles: professional, modern, simple, and creative!

Elena Prokopets

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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How do you write a CV for a career change? (with examples)

Looking at a career change? Here’s how to tailor your CV.

Man working on a laptop with an orange background and a CV illustration

What you’ll learn

  • The most important thing to think about when writing a career change CV.
  • What your career change CV should include.
  • Examples of how to write the different sections of your career change CV.
  • Examples of transferable skills you could include on a career change CV.

Gone are the days when you took a job in a certain sector and stuck with it for life. Today, changing employers is common, and so too is industry hopping.

Writing a CV for a career change role: the core focus

When looking at launching into a new career, you can boil all your worries down to one simple problem – there are people out there with more direct industry experience. 

This is the central issue that every aspect of your CV needs to tackle, and it should be front of mind throughout the resume writing process. Your mission is to convince the reader that your personal career trajectory, in fact, makes you exactly the person they’re looking for.

Woman writing a career change CV on her laptop.

A career change CV should prioritise transferable skills and relevant experience.

How do you write a CV for a career change job?

The good news is you can still use a standard CV template when you’re changing careers – it’s the content, not the layout, that will count.

Two elements in particular take on a new importance – your personal statement and objective. We’re splitting these out here to explain the approach, but they will be read together on your CV as they should appear next to each other.

Career change CV: personal statement examples

Traditionally, your personal statement is where you highlight your key skills. The only real change on a career change CV, is that you should accentuate your transferable skills to catch the reader’s eye. We’d advise, you might also want to go beyond the two line length normally recommended.

Bonus tip: write the rest of your CV first, then come back to your personal statement. This should be your “Greatest Hits” from your working life, so going through your CV or Trade Me Jobs profile will help you pick out the best bits.

E.g. 1 Accountant to technical writer.

“I’m a highly experienced accountant with a passion for keeping up with the latest accounting tech trends. I have extensive experience working with common accounting software platforms such as X,Y and Z and assisting clients’ to use these tools in their financial reporting and data analysis processes.”

Here, the candidate is showing a good overview of their hard and soft skills, as well as indicating that they stuck with their former career for a while. This is important in dispelling any concern in the reader’s mind that you’re a serial career hopper.

Man reviewing his career change CV on a laptop.

In a career change CV you can expand your personal statement beyond the standard two line length.

E.g.2 Courier driver to warehouse and logistics.

“I’m a dedicated courier delivery driver with experience of working with some of NZ’s best-known delivery providers. As well as great customer service and interpersonal skills, I have a keen eye for detail, and am adept at managing both time and processes efficiently.

Career change CV: objective examples

The next piece of the puzzle is your objective. This is your chance to show the passion you have for making this move, as well as mention any relevant past achievements that show your track record for success.

“After five years in accounting, I’m now looking to take my software knowledge, coupled with my client experience, into a technical writing role. This is something that has always greatly interested me, and I believe my unique combination of skills will allow me to create articles that will help companies get more out of their accounting software.”

“I’m looking forward to moving into a distribution environment where I can draw upon my delivery experience to help boost operational efficiency. The interaction I’ve had with clients, coupled with my knowledge of the common roadblocks facing deliveries, mean I can provide fresh insights to improve processes.”

Both of these examples show the candidates provide something different from those who’ve perhaps followed a more standard progression within each of these industries. On top of this, there’s energy in both of these cases, demonstrating a drive and desire to learn.

A green chameleon blending in with a forest background, intended to symbolise adaptability.

A good career change CV highlights your adaptability.

Adapting your employment history on a career change CV

While you’ve summarised your skills and experience in the personal statement, you still need to include an employment history section, as you would on your normal CV .

The important part is keeping it as relevant as possible – tweak the emphasis in past roles to highlight aspects that are closely aligned to where you want to go.

Key to this is mentioning your transferable skills. Transferable skills are useful in any industry imaginable, and are highly sought after by employers. In particular, consider mentioning:

  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
  • Cultural awareness
  • Growth mindset
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Critical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Project management
  • Computer skills
  • Researching
  • Managing conflict
  • Organisation and administration
  • Decision making

Don’t just include these as a list, but give real life examples of how you’ve used these soft skills in past roles. For example, communicating an idea to multiple stakeholders or showing resilience by bouncing back from difficult circumstances.

Listing education on a career change CV

Should I keep listing my education if it was relevant to my old job, but not the one I’m hoping to get?

Yes. You should always include an education section on your CV . Firstly, because this tells the employer you’re keen to learn, but also because you gained great transferable skills from education that can be applied across a number of sectors.

It’s also worth listing qualifications you’re in the process of working towards, if they’re relevant to the role in question. This will cement in the reader’s mind that you’re committed to making a success of your new career path.

Other articles you might like

With the right prep, there’s no need to fear career change interviews.

A solid transferable skills-based CV can make it easier to switch careers.

Soft skills are becoming increasingly important, but which ones do NZ employers value most?

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  • CV and Cover Letter
  • Craft a winning personal...

Craft a winning personal statement for your CV to stand out

8 min read · Updated on March 12, 2024

Charlotte Grainger

Let the personal statement on your CV speak volumes about you

You probably have a fairly good idea of how to write a CV . Your employment history, education, and qualifications are relatively easy to pull together as you just need to look at dates, your previous job specs, and what you've achieved over the years.

The personal statement is often the trickiest component of a CV to write. Thankfully, we've got this comprehensive guide to help you write a winning one.

What is a personal statement for a CV?

Your personal statement is a short paragraph that sits at the top of your CV, just below your name and contact details. Diving into three key aspects, this section offers the recruiter or hiring manager a powerful overview of you as a professional:

1.    Who you are

2.    Your suitability for the role and the value you can add

3.    Your career goals 

Why include a personal statement on your CV?

It is estimated that recruiters spend an average of less than 8 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether the applicant is a good fit. 

As the personal statement is the first section they will read, it must be powerful and tailored to the job you're applying for to successfully showcase your suitability. If it's not, you're unlikely to convince the recruiter you're the talent they need for the job.

5 tips on writing your personal statement

Before we look at some personal statement examples, let's take a look at the basics. Here are some expert-backed tips for writing a good personal statement on your CV.

1. Keep it short and on point

Keep your personal statement clean and concise. It's typically around four sentences long, or about 50 to 200 words. If you're overshooting that word count, see which nonessential parts can be omitted.

2. Get the layout right from the start

Make sure that your layout is consistent with the rest of your CV's formatting . That means maintaining the same font size, font type, and text justification. Recruiters will notice these minor details, and so it's smart to get ahead of the game here. 

3. Use a heading (if there's space!)

You can add a “personal statement” heading in the same way that you'd title the subsequent sections of your CV. However, if you're tight on space, you can cut the heading as recruiters will know what this paragraph is nonetheless.

4. Choose the right perspective

The first person is acceptable for a statement (“I am an IT professional looking for a job in…”) as is the third person (“An IT professional looking for a job in…”). Choose the point of view that's most comfortable to write in, but, as always, keep it consistent with the rest of your CV.

5. Cut back on unnecessary words

If you're writing in the third person, remove all pronouns. Otherwise, it sounds existentially awkward, rather than objective. For example, “She is a retail professional seeking a management role…” would become “A retail professional seeking a management role…”

How to write a personal statement for a CV

We've looked at the purpose of a personal statement, what it should include, and how it should look on the page. Now let's zoom in on exactly how to write a winning statement.

When writing, keep in mind that the personal statement on your CV is your elevator pitch; it's the equivalent of the “Tell me about yourself” or “Why should I hire you?” question in an interview. Below, we break down what you need to include in your personal statement.

Part 1: Who you are

Your opening statement needs to tell the prospective employer where you stand in your career. 

This introduction could include your current role, years of experience, and what you like the most about your career or professional field. It gives the recruiter a hint of the qualities that make you valuable to the vacancy.

Your first sentence may read like so:

As a successful digital marketing professional with five years specialising in e-commerce, I have recently worked with several global brands in the sector to improve their marketing strategy and boost their reach.

Part 2: Your suitability and value

The next part of your statement should line up with the requirements in the job description and prove your relevant and impressive qualifications.

It's always best to address here the essential job specifications to articulate from the beginning that you're the right person for the job. For example, if the role requires management experience or a certain degree and you have these, say so.

Your middle sentences may look like this:

I have experience in optimising quality digital products via my most recent role and am therefore in tune with the latest developments across the online landscape. As a result, I have devised winning branding strategies for e-commerce businesses that are robust, customer-centric and set for aggressive growth.

Part 3: Your career goals

The last part of your personal statement should be short and snappy as it's reaffirming why you are applying for this vacancy.

It might read something like so:

I am currently looking for a senior branding or marketing management role within the e-commerce sector where I can maintain my strong track record and deliver similar results.

Complete CV personal profile examples

In addition to the samples above, here are a couple of complete personal statement examples to give you an idea of what yours should look like.

For a graduate, written in the third person:

A recent graduate with a first-class BSc degree in Mathematics, specialising in analytics and statistics. Holds commercial experience within the finance sector, thanks to an internship with a corporate UK business, and has resultantly developed technical skills in data science and data engineering. Has a proven ability to meet deadlines, prioritise, problem solve, and maintain high standards having balanced a part-time job alongside studies over the last three years. Now looking to secure a place on a graduate programme that will provide exposure to data science and career progression opportunities.

Addressing a recent redundancy, written in the first person:

I am a skilled and successful Product Engineer within the automotive industry, with an HND in mechanical engineering and seven years of experience in the sector. Having worked in a number of labs handling vehicle-based testing and mentoring development technicians, I am confident in managing teams in a hands-on environment and running new development projects from briefing to sign off. Currently looking for a role that complements my skill set and experience. Available immediately.

Writing your personal statement: common mistakes to avoid  

There are some common profile errors that you should avoid. Steer clear of these popular pitfalls to keep your personal statement as powerful as possible.

Buzzword overload

Are you an extremely self-motivated, ambitious professional with extensive experience and passion for a certain industry? We thought so.

Buzzwords are great, and you'll find them in abundance in job adverts. But it's best to sprinkle just a few through your personal statement as they don't particularly provide evidence of your skill or ability. It's much stronger to show the employer how you're self-motivated and ambitious with an example.

Using a generic personal statement

You might think that your personal statement can work for every application. For the most part, it will, because, in theory, the jobs you're applying for will be similar and match your skill set.

However, you must tweak and tailor your statement (and your entire CV) so that it targets the skills each vacancy requires. Otherwise, it won't be as impactful.

Including too much waffle

As you begin to plan and write the personal statement for your CV, you'll most likely find that you have a lot more to say than you originally thought. Be careful not to overwrite as you may be left with a statement that's clogged with too many adjectives and is clunky to read.

As a rule of thumb, highlight your best bits in your personal statement and save the details for your cover letter.

FAQs about your personal statement 

Now that we've shown you some examples of a personal statement on a CV, there's just one last thing to cover. Here are some frequently asked questions on the topic:

How long should a personal statement be?

When you're writing a personal statement for a CV, your word count should be between 50 and 200 words. Be sure not to waste any space with unnecessary waffle here. 

Does a personal statement have other names?

Yes! The personal statement on your CV may also be called a personal profile, a CV summary, or a professional summary. 

Does a CV (really) need a personal statement?

Yes, most CVs require a personal statement at the top of the page. Use our guide to help you write a summary that grabs the hiring manager's attention for the right reasons. 

Stand out with a winning personal statement

Writing a captivating personal statement on your CV is a quick way to hook potential employers. Make sure that your summary showcases what makes you unique and adds value to your application. 

Still unsure about your personal statement? Get in touch with one of our career experts by requesting a free CV critique today! 

Recommended reading: 

Professional email salutations that work (with examples)

Written communication: definition and examples

How long should a cover letter be and what should it include?

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What File Format Is Best for Your CV? Pros + Cons

Professional CV Writing Service Cost 2024

How to choose the best CV paper

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Personal Statement Examples

  • CV Templates & Advice
  • Changing Careers
  • Younger Jobseekers

Personal statement examples

The personal statement on your CV is your chance to shine. It allows you to show off your strengths, shout about your achievements and share your career aspirations with the hiring manager. However, ensure that you don’t fill this valuable space with clutter and boring business speak, as you’ll end up sounding like everyone else.

Before you get started we recommend that you take some time to read up on what a personal statement is and  how to write the perfect personal statement . Below we have provided personal statement examples to fit a range of scenarios to help inspire you, and to ensure you’re on your way to a winning personal statement.

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Career Break Personal Statement

There are endless reasons to take a career break, whether this is parental leave, travel or long-term illness. We understand that it can be difficult to know how to address a career break on your CV, however, the biggest mistake you can make is by not addressing it at all – leaving an unexplained gap on your CV is a big no.

When structuring your personal statement answer the key questions of who you are, what you can offer this company and why this chosen career path. We recommend that you reference your career break in this section – however, don’t take up too much space here – address this in further detail in your cover letter. Instead, use your personal statement to focus upon your successful career before your time off.

“ A highly experienced and passionate (insert role), currently seeking to resume my professional career after dedicating the last X years to raising a family. After working for 10 years as a (insert role) I have gained excellent skills, knowledge and experience within this industry. To refresh my skill set I have completed an (online course/training/work experience), and I am now one hundred percent committed to continuing my career on a full time basis.”

Career Change Personal Statement

If you’ve decided to change career you’ll need a personal statement that sells your transferable skills that are applicable to the new industry and role. A career change can be extremely daunting, therefore it is important to ensure that you sell your key skills, enthusiasm and reason for a career change within your personal statement.

“ An enthusiastic professional individual who is seeking a new challenging career after many years of being in (X profession). I am a hardworking individual who strives to achieve the best in all areas, and I am always eager to learn new skills and advance my career. As this is a huge career change I have completed a training course (enter course or work experience that has introduced you to new career), and I am keen to build upon my knowledge and continue to learn within this sector. As a self motivated individual, I am keen to follow my dream within this new industry of becoming (new career/job role)."

School Leaver Personal Statement Example

It’s extremely important that your personal statement is tailored to the situation and role. In 50 to 150 words you need to tell the hiring manager – why you want this role, why this industry, what skills make you the best for the role, and what your career aspirations are.

If you’re a school leaver composing a personal statement you may be stuck when it comes to achievements from previous employment. Instead of attempting to relate your after school job to your new career, we recommend that you put emphasis on the skills you’ve developed throughout your education and school life.

“Enthusiastic school leaver with five GCSEs looking for an apprenticeship in the engineering field. Possessing good written and verbal communication and an interest in engineering which has spanned my lifetime with a particular passion for electrics. For my GCSE Design & Technology project, I built a working calculator and was awarded an A*. Looking for a start in the exciting world of electrical engineering where I can learn a trade and realise a lifetime ambition.”

Graduate Personal Statement Example

A graduate personal statement is similar to a school leaver personal statement, as the focus will be more on education instead of employment history. Ensure that your graduate personal statement places extra emphasis on your higher education, and skills learnt at university.

As a graduate applying for a role it is key that your personal statement catches the recruiter’s eye quickly. Your personal statement will need to allow them to easily identify your education and transferable skills as a successful applicant.

“ As a recent graduate from X University, with a 2:1 honours degree in X, I have undertaken internships at the industry leading organisations X and X. These internships have allowed me to develop my knowledge of the industry and gain hands on experience, as well as furthering my transferable skill set in this exciting sector. My career goal is to gain a role which allows me to further my knowledge and skills, as well as increased responsibility at a market-leading and innovative company. ”

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Related links

  • How to Make Your Personal Statement Pop
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  • How Easy is it to Get a Graduate Job?

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StandOut CV

Career change CV template

Andrew Fennell photo

If you are looking to make a career change, then you need a CV that demonstrates how your skills can transition into a new industry.

You need to attract recruiters’ attention with a clear CV structure, that display your transferable skills showcasing why you’d be ideal for the sector you’re pursuing.

This comprehensive guide, which includes a CV example, will give you the tools to write a CV  that stands out from the crowd, and lands interviews.

Guide contents

Career change CV example

  • Structuring and formatting your CV
  • Writing your CV profile
  • Detailing work experience
  • Your education
  • Skills required for your career change CV

CV templates 

This CV shows a lab manager who has retrained and looking to move into  software developer role.

Career change CV example

The CV template above, gives you an overview of how your career change CV should be formatted and structured, along with some hints on the type of content that should be included – and how this may differ from a normal CV

This guide will now talk you through how to produce your own engaging CV, that will help get you hired when you are making a career change.

Tips for writing a career-change CV

  • Address the career change head-on: Make it clear in your CV that you are intentionally changing careers and why. Use the summary statement or cover letter to explain your motivation for the change and how your skills and experience are relevant to the new career.
  • Showcase transferable skills: Highlight skills that are particularly relevant to the new career, even if they were not emphasized in your previous job. This could include soft skills such as communication or leadership skills, or technical skills that are transferable.
  • Seek out additional training: Consider taking courses or obtaining certifications that are relevant to the new career. This will demonstrate your commitment to the new field and show that you are actively seeking out opportunities to learn and grow.
  • Leverage networking: Reach out to contacts in the new field to learn more about the industry and potentially obtain a referral or recommendation. Networking can be particularly helpful when changing careers since it can help you learn about job opportunities that may not be widely advertised.
  • Be flexible: Recognize that changing careers may require some flexibility in terms of job title, salary, or location. Be open to opportunities that may not be your ideal job but can help you gain experience and make a successful transition to the new career.

CV builder

Career change CV structure & format

The structure of your CV is equally as important as the content you embed within it.

Your CV should emphasise your key strengths, allowing recruiters to easily navigate your experience and pinpoint your relevancy for new opportunities.

This infographic shows how to format your CV and what areas you need to focus on.

How to write a CV

Formatting Tips

  • Facilitate ease of reading by breaking up large blocks of text through bullet points, bold headers and distinct sections
  • Keep to a clear, professional structure using a subdued colour pallet and simple font, making the content a focal point without distracting the reader
  • Avoid using imagery whether company logos or headshots, these take up space but add no value
  • Your CV should be a maximum length of 2 sides of A4, enough room to sell your experience without it becoming tedious to read

Structuring your CV

Keep to a clear and well-defined CV structure, allowing recruiters to quickly pinpoint key areas.

Follow the below structure, breaking your CV into sections:

  • Contact details – making them easily accessible at the top of the page
  • Profile – summarise your CV in an opening paragraph, discussing your transferable skills and the experience you have gained that will support you in your career change
  • Work experience / Career history – document your work experience in reverse chronological order
  • Education –  record any qualifications achieved, highlighting those that will aid you in your career change
  • Interest and hobbies – an optional section, that could assist you in displaying your skills when looking to move into an industry where your work experience is limited

This guide will now talk you through what to include in each section.

CV Contact Details

Contact details

At the top of the page, document your contact details, ensuring all the information you provide is up to date and correct.

Only look to include essential information such as:

  • Phone number 
  • Email address

Quick Tip:  Avoid adding additional information into this section such as marital status, date of birth or headshots that aren’t needed within the hiring decision making process, and only look to include the city you reside instead of your full address, to save space.

Career change CV Profile

Keep the most crucial information to the top of the page, kicking off your CV with an opening paragraph that documents why you’re the right candidate for the sector you’re applying for.

Give recruiters’ an insight into your CV, documenting the reasons for your career change and pinpointing your transferable skills, experience and qualifications.

In a normal CV, you would focus on your recent experience, but in a career change CV, you will have to be creative and draw out skills gained from recent voluntary work, or courses undertaken for your new field.

CV profile

Use these tips to produce your CV profile:

  • Your CV profile should be between 5-10 lines, you will have an opportunity to elaborate elsewhere in your CV
  • Sell yourself, document exactly what makes you an ideal candidate, being unique in your descriptions, drawing the recruiters’ attention
  • Research the industry you’re looking to pursue, adding keywords to your profile and making yourself custom fit to the industry

What to include in your career change CV profile?

  • Qualifications in new field – Document any qualifications or training courses you have taken on to support you with your career change
  • Transferable  skills –Consider skills that can easily transition into your new role whether communication, the ability to adapt or learn quickly
  • Experience gained in new chosen field – Focus on any work experience or freelancing you have completed that gave you an insight into the new industry you’re considering

Core skills section

Right underneath your CV profile, create a core skills section, that will allow recruiters to pinpoint your key strengths at first glance.

Use two to three columns of bullet points to display these skills, using your sector research to make these relevant to the industry you’re applying to.

Core skills section CV

Work experience/Career history

Document your career history, commencing with any experience you have undertaken to help your career change.

For example, voluntary work experience which provided an insight into a specific sector or freelance/temporary work which helped you gain exposure to your new sector.

Resume work experience

Give more depth to experience that is most related to the industry you’re pursuing and as you work backwards through less applicable experience shorten your descriptions.

If you have experience further back in your career that is relevant to your career change, look to include  this at the top of this section, so recruiters can clearly see your most suitable experience.

Note: Some people prefer to write a functional or skills based CV which lists skills rather than jobs – but I don’t recommend this as most employers will not accept them.

Structuring your roles

Give an insight to recruiters about each position you undertook, especially emphasising how the skills or experience you gained could support your career change.

Role descriptions

A summary of the position you undertook, the company you were part of or the department you were in.

“Completed a work placement within a recruitment agency as a resourcer, supporting the team to fill booking.”

Key responsibilities

Bullet point your key duties, including key relationships built or any project involvement.

  • Reviewing CVs, performing pre-screens and booking in interviews for the consultants
  • Attending client meetings with a consultant to gain exposure to the 360 role

Key achievements

Display the value you added in each organisation with your key achievements , incorporating facts and figures to verify your examples.

  • Supported the team to fill 5 placements 

Document any qualifications or courses you have obtained, especially those most linked to your career change.

Start with recent online courses, workshops, training sessions or part time studies you have undertaken to enhance your skills, in the area you’re now looking to apply to.

For example , if you are now looking at marketing roles consider courses in communication or any conferences or talks related to the industry you’ve attended.

Interests and hobbies

Unlike other areas in your CV, this section is optional but when you’re looking to change careers, this section could help further demonstrate your transferable skills.

Avoid cliche hobbies and instead reflect on what workplace skills you have gained from your interests.

For example, if you’re looking to move into a career in technology, reflect on hobbies that show your ability to think logically or problem solve, such as fixing computers, or writing a blog.

Essential skills for your career change CV

When you’re looking to change careers, you should research the sector you’re applying to, ensuring you’re demonstrating the skills required in that industry.

However, you should also look to embed skills that are essential to any industry such as:

Customer Service  – Whatever role you transition into, the ability to provide an excellent service to customers, clients or colleagues is key

Adaptability – When you’re not only changing companies but industries it’s essential to show how you can easily adapt to new surroundings, processes or technology

Self-Starter/ Motivation – Demonstrate how you’re willing to take charge of your career and are motivated to move forward

Ability to learn new skills  – Showcase your capacity to pick up on new skills quickly as this is something that is vital to a career change

Writing your career change CV

Your CV needs to stand out from the crowd when applying for positions, highlighting your transferable skills and experience.

Especially when you are looking to change careers, you need a CV structure  that helps to pinpoint your relevancy for new roles, enticing recruiters’ attention.

Using this guide will help you produce an eye-catching CV that will aid you in achieving your career goals.

Good luck with your job search.

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Personal Statement for Career Change

What is a personal statement, and why do you need one when looking for a job? A job search personal statement is a type of paper where you can share why you’re interested in a position and why you’re a good fit. In your statement, you can get a little personal. Our essay writing service uses it as an opportunity to share details and insights about yourself, and forge a connection with potential employers. Here are some recommendations on how to write a successful personal statement that will help your job search.

Change of Career Personal Statement Basics

A personal statement can be included in your resume or CV. Much like an in-person elevator speech or the summary section in an abstract, a resume personal statement highlights your goals and abilities. Since a resume can span several pages, this allows you to present details to see in the document. You will want to write a few sentences for a personal statement in a resume.

Or, you may need to write a personal statement as part of a job application. This allows hiring managers to separate candidates applying for each job in a category (e.g., Apply for a “Production Manager” position) from more motivated candidates who are interested in the company.

Write a career change personal statement text that matches the word count requested by the application; if not, aim for 250-500 words. No matter where it appears, your goal in a personal statement is the same: try to connect your background and goals with the job at hand.

What You Should Include in Personal Statement for Career Change

In your personal statement for career change, you need to make a connection between you and the position. Think of it as a three-part process:

Share some details about yourself. Who are you? You can say things like “highly experienced production manager” or “recent graduate with honors.”

Highlight your most relevant experience and talents and share what you will bring to the company. Think: “strong, fast writer able to design advertising copy that engages and delights.” or “In my years as a project manager, I’ve never dropped a detail, won international awards for best team player. My projects come out on time and meet requested specifications.”

Provide a little information about your career goals. For example, “Seeking a position as a copywriter”; “Wanting to be placed in a mid-sized company as an audit supervisor” or “Seeking a production assistant position to develop my TV skills and testing.”

While this is called a personal statement, avoid oversharing. Only include information that is relevant to the job at hand. That’s if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, no need to mention your goal of becoming a staff writer in a magazine. Remember, the main purpose of your personal statement for a career change is to further your job search.

Tips for Writing a Job Search Personal Statement

Your change of career personal statement should always be personalized. It’s a mistake to reuse the same personal statement for every job you apply for. You don’t need to write a personal statement every time. Just make adjustments to reflect the company’s needs and the qualities requested in the job description.

Here are some other tips that our personal statement writing service follows:

  • Know your audience. Target your personal statement to a specific position and company. Spend some time researching the company to get an idea of what they are looking for in a candidate. Decode the job description to understand the company’s needs in a candidate. Take notes on where your qualifications fit the position.
  • Make some lists. What have you done that employers should know? Make a list of your accomplishments (and keep in mind that while splashy rewards are important, so is reorganizing a chaotic system that allows everyone in the family to make the experience friendly). Brainstorm a list of your talents as well as your soft, communication, and general skills.
  • Go long on your first draft, then cut it. Hopefully your time spent thinking about the needs of the business and what you have to offer has given you plenty of fodder to start writing your personal statement. At this point, don’t worry about length; write as much as you want. Then, go back and edit-get a few sentences for a resume and about 250-500 words in an application. Cut out unnecessary words and clichés that add no meaning. Instead, use action verbs. While it’s fine to write in the first person, avoid using the “I” word.
  • Make it focused. You have many skills and interests and work experience. What you want to emphasize in one position is not necessarily what you want to emphasize in another. If you are both a writer and an editor, choose which talent to name in your personal statement and make it the most relevant to the position you are seeking.
  • Ask people who don’t know you to review your personal statement and comment (at least 5 people). This is not a matter of taking everyone’s comments into account. This is your personal statement and should reflect what you want to say, but it’s always helpful to get advice from people with different backgrounds, writing styles, etc.

Career Change Personal Statement Example

You can use any career change personal statement example below:

I am a seasoned accountant with X and X certifications and over 10 years of experience in large companies. Supervisory audits and a department. My positive attitude and detail-oriented mindset help make month-end financial recaps run smoothly without inaccuracies or miscalculations. Looking for a leadership role in my next aspiration.

Recent college graduate with freelance writing experience in major print magazines as well as online outlets and the college newspaper. A strong writer who consistently meets deadlines and matches the tone and voice of the company. Seeking a personal editor position and am eager to learn the magazine business from scratch.

I am an award-winning designer in children’s apparel looking to transition into the adult sports year. At Company X, I developed a new line for toddlers and traveled to Asia to oversee production. I am a quick learner and look forward to a new challenge in the growing field of athleisure.

Career Break Personal Statement Example

There might also appear a need for you to write a statement concerning your taking a long break from your work. It might be connected to your personal challenges like having a kid or being obliged to take care of your mental health. Regardless, you need the plan to go back into action, as your HR might not want to take in someone with a huge gap. This is not the end of the world, as you can still masterfully write a proper statement that highlights your positive moments, that motivates them to accept you in the team.

Start with picking the prominent roles that you’ve had experience with before. The important piece of advice here is not to get discouraged. Don’t think that you are worthless only because you took a break for a year or two. Show your confidence, insisting that past events led you to have lots of experience with a particular sphere. It’s always best to find the required documents that can confirm this experience, showing your acknowledgements properly. It’s essential to be exact with your dates, indicating that it’s true. Interestingly enough, you can include information on any kind of job, including volunteering. The only thing that matters is that it has to be connected with the position you are aiming for, especially if this is a recent activity.

Stating Your Positive Moments

In this career break personal statement example you can create two separate sections, stating your unique abilities and what you’ve attained throughout your career. You can find 100 reasons to be the most useful worker. It should be something that you enjoy about yourself. It can be a situation when you’ve helped your boss with cost-effective plans. Then you can go for the second section, stating the abilities that helped you overcome those obstacles, stating that you are more than ready to prove your worth. You can also talk more about your training and certificates that led you to be a decent worker.

It’s also worth reconsidering your strategy on explaining the gaps in your resume. First, try to show that your reason for leaving your previous position is a respectable one. You can refer to your family situation as a noble cause, but it is not always granted to work. Instead, try to pose it as a time you took for personal enrichment, seeking more experience for the sake of increasing your chances to succeed in a particular career. Also, you should remove smaller gaps in your CV. If you worked somewhere for a couple of months, then it doesn’t grant you a huge advantage. Instead, it shows your weakness, proving that you didn’t last there for long. HR might be scared of the possibility of you leaving within a month, as they need individuals who are ready to work there for years, so mind that.

cv personal statement for change of career

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  1. How to Write a Career Change CV: Template & Guide

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  2. Career Change Resume Summary Statement Examples in 2021

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  3. Personal Statement Cv Example Uk

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  4. Career Change CV Example

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  5. 9 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2024

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  6. ERAS CV, Personal Statement, Program Networking, and Match Interviews (English version)

COMMENTS

  1. 4 Steps for Writing a Personal Statement for a Career Change

    Here are steps you could follow when drafting your personal statement during a career change: 1. Review the job description. Before you can begin customizing your personal statement to address the job you're pursuing, it can be helpful to learn what traits and abilities the employer values. This allows you to address the ways in which you're ...

  2. 20+ Good CV Personal Statement Examples (& How to Write)

    Here's a personal statement from an administrative assistant's CV that shows you how to write your own: 2. Customer service CV personal statement. This personal statement for a customer service CV underscores the applicant's years of experience with strategic bolding and showcases their customer service skills: 3.

  3. 11 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2024

    Whatever else, don't let building your resume or writing a cover letter be a source of anxiety. We've compiled 11 career change resume examples and a free guide to help steer you toward your dream job in 2024 . Even if your new career isn't in our samples, that's okay! What's essential in these samples is the how and why, so keep ...

  4. How to Write a CV Personal Statement [20 Examples Included]

    Here's how to write a CV personal statement and pitch yourself to a hiring professional: #1. Introduce Yourself. The very first sentence of your personal statement should indicate that you're a serious candidate for the position. Describe yourself and your work experience using strong adjectives and action verbs.

  5. How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

    CV Personal Statement Examples #1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV #2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV #3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV #4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV Conclusion. Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail.

  6. 17 CV personal statement examples 2024

    CV templates 17 CV personal statement examples. To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look, and what should be included.. Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates - if you are experienced, check out our CV profile examples instead.

  7. CV Personal Statement: Examples and Actionable Tips

    CV Personal Statement For A Career Change. Career change is a big decision, but it can lead to a more fulfilling professional life. Besides, you're not completely starting anew. Many of the hard and soft skills are quite universal. There is any number of different jobs that need the same set of skills that you have developed, so always try to ...

  8. How to Write a Convincing Career Change CV

    Mention your work experience. 1. Explain how you fit the switch in your personal statement. A well-written CV always starts with a personal statement that summarises your job-relevant information in a few sentences to let employers know you're a good candidate and they should read the rest of your application closely.

  9. Want to change careers? Use our career change CV guide and template

    Research your target jobs, and pinpoint the keywords that need to be included in your CV. Network: Networking is important for changing careers, as it can often be the best way of getting your foot in the door. But it's relevant to your career change CV too. Growing your network of relevant people who can take a look at your CV and give you ...

  10. Career Change CV Example & Template for 2024

    Here's how to write a CV for a career change, with expert career change CV examples included: 1. Start your career change CV with a personal statement. Your career change personal statement is the perfect opportunity to frame the rest of your CV, set the tone, and establish a narrative for your career change.

  11. How to Write a Career Change CV: Template & Guide

    Second, you can make your career change CV personal statement slightly longer than you normally would. For a standard CV, 3-4 lines is the recommended limit. For a career change CV you can stretch to 4-5 lines to give yourself more room to sell your transferable skills and experience. Take a look at the personal profile from the CV above.

  12. Career Change CV Examples & Writing tips 2024 (Free Guide)

    Preparing a strong CV will help you to clarify your motivations and skills for your prospective employer, and maybe even for yourself. Learn how in this guide. 4.7. Average rating. 60 people've already rated it. Edit This CV. When it's time to change, it's time to change. As someone going through a significant transition, you know that ...

  13. How do you write a CV for a career change? (with examples)

    Bonus tip: write the rest of your CV first, then come back to your personal statement. This should be your "Greatest Hits" from your working life, so going through your CV or Trade Me Jobs profile will help you pick out the best bits. E.g. 1 Accountant to technical writer. "I'm a highly experienced accountant with a passion for keeping ...

  14. Craft a winning personal statement for your CV to stand out

    Here are some expert-backed tips for writing a good personal statement on your CV. 1. Keep it short and on point. Keep your personal statement clean and concise. It's typically around four sentences long, or about 50 to 200 words. If you're overshooting that word count, see which nonessential parts can be omitted. 2.

  15. Personal Statement Examples

    Instead, use your personal statement to focus upon your successful career before your time off. Example…. " A highly experienced and passionate (insert role), currently seeking to resume my professional career after dedicating the last X years to raising a family. After working for 10 years as a (insert role) I have gained excellent skills ...

  16. Career change CV template

    Tips for writing a career-change CV. Address the career change head-on: Make it clear in your CV that you are intentionally changing careers and why. Use the summary statement or cover letter to explain your motivation for the change and how your skills and experience are relevant to the new career. Showcase transferable skills: Highlight ...

  17. Career change CV example

    Career change CV template. PERSONAL STATEMENT. [insert your job title] with [number] years experience doing [key responsibility you've held] changing to [insert your new chosen profession or job title]. I'm making this change because [first reason for changing careers] and [first reason for changing careers].

  18. Personal Statement for Career Change

    Write a career change personal statement text that matches the word count requested by the application; if not, aim for 250-500 words. No matter where it appears, your goal in a personal statement is the same: try to connect your background and goals with the job at hand. What You Should Include in Personal Statement for Career Change