On a CV, a person’s personal statement or objective is one of the first things any recruiter will notice. First impressions count and mastering this introductory section is critical to capitalise on any potential job opportunities.
In this article, I provide a few tips that will help you develop that perfect personal statement:
A powerful introduction
Recruiters have to sift through countless CVs daily. One of the ways to stand out is the personal statement. This lets the recruiter know what makes you different to all the other applicants. With this, you can make a memorable first impression to stand out from the crowd and pique the recruiter’s interest to want to read more about you.
What makes you unique
Think about your professional journey to date. What are the things that set you apart from the competition? Consider your strengths, your passions, and your aspirations. Your personal statement needs to capture all these things. Consider it your unique value proposition – it is essentially a summary of who you are as a person and what you can offer the company.
Concise and clear
A personal statement needs to be concise. Recruiters do not have time to read pages of text. Instead, focus on writing one or two paragraphs that are impactful and capture your professional identity. Of course, cliches and buzzwords must be avoided at all costs. Rather use authentic language that reflects your personality.
A customised approach
No job requirement is the same. So, why must your personal statement be the same for every opening you apply for? Tailor your introduction to each job application. Bring it in line with the specific role and company you are applying to. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the position and your enthusiasm for joining the team.
Get feedback, iterate, repeat
When you have written your first draft, get feedback from your trusted peers, mentors, or industry professionals. Their insights can help you refine your message. The focus must be on clarity, impact, and being able to resonate with your target audience. Iterate, refine, and repeat until your introduction has that authenticity and relevance that will differentiate you.
A compelling personal statement is about more than just the words on the page. Think of it as capturing hearts and minds. It is about creating a connection with the recruiter to open the door for further conversations. Be creative and let your personal statement capture your identity.
Shani van Eck, Business Administrator at EQPlus, https://eqplus.co.za/.
