how to write a personal statement for cv nz

• Tips for nailing your CV
• Writing the perfect cover letter
• Searching for jobs
• Landing your first job
• Effective interviewing
• Your online presence
• Workplace tips & wellbeing
• Changing careers
• Growing your skills
• Managing job loss
• Taking leave
• Market updates
• Newshub Summer Series
• Careers advice

How to write a personal statement for an NZ CV (with examples)

Time to get personal.

10 March 2023

What you’ll learn:

Where to include your personal statement on your cv.

• What to include in a personal statement on your CV
• What not to include in your CV personal statement
• Some CV personal statement examples for you to follow

There are a lot of different boxes you need to tick when writing your CV , and the process can be a tad overwhelming, particularly if you’re doing it for the first time.

One of the elements that tends to trip people up is writing your CV personal statement. Unlike entering your previous education or work experience, which typically involves simple bullet points of your most significant achievements, your personal statement involves crafting a concise yet comprehensive account of who you are as a professional.

Intimidated? Don’t be. Below we’ll provide all the information you need to ace your CV personal statement, and even give you some examples that you can follow to make the whole process a walk in the park.

Let’s start with the easy bit – positioning your personal statement on your CV. Generally speaking, your personal statement should be near the top of the first page of your CV (remember, CVs in New Zealand should be no longer than two pages).

If you check out our free downloadable CV templates, you’ll see the personal statement section (or portfolio, as it’s sometimes called) is right under the name and contact details in most cases.

As you’ll note from these templates, the space dedicated to the personal statement section of your CV is pretty short, and it’s important to understand that a CV personal statement is different from the type of personal statements you may have written in high school when applying for university courses. These university personal statements are generally quite long (sometimes up to a page), whereas the emphasis for a CV personal statement is on brevity.

Ideally, your CV personal statement should be no longer than 150 - 200 words, so you have to make every one count.

What to include in a personal statement on your CV (with examples)

Have you heard of the concept of an elevator pitch? Traditionally, this idea comes from the world of sales, and refers to a persuasive and concise pitch that persuasively presents the best attributes of a product or concept in the time it would take to ride an elevator.

You should think of your CV personal statement as your own elevator pitch. You need to present who you are, the value you bring and your career objectives in an engaging yet easy-to-read statement. The idea being that whoever reads your personal statement will come away with an instant impression of what you’re about.

So, let’s break down those three key ingredients a bit further:

1. Who you are:

The important bit to remember here is that this is about who you are as a professional, not a short biography. For example, you don’t need to write “My name is Kev, I’m a 35 year-old journalist born in Christchurch but now living in Dunedin.”. First up, your name will be at the top of your CV, so no need to waste words on that, and the remaining information, with the exception of your job title, is irrelevant.

Instead, try something along the lines of:

“With five years of journalism experience under my belt, and having written for some of New Zealand’s best regarded media organisations, I understand the era of digital-first content, and how to break attention-grabbing stories for today’s media consumers.”

There are a few things that really work here. Firstly, you’re letting them know you’re experienced in the field. Employers often put an indication of how much experience they’re looking for in the job listing, and while you absolutely shouldn’t let this put you off from applying if you don’t meet it, if you do, then sing it loud and proud.

Next, you’re informing them that you’ve worked for some well-regarded media organisations, without naming names. This will hopefully entice them to read further down your CV to find out who exactly they are.

Last, you’re showing an awareness of the current industry environment, while ticking off a couple of core attributes of the job (breaking stories and grabbing attention). Ideally, try to pick examples that directly relate to the wording of the job ad. After all, they put that stuff in there for a reason.

Your CV's personal statement should be an elevator pitch of who you are and what you bring to the table.

2. The value you bring to the table

This part needs to shine the spotlight on some of the most significant achievements you’ve had in your career to date. Again, make your decisions about what to include based on what the job listing is asking for, and don’t be afraid to include some eye-catching facts and figures.

For example:

“In my most recent job, I was responsible for local politics reporting. Here, I pushed the diversification of our content output to include more video-based pieces, as well as modifying story formats to make them more social media friendly. As a result, we saw a 20% increase in the number of people reading our local politics stories, and it was easier to secure more interviews with desired subjects due to our elevated platform.”

Today, media organisations are still in the process of adapting to the importance of online content and, in particular, social media. By giving tangible figures about how your actions increased reach for your current employer’s stories, you’re hinting to this prospective employer that you could bring similar innovation to their organisation. Similarly, you’re showing the link between your work and the ability of your current employer to attract a higher calibre of interview subject, creating a virtuous cycle of reach and profile promotion.

3. Your career objectives

To finish off your CV personal statement, you need to tell the reader where you’re aiming to take your career next and to relay that the role they’re advertising is a core element of this.

“I’m now seeking a role in a forward-looking national news organisation where I’ll be able to use my existing skills and experience while continuing to develop as a journalist.”

This short statement shows them that they’re exactly the organisation they’re looking for, and also that, despite your great track record, you’re keen to continue to grow your skill set, which will provide them with an even greater return on their investment (you) than they’re already getting.

You should also include a statement about what you want next out of your career.

Things to avoid in your CV personal statement

1. meaningless buzzwords.

Anyone can claim to be ‘motivated’ or ‘dedicated’ or ‘driven’, but what does that actually mean? When you’re looking for eye-catching personal attributes to include in your personal statement, choose things you can back up with tangible facts and figures.

2. Irrelevant information

As mentioned above, you don’t need to include personal information here. In fact, for unscrupulous employers, some of this can even count against you. Unfortunately, there are still some hiring managers who may discriminate based on factors such as age, sex or ethnicity, so don’t give them this opportunity.

There’s no need to include a photo with your personal statement, mostly for the same reasons as above – it could be used to discriminate against you. Sometimes, employers will ask for applicants to send an image of themselves with their CV and cover letter. Ultimately, this decision is up to you, but we recommend pausing for a moment to consider why they’re doing this, and if you’re comfortable with the request.

4. Using a generic personal statement for every CV

We’ve included a few CV personal statement examples in this article to help illustrate our points, but you need to be wary of sacrificing quality for speed.

You need to put some proper thought into this aspect of your CV, and particularly into choosing the attributes you’re going to include to demonstrate your value. Read the job description carefully, and select the skills and experiences the employer is going to be most interested in. Unless you’re going for identical roles at different companies, we advise making subtle tweaks to your personal statement for every application.

5. Trying to include too much information

Remember, the purpose of a personal statement is to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to find out more. Cherry-pick a couple of facts that will do this, and leave it at that. In other words, don’t try to rewrite your whole CV in these 150 - 200 words.

6. Spelling and grammar mistakes

This one should go without saying, but you’d be amazed at how many people submit CVs and cover letters with spelling and grammar errors in them. Given that your personal statement is likely to be the first thing a hiring manager reads, it can be fatal to have a poorly written, or error-riddled initial impression. Check it over yourself by reading it out loud to assess its readability, and ideally get someone else to do the same. Then do a spell-check.

Other articles you might like

Done right, your CV can be a powerful tool for helping you stand out from other candidates. Here, we’ll show you how.

Using the tips and tricks in this article, you’ll be able to craft a CV so impressive you'll want to hire yourself.

A good CV can make all the difference to your job hunting hopes. Check out our must-read advice and free templates.

• List an item
• My Trade Me
• Marketplace
• Latest deals
• Closing soon
• Browse categories
• Salary guide
• Advertisers advice
• Boats & marine
• Other vehicles
• International property
• News & guides
• Homes.co.nz
• OneHub for agents
• Domestic services
• Events & entertainment
• Health & wellbeing
• Announcements
• Trust & safety
• Seller information
• Desktop site
• Privacy policy
• Terms & conditions
• Follow Trade Me on Facebook
• Follow Trade Me on Twitter

Best CV Personal Statement Examples NZ | Expert Advice

Crafting the perfect cv personal statement: examples from new zealand.

Writing personal for CV daunting but also part presenting to employers. Your personal showcase skills, and in way sets apart candidates. In article, explore examples effective CV personal from New and tips crafting standout statement.

Why Personal Important?

Your personal often thing potential read CV, so essential make strong. A personal demonstrate passion for your your relevant and your for role applying for. According study CareerBuilder, 61% hiring consider resume/CV high when job candidates.

Example CV Personal Statements from New Zealand

Let`s take a look at some examples of effective CV personal statements from job seekers in New Zealand:

Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement

Now that we`ve seen some examples, let`s explore some tips for crafting your own impactful personal statement:

• Be specific: Avoid or statements, and focus specific experiences, and that relevant role applying for.
• Show your passion: Use personal convey enthusiasm field and value can to employer.
• Customize for application: Tailor personal to job and you`re to, the and most to the role.

Your personal is part your CV, and be between an or over. By the tips in and real-life from New job you can a personal that sets apart the competition.

Remember, personal be true who are and you offer a employee. Take time to and your and you`ll on way employers New and beyond.

Your Legal About CV Personal Examples NZ

CV Personal Statement Examples NZ Legal Contract

This contract is made and entered into as of the date of the last signature below (“Effective Date”), by and between the undersigned parties, for the purpose of setting forth the terms and conditions under which CV personal statement examples will be provided in New Zealand.

1. Definitions

In this agreement:

“CV” means curriculum vitae, a summary of a person`s educational and professional history, usually prepared for job applications.

“Personal Statement” means a brief summary or profile at the beginning of a CV, outlining key skills, achievements, and career objectives.

“NZ” means New Zealand.

2. Provision of CV Personal Statement Examples

Provider agrees to provide Client with personalized CV personal statement examples tailored for the New Zealand job market. The examples will be based on the information provided by the Client and will comply with all relevant laws and regulations in NZ.

3. Ownership and Usage Rights

The CV personal statement examples provided by the Provider are for the sole use of the Client and may not be reproduced, distributed, or displayed publicly without the express written consent of the Provider.

4. Confidentiality

Provider agrees to keep all information provided by the Client confidential and will not disclose it to any third party without the Client`s consent, unless required by law.

5. Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand.

6. Termination

This agreement may be terminated by either party with written notice to the other party. Upon termination, all rights and obligations of the parties under this agreement will cease.

7. Entire Agreement

This agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether oral or written.

8. Signatures

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Related posts, sponsoring agreement: legal guidelines and best practices, what is the tax-free allowance for capital gains | legal guide, leandra`s law sentencing: understanding the legal penalties, labor only contracting example: key considerations and best practices, understanding the legal definition of equitable | expert legal insights.

• Skip to main navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to Chat now
• Skip to footer

Get in touch with us for career information.

We're here from 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday – except Wednesdays when we're here from 9.30am to 5pm.

We're closed on all public holidays, including Wellington Anniversary.

Call 0800 601 301

Email us with your career question

• Job hunting
• Finding work
• How to write a CV

CV and cover letter templates

• How to describe skills in your CV
• How to write a cover letter
• How to write an application form
• How to make an online job hunting profile
• How to create a video CV
• Job application checklist
• Got a job offer?
• What's happening in the job market?
• New to New Zealand
• Create CVs, cover letters and profiles

Templates and examples to help you create your own CV's (resumes) and cover letters.

What's on this page?

Cover letter template and example, skills-focused cv for changing career or gaps in your work history, work-focused cv for career progression, skills-focused cv for school leavers, specialist cv's, find out more, create a cv online with cv builder and it saves automatically.

You can use our CV Builder to create your CV.  It'll automatically save to your careers.govt.nz account.

• CV Builder – create your own CV online  

Don't want to use CV Builder? Use our CV and cover letter templates by saving them to your computer

If you don't want to use CV Builder, you can use the templates on this page to create your CV and cover letter. 

Save and name your templated CV and cover letter

• When you download the templates, remember to save them on your computer as a Word document and a PDF.  Employers may need either format.
• Name your documents with your name, the application date, and the job you're applying for. For instance, "Mere Smith 1 Oct 2023 Water Engineer CV". This helps employers keep track of your documents.

Read our examples and use our templates to create your cover letter. Remember to save it on your computer.

Cover letter examples:

• Cover letter example (Word - 16KB)
• Cover letter example (PDF - 0.1MB)

Cover letter templates:

• Cover letter template (Word - 20KB)
• Cover letter template (PDF - 0.1MB)

Use a skills-focused CV template if you haven't had many jobs, have gaps between jobs or are changing career.

Skills-focused CV examples:

• Skills CV example (Word - 27KB)
• Skills CV example (PDF - 0.1MB)

Skills-focused CV templates:

• Skills CV template (Word - 25KB)
• Skills CV template (PDF - 0.4MB)

Read about describing skills in your CV:

Use a work-focused CV template if you're changing to a similar job or a higher-level role in the same area, or want to highlight your work experience and career progression.

Work-focused CV examples:

• Work CV example (Word - 27KB)
• Work CV example (PDF - 0.4MB)

Work-focused CV templates:

• Work CV template (Word - 26KB)
• Work VV template (PDF - 0.4MB)

Use a skills-focussed school leaver CV template if you're about to leave or have recently left school.

School-leaver CV examples:

• School leaver CV example (Word - 26KB)
• School leaver CV example (PDF - 0.3MB)

School-leaver CV templates:

• School Leaver CV template (Word - 25KB)
• School Leaver CV template (PDF - 0.4MB)

Some careers require a particular style of CV.

CV's for academic, creative, engineering, health, legal and teaching careers:

• University of Otago website - CV and Cover Letter Guide (PDF - 0.3MB)
• University of Oxford website - CVs for creative careers
• Victoria University website - CV/Resume Preparation for Teaching (PDF - 0.7MB)
• Free job hunters' workbook

Updated 22 Sep 2023

Back to top

CV personal statement examples

If you want to secure job interview, you need a strong personal statement at the top of your CV.

Your CV personal statement is a short paragraph which sits at the very top of your CV – and it’s aim is to summarise the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to read your CV in full.

In this guide I have included 17 CV personal statement examples from a range of professions and experience levels, plus a detailed guide of how to write your own personal statement that will get you noticed by employers

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.

Graduate CV personal statement (no experience)

Although this  graduate has no paid work experience, they compensate for it by showcasing all of the skills and knowledge the have gained during their studies, and demonstrating how they apply their knowledge in academic and personal projects.

When you have little or no experience, it’s important to draw out transferable workplace skills from your studies and extracurricular work, to showcase them to employers.

Graduate CV personal statement (part time freelance experience)

This candidate has graduated with a degree in biochemistry but actually wants to start a career in digital marketing after providing some digital freelance services to fund their studies.

In this case, they haven’t made much mention of their studies because they aren’t relevant to the digital marketing agencies they are applying to. Instead they have focused their personal statement around their freelance work and passion for the digital field – although they still mention the fact they are degree educated to prove their academic success.

School leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate is 16 years old and has no work experience whatsoever, but they compensate for this by detailing their academic achievements that relate to the roles they are applying for (maths and literacy are important requirements in finance and accountancy roles).

They also add some info on their extracurricular activities and school work-placements, to strengthen this student CV further.

    Top tips for writing a CV personal statement

• Thoroughly research the jobs and companies you are planning to apply for to identify the type of candidate they are looking for – try to reflect that in your personal statement
• Don’t be afraid to brag a little – include some of your most impressive achievements from education, work or personal life
• Focus on describing the benefits an employer will get from hiring you. Will you help them to get more customers? Improve their workplace? Save them time and money?
• If you have no work experience, demonstrate transferable workplace skills from your education, projects, or even hobbies

School leaver CV personal statement (part time experience)

Although this person has only just left school, they have also undertaken some part-time work in a call centre alongside their studies.

To make the most of this experience, they have combined their academic achievements with their workplace exposure in this personal statement.

By highlighting their GCSE results, summer programme involvement, work experience and expressing their ambitions to progress within sales, this candidate really makes an appealing case for hiring them.

College leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate has left college with good grades, but does not yet have any work experience.

To compensate for the lack of workplace exposure, they have made their A level results prominent and highlighted skills and experience which would benefit the employers they are targeting.

Any recruiter reading this profile can quickly understand that this candidate has great academic achievements, a passion for IT and finance and the ability to transfer their skills into an office environment.

College student CV personal statement (freelance experience)

As this student has picked up a small amount of freelance writing work during their studies, they have made sure to brag about it in their personal statement.

They give details on their relevant A level studies to show the skills they are learning, and boost this further by highlighting the fact that they have been applying these skills in a real-life work setting by providing freelance services.

They also include key action verbs that recruiters will be looking for , such as creative writing, working to deadlines, and producing copy.

Academic CV personal statement

Aside from junior candidates, the only other people who might use a personal statement, are academic professionals; as their CV’s tend to be more longer and detailed than other professions.

This candidate provides a high level overview of their field of study, length of experience, and the roles they have held within universities.

School leaver CV personal statement with and sports experience

Although this person has no work experience, they are still able to show employers the value of hiring them by selling their other achievements and explaining how they could benefit an organisation.

They expand on their sports club involvement to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership skills, communication and motivation, which are all important traits in the workplace, and will be looked upon favourably by recruiters and hiring managers.

They also draw upon their future plans to study business studies and take a part time job, to further prove their ambition and dedication.

History graduate CV personal statement

This history graduate proves their aptitude for both academic achievement and workplace aptitude by showcasing valuable skills from their degree and voluntary work.

They do this by breaking down the key requirements for each and showing how their skills could be beneficial for future employers, such as listening, communication, and crisis management.

They also describe how their ability to balance studies alongside voluntary work has not only boosted their knowledge and skills, but also given excellent time management and organisational skills – which are vital assets to any employer.

Law graduate CV personal statement

This legal graduate makes the most from their work university work placements by using it to bulk out the contents of their CV personal statement.

They include their degree to show they have the necessary qualifications for legal roles, which is crucial, but more importantly, they showcase how they applied their legal skills within a real-life work setting.

They give a brief overview of the types of legal professionals they have been working alongside and the type of work they have been carrying out – this is all it takes to get the attention of recruiters and show employers they have what it takes to fulfil roles in the legal sector.

Medical student CV personal statement

This medical student proves their fit for the role by showcasing the key skills they have gained from their studies and their work experience placements.

In just these few sentences, they are able to highlight the vast amount of experience they have across different disciplines in the industry, something which is particularly important in the medical sector.

As they have not graduated yet and are still studying, they have provided proof of their most recent grades. This can give the recruiter some indication as to the type of grade they could be graduating with in the near future.

Masters student CV personal statement

This masters student has started by specifying their area of study, in this case, accounting, and given details about the specific areas of finance they are most interested in. This can hint towards their career goals and passions.

They have then carefully listed some of the key areas of accounting and finance that they are proficient in. For example, business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

They have also outlined some of the transferable skills needed for accounting roles that employers will be looking out for, such as communication, attention to detail and analytical skills.

Finance student CV personal statement

As this finance student has recently undertaken some relevant work experience, they’ve made sure to shout about this in their personal profile.

But more than this, they have included a list of some of the important finance skills they gained as a result of this work experience – for example, financial reporting, processing invoices and month-end reconciliations.

Plus, through power words and phrases such as ‘prevent loss’ and ‘ improve upon accuracy and efficiency’, they have also showcased how they can apply these skills in a workplace setting to benefit the potential employer.

Internship  CV personal statement

This digital marketing professional has started their personal profile by outlining their most relevant qualifications and work experience, most notably their freelance role as a content manager.

They have also provided examples of some of the key marketing skills that potential employers might be looking for, including very detailed examples of the platforms and tools they are proficient in – for example, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

They have then closed their statement by giving a detailed description of the type of role or opportunity they are looking for. In this case, an in-house position in a marketing company.

Graduate career changer personal statement

Switching careers as a graduate can be tough. Especially when it comes to writing a personal statement that will attract employers in your new chosen field.

This candidate is looking to move from history teaching into journalism, so they have created a statement which briefly mentions their current workplace, but mainly focuses on highlighting transferable skills which are relevant to journalism. They achieve this by discussing the writing skills they use in their current role, and mentioning their hobby of writing – including some publications they have been featured in for extra brownie points.

Business management graduate personal statement

This business management proves their ability to work within a junior business management position by swiftly highlighting their impressive degree (to ensure it is not missed) and summarising some of the real-life experience they have gained in management during their university placements and volunteering. They do not let their lack of paid work experience, stop them demonstrating their valuable skills.

PhD graduate

PhD graduate roles attract a lot of competition, so it’s important that your CV contains a personal statement that will quickly impress and attract recruiters.

This candidate provides a short-but-comprehensive overview of their academic achievements, whilst demonstrating their exceptional level of knowledge in research, languages and publication writing.

By highlighting a number of skills and abilities that are in high-demand in the academic workplace, this CV is very likely to get noticed and land interviews.

How to write a personal statement for your CV

Now that you’ve seen what a personal statement should look like and the type of content it should contain, follow this detailed guide to one for your own CV – and start racking those interviews up.

Guide contents

What is a CV personal statement?

Cv personal statement or cv profile, personal statement format, what to include in a cv personal statement.

• Personal statement mistakes

How to write persuasively

A personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your CV which gives employers an overview of your education, skills and experience

It’s purpose is to capture the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers when your CV is first opened – encouraging them to read the rest of it.

You achieve this by writing a tailored summary of yourself that explains your suitability for the roles you are applying for at a very high level, and matches your target job descriptions .

One question candidates often ask me is , “what is the difference between a personal statement and a CV profile?”

To be honest, they are almost the same – they are both introductory paragraphs that sit at the top of your CV… but there are 2 main differences

A personal statement tends to be used more by junior candidates (graduates, school leavers etc.) and is relatively long and detailed.

A CV profile tends to be favoured by more experienced candidates , and is shorter in length than a personal statement.

Note: If you are an experienced candidate, you may want to switch over to my CV profile writing guide , or example CV profiles page.

To ensure you grab recruiters’ attention with your personal statement, lay it out in the following way.

Positioning

You need to ensure that your personal statement sits at the very top of your CV, and all of it should be totally visible to readers, without the need to scroll down the page.

Do this by reducing the top page margin and minimising the space taken up by your contact details.

This will ensure that your whole personal statement can be seen, as soon as your CV is opened.

We have a Word CV template which can help you to get this right.

Size/length

Your personal statement needs to contain enough detail to provide an introduction to your skills and knowledge, but not so much detail that it bores readers.

To strike the right balance, anything between 8-15 lines of text is perfect – and sentences should be sharp and to-the-point.

As with the whole of your CV or resume , your personal statement should be written in a simple clean font at around size 10-12 to ensure that it can be read easily by all recruiters and employers.

Keep the text colour simple , ensuring that it contrasts the background (black on white is best) and break it into 2 or even 3 paragraphs for a pleasant reading experience.

It should also be written in a punchy persuasive tone, to help you sell yourself and increase your chances of landing interviews , I cover how to do this in detail further down the guide.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional CV templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Once you have the style and format of your personal statement perfected, you need to fill it with compelling content that tells recruiters that your CV is worth reading.

Here’s what needs to go into your personal statement…

Before you start writing your personal statement, it’s crucial that you research your target roles to find out exactly what your new potential employers are looking for in a candidate.

Run a search for your target jobs on one of the major job websites , look through plenty of adverts and make a list of the candidate requirements that frequently appear.

This research will show you exactly what to include in your personal statement in order to impress the recruiters who will be reading it.

Education and qualifications are an important aspect of your personal statement, especially if you are a junior candidate.

You should highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that is a degree, A levels or GCSEs. You could potentially go into some more detail around modules, papers etc. if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for.

It’s important that you discuss the experience you have gained in your personal statement, to give readers an idea of the work you are comfortable undertaking.

This can of course be direct employed work experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can also include:

• School/college Uni work placements
• Voluntary work
• Personal projects
• Hobbies/interests

As with all aspects of your CV , the content should be tailored to match the requirements of your target roles.

Whilst discussing your experience, you should touch upon skills used, industries worked in, types of companies worked for, and people you have worked with.

Where possible, try to show the impact your actions have made. E.g . A customer service agent helps to make sales for their employer.

Any industry-specific knowledge you have that will be useful to your new potential employers should be made prominent within your personal statement.

For example

• Knowledge of financial regulations will be important for accountancy roles
• Knowledge of IT operating systems will be important for IT roles
• Knowledge of the national curriculum will be important for teachers

You should also include some information about the types of roles you are applying for, and why you are doing so. Try to show your interest and passion for the field you are hoping to enter, because employers want to hire people who have genuine motivation and drive in their work.

This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience, as you need something else to compensate for it.

CV personal statement mistakes

The things that you omit from your personal statement can be just as important as the things you include.

Try to keep the following out of your personal statement..

Irrelevant info

Any information that doesn’t fall into the requirements of your target roles can be cut out of your personal statement. For example, if you were a professional athlete 6 years ago, that’s great – but it won’t be relevant if you’re applying to advertising internships, so leave it out.

Generic clichés

If you are describing yourself as a “ dynamic team player with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm” you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

These cliché terms are vastly overused and don’t provide readers with any factual details about you – so keep them to a minimum.

Stick to solid facts like education, skills , experience, achievements and knowledge.

If you really want to ensure that your personal statement makes a big impact, you need to write in a persuasive manner.

So, how do you so this?

Well, you need to brag a little – but not too much

It’s about selling yourself and appearing confident, without overstepping the mark and appearing arrogant.

For example, instead of writing.

“Marketing graduate with an interest in entering the digital field”

Be creative and excite the reader by livening the sentence up like this,

“Marketing graduate with highest exam results in class and a passion for embarking on a long and successful career within digital”

The second sentence is a much more interesting, makes the candidate appear more confident, throws in some achievements, and shows off a wider range of writing skills.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Your own personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above guidelines you will be able to create one which shows recruiters everything they need.

Remember to keep the length between 10-20 lines and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

You can also check our school leaver CV example , our best CV templates , or our library of example CVs from all industries.

Good luck with the job hunt!

This website may not work correctly because your browser is out of date. Please update your browser .

Develop a New Zealand-style CV

Most employers will quickly scan your CV to decide if it is worth reading in more detail. So it needs to make a good impression quickly.

What to include in your CV

New Zealand employers only want to see relevant information on your CV. They do not need a list of every job or course you have ever done.

Employers are most interested in your:

• technical and personal skills
• work experience
• qualifications and education
• community and volunteer experience.

They also like to see some evidence of how you have applied your skills.

It is best to only include relevant details of your skills and experience and to give brief examples of how you have used your skills in the past.

Skills employers are looking for | careers.govt.nz

Previous employers

Local employers may not be familiar with the organisations you have worked for overseas. It helps if you include a short description of organisations you list on your CV, like:

• the number of employees
• the location
• a website link so they can get more information if they need it.

The careers.govt.nz website has tips on how to write a CV for New Zealand employers.

How to write a CV | careers.govt.nz

Make a good impression

It is important to make a good impression of yourself as a potential employee, but not to appear too boastful about your achievements.

Many people make the mistake of writing a CV and using it for every job application. New Zealand employers expect you to adjust your CV to suit each job so that it highlights the skills that are relevant to the job.

People suggested that my CV was not what New Zealand employers would look at. Where I come from we prepare a CV in a different way: we give all our experience right from day one. Here, nobody likes to read a story! Darshan Desai

Cover letters

Most New Zealand employers expect a cover letter with your CV when you apply for a job. A cover letter is a ‘sales pitch’ about why you think you are ideal for the job.

Your cover letter should:

• briefly introduce yourself
• outline your main relevant skills and experience
• make an argument for why you are the right person for the specific job.

Just like your CV, it should focus on details that are relevant to the job you are applying for and it should be brief – no longer than 1 page.

Use a formal and persuasive style when writing a cover letter. It is a good idea to have a generic letter that you can adjust to match the job description you are applying for.

How to write a cover letter | careers.govt.nz

Your qualifications

Remember to bring your qualifications with you to New Zealand. If you are sending them in with an application, send a copy. Keep the originals safe and get copies made and certified. If you are in New Zealand, a Justice of the Peace (JP) can certify them.

Find a JP | Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations

Helpful resources

The careers.govt.nz website has many resources that can help you to make a New Zealand-style CV and cover letter. There is material to help you:

• understand the parts of a CV
• learn how to put transferable skills on your CV
• learn how to write a cover letter
• fill in job application forms.

CV and cover letter templates | careers.govt.nz

Back to top

• Share on facebook
• Share with Linked.in

Interested in coming to New Zealand?

Sign up to receive relevant job opportunities from New Zealand employers and practical advice on how to make your move to New Zealand a reality.

Help us improve the Live and Work NZ site

How to sell yourself in 25 words or less

Ever had to prepare an “elevator pitch” where selling an idea needed to be engaging enough to hit the mark within 30 seconds?

The online world has fast become the “elevator” of today, where we have just a few lines of text on a computer screen to make a striking impact on potential employers. With more pressure on people’s time than ever before, recruiters and employers can benefit from knowing your unique experiences, ambitions and strengths in 25 words or less. Creating a SEEK profile allows potential employers to search for candidates and get a snapshot of their experience via the new Personal Summary feature.

With more pressure on people’s time than ever before, recruiters and employers can benefit from knowing your unique experiences, ambitions and strengths in 25 words or less.

To make your Personal Summary the lasting first impression it should be, check out these tips to help you stand out from other candidates.

• Highlight your stand-out features. Condensing your work history into 25 words or less can be challenging - it is a mere, short, single sentence or two, so make sure you have the right information in there to catch your readers’ attention. The goal is to include your most distinctive features, so that the reader is left with more knowledge and more intrigue about you. A good example of this: I’m a self-motivated, creative copywriter with five years of marketing and advertising experience, specialising in digital content with a keen interest in social media. A bad example of this: I’m an experienced copywriter with five years of writing experience in the online marketing and advertising sectors, having specialised in digital media for one year.  
• Ensure correct spelling and grammar. Trying to fit as much information about yourself into a punchy sentence or two can mean a lot of word juggling which may lead to grammatical errors. Make sure that your 25-word summary reads well and is easy to comprehend. Consider your tenses and make sure they’re consistent. Once you have done your own spelling and grammar check, you may even want to run some options by a few friends to find out which one reads more clearly! A good example of this: I’m an in-house corporate lawyer with over eight years’ experience, specialising in mergers and acquisitions with a focus on South-East Asia. A bad example of this: Gloria is an in-house corporate lawyer with over eight years experience. I have specialised in mergers and acquisitions in South-East Asia.  
• Keep it directional with the most relevant points. While you may have years of experience in various roles, it’s important to only communicate what will help you achieve the role you are presently seeking. There is no point including in your Personal Summary that you spent six years working in hospitality when you are seeking a new career in the construction management industry. Think of key attributes needed for the role you’re seeking and tailor your Personal Summary to respond to those needs. A good example of this: I’m a highly organised project management intern at a leading Australian construction company. I have a bachelor’s degree in construction management and strong analytical skills. A bad example of this: I’m a part-time waiter and organised project management intern with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. I have a keen interest in sport and surfing.

A final quick tip: practice makes perfect so try writing several personal statements until you hit the spot!

SEEK Profile

New job? 3 things to add to your SEEK Profile

Manage how you appear to employers on SEEK

5 keywords employers are searching for in your SEEK Profile

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main navigation

Personal Statement? Career Objective? It's about You!

Struggling to write a personal statement - or should you really be writing a career objective? And what on earth is the difference anyway? Read on....

Personal statements may be requested by organisations as part of the application process which is the case for AUT talenthub profiles and health and education industries. On the other hand, a career objective is useful to include on a CV if a personal statement is not required, and it can be an extremely useful addition to your CV if written well.

Here is what each is designed to do.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement for an internship application should highlight your unique fit to the subject area or area of work you are interested in.

A personal statement for a job application should highlight your unique fit to the role you are applying for.

Whether aimed at an area of work or a role, it must be personal, it must talk about you, it must not just be copied from another.

A personal statement is a short introduction of yourself. It highlights your current employment situation, your personality, your skills, your career aspirations and the point of difference you can offer the organisation in that role.

Organisations may stipulate a length, but if not, it is best to keep it to approximately four to six lines – one or two paragraphs maximum.

It should focus on your skills and achievements – the ones that are relevant to the job. The idea is to make the employer feel you’d be a good fit for the role and want to find out more. It is not a career objective.

A personal statement …

• should be in first person. The language can also be slightly less formal than your CV and gives you the opportunity to inject your personality into it, but the language must be appropriate to the role you’re applying for
• is about selling yourself without exaggerating. So be focused and to the point. A good approach is to outline your skills and strengths by referring to experiences you’ve had rather than writing sweeping generalisations full of adjectives
• must be unique to you, and not blandly state the obvious or repeat overused phrases and buzzwords should not have bullet points because bullet points turn your statement into a list
• is usually a separate piece of writing to your CV
• must be unique, not copied off the internet. Remember it is your personal (i.e. unique) statement about you

Personal statement example

I’m Fatima, a third year aspiring designer and entrepreneurial student. Throughout my degree I have worked on a diverse range of projects that have immersed me in the creation of digital experiences and content for potential businesses, customers, and organisations. I am driven by collaboration, innovation and a thirst to explore creative ideas. With a human centric design background and a love for stories, I want to use my communication design skill set to help contribute to digital and physical experiences that transform brands, engage customers, build relationships and grows businesses.

And what about a career objective?

A career objective is short and simple – think stripped back! It sits on the first page of your CV, after your contact details. It states the type of job you’re interested in and explains why you are interested. This is where you show your motivation for applying in a way that highlights your strengths. (And that isn't by saying you're wanting an amazing job in a great company!)

A career objective is...

• targeted, emphasising the role, rather than you as a person.
• draws attention to specific skills you have to offer for the role - but don’t write a whole lot of fluffy exaggerated lines about your abilities, just focus on the role in question and your skills for the role.

A career objective is more commonly used on a CV than a personal statement unless the application specifically requests a personal statement or you are applying for a role in the Health or Education sector.

Career objective example

To gain a graduate position working in a branding team for [ name of organisation], where I can use my communication design and social media skills and experience to help improve brand awareness and engagement.

For more help or information on how to write CVs, cover letters etc please sign up for an Employability and Careers workshop through Elabonline.

You can also find many CV and cover letter resources at My CareerLab but you will need to sign into Elabonline to be able to access My CareerLab.

Written by Angela McCarthy, AUT Employability and Careers writer

Cover image by Rodolpho Zanardo via Pexels.

CVs/Cover letters

• 7 Tips on creating a great CV
• Personal Statement? Career Objective? What?
• Why bother with LinkedIn?
• Why bother to write a cover letter?

Job search skills

• How to look good (professionally) online - 5 tips 
• Be a Detective for your Career
• Networking is possible to conquer
• Demystifying Psychometric Assessments

Career advice

• Bringing passion into the mix
• Don't let rejection end your dream
• Employability Skills - how to figure them out!

Industry insights

• Industry tips on identifying and building skills
• How to stand out in a disruptive employment market
• Employer Tips on CVs, Interviews etc
• Tips on CVs for Creative and Design Roles

What does a ….. do?

• Why would you want a career dealing with feet?
• Why on earth do Social Science?
• What’s it like saving lives in a lab?
• What’s it like being a NZSL interpreter?
• How do you do OT in Mental Health?
• What's it like to be a probation officer?

• Enquire Now
• About SI-New Zealand
• SI-New Zealand Office
• All Global Offices
• Course Search
• Application Services
• Free Service
• Top Universities Service
• Visa Service
• PhD Service
• New Zealand Application Process
• New Zealand Education System
• New Zealand University Rankings 2024
• All New Zealand Study Information
• University Profiles
• Pathways Profiles
• University Subject Guides
• Study Options
• Study Blogs
• Study English

Book your Free Consultation

A member of the SI-New Zealand team will be in touch within 24 hours to arrange your initial consultation with one of our education experts.

• New Zealand Study Info
• Personal Statement

Writing a Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement to a new zealand university.

In a personal statement, the student writes about what they hope to achieve on a university course, what they hope to do after the course and why they are applying to this particular university. It is your first chance to show a demonstrable passion and understanding of your chosen subject away from exam results.

In New Zealand, a statement of purpose is only required for undergraduate and postgraduate university applications. Otherwise, it is only needed for visa applications at all other study levels.

What do I include in my Personal Statement?

• Your career aspirations
• How you became interested in studying the subject
• What, if any, relevant work experience you have undertaken that is related to the course or subject
• What aspects of your previous education you have found the most interesting
• What attracted you to the particular university
• Other relevant academic interests and passions which display positive character and personality

Genuine experiences of extra-curricular clubs, work experience or knowledge around a subject are much more likely to make your personal statement stand out, while admissions officers are also for looking for positive evidence of your character which will make you a productive member of the university.

How long should my Personal Statement be?

The length of a personal statement varies depending on the university, but generally, the average length for an undergraduate application is between 300-600 words, around one side of A4 paper or a maximum of 47 lines. Certain postgraduate programmes may require a 1000-word personal statement, but this will be clearly specified.

Try not to go over the given character limit as admissions officers have many personal statements to go through, and a clearly written and concise personal statement is more likely to stand out.

What are common Personal Statement errors?

• The personal statement is too short/long
• The personal statement does not include important information/includes negative information
• The personal statement has a confusing structure

It is also important not to lie about any aspect of your personal life and education history, or even exaggerate. Admissions officers will question you about almost all aspects of your application and will be able to see through any lies.

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

• Express a passion for your subject
• Start the statement strongly to grab an admission officer's attention
• Link outside interests and passions to your course
• Be honest, but don’t include negative information
• Don’t attempt to sound too clever
• Don’t leave it until the last minute; prepare ahead of the deadline
• Have friends and family proofread it
• Don’t duplicate material from your CV/resume

In terms of presentation, attempt to create five clear paragraphs of text in a clear font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with a maximum size of 12.

Personal Statement Editing

Once you have completed your personal statement, arrange a free consultation with SI-New Zealand. We can suggest edits and ensure the English is clear and grammatically correct.

Increase your chances of success when applying

SI-Australia specialises in selecting the right Australia university or college for international students by reviewing your academic background, discussing your career goals and helping you apply. Our application services can help you achieve your dream of studying in Australia.

06 June 2024

16 may 2024, 06 december 2023, 29 june 2024, study in new zealand blog, studying in new zealand, new zealand's most sustainable universities 2024.

• New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa Guide for International Students

The New Zealand Education System

• Why Choose the University of Canterbury?

New Zealand Degrees

• Top Five Computer Science Universities in New Zealand
• Top Five Business Courses in New Zealand Universities

New Zealand Universities

• Affordable Universities in New Zealand for International Students
• Six Reasons to Study at Auckland University of Technology

" SI-New Zealand helped me successfully apply to study business in New Zealand and I cannot thank them enough for their support. They assisted me with each step, ensuring I was aware of all my options in terms of program and university selection, making the process totally stress free. "

Isabella Ramos Business and Management

Leading Universities in New Zealand

©2024 SI-New Zealand | All rights reserved | Privacy Policy

Work homepage

We can help you get ready to apply and find the right job for you. We can even help you while you're working.

• Get ready to work

You can get training, help with CVs and cover letters, and advice for job interviews.

Find out what jobs are available, which job is best for you and how you can plan your career.

Whether you've just started a job or need some help at work, we've got your back.

• Lost your job

We'll help you get ready to find a new job and support you while you're between jobs.

• Start your own business

Get help to plan and set up a successful business or be a self-employed contractor.

Benefits and payments homepage

Take a look at the range of benefits and payments we have available.

Not working

Redundancy, health condition or disability or another reason you can’t work

Living expenses

Food, school costs, power, accommodation or other living expenses you need help with

Relationship changes

You’ve had a relationship break-up, family breakdown or violent relationship end

Health and Disability

Counselling, prescription and GP costs, medical alarms and other costs we can help with

Travelling overseas, how to apply, payment rates and dates, overseas pensions, income and other info for Seniors

Caring for someone else’s child or someone with a health condition, injury or disability

Urgent or unexpected costs

Dental, glasses, car repairs, fridge, washing machine, funeral or other urgent costs you need help with

Childcare, school uniforms, stationery, having a baby and other costs if you have children

Moving to New Zealand

Payments you can get from us, settling into NZ, overseas pensions and more.

Benefits and forms

A-Z list of benefits, forms, benefit rates

On a benefit homepage

Check out what you need to do when you're getting a benefit or other payment from us.

Something's changed

Address, contact details, overseas travel, childcare, relationship or anything else that’s changed.

Declare income and income deduction tables

Change in your childcare situation, continue childcare payments, cohort entry schools and other childcare information

Going overseas

Going on holiday or going to live overseas

Re-apply for Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Temporary Additional Support and more

Check or stop your payments, payment cards and other information

Check your debt, repayments and other debt information

Rights and responsibilities

Our commitment to you,  obligations, complaints, benefit fraud and more

Housing homepage

Find out how we can help you with housing.

Nowhere to stay

Get help if you have nowhere to stay right now.

Find a house

Find out where to look for private housing, or apply for public (social) housing.

Living in your home

Get help with accommodation costs, and advice on any housing issues and public housing tenancies.

Find out how we can help if you’re moving house.

Other languages

Read some of our housing information in other languages.

• Go to the Work and Income home page

CVs and cover letters

Take the hard work out of writing your CV and cover letter. Get advice about what to write, support to show you what to do, and free templates you can use.

When you apply for a job, employers will look at your:

• CV, to see your skills, any qualifications, and your work history
• cover letter, to find out what kind of person you are and why you want this job.

They'll use this to decide if they want to interview you, so it's really important to make a good impression.

What's available

'build my cv' service.

A free service to help you write or rewrite your CV and cover letter. It's run by the Auckland Business Chamber, and it's available online and by phone throughout New Zealand.

You can sign up if you're getting Jobseeker Support or Sole Parent Support.

If you've been getting one of these benefits for less than 12 months, you can sign up through MyMSD:

If you've been getting one of these benefits for more than 12 months talk to your local service centre or call our Job Search line on 0800 779 009 .

Step-by-step CV builder

A free, interactive tool from Careers.govt.nz.

• Makes sure your CV has all the information employers look for.
• Tips and advice to help you build a CV to get you noticed.
• Your CV will save automatically to your account, and you can download, print and email it in Word and PDF.

How to write a cover letter

Careers.govt.nz has great advice about:

• what your cover letter needs
• how to make it look good
• templates you can use.

Scam alert banner

Beware there has recently been an increase in reported recruitment scams currently targeting jobseekers. These scams trick you into handing over your money by offering you a ‘guaranteed’ way to make fast money or a high-paying job for little effort. Click here for more details.

How to Write a Resume - Template & Tips | Career Advice | Hays

How to write a resume | hero banner | ub, how to write a cv - template & tips new zealand.

Intro Copy + Form - Resume | UB

Importance of a good cv.

Your resume must also get past any initial screening algorithms, or applicant tracking systems (ATS), which identify suitable candidates based on the use of relevant keywords.

Think of your CV as your own living, breathing personal pitch – a pitch that succinctly answers all the questions a recruiter or hiring manager has about you. The degree to which you present the reader with the information they require to make an informed decision can determine whether you are invited to interview.

This includes why you are applying for this job, with this organisation and in this industry, what value you can bring to the organisation and whether you have what is required to be successful in the role.To leave the reader with no doubt about your suitability, you must present a strong CV that clearly conveys this information.

How often should I update my CV? 

Even if you aren’t actively looking for a new role, it’s important to get into the habit of regularly updating your CV. If you keep your resume up-to-date, when you do come to the point when you want to find a new position, there’s no risk that you’ll forget key points.

Regularly updating your resume can also make you more aware of any skills or experience gaps that you need to fill to take the next step in your career.

Download your CV template 

Enter your details below to download your CV template. A copy of the template will be emailed to you shortly.

How to write a resume | Form | UB

Resume advice.

A good CV is vital. Discover tips and advice on how to write a resume with this video. Follow our tips to update your CV or download the free resume template!

Resumes promo menu

Resumes & cover letters.

How to write a resume

How to write a cover letter

CV hacks that work

Make your CV stand out

CV cliches to avoid

Content block - resume | UB

Cv versus resume – what’s the difference  .

Today, a lot of employers and job candidates use the terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ interchangeably. Indeed, you may see just as many references to ‘resume templates’ as you do ‘CV templates’.

Traditionally, a CV referred to a comprehensive (up to six pages) account of your entire professional life, while a resume was a summary (up to two pages) of your education, skills and work experience. However, in more modern times, the need for a lengthy overview of your career history has become redundant, with a hiring company instead expecting a two-page summary.

At the same time, people began to use the two terms reciprocally. Now, whether you call your career overview a ‘CV’ or ‘resume’, it has no bearing on your chance of reaching an interview shortlist. 

How to write a resume | 2nd content block | UB

The purpose of a resume.

Your resume serves to introduce the relevancy of your skills, experience, qualifications and achievements to a recruiter and potential employer. A recruiter or employer may not spend longer than a few minutes reviewing your resume, so it should succinctly convey your most relevant achievements. If the reader thinks you are a suitable candidate for the role, your resume will have achieved its purpose – an offer to attend an interview. 

you must be able to demonstrate your skills, experience, and future potential.

If you can do that well in one page, that’s great. However, the average length of a resume is usually around two pages. 

How to write a resume | 3rd content block | UB

How long should my resume be.

Your resume should be approximately two pages long. If it is substantially longer, eliminate information that isn’t relevant to the role or industry.

For instance, look back at the key skills and attributes required for the job in question and then review your resume – are you using valuable space to describe skills, attributes and responsibilities from roles that don’t match up to the job in question?

If so, remove this content or, at the least, simplify your language. On your resume, you must get to the point, so don’t use ten words to say something you could say in five.  

On the other hand, one page may suffice in certain circumstances. The main thing to keep in mind when you’re writing your resume is that you must be able to demonstrate your skills, experience, and future potential.

How to write a resume | 4th content block | UB

What not to include in a resume.

Use your common sense when writing your resume. If you have been employed for many years and your career has evolved over time, knowing how to write a resume well means you will not include every role you’ve ever held, such as the casual retail position you had in high school or the captaincy of your social sporting team. Rather, use the limited space on your resume strategically by ensuring every line shows how you are relevant to the particular job you’re applying for. 

Similarly, if you have an advanced degree, few people are going to be concerned about the exams you took when you were 16 years old. Instead, only include training that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need to attach copies of certificates, qualifications or references. You should instead bring these to a job interview.

We also advise candidates to avoid listing their hobbies or interests. Focus instead on the experience and skills that make you suitable for the job you’re applying for. The exceptions occur when you have limited relevant experience or if the employer specifically asks applicants to list hobbies. In these cases, keep it brief. Avoid anything that could be contentious, such as political affiliations, and instead show how your personality is suited to that of the organisation. For example, consider listing a hobby that requires expertise relevant to the role, such as organisational or communication skills. 

You also do not need to design a creative resume, unless you work in a creative field. Some candidates attempt to produce a more creative resume to stand out, however it really is the relevancy of your skills and experience that will ensure you make a shortlist, not how you present your resume.

Can AI write the perfect resume?

How to write a resume | 5th content block | ub, step by step guide to writing a great resume.

Follow the below standard resume structure when looking to write your resume. Don’t forget to ensure you use clean and clear formatting. 

1. Contact information

Start with the basics such as your name, phone number, email address (make sure the email address you use sounds professional) and  LinkedIn profile . Use the phone number and email address that you use most often. You don’t want to disappoint an employer by failing to respond to their invitation to an interview in a timely fashion.

2. Professional summary 

In 50 to 150 words, describe your applicable experience and skills. This summary should prove your value and help to differentiate you. Avoid describing what you’d like from your next job and instead focus on what you can offer. This is the place for your  USP , or unique selling proposition. Tailor this section to each position that you’re applying to.

Use keywords from the job description so that an ATS can find a match.

3. Skills summary 

The reader of your resume may not have more than a minute to spend scanning each application, particularly if the volume of applications is very high, so including a skills section can capture their attention by making it immediately clear what you can offer. Compile a brief bulleted list of the systems,  skills and competencies  that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Use keywords from the job description here too.

For instance, if the ad specifies someone who has ‘effective administrative abilities and excellent interpersonal skills’, these should be addressed here with brief evidence as to where you gained those skills. Make sure to tailor your expertise to the individual position you are applying for, always.

4. Achievements

A future employer will be interested in where you went above and beyond the job that you were paid to do and achieved something great. So, next list your key career achievements, supported by facts, statistics or links. For example, if you over-achieved on your sales targets, you need to say by what percentage and over what period.

Keep in mind, this is a summary to grab interest by demonstrating you can successfully add value to an organisation in the type of job you’re applying for, so proof is essential.

5. Work experience 

Your work history should be the most detailed section of your resume, with positions listed in reverse order, beginning with the most recent. Include employer names, positions and primary responsibilities.

If your job title is unconventional, it is perfectly acceptable to replace it with a recognisable equivalent.

It is important to quantify your accomplishments – the reader wants to see facts not fluff. Focus on the value you added in each role, rather than simply listing what your duties were. This section shouldn’t read like a job description. Rather, it should tell the story of your unique strengths and accomplishments. Think of your biggest achievements for each role and provide concrete, quantifiable evidence of each. One way to help you do this is to use action verbs such as “managed” or “oversaw”. Such verbs force you to focus on what you achieved and your results in each role, which proves the value of your experience.

Avoid overused clichés in you CV  that can waste valuable space. Instead, include examples of your work to demonstrate your strengths. Remember that proof is in your results.

We also advise you not to leave gaps in your work history. If you took a year out, carried out an interim assignment, or travelled for six months, say so. Just make sure you illustrate whatever the experience was in a positive way, focusing on the fact that it gave you some great experience and knowledge.

Stating just the years you started or finished a role can also send off alarm bells. Writing "2019 - 2021" could be interpreted as employment from December 2019 to January 2021 unless you say otherwise. 

6. Education & qualifications 

Keep it concise by listing the academic qualification obtained, year of completion, the institution’s name and a one-sentence summary.

7. References 

The details of references are rarely included on resumes. It’s common for candidates to simply write, “References are available upon request” in this section of your resume. Your recruiter will then reach out for the details of your referees at the appropriate point in the recruitment process. 

Remember though, the referees recruiters and employers value the most are those people you reported to directly who can speak about how you used your skills and experience to add value to their organisation. If you are unsure who to provide as a referee, our  guide to references  may help. 

How to write a resume | 6th content block | UB

Final tips to remember when writing your resume.

By the time the recruiter or hiring manager reaches the end of your resume, they will have more than likely made their decision about whether to add your resume to the interview pile or not. Here are three final tips to help your resume reach the shortlist: Firstly, tailor your resume for each application. To make the interview shortlist, your resume must demonstrate that you possess most or all the criteria required in the job. Tailor your application for each position you apply for by expanding on your experience relevant to the job and cutting back the less relevant parts. You should also show that you are genuinely interested in this job. Failing to tailor your CV by submitting a blanket application will not impress. So, weave into your professional summary the reasons that make you a good fit for this particular position and what specifically resonates with you about the organisation or role. Secondly, make sure you add quantifiable results. As mentioned above, providing evidence to support the claims you make on your CV brings it to life and establishes for the reader the value you could bring. However, not every role allows for the sort of measurement by which you can prove your expertise. If you find yourself unsure how to add quantitative evidence this blog provides some tips. Adding links to your LinkedIn profile and online portfolios of work can also help the reader build a better picture of your competencies.

Hays New Zealand Salary Guide 2022-2023 - Salary Checker | UB

Try our Salary Comparison Tool

The Hays Salary Checker provides you with quick access to salaries for your specific job role in your location. Covering hundreds of jobs in 19 industries and sectors, and further customised geographically by 3 different regions across New Zealand. Our New Zealand salary comparison tool provides instant insights on pay and salary benchmarking for your exact job and location.

• CV Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• CV Examples High School Student Academic Teacher Nurse Accountant View all
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Caregiver Administrative Teacher Nursing Executive View all
• Cover Letter Builder
• CV Examples

Nurse CV Example & Writing Guide

Personal statements: A tale of passion and promise 

Personal statements are like brief professional summaries. The main idea with personal statements is to illustrate your professional strengths in a short and concise way. As a nurse, it's important that you establish a personal connection with your reader, so you'll want to write with warmth and sensitivity. At cvapp.nz, we can help you achieve this with ease. 

Let's start with your personal statement. Your personal statement serves as your professional introduction. In ideally four to six sentences, you'll want to include any stand-out professional facts, strengths or achievements here. You don't have to elaborate too much on previous employment positions -- that's what your employment history section is for – but more on that later. We recommend reading over the job description carefully. If you have any relevant skills mentioned, you'll want to include these in your CV. Try to include any keywords that might apply to you and your professional situation. 

As a nurse, being compassionate, empathetic and attentive to patient care are non-negotiables, so do be sure to keep this in mind as you craft your CV. Check out an example of an excellent nursing personal statement below:

Service-oriented and organised registered nurse with several years of experience in the healthcare industry. Strong communication skills and a desire to serve others, proficient in patient diagnosis, after-care and handling every patient case with confidentiality and privacy.

Employment history: your career highlights 

When it comes to your CV's employment history section, we recommend including relevant positions that align with your profession as a nurse. Prioritise listing jobs, in reverse chronological order from most recent to least recent, that are more closely related to your field, and consider leaving out less relevant positions, especially those from a while ago. This will help streamline and optimise your CV for nursing roles and get you noticed faster.

It's important to provide thorough details about your previous roles in this section. Include information such as the title of your position, the organisation or company you worked for, the duration of your employment in years and/or months, as well as any key responsibilities and tasks you handled. If you have experience in the healthcare industry, it's also important to mention details about the facility type, such as the specific department you worked in or any other relevant information about the hospital units or departments you worked in. These additional specifics can be helpful for potential employers reviewing your CV.

Here’s a great example of a nursing employment history section: 

Nurse at Beverly View Hospital, Timaru May 2019 — Present

• Provided high-quality care to patients in the NICU ward and ER departments
• Contacted family members to advise on out-patient treatment options and patient care
• Collaborated with senior doctors to create specifically tailored treatments for admitted patients

Nursing Assistant at Christchurch Central Hospital, Christchurch February 2014 — October 2018

• Managed patients in the surgical ward, providing support and taking patient requests
• Assisted hospital staff with patients, including data collection, food and beverage dispatch and contacting families of patients
• Collaborated with other medical professionals to answer patient queries and concerns
• Assisted with emergency department cases and supported families in the ER room

Nursing Extern at Bluewater Health Services, Christchurch May 2013 — December 2013

• Assisted with the daily operations of the medical office, including greeting patients, helping with patient on-boarding and escalating patient questions to senior staff members
• Gathered important medical information and data from patients for senior medical assessment
• Processed patient paperwork for time-effective patient care

Education: mapping academic milestones  

In this section, it is essential to include any relevant educational qualifications. To become a qualified nurse in New Zealand, you must have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an approved institution and have successfully completed the Competency Assessment Programme (CAP). Additionally, it is necessary to be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Make sure to include detailed information about these qualifications in your education section. If you possess any international credentials or qualifications, remember to include those details as well.

Like your employment history section, you’ll want to list your credentials and qualifications in order of most recent to least recent. You might also like to include any relevant academic awards, licenses, certifications, honours or scholarships in this section. At cvapp.nz, we offer a range of templates and examples to provide you with inspiration and guidance to create an attention-grabbing CV that showcases your professionalism with ease. Check out our example of a great nursing education section here:

Master of Health Science, University of Canterbury, Christchurch February 2013 — December 2016

Bachelor of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin February 2009 — May 2012

NCEA Level 3, Roncalli College, Timaru February 2004 — December 2008

Skills: so, what are your strengths? 

As a nurse, the skills you have to offer are important. It's important to highlight a variety of medical skills in your skills section: these may include any clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, and technical abilities. Our A.I skills suggestion tool simplifies the process of incorporating these skills into your profile. While we suggest emphasising both hard and soft skills, it is especially relevant for nurses to emphasise soft skills like time management, collaboration, and communication.

We’ve got a great example of a skills section below – for more career resources and top tips, be sure to check out the cvapp.nz website! 

• Communication Skills
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Strong Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Knowledgable in Medical Terminology and Procedures
• Trauma and ER Experience
• Patient Advocacy

Sleek, professional ready-to-use CV templates

77+ Resume Summary Examples [& How-to Guide for 2024]

Most companies get hundreds or even thousands of applications monthly.

Hiring managers don’t have the time to read each resume in detail, so they usually end up scanning it for five to six seconds.

So, unless your resume manages to grab the hiring manager’s attention in those few seconds, they’ll just toss your application aside and move on to the next one.

That’s why, you want to make sure that the hiring manager can instantly tell that you’re the right candidate for the job before they even read your resume in depth. 

This is where writing an attention-grabbing resume summary comes in!

In this guide, we’re going to cover: 

• What Is a Resume Summary?
• Tips for Writing an Effective Resume Summary 
• 77+ Convincing Resume Summary Examples

Let’s dive in.

This guide is part of our larger resume series. If you want to start from the basics, take a look at our comprehensive guide on how to make a resume .

What Is a Resume Summary? 

A resume summary is a section that summarizes your resume’s contents. It’s placed in your resume’s header, close to your 

contact information , and it’s the first thing hiring managers see when they look at your resume.

When done right, your resume summary serves as a snapshot of your entire career. It shows that you’re a qualified candidate in less than five seconds, and it gets the hiring manager interested in reading the rest of your resume.

So, what makes a resume summary effective?

A good resume summary is two to four sentences long and includes:

• Your years of experience and job title
• Some of your biggest achievements to date
• A couple of your most essential skills that are relevant for the role

Let’s look at an example:

• Detail-oriented Technical Writer with 7+ years of experience in writing end-user documentation, specializing in user help guides. Excellent writing, analytical thinking, research, and time management skills. Rewrote over 80% of user help guides for 30+ products at Company X, resulting in a 42% decrease in product-related customer support calls.

New to resume-making? Give our resume summary video a watch before diving into the article!

When Should You Use a Resume Summary?

Hiring managers skim through resumes before deciding to read them, so candidates who grab their attention from the start stand a better chance of grabbing their attention. This is why you should always include a brief paragraph in your resume header that summarizes your strengths as a candidate.

Depending on your experience level, you can choose between a resume summary or a resume objective .

Resume objectives focus on professional goals, skills, and motivation for applying for the job, so they’re perfect for students, recent graduates , and other entry-level workers.

A resume summary, on the other hand, is perfect for seasoned professionals, as it focuses more on your past work experience and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. So, if you already have some work experience, we recommend sticking to a resume summary.

If you’re embarking on a career change , on the other hand, you can choose between a resume summary or a resume objective, depending on how your previous skills and work experience relate to the job.

When you’re making your resume, write your resume summary last. Creating a resume summary is much easier once you’ve already finished up your work experience section! 

5 General Resume Summary Examples

There are different aspects of your professional background that you can focus on when writing your resume summary.

Let’s look at some examples and what they do right:

• A hard-working bartender with over five years of experience providing professional service at various bars across Brooklyn. I have received the Hospitality Skill Certification for Bartenders and I know how to make over 200 alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Seeking the Head Bartender position at Bar X, where my skills and beverage knowledge can be leveraged to offer customers the highest quality of service.

Above all, this resume summary shows how experienced the candidate is. Their main selling point is their vast bartending knowledge, followed by an impressive bartending qualification and customer service skills .

• Communicative financial analyst, specializing in informative and persuasive financial presentations, cost accounting, and team management. Master’s Degree in Finance and two related certifications from the Corporate Finance Institute. Extensive experience with a variety of software programs, including SQL, Equitrak, and Lawson.

What sticks out the most in this resume summary is the candidate’s educational background and certifications. It matches the field they’re applying for, and their knowledge also extends to the most important professional software.

• Human Resources Manager with 7+ years of experience seeks to improve overall efficiency at XYZ Office. Career highlights include handling all employee relations in a 75-employee finance firm, reducing recruitment lead time by 35%, and increasing employee retention by 17%.

In addition to the candidate’s long professional experience, the most impressive part of this resume summary is their achievements . The candidate also made sure to quantify their professional accomplishments, which gives you credibility and shows you know what you're talking about.

• Detail-oriented receptionist with 4+ years of experience in customer service. Efficient in performing the administrative and front-desk tasks of large-scale offices. Fluent in Norwegian, English, Spanish, and Swedish. Proficient in MS Office Suite and ZenDesk.

This resume summary shows off the candidate’s key skills, including language proficiency , extensive customer service experience, and computer skills .

• Hard-working and passionate Secondary Social Studies teacher with 10+ years of experience in creating positive environments in which teenagers can learn and grow. Incorporates interdisciplinary knowledge into the classroom to engage students of all learning orientations. 

This candidate mentions they have more than a decade of work experience , but the main takeaway is what they can do on the job. The hiring manager who reads this resume summary can immediately see what this applicant can bring to the team.

How to Write a Resume Summary

Now, let’s get down to business – how can you write a resume summary that’s guaranteed to catch the hiring manager’s attention?

Let’s start with the basics. Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Experience. If you have a lot of relevant professional experience, you should summarize it. This may include your job titles and years of experience in the field. (e.g., “Facebook marketer with 5+ years of experience..." )
• Skills. Mention your areas of expertise, specializations, certifications , and/or skills. (e.g., “Experienced in managing Facebook ad accounts and SEO copywriting..." )
• Achievements. Add one or two impressive achievements to show what you can do. (e.g., “Managed over $100,000 in marketing budget over several accounts and reduced annual company costs by 16%.” )

The next step is to take your resume summary from good to great by following these expert tips:

#1. Tailor Your Resume Summary

You could be an excellent candidate with tons of work experience, but if your resume summary isn’t tailored to the job ad, the hiring manager probably won’t be impressed.

If the hiring manager doesn’t see your value in the first seven seconds of reading your resume , you probably won’t get them to give it a second glance.

This is where tailoring your resume summary comes in. Just reference the job description to make sure your work experience, skills, and achievements all match what the employer is looking for in a candidate.

Let’s go over it in detail.

Imagine you’re applying for this specific job:

The ad tells you exactly what the company is looking for in a candidate.

So here’s what a resume summary tailored to this ad might look like:

• Professional marketer manager with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing. Social media marketing experience, including Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn advertising. Experience in managing an account with a monthly budget of $30,000. B.A. in marketing management. Fluent in German. 

By carefully tailoring your resume summary to the ad and mentioning what the company is looking for, the hiring manager will be hooked! They’ll immediately think, “This is the right person for the job!” and read the rest of your resume in detail.

Tailoring your resume summary to the job description can also help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems that companies use to filter through resumes. This is software that scans applications and disqualifies candidates who don’t mention specific skills or add enough keywords from the job description throughout their resume, so the more you tailor your resume to the job, the better your chances!

#2. Quantify Your Achievements

Your resume summary is supposed to be brief, which means you’re not supposed to list all your achievements. So, make sure to mention the ones that are most relevant and impactful for the role you’re applying for to pique the hiring manager’s attention.

The best way to back up your accomplishments is by providing concrete data.

Quantifiable achievements are instantly more credible and more likely to leave a good impression than vague statements. 

Let’s compare:

• Helped customers sign up on our platform.
• Onboarded 100+ customers to our SaaS platform with a retention rate of over 75%.

See the difference? In fact, the first example sounds more like a responsibility than an achievement.

Here’s what this applicant's entire resume summary would look like:

• Customer service representative with 5+ years of experience in telephone customer service, tech support, and customer care. Familiar with Intercom, Drift, and several other customer service software solutions. Handled up to 100 calls daily with a retention rate of over 75%. 

In some fields, there aren’t many achievements that you can mention. For example, saying that you served 50 people a day isn’t an achievement if you're a server. Don’t fret! In such cases, it’s OK to stick with your key responsibilities simply.

#3. Use Power Words and Action Verbs

Saying you’re a “team player” who was “responsible for” this or “managed” that is boring.

To stand out from every other applicant using the same words, you need to use the right action verbs and power words .

These words can make your skills and achievements pop, and the hiring manager will appreciate that you’re going the extra mile to describe your experience.

Let’s compare how the same sentence with and without power words plays out:

• Spearheaded Company X’s content marketing operations.
• Responsible for content marketing at Company X.

While both of these sentences say the same thing, the first one makes you seem more competent and implies initiative and leadership skills. The second just comes off as passive.

To drive the point home, here’s what a resume summary looks like packed with action words:

#4. Follow Our Formula

When you get down to writing your resume summary, you might still not be sure where to start or what to add.

Don’t worry!

We have a tried and tested formula that you can follow to write the perfect resume summary.

77+ Convincing Resume Summary Examples (For Different Fields)

Need inspiration to write your resume summary? No sweat!

We’ve curated a list of 77+ resume summary examples for different professions to help inspire you.

Sales and Customer Service Resume Summary Examples

#1. sales associate resume summary.

“Enthusiastic and knowledgeable sales associate specialized in upselling furniture and dealing with customer objections. Proven 2-year track record of success at Company X, having exceeded department KPIs by 40-50% for 6 months in a row.”

Read the full sales associate resume example here.

#2. Account Manager Resume Summary

“Client-oriented account manager with a successful track record in the oil industry. Managed accounts worth over $500K while working with clients such as BP and Lukoil.”

#3. Software Support Specialist Resume Summary

“Software support specialist with 5+ years of experience in providing support and assistance to clients, managing user accounts, and recruiting and hiring new IT support interns. Built customer relationships and trust with 20+ B2B clients. Skilled at simplifying complex problems, making it easy for non-technical specialists to solve IT issues.”

#4. Customer Service Representative Resume Summary

“Dedicated and trustworthy customer service specialist with four years of experience in online software troubleshooting, tech support, and customer care. Experienced in using Intercom and Drift. Received an average 87% customer satisfaction rating to date, 15% higher than the company average.”

Read the full customer service resume example here.

#5. Cashier Resume Summary

“Reliable and detail-oriented cashier. Skilled at mathematics, thinking on my feet, and solving any potential customer issues that arise without help from management. Experience in training and onboarding 3+ new cashiers at Company X.”

Read the full cashier resume example here.

#6. Retail Manager Resume Summary

“Retail Manager with 5 years of experience managing mid-sized retail stores. Increased store revenue by 15% through effective team management and customer engagement strategies. Proficient in inventory control, merchandising, and staff training. Looking to leverage retail management expertise in a larger, high-volume store setting.”

Read the full retail manager resume example here.

#7. Barista Resume Summary

“Passionate Barista with 2 years of experience in specialty coffee shops. Known for crafting signature beverages and maintaining high standards of customer service. Consistently received positive feedback for friendly demeanor and quick, accurate order fulfillment.”

Read the full barista resume example here.

#8. Server Resume Summary

"Dedicated Server with 3 years of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Skilled in order accuracy, multitasking, and providing exceptional customer service. Recognized for ability to maintain composure and efficiency during peak hours."

Read the full server resume example here.

#9. Waiter Resume Summary

“Positive and friendly waiter with 3 years of experience working at a fast-paced Italian restaurant. People skills with a proven ability to upsell alcohol, desserts, and appetizers to customers. Memorized restaurant’s wine stock and accompanying meals to the T.”

Read the full waiter resume example here.

#10. Front Desk Agent Resume Summary

“Front Desk Agent with 4 years of experience in the hospitality industry, excelling in customer service at busy city-center hotels. Skilled in handling reservations, guest inquiries, and providing travel recommendations. Committed to enhancing guest experiences and maintaining a high standard of service.”

#11. Housekeeper Resume Summary

“Hard-working house-keeper with 5+ years of experience. Past experiences include working as a housekeeper in hotels as well as private residences. Proven time-management skills and deep familiarity with all cleaning materials and tools.”

#12. Line Cook Resume Summary

“Line Cook with 3 years of experience in high-volume kitchens. Efficient in meal preparation and plating, with a focus on maintaining quality and speed. Trained in various cuisines and knowledgeable about food safety standards.”

#13. Restaurant Manager Resume Summary

“Professional restaurant manager with a strong interest in providing the highest standards of customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction. Skilled at reducing staff turnover, conflict resolution, marketing, and upselling techniques. Increased restaurant revenue by 20% through advertising lunch menu and word-of-mouth strategies.”

#14. Bar Manager Resume Summary

“Experienced Bar Manager with 7 years overseeing busy urban bars. Successfully increased annual sales by 20% through innovative marketing and menu redesign. Expert in inventory management, staff training, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons. Seeking to bring leadership and efficient operational skills to a high-end establishment.”

Read the full bar manager resume example here.

Administrative and HR Resume Summary Examples

#15. receptionist resume summary.

"Organized Receptionist with 3 years of experience in corporate and medical office settings. Efficient in managing multiple phone lines, scheduling appointments, and providing administrative support. Known for a welcoming demeanor and effectively handling client inquiries."

Read the full receptionist resume example here.

#16. Recruiter Resume Summary

"Communicative professional with 5+ years of experience in recruitment. Worked with every part of the recruitment process, including sourcing, vetting, and onboarding of candidates. Passionate about IT recruitment, having worked as a tech recruiter at Company X. MBA from University X."

Read the full recruiter resume example here.

#17. Human Resources Specialist Resume Summary

“Human Resources Specialist with 6 years of experience focusing on employee retention and satisfaction. Implemented employee engagement programs that increased retention rates by 25%. Skilled in conflict resolution, performance management, and creating positive work environments. Dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee development.”

Read the full human resources resume example here.

#18. Office Manager Resume Summary

“Office manager with 5+ years of experience in controlling inventory, ordering and tracking new supplies, developing procedures and training material for staff. Strong communication skills, organized, with a track record of success.”

Read the full office manager resume example here.

#19. Secretary Resume Summary

“Professional Secretary with 4 years of experience in fast-paced legal and corporate environments. Proficient in document preparation, managing executive schedules, and coordinating meetings. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ensuring efficient office operations.”

#20. Executive Assistant Resume Summary

“Accomplished executive assistant with experience in providing support to a high-level CEO and other executives for 4 years. Helped with everything from customer support to data entry and preparing well-researched documents. Skilled at time management, proficient in MS Office and Adobe Photoshop.”

Read the full executive assistant resume example here.

#21. Administrative Assistant Resume Summary

“Experienced administrative assistant seeking to leverage advanced administrative skills for improved efficiency at Media XYZ. 5+ years of industry experience includes decreasing data entry mistakes by 23%, decreasing negative feedback by 11%, and giving insights into creating paperless office environments.”

Read the full administrative assistant resume example here.

#22. Data Entry Resume Summary

“Data entry clerk with 3+ years of experience in verifying complex data, maintaining databases, and producing monthly reports using advanced Excel functions. Known for quick typing skills, eye for detail, and the ability to keep clients and employers happy.”

Read the full data entry resume example here.

Finance Resume Summary Examples

#23. accountant resume summary.

“Licensed Certified Public Accountant with 10+ years of experience in budget analysis, financial audits, and forensic accounting. Created financial reports within a five-person finance team and managed a $500,000 budget. Over the two years working there, helped cut annual company expenses by 15%.”

Read the full accountant resume example here.

#24. Financial Analyst Resume Summary

“Dedicated financial analyst with a track record of successful investments. 5+ years of experience in investment banking, with a focus on the oil industry. Responsible for analyzing potential investments, as well as conducting industry, market, and company-specific research. MBA in Finance.”

Read the full financial analyst resume example here.

#25. Bank Teller Resume Summary

“Bank teller with 2+ years of experience in client-facing roles at Bank X, where I handled customer transactions, cross-selling bank products, and keeping customers happy by providing a professional and efficient service. Followed strict and safe deposit box operations guidelines and processed 100+ customer transactions daily.”

Read the full bank teller resume example here.

#26. Banker Resume Summary

"Experienced Banker with 5 years of expertise in personal and small business banking. Managed a portfolio of high-value accounts, increasing client satisfaction and financial performance. Skilled in financial advising, loan processing, and risk management. Committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals with tailored solutions."

Read the full banker resume example here.

Business Resume Summary Examples

#27. business analyst resume summary.

“Solutions-driven business analyst with over 5 years of experience in consulting businesses and analyzing their operations. Previous experience in working with Consulting Company X and Consulting Company Y. Strong understanding of digital transformation. Improved a client company’s processes by taking them online, which improved manufacturing output by 3%.”

Read the full business analyst resume example here.

#28. Business Development Manager Resume Summary

"Dynamic Business Development Manager with 7 years of experience in identifying and pursuing new market opportunities. Led initiatives that resulted in a 30% increase in annual revenue. Strong background in strategic planning, client relations, and market analysis. Proven ability to drive business growth and forge strong partnerships.”

Read the full business development manager resume example here.

#29. Project Manager Resume Summary

“Project manager with a proven track record of working with agile and waterfall project management methodologies. Managed 5+ teams of software projects over the past 3 years. Basic understanding of several programming languages, including Java, React, and NodeJS.”

Read the full project manager resume example here.

Marketing and Advertising Resume Summary Examples

#30. marketing executive resume summary.

"Accomplished Marketing Executive with 10 years of experience in developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies in the technology sector. Led campaigns that increased brand awareness by 40% and consistently exceeded sales targets by 15-20%. Expertise in digital marketing, market research, and team leadership. Committed to driving market growth and enhancing brand positioning for leading tech companies."

Read the full marketing executive resume example here.

#31. Marketing Manager Resume Summary

“Marketing manager with 4+ years of experience in a corporate environment. Good eye for design, with experience in creating marketing materials with Canva. Intermediate copywriting skills, having worked on the company website, flyers, and several other content pieces.”

Read the full marketing manager resume example here.

#32. Social Media Marketing Manager Resume Summary

“Creative social media manager with 2+ years of experience and a passion for boosting brand awareness and customer engagement. Skilled in copywriting and basic graphic design tools. Personally started and grew a Facebook page for my consultancy brand from 0-1,000+ in just a month. Looking to help Company X establish an online presence and increase their social presence.”

#33. Content Marketer Resume Summary

“Accomplished professional with 3+ years of experience in marketing, content writing, and outreach. Experience in writing for high-authority publications like Forbes, Business Insider, and more. Looking to help Company X increase their online presence and generate more leads through content.”

#34. SEO Specialist Resume Summary

“Results and data-driven SEO specialist with experience in keyword research, developing and marketing evergreen content, and increasing overall website rankings. Freelancing for over 2 years. Grew Company X from 50,000 daily visits to 100,000 within a year by creating long-form content and conducting backlink outreach.”

Read the full digital marketing resume here.

#35. PPC Specialist Resume Summary

“Data-driven SEM professional with 5+ years of experience with Google Analytics, AdWords, Google Display Ads, and Facebook/LinkedIn Ads. Managed a monthly advertising budget of $50,000 over 4 clients.”

IT and Software Development Resume Summary Examples

#36. it specialist resume summary.

“Competent IT specialist with 5+ years of experience working with Windows Server 2016. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. Advanced knowledge in SQL, C++, Bash, and Linux.”

Read the full IT resume example here.

#37. Software Engineer Resume Summary

“Results-oriented software engineer with a focus on the design and implementation of relational database systems. 8+ years of experience in developing cutting-edge engineering solutions with a wide range of eCommerce and technology features. Skilled in agile processes, backend and frontend development, and creating eCommerce websites that integrate with Paypal, Stripe, and other payment APIs.”

Read the full software engineer resume example here.

#38. Cyber Security Resume Summary

"Cyber Security Specialist with 6 years of experience in threat analysis and network defense. Implemented security protocols reducing data breaches by 40% at TechSecure Inc. Certified in CISSP and experienced in cybersecurity technologies including firewalls and endpoint security. Eager to bring advanced threat detection and mitigation strategies to XYZ Cyber Solutions."

#39. Web Developer Resume Summary

"Dynamic Web Developer with 3 years of experience in designing and developing user-friendly websites. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React. Developed an e-commerce site that increased client sales by 30%. Looking to contribute innovative and efficient web solutions at CreativeWeb Studios."

Read the full web developer resume example here.

#40. Computer Scientist Resume Summary

“Creative and people-oriented computer scientist with up to 2 years of working with tech startups. Advanced knowledge of software design principles and agile development principles. Led and managed a team of five in developing new software from concept to delivery.”

Read the full computer scientist resume example here.

#41. Data Scientist Resume Summary

“Business-minded data scientist with a demonstrated ability to deliver valuable insights via data analytics. 10+ years of professional experience in working with CEOs and VPs of Fortune 500 companies. Deep understanding of statistical models, algorithms, and multivariate analysis.”

Read the full data scientist resume example here.

#42. Data Analyst Resume Summary

“Detail-oriented data analyst passionate about helping businesses grow. Former small business owner. Conducted research using three different focus groups and increased sales by 10% over 4 months. MBA recipient with strong technical skills in data mining and data, survey creation, and quantitative methods.”

Read the full data analyst resume example here.

#43. DevOps Engineer Resume Summary

"DevOps Engineer with 8 years of experience in automating and optimizing mission-critical deployments. Led a team that reduced deployment times by 50% through CI/CD pipeline enhancements. Skilled in cloud technologies and infrastructure as code with certifications in AWS and Terraform. Committed to improving operational efficiency at XYZ Tech."

Read the full DevOps engineer resume example here.

#44. AI Engineer Resume Summary

"AI Engineer with 4 years of experience specializing in machine learning and natural language processing. Developed AI models that improved customer interaction accuracy by 35% for a leading tech firm. M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence. Passionate about deploying cutting-edge AI solutions at AI Innovators Inc."

Read the full AI engineer resume example here.

#45. Java Developer Resume Summary

"Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions."

Read the full Java developer resume example here.

Health and Medicine Resume Summary Examples

#46. nurse resume summary.

“Registered nurse specialized in psychiatric nursing. Developed strong psychiatric evaluation and treatment planning skills after 5 years of working at Hospital X. Experienced in administrative work, management, and training new employees.”

Read the full nurse resume example here.

#47. Medical Assistant Resume Summary

“Certified Medical Assistant with 10 years of experience in working in a fast-paced environment, handling confidential paperwork, administering medication, and providing quality patient care. Proven ability to create positive rapport with patients, family, and staff. Completed and submitted clinical documentation following hospital regulations and experience in supporting diagnostic and technical treatment procedures.”

Read the full medical assistant resume example here.

#48. Dental Assistant Resume Summary

“Licensed dental practitioner with 4+ years in helping dentists prepare, perform, and document procedures. Strong hand-eye coordination, with skills in 4-handed dentistry and working with patients.”

#49. Dentist Resume Summary

"Experienced Dentist with 10 years of practice in general and cosmetic dentistry. Committed to providing exceptional patient care, demonstrated through a consistent record of patient satisfaction and successful dental procedures. Proficient in the latest dental technologies and techniques, including digital radiography and CAD/CAM dentistry, with a strong focus on preventive care and oral health education."

Read the full dentist resume example here.

#50. Pharmacist Resume Summary

"Detail-oriented Pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in retail and hospital settings. Proven ability in medication therapy management and pharmaceutical care, with a track record of efficiently managing prescription processing and patient counseling. Skilled in utilizing digital prescription systems and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of drug interactions and healthcare regulations."

Read the full pharmacist resume example here.

Creative Resume Summary Examples

#51. graphic designer resume summary.

"Senior graphic designer with 6+ years of experience in website design and branding, across a wide range of industries. Extensive experience in multimedia, marketing, and print design. Highly skilled in communications, digital storytelling, and Adobe Creative Suite."

Read the full graphic designer resume example here.

#52. UI/UX Designer Resume Summary

“Proactive UX designer with 5 years of experience in delivering enjoyable web and mobile products for the FinTech industry. Designed UI, UX, and marketing materials for 6 apps and 3 games at Company X, 2 of which were featured in Apple’s App Store. Skilled with Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.”

#53. Product Designer Resume Summary

“Creative designer with 7 years experience in product design, packaging, and graphic design. Expertise in new product design, brand identity, and market research. Created and launched a new line of award-winning tableware that generated over $1 million in sales the first year.”

#54. Creative Director Resume Summary

“Experienced creative director, with 10+ years of experience in the advertising industry. Over the past 3 years, managed 2 separate creative teams, creating video ads for company clients. Worked with some high-profile clients, including IBM and Phillips.”

#55. Game Designer Resume Summary

"Innovative Game Designer with 5 years of experience in creating engaging and immersive gaming experiences. Led a team that developed 'AdventureQuest,' a game that won 'Best Mobile Game' at the Indie Game Awards and achieved over 500,000 downloads within the first year. Skilled in gameplay mechanics and story development, with proficiency in Unity and Unreal Engine. Dedicated to crafting games that resonate with players, combining artistic vision with user-friendly design."

Read the full game designer resume example here.

#56. Animator Resume Summary

"Creative Animator with over 8 years of experience in 2D and 3D animation, specializing in character and environmental animation. Proficient in using Maya, Adobe After Effects, and Blender, with a strong background in motion graphics and visual effects. Known for delivering high-quality animations under tight deadlines, contributing to successful animated features and advertising campaigns."

Read the full animator resume example here.

#57. Illustrator Resume Summary

"Award-winning Illustrator with a decade of professional experience, recognized for innovative and impactful visual storytelling. Recipient of the 'Illustrator of the Year' award at the Global Art Forum, with a portfolio that includes book illustrations, advertising campaigns, and digital content."

Read the full illustrator resume example here.

#58. Photographer Resume Summary

"Professional Photographer with a Master's in Fine Arts and 6 years of experience in commercial and portrait photography. Known for a unique aesthetic that combines technical skill with artistic creativity, resulting in visually stunning compositions. Holds a certification in digital photography from the Professional Photographers of America, with a portfolio that has been featured in several national photography exhibitions."

Read the full photographer resume example here.

#59. Actor Resume Summary

"Versatile Actor with 3 years of experience in commercials and television, known for a dynamic range that adapts seamlessly to varied roles. Strong background in stage combat and period drama. Proficient in multiple dialects and expressive character portrayal, enhancing authenticity in every performance."

Read the full actor resume example here.

#60. Writer Resume Summary

"Professional Writer and Blogger with 2 years of experience, specializing in lifestyle and travel content. Successfully increased blog readership by 40% over two years and contributed featured articles in 'Traveler's Digest' and 'Modern Living' magazines."

Read the full writer resume here.

#61. Editor Resume Summary

"Dedicated Editor with 10 years of experience in translated literature, focusing on Mandarin and Cantonese works. Expertise in preserving the original tone and cultural nuances, ensuring translations resonate with English-speaking audiences. Collaborated with acclaimed authors from China and Hong Kong, contributing to over 30 translated novels. Committed to bridging the gap between Eastern and Western literary worlds through meticulous and sensitive editing."

Read the full editor resume example here.

Education Resume Summary Examples

#62. professor resume summary.

"Distinguished Professor with 15 years of experience in higher education, specializing in Modern Literature. Published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and 3 books, receiving the Excellence in Research Award twice. Secured $500,000 in research grants and led multiple international academic collaborations. Committed to fostering critical thinking and research skills in students, enhancing the academic prestige of the department."

Read the full academic CV example here.

#63. Teacher Resume Summary

“Dedicated Teacher with 4 years of experience in elementary education, specializing in innovative teaching strategies. Implemented a project-based learning approach that increased student engagement by 30%. Eager to bring creative teaching methodologies and a passion for educational excellence to School ABC, contributing to student development and academic success.” 

Read the full teacher resume example here.

#64. Tutor Resume Summary

“Experienced Tutor with 2 years of expertise in mathematics and science, adept at simplifying complex concepts. Consistently helped students improve their grades by an average of one full letter grade.”

#65. College Student Resume Summary

"Proactive College Student majoring in Business Administration with strong leadership skills, demonstrated through roles in student government and the debate team. Organized multiple campus events, enhancing student engagement and participation. Seeking to apply organizational and communication skills in a professional internship, contributing to company projects while gaining hands-on experience."

Read the full college freshman resume example here.

#66. High School Student Resume Summary

"High School Student with 3+ months of experience as a cashier. Excellent time-management and communication skills. Actively involved in extracurricular activities, demonstrating strong teamwork and responsibility. Looking to join Retail Store X as a part-time sales representative."

Read the full high school resume example here.

Other Resume Summary Examples

#67. architect resume summary.

"Professional and creative architect with 10 years experience in developing construction drawings, 3D models, and doing design rendering. Served as a project architect at company X and won an honorable mention as a staff architect at XYZ Construction Awards 2023."

Read the full architect resume example here.

#68. Electrical Engineer Resume Resume Summary

"Electrical Engineer with 4 years of experience in power systems and automation. Holds a Master's in Electrical Engineering and a certification in PLC programming. Proven expertise in designing and implementing efficient electrical solutions for industrial applications."

Read the full electrical engineer resume example here.

#69. Interior Designer Resume Summary

"Creative Interior Designer with 3 years of experience, recognized for increasing client satisfaction by 30% through innovative design solutions. Portfolio includes residential and commercial projects, with a focus on modern and sustainable designs. Skilled in AutoCAD and 3D visualization, transforming client visions into reality."

Read the full interior designer resume example here.

#70. Construction Project Manager Resume Summary

"Construction Project Manager with a decade of experience in overseeing large-scale commercial and residential projects. Proven track record of completing projects on time and within budget, reducing costs by 20% on average. Skilled in team leadership and effective communication. Committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality."

Read the full construction project manager resume example here.

#71. Operations Manager Resume Summary

"Dynamic Operations Manager with 2 years of experience in streamlining processes for increased efficiency. Expertise in supply chain management and cost reduction strategies."

Read the full operations manager resume example here.

#72. Event Planner Resume Summary

"Seasoned Event Planner with 5 years of experience, successfully organized over 100 corporate and private events. Increased event attendance by 40% through innovative marketing strategies. Excited to bring expertise in event coordination and vendor relations to XYZ Celebrations."

Read the full event planner resume example here.

#73. Warehouse Worker Resume Summary

“Seasonal warehouse worker with experience working for Supermarket X and Supermarket Y. Diligent, organized, and very hard-working. Previous experience working in the service industry for 2+ years.”

Read the full warehouse worker resume example here.

#74. Welder Resume Summary

"Skilled Welder with 7 years of experience in MIG, TIG, and arc welding. Proficient in reading blueprints and maintaining high standards of safety and quality."

Read the full welder resume example here.

#75. Real Estate Agent Resume Summary

"Experienced Real Estate Agent with 6 years in residential and commercial property sales. Achieved a 25% year-on-year increase in sales volume. Known for excellent negotiation skills and a deep understanding of market trends."

Read the full real estate agent resume example here.

#76. Flight Attendant Resume Summary

"Dedicated Flight Attendant with 1 year of experience, fluent in Spanish and French. Excelled in providing top-notch customer service, contributing to a 15% increase in passenger satisfaction. Fluent in English, French, German, and Arabic. Eager to bring customer care expertise to Airline XYZ."

Read the full flight attendant resume example here.

#77. Paralegal Resume Summary

"Paralegal with 3 years of experience in corporate law, proficient in legal research and document drafting. Certified in legal software applications, enhancing case management efficiency."

Read the full paralegal resume example here.

#78. Social Worker Resume Summary

"Compassionate Social Worker with 6 years of experience in child and family services. Successfully managed caseloads of up to 50 people, improving service delivery by 20%. Skilled in crisis intervention and developing tailored support plans for diverse case needs."

Read the full social worker resume example here.

Resume Summary FAQs

Do you still have some questions about resume summaries? Check the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

#1. How Do You Write a Resume Summary with No Experience?

If you have no work experience whatsoever, you should write a resume objective instead of a resume summary.

A resume objective is also a brief paragraph that goes at the top of your resume. However, instead of focusing on your professional experience and accomplishments, it highlights your career goals, aspirations, skills, and academic achievements.

If you have any informal experience that’s relevant to the job, such as volunteer work or relevant coursework , you can still write a resume summary to highlight why you’re a great candidate.

#2. How Do I Start My Resume Summary?

The best way to start your resume summary is by writing down your job title and exact years of experience. You can also add an adjective that describes your strongest character traits or work ethic.

To make this easy, try this formula:

[Adjective/character trait] [job title] [your experience]. Looking to help/support/apply/assist/etc [employer’s name] [describe how you can be of help to the company]. [Your top achievements/qualifications]. 

#3. How Long Should My Resume Summary Be?

The resume summary should be brief and attention-grabbing. Ideally, it should be between two and four sentences long.

Its goal is to provide a snapshot of your career that can captivate the hiring manager into reading more.

If you want to give the employer more details and elaborate on why you’re the best candidate for the job in your own words, you can also write a cover letter to complement your resume.

#4. Should a Resume Summary Be Written in the First or Third Person?

As a general rule, your resume should avoid using first-person pronouns . This includes your resume summary.

That said, the third person sounds too impersonal – as if somebody else wrote the resume summary instead of you. Luckily, there’s a neat trick you can use to make your text flow better—just get rid of the pronouns altogether.

This way, instead of writing, “She is a marketer with 5+ years of experience in XYZ,” you can write, “Marketer with 5+ years of experience in XYZ,” and get your point across just as effectively.

#5. Should You Always Use the Same Resume Summary?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t use the same resume summary when applying to different jobs.

Your resume summary should be tailored to the specific job ads and reflect how you can meet the company’s unique needs. If your current resume summary can be applied to different job applications, it isn’t as effective and tailored as it should be.

When writing your resume, go through the job ad for the specific position and try to include the skills or qualifications the employer is looking for. Make sure to also mention any relevant experience and your top achievements, and you’ll have the perfect resume summary.

#6. What Are Other Names for a Resume Summary?

Across the internet, you might find different names for what we’re calling a resume summary in our article. Some of these names include:

• Resume profile
• Career summary
• Personal statement
• Qualifications summary
• Summary of experiences
• Summary of qualification

If you’re heading for a career in academia, a “personal statement” means something different. Check out our detailed guide to writing an academic personal statement to learn more!

Key Takeaways

And that’s our full guide to writing a resume summary!

Hopefully, now you feel more confident about adding this finishing touch to your resume.

Before we go, let’s recap everything we covered about writing resume summaries:

• A resume summary is a two to four-sentence long paragraph that tells the hiring manager your key selling points. These can include your years of experience, exact job title, relevant skills, qualifications, and impressive achievements.
• If you don’t have any work experience, you can opt for a resume objective instead. This way, you can focus more on your professional goals and motivation for applying.
• The goal of a resume summary is to catch the hiring manager’s attention. Do this by tailoring your resume summary to the job ad and addressing what the company needs in a candidate.
• Back up your achievements with data whenever possible. Mentioning the exact numbers, dates, and results makes you seem more credible.
• Use power words and action verbs instead of generic descriptions to make your resume summary pop.

Need more career advice? Check out our career blog for more useful articles!

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development 

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting  students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page  if you have any questions or comments.

All the best,

Social Media

Facebook twitter.