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School Leaver CV: How To Write A School Leaver CV

Writing a school leaver CV can feel tough at times – after all, you’ve just been through school, so how are you meant to write almost a page about your work history?

Well the good news is that you don’t have to, although any work experience you do happen to have is, of course, a bonus.

On a school leaver CV, you can focus more on your educational achievements, skills, ambitions, and even your hobbies.

You could also try to find a local volunteering role, perhaps at a nearby charity shop, to show some proactivity on your school leaver CV. 

In fact, 82% of people with responsibility for hiring say they’re more likely to choose a candidate with volunteering experience, according to Deloitte.

Here’s how to write a school leaver CV without worrying about whether you have enough experience yet.

School leaver CV format

Don’t worry if you haven’t any paid employment experience to write about – usually, a CV for a school leaver doesn’t have anything to include here.

Once you’ve taken your first step on the career ladder, you can start thinking of using a CV with a chronological employment history format. 

For now, a functional or skills-based CV template is much more likely to meet your needs.

This format emphasises your skills and achievements from your educational, personal or professional life, while de-emphasising the focus on work history.

Contact details and personal statement

At the top of your school leaver CV, put your contact information including your name, phone number and email address.

You might have your own website or online portfolio of articles or photographs – if it’s relevant to the job you want, you can add the link here too.

Next, write a short personal statement . This should be tailored to the role you’re applying for and summarise your most relevant achievements, strengths and career ambitions.

For a school leaver CV, just three to four sentences should be long enough – quality over quantity – but try to support your claims with examples if possible.

Often, it’s easier to only write this part once the rest of your CV is complete. 

Skills and education sections

Your skills section can consist of:

• Hard skills: these are quantifiable and specific e.g. qualifications or achievements, completed courses or foreign language experience
• Soft skills: these are more personal, relating to individual characteristics or qualities e.g. problem solving or leadership

For soft skills in particular, try to back these up with an example.

In your education section, include your number and level of subject grades (or expected grades), as well as any other academic achievements from GCSE level onwards.

If you have A-Levels (or equivalent), start with these and then go in reverse chronological order back to your GCSEs. 

Depending on which part looks stronger, you can choose whether to put your skills or education section first on a CV for a school leaver.

Work experience and volunteering sections (optional)

Either, or both, of these can be omitted if you don’t have any work or volunteering experience to write about.

If you do, cover these in reverse chronological order, including details such as the company or charity name, your role and the dates you worked or volunteered there.

Then list any relevant responsibilities, ideally tailored to the job description. For example, if you’re applying for a receptionist role, mention any customer service experience you have.

You could also sign off by writing ‘references available on request’ at the end of your school leaver CV, something which you won’t need to do in future years. Read our blog for more information about putting references on your CV .

In general, seeking out volunteering opportunities is a great way to demonstrate your proactivity and lengthen your school leaver CV if you haven’t had any work experience yet. 

Hobbies and interests

Later in your career, this final part will be brief. However, on a school leaver CV, it’s a nice chance to show employers how the things you do in your spare time make you a good fit for the role.

As before, try to only include hobbies and interests that are relevant.

For example, music grades could help show that you’re used to practising a skill and then performing it under pressure.

Group sports could also allude to good communication or teamwork skills – but leave out any pastimes which have no relevance to working, like ‘seeing my friends’.

You could also sign off by writing ‘references available on request’ at the end of your school leaver CV, something which you won’t need to do in future years . 

If your application is successful and you’re asked for a reference, but don’t have any work or volunteering experience, then one of your teachers could be a good option for a referee.

Final thoughts: how to write a school leaver CV

That’s how to write a CV for a school leaver – focus on your skills and education to date. 

Don’t worry if you have to leave out the work experience section, but think about how you could impress employers by being proactive, perhaps by volunteering or taking a course.

To stand out from the crowd, you could consider writing a cover letter – even if you’re not asked for one – to show employers just how ambitious you are.

For more information about work and internship opportunities after leaving school, there are lots of resources out there – start by visiting the relevant National Careers Service pages .

If you have any questions for us about writing a school leaver CV – or if you’d like us to write your CV – then please don’t hesitate to get in touch .

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Home » Personal Statement Examples » School Leaver Personal Statement Example

School Leaver Personal Statement Example

By Guest Author

   If you are leaving school soon and looking to begin work and are ready to start applying for jobs then once you have highlighted what kind of jobs you want to apply for then you need to start looking at what skills and experience you have to offer an employer.

Starting a career at such an early age allows employers to mould you into their company without already having any bad habits. It also means that you will be given the opportunity to learn as much as you can and take on board what you can depending on how much you want to put into your career.

Related: School Leaver Cover Letter

Before doing your personal statement within your application you will need to consider carefully what skills and attributes you have to offer and tailor this to what specific job you are looking to apply for. This could mean tailoring each statement if you are going to be applying for different things.

Below is an example personal statement that you can use as a guide:

I am a young, keen individual who is eager to begin a career in (what depending on the role you are applying for). I will be leaving school/I left school (when) and am interested in working in your industry/company.

I work hard, enjoy learning and like to do things that are hands on where I can feel the jobs getting done and see the success this brings. I have always had a passion for (career choice) and have done (what towards beginning this career choice).

I am very enthusiastic and have tailored my education round (what career choice to be interested in) and ready to begin learning whilst doing something that I enjoy. I want to be successful in my career and am prepared to put the hours and effort into my career to achieve this.

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School leaver CV example

As a school leaver you might not have much in the way of work experience but it's important not to sell yourself short when applying for a job. Take a look at our example school leaver CV to find out how to present yourself in the best light

Ellie Johnson 15 That Street, Thistown, XY99 9XP [email protected] 07777 888999

I'm planning a business degree, either part-time through an apprenticeship or on a full-time course. My aim is to go into finance. An online business summer school showed me what a vast and varied world this is. During my work experience, I saw how different jobs fit together in a finance department and how a company plans its finances and runs its business systems in the short, medium and long term. My part-time job at Big Stores gives me practical experience in a small branch of a large organisation.

Education and Qualifications

Thistown Central Academy - A-levels (2022)

Business A, Maths B, Computer Science B

GCSEs - Grades 9-4 (2020)

English  Language, French, Spanish, PE, Art and Design, Computer Science, History, Maths, Combined Science                 

Employment and Work Experience

Big Stores Minimart (2021 - present)

Starting as a shelf stacker I progressed to till operator and am now a team leader. I contribute to:

• Staff shift pattern, including early mornings and lates, making sure all areas are covered
• Security of premises, sometimes unlocking and locking up, including cash handling
• Customer service, including complaints and returns
• Monitoring sell-by dates and minimising waste, reordering and stock control.

Thistown College Business and Finance Summer School (July 2022)

Five-day online programme covering:

• Business models, economic theory and concepts, marketing and business strategy
• Seminars with business leaders
• Group work presentation on a business case study.

Thistown Engineering Ltd, Finance Department (July 2021)

Two weeks work experience in the finance department of a local SME:

• Helping with the migration of financial information across IT systems, using my IT skills
• Spending a day in different areas of the department, including shadowing the finance director.

Year 13 Charity Rep on School Council (2021-2022)

Working with reps from other year groups to organise the school’s charity fundraising. I was involved in:

• Getting suggestions from my year group about charities to support and which events to run
• Planning events and organising volunteers to help
• Being responsible for cash during events
• Reporting back to the Head after each event (what we learned, how would we do it next time).

References available on request

Please be aware that this is an example. Use it as a template to help generate ideas and structure your own CV but avoid copying and pasting. Your own CV needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

As a school leaver you might not have a lot of experience to flesh out your CV with, but employers don't expect someone who's just left school to have a massive amount of experience so don't worry about the length of your CV. Most CVs are two pages long but as a recent school leaver yours might only be one. As you gain experience, you'll be able to add to it.

Your personal profile should sit at the top of the page. Use it to summarise your 'best bits' - and tailor it for each application. It can be easier to write this after you've set out the other information so if you're struggling come back to this last.

As always, presentation is important so don't leave a couple of lines trailing onto another page. You can adjust the spacing, font size, margins etc depending on whether you have a lot to squeeze in, or less to say, which might need spacing out to fill the page.

Make sure every word counts and that all the relevant information is there. If you don't include it, no-one will know about it. However, it's just as important to consider what to leave out. Ask yourself 'Will this help me get a job?'   Include relevant hobbies, for example, caring for a family member on a nursing application or DIY projects for a construction apprenticeship. Socialising with friends is best left off. We all enjoy that, but it's unlikely to get you a job.

It's important to try and show what you've gained from your experiences, rather than just listing what you did - remember to relate the skills and knowledge you've gained to the job you're applying for.

Find out more

• View all example CVs .
• Discover  how to write a CV .
• Learn how to avoid the  top 7 CV mistakes .
• Take a look at how to write a personal statement for your CV .

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School Leaver CV Examples & UK Templates

The prospect of writing a school leaver CV can feel daunting. Where do you begin with no experience, or at least very little?

There is no need to stress writing a school leaver CV without experience. With the correct formatting and strategy, you can still create a CV that grabs the hiring manager's attention and helps you get that all-important interview.

At Resume.io, we have helped job seekers from all walks of life find their dream job – with or without experience. We have a wide range of CV examples you can choose from in various professions. You can also use our CV builder to help you create the perfect CV. We will help you get those thoughts down onto paper while making a real impact.

In this school leaver CV guide, together with the CV example, we will cover these topics:

• How to write your school leaver CV – including tips and tricks for making it impactful
• The best format to use for your school leaver CV
• Advice on how to make the most of each section of your CV
• Layout and design hints and tips

How to write a school leaver CV

There are various sections that are a must-have for your school leaver CV. The insertion of these will ensure that you cover all the key points of your skills and experience:

• Employment History

Every hiring manager wants to feel that you have considered the role and the company, so you should aim to tailor your CV to suit the position you are applying for. As a school leaver, you are likely to be applying for a range of different roles in an array of industries, but even making minor tweaks will show that you are focused on the role you are applying for.

Do as much research as you can about the role, the company, and the hiring manager, and in this way, you will be able to get the tone right. Then, use our CV examples to inspire you to create your own.

Here is a tried and tested formula to use when writing your school leaver CV:

• Make sure the style and tone are adapted to suit the employer you are applying to.
• Ensure your school leaver's CV is professional and use a polished format to create the right impression.
• Consider that the employer may have an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), so use relevant keywords throughout your CV. You can find these on the job spec.

How much do school leavers earn?

The average salary for a school leaver in the UK is £16,622. The actual figure you can expect to earn will derive from factors like your qualifications, relevant experience, job location, and industry. You should always be paid at the national minimum wage , which is £7.49 from April 2023 for employees aged 18-20. Companies are legally obliged to pay this.

Choosing the best CV format for a school leaver

In most cases, the reverse chronological order, defined by the employment history section, is the favourable option. However, in the case of a school leaver, you may want to start with the education section since you are less likely to have experience.

You can make the education section more extensive than you would if you already had a lot of professional experience to fill your CV to at least one page in length. Although, two pages is ideal. Use our CV samples for additional guidance.

If you have any achievements from school that you are particularly proud of and feel would be relevant, you may want to consider creating an additional 'achievements' section. It will not only make your school leaver CV stand out a bit more, but it will also add to the length, making your CV more appealing.

CV summary example: your story so far

Your story is just beginning as a school leaver, but you still have a tale to tell. Beneath your name and contact details is where you will place your CV summary (otherwise known as profile), which is a short introduction to who you are and what has led you to apply for the role.

The summary section needs only two or three statements that show the expertise and skills you possess relevant to the role. You should avoid using 'I' when devising your statements. Instead, you should use action verbs, such as managed, demonstrated, or developed.

You may be looking for some inspiration when writing your summary so that you can take a look at our related CV samples such as our student CV sample and graduate CV example. You may also find useful information in our internship CV sample.

Enthusiastic individual with experience in delivering excellent customer service. Experienced in anticipating deadlines and coordinating complex schedules. Excellent computer skills and proficient in a range of data entry and calendar management software. 

CV education example

As discussed in the guide, the standard format for a CV is usually the employment section situated after the summary. However, it would make more sense to start with your education with a school leaver CV, as this will be the most important.

With experienced candidates, the detail of school qualifications is usually irrelevant. However, with a school leaver CV, you should note the number of GCSEs/Highers (or equivalent) that you possess, including the grades. You can also add an achievement section under this if you have achieved anything that would make you stand out, for instance, an award for highest attendance, the best project in Year 1, and the like.

Westminster City School, London  September 2016 - June 2023  

• Achieved 7 GCSEs (Art, History, Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Computing Studies)
• 3 A Levels (Computing Studies, Art and English)

Employment history sample: the next step

The employment history section can seem very tricky for a school leaver with little to no experience. Of course, you can't leave it blank, but how do you write about experience if you don't have any?

Any experience counts here so that you can use this section to detail unpaid work, volunteer work, or activities associated with clubs or sports. The focus should be to highlight transferable skills you have developed during these jobs or activities. For example, building relationships, providing excellent customer service, and developing communication skills.

You can use bullet points when describing the duties associated with these. Instead of using 'I' – for instance”'I babysat my neighbours children during school holidays”, you could say “responsible for attending to the needs of my neighbour’s children during evening hours”

Crew Member at McDonalds, London December 2021 - Present

• Communicating with customers to deliver their orders and ensure satisfaction.
• Collaborating with other crew members to follow safety guidelines.
• Monitoring cleanliness of restaurant and executing general cleaning tasks.
• Balancing till and recording data in company software.

Babysitting, London September 2021 - June 2022

• Responsible for taking care of multiple after school.
• Coordinating the children’s after school activities.
• Staying on top of children’s needs including cooking meals.

If you did not receive the qualifications to attend university, or you're not interested in going, you're not alone. Following the pandemic, a poll revealed that more than one fifth of school leavers planned to pursue a job rather than higher education.

School leaver CV skills example: leading the way

If you have little or no experience, you may want to focus on the soft skills you possess. Of course, it is better to have a mix of both hard skills and soft skills, but it will depend on whether you have been previously employed. Next, consider the skills you possess that might be relevant to the role. For instance, is the hiring manager looking for an excellent communicator? Do they need someone with great problem-solving skills? Use this section to hone your skills. Below you’ll find the skills from our CV sample.

• Coordination Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Team Player
• Excellent Phone Manner

CV layout and design: creating a great first impression

With your school leaver CV, you are hoping to get to the interview stage, which involves writing great content and a clear layout and design. Hiring managers are not looking for your CV to be anything outlandish; they should just be easy to read, with clear, defined sections.

There is no need to complicate the design of your school leaver CV; keep it simple. The hiring manager may only read the cover letter for a mere second, so they should be instantly attracted to the design and style. Use our CV examples for inspiration on the CV layout and design.

You should always play to your strengths when writing your school leaver CV, which includes structuring it to highlight the most critical areas of your skills and experience. These, of course, must be relevant to the role.

Writing a CV always comes with challenges, and it's important that you get it right. We have a range of tried and tested CV templates that you can use to help you create your work of art. In addition, some of the less enjoyable tasks can be taken off your shoulders using our CV templates.

Key takeaways for a school leaver CV

• Before you get started on your school leaver CV, create a draft of the sections you'll like to include and the order.
• A school leaver CV should focus on the education and skills section, as the experience section may be non-existent or minimal.
• Tailor your CV to the role you are applying to and the company; even minimal changes will help make it more appealing.
• Use a simple, straightforward CV design to attract the hiring manager's attention.
• Use our online CV maker to make your CV creation seem effortless.

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Personal Statement Examples

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Personal statement examples

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

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

Career Break Personal Statement

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

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

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

Career Change Personal Statement

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

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

School Leaver Personal Statement Example

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

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

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

Graduate Personal Statement Example

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

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

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

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Related links

• How to Make Your Personal Statement Pop
• How to Write a CV with No Experience
• How Easy is it to Get a Graduate Job?

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CV Personal Statement:  Examples and Actionable Tips

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

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

What is a Personal Statement in a CV? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where Should a Personal Statement Go in a CV?

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

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

Sample personal statement placement on a CV template

What Do You Write in a CV Personal Statement?

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

Personal Statement Examples for CV 

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

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

Good CV Personal Statement Examples

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

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

General Jobseeker Personal Statement Example

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

Personal Statement CV Example For an Administration Position 

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

Accountant Personal Statement CV Examples

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

Chartered Accountant 

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

Account Assistant 

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

CV Personal Statement Examples for Students

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

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

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

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

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

CV Statement for an Internship 

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

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

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

CV Personal Statement Examples for 16-Year-Olds

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

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

Personal Statement for a Barista Position 

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

CV Personal Statement Examples For A Graduate

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

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

Graduate Personal Statement Example

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

Personal Statement for High School Graduate 

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

Personal Statement Examples for CV With No Experience

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

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

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

Personal Statement Example with No Relevant Work Experience 

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

Personal Statement Example with No Industry Experience 

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

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

CV Personal Statement For A Career Change

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

Career Change Personal Statement Example:

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

How To Write A Strong Personal Statement for a CV 

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

In short, a compelling CV personal statement: 

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

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

1. Review the Job Description Once Again 

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

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

2. Do a Mental Tally of Your Skills 

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

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

3. Make a Draft Personal Statement 

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

4. Edit for Clarity and Briefity 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• How To Write Your Postgraduate Personal Statement

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What's on this page?

What is a personal statement, preparing to write your personal statement, opening your personal statement, work experience and future plans, ending your personal statement.

Your postgraduate personal statement is your chance to get noticed for your expertise and experience you’ve gathered. It’s an important part of the application process as it allows you to talk about yourself and your passions and prove the value you can bring to your chosen university.

In this article, we’re going to talk you through how to write a postgraduate personal statement that stands out and gives you the best chance of being offered a place on the master’s programme you’re applying for. 

Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

You’ll have already written a personal statement for your undergraduate study, so you’ll know the importance of preparation. There are two things to think about when you’re planning:

• The practical and factual information you need to get across.
• Then, the more emotional, human parts of you that make you different to everyone else. 

Before you start writing, take some time to think about the key things you’d want your chosen university to know about you, and get them down on paper.

Questions to focus your mind

• Why have you chosen this master’s programme?
• Why are you passionate about this subject matter? 
• How has your undergraduate study influenced your decision to apply?
• Have you got any work experience that might help you?
• What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
• What achievements can you talk about to support your application?
• Why do you want to study at this particular university?
• What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Three top tips

Be specific.

Remember that a postgraduate personal statement needs you to talk specifically about the university you’ve chosen.

Demonstrate experience

Universities will be looking for postgraduate students who are able to demonstrate expertise in a particular subject – so include that.

Show what you've learnt

Tell the university about your university life as an undergraduate and include any clubs or societies you were involved in.

Admissions tutors will be reading a lot of personal statements so it’s important to grab their attention right from the start. 

You can find a full guide on How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber but here are the main things for you to think about. 

• Don’t overthink the opening . Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve.
• Avoid cliches . Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. 
• Keep it relevant and simple . You’re limited on how much you can include so avoid long-winded explanations. Why use 50 words when ten can make your point?

Talking about the course

Now you’re ready to start talking about the course and subject you’re applying for.

There are four main areas you’ll need to cover in this section of your personal statement. 

• Why are you applying for this master’s?  Think about your undergraduate study and how this master’s will develop your expertise further. Do you have career aspirations this course will help you achieve?
• Why does the subject interest you? This is your chance to show your passion and really demonstrate who you are. If you have work or volunteering experiences related to the subject, include them here.
• Why do you think you’ll be an asset to the university?  Your personal and practical skills combined together create a unique picture of who you are and why you’ll be a successful postgraduate student, so include both. 
• How does your previous undergraduate study relate to the course? Showcase your enthusiasm for your current study and take the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge now, and how you want to build on that. 

Next, you’ll need to write about your personal skills and achievements.

Universities like to know the abilities you have that’ll help you on the course, or generally with life at university. Don’t forget to include evidence to back up why you’re so passionate about the programme you’ve chosen.

Your personal skills and achievements

Be bold and talk about the achievements you’re proud of., include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school., what are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique .

Your work experience and future plans are important to include in your personal statement. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course. 

• Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that’ll make you successful on your course.
• If you know what you’d like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience you’ll gain.

It’s always good to connect the beginning of your statement to the end and a great way to reinforce what you said at the start. You want to see the ending as your chance to end in a way that’ll make the university remember you. 

This final part of your personal statement should emphasise the great points you’ve already made and answer the question of why you should be offered a place on the course. 

Read our full guide on How to finish your statement the right way .

Aakriti Labra – MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology, University of Surrey

Now you’ve written your postgraduate personal statement, you’ll need to do a couple of final things before you submit it. 

• Have you proofread your personal statement? Don’t just rely on spellcheckers. We’d recommend reading it out loud as that’s a great way to spot any errors as well as checking it sounds like you. 
• Have you asked for feedback? Ask friends, family or your undergraduate university tutors to have a read through your personal statement and take their feedback on board.
• Check out our personal statement dos and don'ts Have a look at the common pitfalls against your final draft to make sure you haven't made any obvious errors!

Postgraduate

More advice.

Use the UCAS’ personal statement tool alongside this guide to help you structure your ideas.

Do you want to understand the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement? Take a look at our guide here.

Why study a postgraduate course? Find out here.  

What funding is there for postgraduate courses?  

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