Personal statements on CVs/Resumes

[Brazen]

I hate personal statements on CVs, and have actually read no further when I'm recruiting if someone sounds conceited, despite the fact that boasting is pretty much what they are there for.

I used to have a completely dry CV which required only minor tweaks and wrote detailed covering letters explaining why I'm ideal for that particular position. The only problem was many positions recruit via agencies who only forward the CV, not the letter.

Now I hear they're all the rage, so I'm trying to put together a couple of sentences that say what I am and what I'm good at that won't make people throw up a little in their mouths. Preferably not beginning with "I".

Do you have one on your CV? Do you like the idea? What does yours say? What should mine say? And other probing questions.

[Martinus]

What do you mean by "personal statements"? I take it you do not mean stuff like "hobbies" or "personal interests"? I am also a big proponent of dry CVs - all kinds of personal letters and the like always sound like the person I am hiring is an asshole.

[Gups]

Hate it as well.

When I last did one, I made it short and in the third person something along the lines of "An ambitous, focussed journalist looking to take it to the next level" obv not that shit.

Mind you I haven't applied for a job for years

[Tamas]

many positions recruit via agencies who only forward the CV, not the letter.

[Martinus]

Hate it as well.

When I last did one, I made it short and in the third person something along the lines of "An ambitous, focussed journalist looking to take it to the next level" obv not that shit.

Mind you I haven't applied for a job for years

That sounds like bullshit - if I got a CV with a statement like that, I would consider the person sending it to be a tard. I so much more prefer a dry, structured CV, with people filling in certain categories, without some flowery prose. Even hobbies/personal interests is sometimes too much (although I guess you can use it at the interview).

But "why do you want to work for us" is a much better question to ask during an interview, than have someone send in some stock response found on the internet.

[Martinus]

If this is a journalist job, btw, have you considered submitting a copy or two of your articles, in the similar way a photographer may submit a portfolio of pictures?

[Brazen]

If this is a journalist job, btw, have you considered submitting a copy or two of your articles, in the similar way a photographer may submit a portfolio of pictures?

I wish I'd thought of that..... 

Sorry Mart, it's standard practice to include links to relevant stories.

This statement basically comes under your personal details and before your career history and tell the recruiter why they want to read further.

Here's an example that would get laughed at them spiked if it came under my scrutiny. Two sentences at most I think.
http://www.cvconsultants.co.uk/cv_templates/cv_templates.html

[Brazen]

When I last did one, I made it short and in the third person something along the lines of "An ambitous, focussed journalist looking to take it to the next level" obv not that shit.

Or that untrue

[Warspite]

Brazen, the advice I've received from HR types is that a personal statement is pretty much essential.

But I have to say that, as a recruiter at hte moment, I find them useless. They all say the bloody same thing - loaded with whatever keywords are in fashion ("dynamic", "motivated", "competencies", "results-driven", etc).

I suspect now that everyone does it, it will go back out of fashion.

[Grey Fox]

Did you guys ever come across Competence based CVs instead of experience based?

[crazy canuck]

Brazen, the whole purpose of the document to let the person reading it know that you are the one to hire for that position.  Do whatever it takes to make that point clear.

The kind of personal statement you are refering to may not be appropriate in all circumstances but if you think it will help then make it short, sweet and to the point of why that particular personal trait makes you perfect for that position.

[Brazen]

Did you guys ever come across Competence based CVs instead of experience based?

Yes, when I changed careers I had a list of skills right at the top because they were more relevant than my experience at that point.

[Brazen]

Brazen, the whole purpose of the document to let the person reading it know that you are the one to hire for that position.  Do whatever it takes to make that point clear.

Topless photo then, righto.

[crazy canuck]

Brazen, the whole purpose of the document to let the person reading it know that you are the one to hire for that position.  Do whatever it takes to make that point clear.

Topless photo then, righto.

Thats the spirit.

[HVC]

Brazen, the whole purpose of the document to let the person reading it know that you are the one to hire for that position.  Do whatever it takes to make that point clear.

Topless photo then, righto.

In that case I'd be more then willing to review your CV