Crafting a Personal Profile That Stands Out
Your CV may already outline your employment history, education, and skills, but how do you make it stand out in a competitive job market? For senior professionals aiming for the next level in their career, a well-crafted personal profile serves as your unique value proposition (UVP), capturing a recruiter’s attention by highlighting what sets you apart.
Here’s everything you need to know to write a standout personal profile—and how it can serve as your unique value proposition, helping recruiters quickly grasp your strengths and fit for the role.
What Is a Personal Profile?
A personal profile (also called a personal statement) is a brief overview of your professional journey, skills, and ambitions. It acts as your unique value proposition (UVP), emphasizing what makes you stand out and differentiating you from other candidates. Positioned at the top of your CV, this 3-5 sentence paragraph serves as your elevator pitch to potential employers, giving them a reason to keep reading.
Think of it as a mini cover letter: a targeted snapshot that highlights your expertise and career goals, tailored to the role or sector you’re pursuing. Essentially, it's your unique value proposition, succinctly conveying the distinct benefits you offer and how you can solve an employer's specific needs.
How to Structure Your Personal Profile
A strong personal profile should be concise (50-200 words) and divided into three key sections:
1. Who You Are
Summarize your professional identity and highlight your current career stage.
Example:
“A seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in public sector accounting and a proven track record of driving cost-efficiency.”
· “An accomplished HR leader with expertise in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development for a University.”
2. What You Offer
Showcase your skills, achievements, and the unique value you bring to a role. Highlight how you’ve solved specific challenges, delivered measurable outcomes, or driven tangible improvements within your industry rather than generic buzzwords.
Example:
“Led a cross-functional team to implement a new ERP system, reducing reporting errors by 30%.”
“Redesigned employee onboarding processes, resulting in a 25% increase in new hire retention and improved satisfaction scores.”
3. Your Career Goals
Give insight into your ambitions and alignment with the role you’re applying for.
Example:
“Seeking a senior leadership role in healthcare finance to drive strategic growth and operational excellence.”
“Looking to leverage my expertise in digital transformation to lead innovation in the tech sector.”
Tips for Writing an Impactful Profile
Be Specific: Avoid overused phrases like “results-driven” or “excellent communicator.” Instead, quantify your achievements and provide examples.
Tailor It: Customize your profile to align with the job description and company values.
Proofread: Ensure your profile is error-free and flows naturally. Reading it aloud can help.
Need Help Crafting Your Personal Profile?
Writing about yourself can be challenging, especially when aiming for senior-level roles. At Ianson Burns, we specialize in helping professionals like you articulate your unique value and position yourself for success.
Schedule a coaching session today to refine your CV and develop a strategy for your next career move. Let’s turn your expertise into opportunities.
