3 CV Summary Examples You Can Adapt

A CV summary can be the tonic that helps get you shortlisted for an interview. Recruiters often spend only a few seconds scanning each CV, so your summary needs to quickly make a strong first impression to capture the reader’s interest and keep them reading.

In this article, you will learn what a CV summary for job applications is, when to use one, and tips on how to write it effectively. You will also find three practical CV summary examples you can adapt for your own job applications.

What Is a CV Summary?

A CV summary or personal statement is a short introductory paragraph that appears at the top of a CV (usually just below your name and contact details). It summarises an applicant’s professional background, including their job role, core skills or competencies, notable achievements, and more. Its purpose is to provide recruiters with a quick overview of your profile before they review the rest of your CV.

What to Include in a CV Summary

To create a strong CV summary for job applications, include these essential components:
Professional designation/area of specialisation: Open by identifying your current industry, position or professional title.
Key strengths: Emphasise your main skills or the value you'll add to the organisation.
Notable accomplishments: Refer to important achievements or experiences that showcase your abilities.
Career direction: Finish by outlining your professional goals and explaining how they connect with the role you are seeking.

When To Use A CV Summary

People often ask whether to use a summary section or a career objective section in their CV. The answer usually given for this question is that the former is best for experienced professionals with notable achievements to showcase, while the latter is most ideal for applicants without any experience. 

This statement suggests that a CV summary is not suitable for new entry level graduates seeking their first roles. But that is not the case because such entry level candidates often have several work-related experiences (e.g, internships and volunteer work), or transferable skills that can be summarised effectively. Even student job seekers, such as undergraduates, can effectively write a CV summary based on tasks they performed on campus. 

In summary, anyone who has performed skill-based tasks can leverage them to write a CV summary, even if such tasks did not come from conventional work experience.

CV Summary Writing Tips

Here are some tips to help make your CV summary for job applications stand out:

• Be concise: While there’s no strict word count, aim to stay within 150–200 words. A short, focused CV summary makes a stronger impression and respects the reader’s time.
• Customise it to the role: Tailor your statement for each application by aligning it with the job’s specific duties, keywords and expectations. This helps it scale through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
• Write with active words: Use clear, action verbs to project confidence, initiative and impact.
• Quantify your achievements: if possible, use relevant metrics or numbers to quantify your achievements while carrying out tasks.
• Don't sound overconfident: Present your strengths honestly without overstating them.
• Review carefully: Edit and proofread thoroughly to eliminate errors and clarity issues across the entire document.
• Update it regularly: As your skills and experience grow, your CV summary should evolve with your career.

3 Professional CV Summary Examples You Can Adapt

With the tips above, writing a professional CV summary for job applications becomes easy. A few CV summary examples will not only help you see these tips in action but also provide a ready-made template you can adapt to your particular job application. 

CV Summary Example 1: Entry Level Professional

Detail-oriented entry level professional with practical experience in administrative support, data entry, and customer communication. Skilled in using productivity tools such as Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and CRM systems to support daily operations. Known for strong organisational skills, quick learning ability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Seeking an opportunity to contribute to a fast-paced team while continuing to grow professionally.

CV Summary Example 2: Mid-Level Professional

Results-driven marketing professional with over five years of experience in digital marketing, content strategy, and campaign management. Proven track record of increasing brand visibility, driving website traffic, and improving conversion rates across multiple platforms. Strong analytical skills combined with creative thinking to deliver data-informed marketing solutions. Seeking to leverage expertise in a growth-focused organisation.

CV Summary Example 3: Career Changer

Motivated professional transitioning from customer service into data analysis, with a strong foundation in problem-solving, data organisation, and reporting. Recently completed online training in Excel, SQL, and data visualisation tools, with practical experience analysing real-world datasets. Brings excellent communication skills and a customer-focused mindset to data-driven decision-making. Eager to apply analytical skills in an entry level data role.

Conclusion

If you are an entry level professional, a mid-level expert, or a career changer about to write a CV, understanding how to craft a strong professional CV summary for job applications can help you create a positive first impression. 

This is especially so because of its location at the top of the document, which makes it the first section that provides work-related information about you to recruiters. Hence, it sets the tone for the rest of your application and helps recruiters quickly understand your value. 

Use the CV summary examples in this article as a starting point, adapt them to your background, and customise them for each role you apply for.