I referred to Personal Profiles on a blog late last year
giving advice on writing
an effective CV, and said I’d come back to the subject in a separate blog soon.
I may be stretching the definition of “soon” leaving it 10 months, but here
goes…
The first question to consider about Personal Profiles on
a CV is whether it’s worth having one at all, and that’s a debate on which I
could argue for either side. Having been a recruiter for well over 10 years
now, I wouldn’t like to guess how many CV’s I’ve reviewed in my time, but let’s
just say it’s a lot. From those, I would argue that the majority of the CV’s which
have Personal Profiles would stand no less chance of progressing with an
application if the Personal Profile were removed.
There are two main approaches people take with these
profiles:
1. Opinion
based about the personal qualities the individual believes they hold, which
they wish to share
2. Factual
about the experience and informative about the specific career focus of the
individual
The problem with the first approach is that the
reader/hirer is often offered no real evidence to back up the claims made in
these profiles, and can therefore only be satisfied that this is just how the
individual would like to appear.
Claims to be hardworking and proactive are worthless if examples are not
provided, and it’s far better to include this information where it might be
expected elsewhere on the CV – when detailing your experience/achievements
within your employment history.
The other common problem with this approach is that the
same qualities/attributes are nearly always used.
“I enjoy working in a team but work equally well
on my own”
If this is a phrase you recognise from your own CV, don’t
worry you’re not alone (trust me!), but it may be worth taking it off for
something a little more original.
It’s my opinion therefore that the first approach is
worth avoiding altogether. The second approach can be useful to give the recruiter/hiring
manager a brief summary of the individual’s experience and career focus, and displays
that the potential employee can communicate pertinent information in a concise
manner. An example would be as follows:
·
I am a 2012 CIMA Qualified Management Accountant
with experience gained within the Legal sector, including financial analysis, budget
preparation and supervision of an Assistant Accountant. I am now seeking a more
commercial role in a larger international firm where I can improve my business
partnering skills.
The third approach (not having one at all) is also an
option, as long as it’s very clear from the rest of your CV what experience you
hold and that the career path you are following is evident.
Do you agree or
have a different viewpoint you’d like to share? Please be bold and add your thoughts/comments
below!
