1. CV Summary Examples & How to Write One for the UK

CV Summary Examples & How to Write One for the UK

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
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A good CV summary can seem a little unattainable at first. You may wonder how to pack all your top achievements and skills into just a few short sentences, and not to overwhelm the reader at the outset. But it’s doable, and it’s worth your while.

In this article, you’ll learn what is a CV summary and why should you make one. You will also find all the tips and tricks on writing the best CV summary examples that attract recruiters at first glance. Let’s get right to it.

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CV with a summary example

Benjamin Bond

077 2222 2222

ben.bond@lcmail.co.uk

linkedin.com/in/benjaminbond3

Diligent and creative mechanical engineer with 5+ years of experience working in both R&D and production spaces with a specialisation in FEA (Finite Element Analysis). Leveraged fluid mechanics, fluid dynamics, and FEM (Finite Element Method) expertise to save ESOC Global over £250,000 within 3 years. Looking for an opportunity to contribute to CeltoCoal’s R&D achievements. 

Work experience

Mechanical Engineer

ESOC Global, London

June 2017–Present

  • Used FEA to redesign paint pipelines (for paints with inverse viscosity profiles) to account for new formulations, improving flow rates by 18–34%.
  • Optimised ‘silent’ ventricular pumps for wall-stress, reducing pump-head requirements by 30%+.
  • Spearheaded an initiative to implement Agile workflows for select projects, saving the company over 20 work hours a week and closing these projects 1 week sooner on average.

Soft Body Physics Specialist

Cantilever.BF, Manchester

October 2015–May 2017

  • Produced FEM mesh models that reduce processor load by 54% without affecting accuracy.
  • Created detailed beam and node structures that model soft body physics to a resolution >5% greater than the industry's best.
  • Worked closely with software developers to optimise over 500 object-classes using industry-leading truncation methods.

Education

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (2:1)

The University of East London, London, 2010–2014

A-levels: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

Priestley High School, London, 2014 – 2016

8 GCSEs (including Mathematics and English)

Priestley High School, London, 2012 – 2014

Skills

  • Project management: proven track record of on-time delivery when in charge of a project or stage.
  • Specialist software (general engineering and Mathematics): daily reliance on mathematical (Matlab), statistical (Mathematica), and CAD (AutoCAD, Solid Edge) software.
  • Prototyping: able to quickly and effectively prototype designs, whether in the lab, workshop, or a simulator.
  • Problem-solving: demonstrable ability to think outside the box when faced with novel problems or attack them from first principles.

Specialist FEA software

  • ANSYS
  • OpenFOAM
  • SimScale
  • IVRESS
  • Altair HyperWorks Suite
  • Autodesk

Professional memberships

  • IMechE
  • IOP

What is a CV summary?

A CV summary, also called a professional summary or a personal statement, is a brief section placed at the beginning of a CV that presents your qualifications, experiences, and skills. It also shares career goals and motivations towards taking up a particular position.

Here’s a CV summary example to explain it even more clearly:

CV summary example

Dynamic IT specialist with 8+ years of experience managing IT infrastructure and providing technical support. Proficient in network administration, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Led IT solutions at Smart Solutions, improving efficiency by 30% and saving $500K annually. Seeking a role at TechGenius to drive digital innovation.

The above summary for a CV ticks all the boxes; it emphasises the candidate's key skills, relevant experience, and notable achievements, effectively showcasing their value proposition to potential employers.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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What is the purpose of a professional CV summary?

The main goal of a professional CV summary is to catch a recruiter’s attention and give them a quick answer on why they should hire you. A well-written CV summary helps you stand out from other competing candidates.

Given that it’s focused both on what you have to offer and what the company needs, every good personal summary for a CV has to do the following three things:

  • Introduce you as an employee—your traits and attributes.
  • Show what you have to offer—by showing what you’ve done for previous employers.
  • Describe your goals—which, as luck would have it, feed into the company’s goals.

Here’s a CV summary example that does the above:

CV summary example for the UK market

Diligent and creative mechanical engineer with 5+ years of experience working in both R&D and production spaces with a specialisation in FEA (Finite Element Analysis). Leveraged fluid mechanics, fluid dynamics, and FEM (Finite Element Method) expertise to save ESOC Global over £250,000 within 3 years. Looking for an opportunity to contribute to CeltoCoal’s R&D achievements. 

How to write a CV summary in the UK?

Creating a compelling CV summary requires some good planning. Before you sit down to write, make sure you check off all these steps:

1. Read the job advertisement

A good summary for a CV focuses on your former experiences and professional goals, but it also demonstrates your alignment with the company’s values and missions. This means that you need to research the company and its culture so you can tell where it’s heading and what it’s striving for. And even more importantly, your personal summary for a CV should refer to the job ad, addressing specific expectations and requirements.

2. Mention the span of your experience

A CV summary must start with a brief introduction of yourself as a candidate, including your expertise, years of experience, and a key trait. It’s important that you recall your current position if you’re professionally active or your field of study if you’re studying. You can also mention the area that you specialise in, so it’s easier for a recruiter to identify whether you’re a match quickly.

3. Highlight your key achievements

Recall 1 to 2 standout achievements that are related to the job you’re interested in. Make sure you use short, dynamic sentences presenting quantifiable information that advocates for your professionalism and efficiency. You can also use keywords from the job description if they sound natural.

CV summary example highlighting achievements

Results-oriented digital marketing manager with 6+ years of experience driving successful digital campaigns. Led a team in developing a multichannel digital marketing strategy at ApexTech, resulting in a 40% increase in website traffic and a 25% growth in lead generation within 6 months. Implemented data-driven approaches to optimize campaigns, resulting in a 30% jump in conversion rates and a 20% cut in cost per acquisition. Seeking a digital marketing manager position to drive growth and exceed business objectives in Giga Bites.

4. Indicate your strongest skills

Mention the key skills and traits that make you a great fit for the given position. You can blend your skills with your accomplishments and experiences, or be specific about particular skills that make you a standout candidate. If there are any areas of your work that you feel particularly confident about, indicate them.

CV summary example focusing on skills

Highly trained software developer proficient in Java, Python, and C++. Distinguished for the development of a customer management system at Skyline Software Solutions, resulting in a 25% improvement in efficiency. Skilled in using frameworks like Spring Boot and Django to streamline development and deliver quality software solutions. Possesses a strong understanding of software engineering principles, with expertise in Agile methodologies and test-driven development (TDD). Motivated to join BlueTech Inc. to drive impactful projects.

5. Explain your goals and motivations

At the end of your CV summary, say how you want to contribute to that particular company and what value you can add as an individual. Explain how you want to utilise your skills and expertise, and how the company could benefit from your former experiences and current attitude. Be sure to mention the company name as well as the job title.

CV summary examples for top UK jobs

Below are CV summary examples for some of the most sought-after jobs in the UK, showcasing the skills, experiences, and achievements that can make a candidate shine:

Data scientist CV summary example

AnalyticalData Scientist with 7+ years of experience managing and analyzing large datasets to drive strategic business decisions. Proficient in various data analysis tools, machine learning algorithms, and statistical methods. Led the development of predictive models at DataInsights, improving sales forecast accuracy by 40% and saving over $300,000 annually. Seeking a Data Scientist role at TechGenius to contribute to the company's mission of leveraging data for innovative solutions and business growth.

Doctor CV summary example

Compassionate General Practitioner with 5+ years of experience providing comprehensive medical care. Proficient in diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions, preventive medicine, and patient education. Spearheaded a community health initiative at HealthyLiving Clinic, resulting in a 20% decrease in local obesity rates and enhanced patient well-being. Seeking a GP position at HealthFirst to continue delivering high-quality healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

Nurse CV summary example

Empathetic Nurse with more than 3 years of experience providing comprehensive patient care and clinical support. Proficient in emergency response, patient education, and chronic disease management. Initiated the development of a patient triage system at CareWell Hospital, resulting in a 30% reduction in wait times and improved patient satisfaction. Highly interested in a nursing role at LifeCare Hospital to provide exceptional patient care and support healthcare excellence.

Teacher CV summary example

Passionate Teacher with 4+ years of experience delivering engaging and effective instruction. Proficient in curriculum development, classroom management, and differentiated instruction. Spearheaded a literacy program at BrightFuture School, increasing student reading levels by 25% and fostering a love for learning. Eager to join LearnWell Academy to inspire and educate the next generation through creative and dynamic teaching methods.

Marketing manager CV summary example

Results-driven Marketing Manager with 9 years of experience developing and executing successful marketing campaigns. Proficient in market research, brand management, and digital marketing strategies. Coordinated a rebranding initiative at MarketMasters, increasing brand awareness by 50% and driving a 35% boost in sales. Excited about the opportunity to join BrandSpark as a Marketing Manager to contribute to innovative marketing strategies and business growth.

Financial analyst CV summary example

Analytical and results-driven Financial Analyst with 7+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis. Expert in financial modeling, budget forecasting, and data analysis. Implemented a financial reporting system at FinancePros, resulting in a 20% increase in accuracy and a 15% reduction in reporting time. Motivated to join WealthStrategies as a Financial Analyst to support strategic decision-making and financial optimization.

Project manager CV summary example

Organized and results-driven Project Manager with more than 6 years of experience leading complex projects to successful completion. Excellent at project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Managed a cross-functional team at BuildSmart, delivering a major infrastructure project on time and under budget, achieving a 25% increase in client satisfaction. Seeking a Project Manager role at ProjectSuccess to drive impactful projects and achieve organizational goals.

How to write a CV summary statement if you have no experience?

Not having any work experience doesn’t mean not having any achievements to showcase in your CV summary. Volunteer work opportunities, internships, and placement work—these all very much count as valid sources of achievements. If you don’t have any of these under your belt, though, don’t worry.

In the absence of work experience, you can substitute a belief statement for your achievement which allows you to describe how you would be a good fit in the company. So you still need to research the company, its stated values, and mission, and have a feel for its corporate culture.

Plus, you can lean on academic achievements and any relevant project work you’ve done. Check out our guide on how to write a student CV which shows how to approach a personal statement before you’ve got any real work experience to speak of.

CV summary example for students

Dynamic and motivated marketing associate with a solid background in marketing coupled with initial experience in market research, data analysis, and marketing campaigns. Proficient in utilizing digital marketing tools and platforms to enhance brand visibility and drive consumer engagement. Coordinated social media campaigns during a marketing internship at Skyline Solutions, resulting in a 20% increase in online engagement. Seeking an entry-level marketing associate position at Buzz Masters to contribute to the company's marketing objectives.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Tips for writing a strong CV summary

Since a professional summary is an introduction to your CV, make sure it’s impactful and encourages a recruiter to spend another few minutes on reading your application. Here are some tips that will help you get there:

1. Be concrete

Be as specific and concrete as you can. Quantify the benefits you brought to your employer and put as many numbers as you can. It can be money you saved the company or anything that boils down to the same.

2. Use action verbs

Include a strong, dynamic verb in each of your achievements. Something like ‘negotiated’, ‘led’, ‘achieved’, ‘produced’, ‘reduced’, ‘saved’, ‘developed’, and so on. Use an accomplishment statement to help structure and fill in each achievement. By all means estimate the benefits, but be realistic. 

2. Keep it concise

Make your personal summary for a CV brief and focused. It should give a concise overview of your candidature instead of a long description of your skills and experiences. Choose the most essential information that you want to focus attention on, and aim for 3–4 sentences so that your CV doesn’t exceed one page. Don’t go over 50–150 words in total.

3. Avoid generic statements

Generic, worn-out statements won’t make your CV summary stand out against other candidates. Try to reflect your individuality, your unique traits, and key strengths that make you a professional everyone would love to work with. Emphasise your unique value and show what differentiates you from others.

4. Write it last

Your personal CV summary comes first in your CV, but don’t feel pressured to write it at the outset. Having worked through and prepared your work experience section with job descriptions will make writing the CV summary much easier. 

I hope this article puts you on the road to an effective CV summary. The first one is the most difficult, but it gets much easier from there. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback regarding writing a summary for a CV, leave them in the comments section below.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

About the author

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
LiveCareer UK Editorial Team

Since 2013, the LiveCareer UK team has shared the best advice to help you advance your career. Experts from our UK editorial team have written more than one hundred guides on how to write the perfect CV or cover letter.

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