Use a simple three-part formula
For most applicants, two to four concise lines are enough. You do not need to repeat every skill or achievement that appears elsewhere in the CV.
- Your current role, qualification or professional level.
- One or two relevant strengths supported by your experience.
- The type of work or opportunity you are targeting.
Example for a student or fresher
STUDENT PROFILE
[Degree] student with practical experience in [relevant project, coursework or activity]. Developed skills in [two or three relevant areas] and interested in an entry-level opportunity in [target field].
Example for an experienced professional
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
[Job title] with experience in [specialist area or industry]. Skilled in [relevant methods or tools], with a background in [type of responsibility or achievement]. Seeking to contribute to [type of role or team].
What to avoid in a CV summary
- Long personal statements that use half the first page.
- Unsupported claims such as “the best candidate” or “expert in everything”.
- Generic adjectives without an example or skill to support them.
- First-person wording repeated throughout the paragraph.
- A summary that does not match the job or internship being targeted.