• AI Content Shield
  • AI KW Research
  • AI Assistant
  • SEO Optimizer
  • AI KW Clustering
  • Customer reviews
  • The NLO Revolution
  • Press Center
  • Help Center
  • Content Resources
  • Facebook Group

A Guide to Drafting Key Personal Statement Examples for Retail

Table of Contents

Are you looking for personal statement examples for your retail job application? It’s important to put in the effort when crafting a personal statement, as it is usually one of the first things organizations look at. An excellent personal statement can make all the difference when landing a job in the competitive retail field.

Here’s your guide to drafting effective personal statement examples for retail that will grab recruiters’ attention.

What Are Personal Statement Examples for Retail?

A personal statement is a short document – usually around 500 words – that gives potential employers an insight into who you are . It tells them about your skills and experience, and why you’re the best fit for their job opening.

In retail, the candidate must demonstrate their understanding of customer service, knowledge of the product or industry, and skill in sales techniques.

Elements to Include in Your Personal Statement

When writing your personal statement for retail positions, make sure to include the following:

  • Your strengths when it comes to customer service.
  • Highlight any relevant experience you have with similar products or customers.
  • Demonstrate how your communication skills can help drive sales.
  • Showcase any previous successes and how you can apply them in the new job.
  • Share examples of times when you have gone above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.

Steps to Write Personal Statement Examples for Retail

1. research the job role, company and industry.

Before You Start Writing Your Statement, Research the Job Role and Company. This is to get a Clear Idea of What They’re Looking for in a Candidate. As Well As What You Can Bring to the Table.

2. Identify Your Unique Selling Points

The key to any successful personal statement is identifying your selling points. These are typically skills or experiences that set you apart from other candidates and make you an ideal fit for the job.

3. Outline Your Experience

In this section, list any past retail-related experiences that will help prove your qualifications for the job. Include examples such as past customer service roles or sales achievements that demonstrate your understanding of the industry.

4. Describe Your Skills

In this section, highlight any relevant retail-related skills you possess that make you an ideal fit for the job. Some examples can include product knowledge, customer service experience or sales techniques.

5. Explain How You’ll Contribute to the Company

This is where you explain what value you will bring to the company. State how your unique skills and experiences will help them achieve success.

6. Proofread and Edit

Once you’ve finished writing your personal statement, it’s important to take the time to proofread and edit it before submitting it with your application. Make sure it reads well and doesn’t contain any grammar or spelling mistakes.

Tips for an Effective Personal Statement Examples for Retail

Effective Personal Statement

When writing your personal statement, keep these tips in mind:

  • Keep it brief but informative. The goal is to show potential employers that you understand what they’re looking for without going overboard with too much information.
  • Be sure to proofread and edit your statement before sending it off – grammar and spelling mistakes will not make a good impression.
  • Make sure to be specific about your experiences; generic statements won’t stand out as much as stories and details.
  • Include information matching the job description so that employers can connect the dots.

Personal Statement Examples for Retail

If you’re still unsure of how to write your statement, here are some examples for retail positions:

As a customer service representative in the fashion industry, I bring years of experience and excellent communication skills. My ability to empathize with customers and respond quickly to their needs makes me an asset in any retail setting. I increased sales by 25% in my previous job due to successful promotions and campaigns. I thrive in fast-paced environments where every day brings new challenges.

I am an experienced retail manager passionate about helping others find the perfect product for their needs. From developing effective sales strategies to training and motivating staff, I possess the skills to help your business succeed. In my previous role, I increased sales by 10% by focusing on customer satisfaction. I ensure that customers had a positive experience each time they visited the store.

How Do I Begin My Personal Statement?

Many, many people are having difficulty writing about themselves. If this is you, don’t worry. Make sure you can come up with a short statement (no more than a sentence) that describes you accurately. It may be one that highlights your previous work experience.

Who Do You Write in a Short Personal Statement?

Include your work experience and future plans in your resume. Job openings, placements, work experience, or voluntary work should be shared with others, particularly if they’re relevant to your course. Keep any experience in line with skills or qualities that will lead to success.

Can You Tell Me What Perfect Personal Statement Is?

In your personal statement you should outline the qualities, skills, and values. The ones you have cultivated over your lifetime and how those skills have prepared you for college.

No matter what kind of retail position you’re applying for, crafting a compelling personal statement is critical to standing out from the competition. Make sure your statement showcases your strengths and experiences in an engaging way that will make employers take notice. Following these guidelines and tips should help create a statement that stands out from the crowd! Good luck with your job search!

A Guide to Drafting Key Personal Statement Examples for Retail

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

Explore All Write Personal Statement Articles

How to draft meaningful length of law school personal statement.

Are you confused on how to write a law school personal statement? One of the essential elements of your application…

  • Write Personal Statement

Effective History and International Relations Personal Statement to Try

Are you considering studying history and international relations? Or you may be curious about what a degree in this field…

Guide to Quality Global Management Personal Statement

Are you applying for a global management program and want to stand out from the crowd? A well-written personal statement…

How to Draft Better Examples of Personal Statements for Residency

Achieving a residency can be a massive accomplishment for any aspiring medical professional. To secure your spot in one of…

Tips for Drafting a Free Example of Personal History Statement

A personal history statement can be crucial to many applications, from university admissions to job search processes. This blog will…

Writing Compelling Dietetic Internship Personal Statement

Applying for a dietetic internship is a rigorous process and requires submitting a personal statement, which is an essential part…

Retail Sales Manager CV Example

Cv guidance.

  • CV Template
  • How to Format
  • Personal Statements
  • Related CVs

CV Tips for Retail Sales Managers

  • Highlight Your Retail Sales Experience : Specify your years of experience in retail sales and management. Detail your expertise in areas like visual merchandising, inventory management, or customer service early on in your CV.
  • Quantify Your Sales Achievements : Use numbers to demonstrate your impact, such as a 30% increase in store sales or a 20% improvement in customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Customize Your CV to the Role : Align your CV content with the job's requirements, emphasizing relevant experiences like team leadership or profit and loss management if highlighted by the employer.
  • Detail Your Tech Proficiency : List proficiency in retail software like POS systems, inventory management software, or e-commerce platforms. Any experience with data analysis tools or CRM systems should also be highlighted.
  • Showcase Leadership and Communication Skills : Provide examples of your ability to lead and motivate a sales team, manage conflicts, or communicate effectively with customers and staff.

The Smarter, Faster Way to Write Your CV

personal statement examples retail sales

  • Directed a team of 20 sales associates, resulting in a 30% increase in store sales over a year through the implementation of effective sales strategies and customer engagement techniques.
  • Introduced a new inventory management system, reducing stock discrepancies by 40% and improving the efficiency of the restocking process.
  • Developed and executed a comprehensive staff training program, which led to a 15% increase in average transaction value and a 20% improvement in customer satisfaction scores.
  • Managed the store layout and visual merchandising, leading to a 10% increase in foot traffic and a 15% boost in impulse purchases.
  • Implemented a customer loyalty program, resulting in a 25% increase in repeat customers and a 20% increase in overall customer retention.
  • Coordinated with the marketing team to run successful promotional campaigns, driving a 30% increase in store sales during peak shopping seasons.
  • Streamlined the customer complaint resolution process, reducing resolution time by 50% and improving overall customer satisfaction by 20%.
  • Conducted detailed sales analysis, identifying underperforming products and implementing strategies that increased their sales by 30%.
  • Collaborated with the procurement team to ensure optimal stock levels, reducing stockouts and overstocks by 40% and improving sales turnover ratio.
  • Team Leadership and Management
  • Sales Strategy Development
  • Customer Engagement Techniques
  • Inventory Management
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Store Layout and Visual Merchandising
  • Customer Loyalty Program Implementation
  • Promotional Campaign Coordination
  • Customer Complaint Resolution
  • Sales Analysis and Strategy Implementation

Retail Sales Manager CV Template

  • Collaborated with [teams/departments] to achieve [result, e.g., sales targets, customer satisfaction goals], demonstrating strong [soft skill, e.g., teamwork, leadership].
  • Managed [retail function, e.g., inventory control, staff scheduling], optimizing [process or task, e.g., stock replenishment, shift allocation] to enhance [operational outcome, e.g., store efficiency, customer service].
  • Implemented [system or process improvement, e.g., new POS system, customer feedback process], resulting in [quantifiable benefit, e.g., 20% increase in sales, improved customer satisfaction scores].
  • Played a pivotal role in [project or initiative, e.g., store renovation, seasonal sales campaign], which led to [measurable impact, e.g., increased foot traffic, boosted sales revenue].
  • Directed [type of analysis, e.g., sales trend analysis, customer behavior study], using [analytical tools/methods] to inform [decision-making/action, e.g., product placement, promotional strategies].
  • Instrumental in [task or responsibility, e.g., staff training, visual merchandising], ensuring [quality or standard, e.g., service excellence, store aesthetics] across all retail operations.
  • Major: Name of Major
  • Minor: Name of Minor

100+ Free Resume Templates

How to format a retail sales manager cv, start with a powerful summary, highlight retail sales experience, detail relevant skills and competencies, emphasize education and training, include achievements and awards, personal statements for retail sales managers, retail sales manager personal statement examples, what makes a strong personal statement.

Match & Compare Your CV to a Job Description

personal statement examples retail sales

CV FAQs for Retail Sales Managers

How long should retail sales managers make a cv, what's the best format for an retail sales manager cv, how does a retail sales manager cv differ from a resume, related cvs for retail sales manager.

Assistant Retail Manager CV

Retail District Manager CV

Retail Store Manager CV

Area Sales Manager CV

Assistant Sales Manager CV

District Sales Manager CV

Try our AI-Powered Resume Builder

StandOut CV

Sales Representative CV example

Andrew Fennell photo

So you want to secure a good Sales Representative job, but you’re struggling to write a CV?

Use our Sales Representative CV example and writing guide to learn exactly how you can create an effective CV and make the right impression on recruiters.

Guide contents

Sales Representative CV example

  • CV layout and format
  • Your CV profile
  • Work experience

Education section

CV templates 

Sales Representative CV 1

Before you start writing your CV, take a look at the example Sales Representative CV above to give yourself a good idea of the style and format that recruiters and hiring managers prefer to see.

Also, take note of the type of content that is included to impress recruiters, and how the most relevant information is made prominent, to ensure it gets noticed.

Sales Representative CV layout and format

First impressions count, so a sloppy, disorganised CV may cause your CV to be overlooked..

Instead, perfect the format and structure of your CV by working to a clear logical structure and applying some simple formatting tricks to ease readability.

Don’t underestimate the importance of this step; if your CV lacks readability, your written content won’t even be seen.

CV structure

Formatting advice

  • Length: If you want to hold the reader’s attention and ensure your CV isn’t yawn-worthy, it’s best to stick to two sides of A4 or less. This is more than enough room to highlight why you’re a good match for the role – anything more can quickly become tedious!
  • Readability : Recruiters appreciate CVs that they can quickly scan through without trouble. Ensure yours makes the cut by formatting your headings for attention (bold or coloured fonts should do the trick) and breaking up long paragraphs into smaller chunks or short, snappy bullet points.
  • Design: When it comes to CV design, it’s best to keep things simple and sleek. While elaborate designs certainly command attention, it’s not always for the right reasons! Readability is key, so whatever you choose to do, make sure you prioritise readability above everything.
  • Avoid photos: Logos, profile photos or other images aren’t necessary and rarely add any value – save the space for written content, instead!

CV builder

CV structure

For easy reading, write your CV to the following CV structure:

  • Contact details – Make it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by listing your contact details at the top of your CV.
  • Profile – A short and snappy summary of your experience and skills, showcasing what makes you a good fit for the position.
  • Work experience / career history – Note down all your work history, with your current position first, then working backwards.
  • Education – A short list of your academic background and professional/vocational qualifications.
  • Interest and hobbies – This is an optional section, which you can use to highlight any relevant hobbies or interests.

Now I’ll tell you exactly what you should include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Contact details

Make it easy for recruiters to get in touch, by heading your CV with your contact details.

There’s no need for excessive details – just list the basics:

  • Mobile number
  • Email address – Use a professional address with no nicknames.
  • Location – Just write your general location, such as ‘London’ or ‘Cardiff’ – there’s no need to put your full address.
  • LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL

Sales Representative CV Profile

Recruiters read through countless applications every day.

If they don’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’ll simply move onto the next one.

That’s what makes your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re an entry-level/graduate candidate) so important.

This short and snappy summary sits at the top of your CV, and should give a high-level overview of why you’re a good match for the job.

This way, you can ensure that busy recruiters see your suitability from the outset, and so, feel your CV is worth their time.

CV profile

Tips for creating an strong CV profile:

  • Keep it concise: The best CV profiles are short, sharp and highly relevant to the target role. For this reason, it’s best to write 3-4 lines of high-level information, as anything over might be missed.
  • Tailor it: If recruiters don’t see your suitability within a few seconds, they may close your CV straight away. Your CV profile should closely match the essential requirements listed in the job ad, so make sure to review them before you write it.
  • Don’t add an objective: If you want to discuss your career objectives, save them for your cover letter , rather than wasting valuable CV profile space.
  • Avoid cliches: Focus on fact, not fluff. Phrases like “Committed and enthusiastic thought-leader” and “Dynamic problem solver” might sound fancy, but they’ll do nothing for your application. Not only do they sound cheesy, but they have no substance – stick to real skills and facts

What to include in your Sales Representative CV profile?

  • Summary of experience: Recruiters will want to know what type of companies you’ve worked for, industries you have knowledge of, and the type of work you’ve carried out in the past, so give them a summary of this in your profile.
  • Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to Sales Representative jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
  • Essential qualifications: If the jobs you are applying to require candidates to have certain qualifications, then you must add them in your profile to ensure they are seen by hiring managers.

Quick tip: If spelling and grammar are not a strong point of yours, Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written content that has been created by recruitment experts, and proofread by our team.

Core skills section

In addition to your CV profile, your core skills section provides an easily digestible snapshot of your skills – perfect for grabbing the attention of busy hiring managers.

As Sales Representative jobs might receive a huge pile of applications, this is a great way to stand out and show off your suitability for the role.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and be made up of skills that are highly relevant to the jobs you are targeting.

CV core skills

Work experience/Career history

By this point, employers will be keen to know more detail about you career history.

Starting with your most recent role and working backwards, create a snappy list of any relevant roles you’ve held.

This could be freelance, voluntary, part-time or temporary jobs too. Anything that’s relevant to your target role is well-worth listing!

Work experience

Structuring your roles

The structure of your work experience section can seriously affect its impact.

This is generally the biggest section of a CV, and with no thought to structure, it can look bulky and important information can get lost.

Use my 3-step structure below to allow for easy navigation, so employers can find what they are looking for:

Role descriptions

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your role as a whole, detailing what the goal of your position was, who you reported to or managed, and the type of organisation you worked for.

Key responsibilities

Follow with a snappy list of bullet points, detailing your daily duties and responsibilities.

Tailor it to the role you’re applying for by mentioning how you put the target employer’s desired hard skills and knowledge to use in this role.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

After your work experience, your education section should provide a detailed view of your academic background.

Begin with those most relevant to Sales Representative jobs, such as vocational training or degrees. If you have space, you can also mention your academic qualifications, such as A-Levels and GCSEs.

Focus on the qualifications that are most relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Interests and hobbies

Although this is an optional section, it can be useful if your hobbies and interests will add further depth to your CV.

Interests which are related to the sector you are applying to, or which show transferable skills like leadership or teamwork, can worth listing.

On the other hand, generic hobbies like “going out with friends” won’t add any value to your application, so are best left off your CV.

Writing your Sales Representative CV

When putting together your Sales Representative CV, there are a few key points to remember

Always tailor your CV to the target role, even if it means creating several versions for different roles.

Additionally, remember that the structure and format of your CV needs just as much attention as the content.

Remember to triple-check for spelling and grammar errors before hitting send. If you’re unsure, use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written expert content with one click.

Good luck with your job search!

IMAGES

  1. Retail sales assistant CV example 2024 (+CV template)

    personal statement examples retail sales

  2. Retail CV Examples: Template for a Sales Assistant

    personal statement examples retail sales

  3. Good Personal Statement For Retail Cv

    personal statement examples retail sales

  4. A good personal statement for sales assistant in 2021

    personal statement examples retail sales

  5. Check out the best CV examples for retail sales assistants

    personal statement examples retail sales

  6. Retail Sales associate Resume Sample Uncommon Retail Sales associate

    personal statement examples retail sales

VIDEO

  1. Post Office Manager unsure of her OWN Professional Background!

  2. How to write a Marketing personal statement

  3. MY GKS PERSONAL STATEMENT + TIPS

  4. Personal Statement Example

  5. use Positive Statement.👍#salestraining #salestips #salessuccess #viral #retail #training #highlights

  6. How to Write an Outstanding Personal Statement

COMMENTS

  1. A Guide to Drafting Key Personal Statement Examples for Retail

    In this section, highlight any relevant retail-related skills you possess that make you an ideal fit for the job. Some examples can include product knowledge, customer service experience or sales techniques. 5. Explain How You'll Contribute to the Company. This is where you explain what value you will bring to the company.

  2. CV Example for Entry Level Retail Saless (+ Free Template)

    The ideal length for an Entry Level Retail Sales CV is 1-2 pages. This allows you to succinctly present your skills, qualifications, and relevant experiences without overwhelming the reader. Prioritize showcasing your customer service skills, sales knowledge, and any retail experience. Highlight achievements that demonstrate your potential in ...

  3. 4 Retail CV Examples [+ Free Templates]

    Store Manager• 03/2023 - 12/2023. CoreBiogen Biosciences. Introduced a customer loyalty program that increased repeat customer rate by 35% and boosted overall sales by 20%. Coordinated with suppliers to negotiate better purchase terms, leading to a 10% reduction in cost of goods sold and improved profit margins.

  4. Retail sales assistant CV example 2024 (+CV template)

    Retail sales assistant CV example. Andrew Fennell. To land a great sales assistant job, you need a strong CV. There are lots of other people competing for retail sales assistant roles, so your CV needs to stand out from the crowd, and ensure you get selected for interview. This post provides you with everything you need to create a successful ...

  5. Retail CV Examples + How to Write a CV for Retail Jobs

    Explore retail skills, a retail sales assistant CV example, and essential tips for success. Your dream job awaits! Tools. CV Builder Create a CV in 5 minutes. Get the job you want. ... Your retail CV personal statement or personal profile must do the same thing. It should only be 3-4 sentences long and needs to answer these three questions:

  6. 7 retail CV examples + writing guide [Get hired]

    Check out these 7 retail CV examples for all job-types and experience levels, to give you a helping hand in creating your own interview-winning CV. Contents. Retail CV examples. Sales assistant. Retail manager. Supervisor. Customer service. Jewellery sales assistant. Shop assistant.

  7. 7+ Retail CV Examples

    Highlights its personal statement: Because your personal statement is the first thing an employer will see, you need it to stand out. Here it draws the eye by being in its own column and being in a different colour text. Download this retail CV example. Fashion retail CV example for Word; Fashion retail CV example in PDF; 5. Entry-level retail CV

  8. Retail Resume Examples + Skills & Experience for 2024

    Examples of Retail Resume Objectives. RIGHT. Hard-working retail associate, skilled in POS tech and inventory management. Seeking to increase sales and customer loyalty at ABC. Built volunteer retail experience at XYZ as cashier and restocker, receiving management commendation for excellent customer communication.

  9. Retail Sales Assistant CV Examples & Tips

    Retail CV example: personal statement. Meticulous sales assistant with 4+ years of retail outlet experience. Proven track record exceeding monthly sales targets at Co-operative for 18 months in a row. Repeatedly scoring 95%+ on product knowledge assessments at Primark.

  10. Sales CV Template + Examples for 2024

    Sales CV example: personal statement template. Dedicated sales professional with 7+ years of experience across both retail and financial sectors as well as B2C and B2B sales models. Exceeded all sales target metrics over the past 4 years without exception, exceeding average close rates by no less than 13% each month. ...

  11. How To Write a Professional Summary for a Retail Resume (With ...

    For example, you could include things like achievements, awards, technical skills, soft skills, certifications and experience. 3. Craft a brief and impactful summary. Ideally, a retail resume summary is limited to just one or two sentences that consolidate your most impressive qualifications. To ensure that your professional summary is ...

  12. Retail Assistant CV

    Example of a retail assistant's work experience section. Sold £500+ worth of books and stationary every week in May 2021, resulting in exceeding sales targets and receiving praise from my supervisor. Provided knowledgeable and friendly service regarding new arrivals and book recommendations to 35+ customers a day.

  13. 16 Winning Personal Statement Examples (And Why They Work)

    Here are 16 personal statement examples—both school and career—to help you create your own: 1. Personal statement example for graduate school. A personal statement for graduate school differs greatly from one to further your professional career. It is usually an essay, rather than a brief paragraph. Here is an example of a personal ...

  14. CV Example for Retail Sales Managers (+ Free Template)

    Highlight Your Retail Sales Experience: Specify your years of experience in retail sales and management. Detail your expertise in areas like visual merchandising, inventory management, or customer service early on in your CV. Quantify Your Sales Achievements: Use numbers to demonstrate your impact, such as a 30% increase in store sales or a 20% ...

  15. 17 CV personal statement examples 2024

    CV templates 17 CV personal statement examples. To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look, and what should be included.. Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates - if you are experienced, check out our CV profile examples instead.

  16. How To Write a Sales Professional Summary (With Template)

    2. Create an introductory overview. The first step for writing a sales professional summary is to create an introductory overview of your sales experience. Through your professional summary, you can cover multiple sales experiences and qualifications, even if they are unrelated to one another.

  17. 20+ Good CV Personal Statement Examples (& How to Write)

    Here's a personal statement from an administrative assistant's CV that shows you how to write your own: 2. Customer service CV personal statement. This personal statement for a customer service CV underscores the applicant's years of experience with strategic bolding and showcases their customer service skills: 3.

  18. Sales Assistant Personal Statement

    Fish4jobs can help you to create a winning sales assistant personal statement to place at the top of your CV, to ensure that you land your dream role! Your personal statement is your chance to shine, so use this 100-150 words to show off your skills, strengths and achievements in the sales sector. We recommend that you provide examples of how ...

  19. Retail CV examples and how to craft your own retail CV

    A woman stands near a cash register with a bag of merchandise and a hanger. There's also a list with the title "What to include in a retail CV" and these skills: • Contact details including name, phone number and email address • Personal profile summarizing your experience, skills, and interest in the role • Experience like leading a team, engaging with customers, resolving issues ...

  20. Sales Representative CV example + guide [Land the best jobs]

    CV templates. Before you start writing your CV, take a look at the example Sales Representative CV above to give yourself a good idea of the style and format that recruiters and hiring managers prefer to see. Also, take note of the type of content that is included to impress recruiters, and how the most relevant information is made prominent ...

  21. Personal statement examples for CVs (UK CV)

    Retail Assistant personal statement. I am an engaging, proactive and customer-focused sales professional with experience across the retail sector. With a positive and confident approach, I aim to build lasting relationships with customers, working both as part of a team and with my own initiative. I am seeking a role in which I can add value ...

  22. Personal statement examples

    Some possible examples could include parental leave, caring for a family member, plans to travel or long-term illness. However, whatever the reason for your own break, it's never something you should feel the need to justify to a prospective employer. In fact, knowing how to explain a gap in your CV is mostly about confidence.

  23. 9 winning personal statement examples for a job

    Here are some examples of personal and professional statements: 1. Personal statement for a postgraduate programme. Joan David Personal statement for master's programme in Public Policy and Administration London School of Policy 'I held my first textbook when I was a 23-year-old undergraduate.

  24. How to write a retail sales associate cover letter (With example)

    Here's an example of how to structure your cover letter for a retail sales associate role. Make sure to include your own contact details, the name of the person you're writing to, and the date.