How to Write A Resume Profile
In this race to land that dream job, always have in mind that you are not running alone. So anything that will make you outstanding should be your key target. A few hours after a job is uploaded on LinkedIn, hundreds of candidates have already put in an application. You might apply an hour or two later and realize your application number is 102.
There are thousands of undergraduate and master’s students out there looking for a job, and the best part is more are still graduating every day. Every leap you take in the professional world should be one that will portray you as a top candidate. As a result of the increase in the influx of applications, hiring managers only have a minute or two to precise over a candidate’s resume. You need to present an attractive beginning to lure them to the end. This is the purpose of a resume profile.
A resume profile is that thing that will catch their attention and keep it to your resume. A resume profile also called a profile statement, career summary, resume summary, or summary of qualification is a brief statement at the tip of your resume that gives a summary of your experience, skills, and qualifications. It highlights your achievements or accomplishments in previous roles. A resume or CV profile is usually located at the top of the resume because it gives the interview a brief idea of what the body of the resume entails. A good resume/CV profile could be all you need to land yourself an interview invite, cause many hiring managers will not have the time to go through the remaining parts of the resume. A resume profile is similar to resume objectives but much more important. While a CV profile states both your goal, experience, and skills, a resume objective simply states the type of position that the applicant is seeking. A resume profile is a condensed or summarized version of a cover letter. The idea is to quickly convince the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the job.
The goal of a resume profile is, to sum up, your experience, skills, and goals in approximately 500 characters listed in bullet points or paragraphs. In a resume profile, your accomplishments are usually quantified using percentages or other statistical data. Your Resume profile should include keywords that the applicant tracking system will easily pick up. Due to the voluminous applications companies receive, many of them have started using this applicant tracking system to screen candidates.
General guidelines to keep in mind when writing a resume profile
Keep your resume profile concise: A resume profile should be with one to four brief sentences. The maximum number of characters should be about 500. The sentences can be in bullet form or stated in paragraphs. You can also begin with descriptive sentences accompanied by four to five bullet items identifying your most important qualification, skills, and experience.
1) Label your profile
Give your resume profile a subtitle. Do not assume the recruiter already knows it is a resume profile. You can label it as a summary of qualifications, career profile, career highlights, professional summary, or resume profile.
2) Place your profile at the top of your resume
As stated earlier, a resume profile is a summary of what your entire resume is about. It is like the introduction part of a letter before the body of the letter. You can not carry the introduction part of a letter to the middle of the end. There will be miscommunication. Always position your resume profile on top of your resume.
3) Years of experience
The first bullet point should always contain your current job title and how many years of experience you have in your field. Starting with your experience helps grab the attention of the hiring manager by immediately providing proof that you meet the basic requirements of the job role. If you are an entry-level candidate, student, or recent graduate, simply relevant course work, extracurricular activities, volunteer, or part-time experience.
Here’s how the first bullet point on your resume profile should look like for an experienced employee
A certified microbiologist with 10 years of experience in industrial microbiology
Another example for an entry-level employee
Recent graduate of microbiology at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with in-depth knowledge in environmental microbiology.
4) Major accomplishments
The next paragraphs or bullet items should speak volumes of your accomplishments. Oh yes, shout it aloud. Highlight some of your breathtaking professional accomplishments and skills. This is the most important part of your resume profile. It tells the recruiter what you have contributed to the previous organizations you have worked in. Where you met them and how far you uplifted them. It gives the recruiter a glimpse of what you can offer to his company. Always quantify your accomplishments with hard numbers or percentages to illustrate the significance of those accomplishments.
Below is an example
I increased sales in the northern region of Nigeria by 70% which was in contrast with the 15% which they thought was the maximum that could be achieved. This got me the gold medal of the best sales personnel of the year.
5) Relevant industrial skills
The next paragraph or bullet point should be used to showcase skills that you have that are relevant to the position. If you do not know what skills you have or what skills to include, you can browse about skills that are relevant to the position you are applying to. If you have any relevant certification, training, or licenses, also include them in your profile.
Example
Possess a certificate in project management and strong organizational and leadership skills.
6) Career goals
Instead of writing just a career objective, you can write a resume profile and also include your career goals and the position you are looking for at the end of the resume profile. A resume is a two-way door, as the recruiter is assessing you, you should be able to communicate a clear idea of what you want from the company.
Example
Seeking an entry-level position as a management trainee in an auditing and advisory financial institution to pursue my passion to help businesses make the right financial choice and avoided crises.
7) Focus on the job listing
A resume should always be flexible. There should be room for amendment. Before submitting a resume for any position, always touch it up a little. Include and remove some sentences to fit the particular job you are applying to. Your resume profile should only include skills, qualifications, and experience that are relevant to the specific job to which you are applying. Your resume profile should show what you can offer to the employer. The job listing will give you an idea of what the employer needs from a prospective employee, then fill the gap.
Sample format of a good resume profile
The format in paragraph format
A highly motivated financial analyst with over 5 years of experience assisting private financial firms. Advanced knowledge of auditing financial reports, experience in internal and external auditing, forecasting upcoming budgetary needs, and planning tax duties. Reduced the overall cost and time spent in preparing financial reports using advanced financial technological software. Seeking a technological-driven financial institute to contribute to its general growth and also derive personal growth and job satisfaction.
The format in bullet point
- Highly trained and motivated personal assistant with over 3 years of experience providing administrative support.
- I provided speedy and satisfactory administrative support using different application software, which helped me manage my time and projects effectively.
- Seeking a position in an organization that values competency and leaves room for development.