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Crafting a compelling About Me section on your resume can elevate your job application by offering a brief yet impactful glimpse into your professional identity.
This introductory paragraph is your chance to distinguish yourself from other candidates and showcase how your skills and qualifications align with the employer's needs.
We’ll explore the key elements of a successful About Me section, offering expert insights and About Me resume examples to showcase how to write a resume that wins interviews.
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What is an About Me Section on a Resume?
A resume About Me section is a short paragraph at the beginning of a resume that introduces you to potential employers and provides a snapshot of your professional background.
Similar to a resume summary, this section is designed to highlight your key skills, experiences and measurable achievements. Here’s what a strong About Me section accomplishes:
- Professional introduction: The About Me section is your chance to make a strong first impression, offering employers a sense of who you are as a professional.
- Highlight key qualifications: This section summarizes your most relevant qualifications, including years of experience and areas of expertise.
- Link experience to goals: Your About Me section connects your resume work history with your career goals and professional aspirations.
- Capture attention: This section immediately grabs the hiring manager’s attention, motivating them to read the rest of your resume with interest.
- Set the tone: The About Me section sets the tone for your resume, presenting your professional identity and personal brand and differentiating you from other candidates.
The sample below exemplifies how to feature an About Me section on your resume. We recommend exploring our library of professional resume templates for additional layout options.
Explore the various resume formats to learn how to incorporate an introductory paragraph effectively into your resume.
What to Include in Your Resume About Me Section
Your resume About Me section should briefly examine your professional identity in around three to four sentences. Learn about the key elements of the About Me section below.
Professional Title
Begin with a clear professional title that defines who you are in the workforce. For example, "Experienced Digital Marketing Specialist" or "Dedicated Environmental Engineer."
We recommend browsing our guide on resume headlines, which offers additional examples of succinctly conveying your professional title.
Relevant Experience
Briefly mention your years of experience and any notable expertise you possess that is relevant to the job you’re applying for.
This could be technical skills, industry experience or key projects. The example below incorporates a professional title and a brief overview of relevant experience.
Notable Skills
Include a mix of hard skills and soft skills that are particularly valuable for the role. For instance, a software developer might highlight programming languages and problem-solving skills.
See how to showcase skills on your resume with tips and examples from Certified Professional Resume Writers.
Measurable Achievements
Share one or two significant achievements, awards or qualifications that can distinguish you from other candidates.
This could be a certification, a successful project or a key contribution to a past employer. Check out the example below and see how to list accomplishments on a resume for more tips.
Personal Strengths
You can conclude by briefly mentioning your professional values or personal strengths that align with the company’s culture or mission.
For example, "Passionate about building inclusive technology" or "Committed to sustainable environmental practices."
Career Goals
Another option is to conclude with a brief summary of your career goals and how they align with the role you are applying for.
This is more in line with a resume objective and is best for early-career professionals with minimal experience related to the role.
Explore our guide on what to put on a resume for additional guidance on key areas to showcase to stand out to hiring managers.
How to Write an Engaging About Me Section
Your About Me section should be tailored to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Below are the key steps for getting started.
- Start with a strong opening: Begin with a compelling line that includes your professional title and a standout trait or skill.
- Tailor to the role: Customize for each job application by highlighting skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.
- Be concise and clear: Aim for a 3-4 sentence About Me section to maintain an ideal resume length. Use clear, concise language to ensure readability.
- Showcase achievements: Include quantifiable achievements or specific projects that demonstrate your capability and impact in your field.
- Keep it professional yet personal: While maintaining professionalism, add a touch of your personal values or passion that aligns with the company’s culture.
We recommend using our Resume Builder to quickly and easily add a compelling About Me section to your resume.
You can click to add tailored content suggestions from Certified Resume Writers to easily craft a targeted resume that impresses hiring managers.
Resume About Me Examples by Job Title
Browse the About Me examples for resumes below for various roles. We recommend exploring our library of resume examples for additional samples tailored to popular jobs and industries.
Customer Service Representative
Senior Graphic Designer
Social Media Manager
About Me Resume Examples for Students
Explore the About Me examples for students below. Browse our student resume examples for additional guidance on crafting a compelling resume as a student.
High School Student
College Student
Recent Graduate
Resume About Me Examples for Career Transitions
Check out the resume About Me section examples below for various career transitions. For additional tips and tricks, see our guide on explaining employment gaps on a resume.
Career Changer
Returning to the Workforce
Freelancer to Full-Time
Tips for Writing a Strong About Me Section
Explore the expert tips below for writing a strong About Me section. We also recommend browsing additional resume tips from our career advice experts.
Incorporate Keywords
Incorporate industry-specific keywords and phrases from the job description into the About Me section of your resume.
This can help your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catch the eye of the recruiter by showcasing how your skills align with the role's requirements.
Showcase Unique Selling Points
Identify and emphasize the qualities that set you apart from other candidates. This might include specialized skills, noteworthy achievements or unique professional experiences.
Here’s an example of how you might structure this section to spotlight noteworthy achievements or unique experiences:
Quantify Your Achievements
Quantify your achievements with numbers or percentages to provide concrete evidence of your capabilities and accomplishments. Here are a few examples:
- Skilled in financial modeling and forecasting, contributing to a 20% increase in investment returns through data-driven asset allocation strategies.
- Spearheaded an SEO and content marketing campaign that increased organic traffic by 300%, resulting in a 40% increase in conversion rates.
- Successfully implemented a cost-control plan that saved the hospital $800K annually by optimizing supply chain management and reducing waste.
Mistakes to Avoid in Your Resume About Me Section
- Not customizing for the role: Avoid generic statements that could apply to anyone. Tailor your About Me section to reflect the unique experiences, technical skills and value you bring to the roles you are applying for.
- Using generic language: Phrases like "hard worker" and "team player" are overused and don’t tell much about your actual qualifications or achievements. Instead, demonstrate these qualities through specific examples.
- Focusing on objectives over qualifications: While it's important to include career goals, the focus should primarily be on what you can offer the employer, not what you hope to gain from them.
- Ignoring keywords: Failing to include industry-specific keywords can make your resume less likely to be picked up by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). See our ATS-friendly resume guide for additional tips.
- Including personal information: Avoid details that are not directly relevant to the job, such as marital status, age or unrelated hobbies. Instead, focus on professional skills and quantifiable achievements.
We recommend using our ATS Resume Checker to scan your resume for 30+ common errors and receive optimization suggestions to improve your resume score.
Key Takeaways
- A resume About Me section offers a focused professional summary that enhances your application by emphasizing your suitability for the position.
- Customize your About Me section for each job application, emphasizing skills and experiences that align closely with the job description.
- Use this section to spotlight significant accomplishments or unique qualifications that set you apart from other candidates.
- Aim for a succinct, engaging paragraph that captures your professional identity in a few sentences that convey your enthusiasm for the position.
FAQ
How should you introduce yourself in a resume?
An About Me section at the top of your resume is an excellent option for introducing yourself and providing context for the information detailed throughout the remaining sections.
Aim for a brief, impactful paragraph that includes one or two major accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, using quantifiable data to demonstrate success.
Customize your About Me introduction to reflect the qualifications most relevant to the job you’re applying for. See what a resume looks like for design and formatting tips from career experts.
Is an About Me section different from a resume summary?
An About Me section and a resume summary serve similar purposes and can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on how you present your information.
An About Me section can be broader than a resume summary, potentially including long-term professional goals or a brief narrative that ties your past experiences to your future aspirations.
It might subtly incorporate aspects of your personality to give a fuller picture of who you are both inside and outside of work, which is not typical in a resume summary.
A resume summary typically focuses strictly on professional qualifications, summarizing your experiences, skills and significant achievements relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Explore our resume profile examples, which detail additional options for introducing yourself at the beginning of your resume.
How do you write a short About Me section?
Writing a succinct and impactful About Me section on your resume requires focusing on your most compelling attributes and experiences that align with your target job. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Keep it brief: Limit this section to 3-4 sentences. Each sentence should add value and convey something important about your professional background and personality.
- Identify key attributes: Select 2-3 key professional attributes or skills that are highly relevant to the role you are applying for.
- Highlight a major achievement: Choose one major achievement that demonstrates your capability and aligns with the job requirements.
- Write clearly and concisely: Use clear, straightforward language. Avoid jargon unless it’s commonly understood in your industry.
See our one-page resume guide for additional tips on writing a concise and impactful resume that fits on a single page.
How do I write an About Me section without experience?
An About Me section is an excellent option when you lack professional experience, as it can be slightly more personal than a traditional resume summary. Here are a few tips to get started:
- Highlight educational achievements: If you’re a recent graduate or still in school, emphasize your academic accomplishments, relevant coursework or special projects.
- Showcase transferable skills: Focus on transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.
- Include internships and volunteering: Mention any internships, volunteer work or extracurricular activities where you demonstrated relevant skills.
- Express your enthusiasm and career goals: Convey your passion for the field and your eagerness to learn and grow professionally. Briefly mention your career aspirations.
See our guide on writing a resume without experience for additional tips and examples to help you craft a compelling resume.
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