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How to describe yourself in a resume: Job hunting is like navigating a bustling marketplace, where your resume acts as your storefront. A well-crafted self-description is crucial, especially since recruiters form first impressions in seconds. In the competitive job market, making a memorable impact within those brief moments is key. With recruiters spending only 6 to 7 seconds on a resume, it’s essential to describe yourself effectively. Don’t let the challenge of finding the right words deter you. Here’s everything you need to create a standout self-description on your resume.”
How to Describe Yourself in a Resume: The ‘About Me’ Section
Also known as the ‘Summary Section’, the ‘About Me’ section is probably the most important part of your resume. This section will help a recruiter understand who you are, as a professional and why you should be hired for the job.
It should clearly describe your personality, briefly describing your skills, strengths, expertise, experience, and professional accomplishments. Here are a few tips to follow :
- Keep the section ‘about me’ in the resume as brief as possible. A paragraph of about three to four sentences should be ideal.
- Mention your professional title and your career goal in brief.
- Make sure this section contains all the keywords related to the job you are applying for.
- Avoid including any unnecessary personal information that might mislead the reader.
- Try not to talk much about your hobbies and interests here. Keep it as professional as possible.
- Don’t provide details about why you left your previous job. Try not to include any negative things about your previous employers.
About Me Section Examples
Here are a few examples that will explain how to describe yourself in a resume :
Entry-Level Market Research Analyst
Entry-level market research analyst with proven research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Prepared feasibility report for building software technology parks across South Asian nations while interning at McKinnel Consulting. Seeking the position of a Market Research Analyst for career growth as consulting professional.
Business Executive
Well-organized business executive with over 10 years of experience creating new businesses and planning marketing strategies. Contributed to 25 percent revenue growth in the previous company through analytical, problem-solving, and team-handling skills, for which I received the Manager of the Year Award. Seeking the position of Executive Director for career growth.
Customer Service Executive
Professional Customer Service Rep with 5 years of experience in customer service, customer engagement, handling customer transactions, improving average repeat customer scores, and attending customer queries. Strong interpersonal skills, multi-tasking abilities, friendly approach, positive attitude, and creative problem-solving skills. Received positive customer reviews and many ‘Peer Recognition Awards’ for handling customer complaints.
SEO Expert
SEO Specialist with four years of experience in digital marketing, social media marketing, and blogging. Proficiency in PHP, CSS, HTML, and SEO Plugins. Boosted the websites of clients to gain high rankings on SERPs. Motivated to upgrade skills and stay updated on current market trends. Seeking the position of SEO Manager.
Project Manager
PMP-certified project manager with over four years of experience in project management. Mastered all stages of the project life cycle, including inception, monitoring, closing, and delivering projects on time. Seeking the position of Senior Project Manager for career growth.
Cashier
Honest and Trustworthy Cashier with over six years of experience in handling accounts, managing inventory, and offering customer service. Streamlined accounting process, Improved efficiency by 24 percent, and reduced cost of operations by 30 percent while working in the store. Was awarded the Employee of the Year thrice in a row. Strong people management skills and professional expertise.
Copywriter
A creative wordsmith with a passion for storytelling and a knack for crafting compelling narratives. Proven track record in creating engaging and persuasive copies across various platforms. A strategic thinker who thrives on transforming ideas into impactful and resonant messages. Eager to contribute innovative and effective copywriting to elevate brand narratives and strike a chord with target audiences.
Social Media Content Creator
Strategic social media enthusiast with a flair for creating dynamic and shareable content. Experienced in developing and implementing social media strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement. Adept at producing visually appealing and on-brand content for diverse platforms. Passionate about staying ahead of trends and leveraging social media as a powerful tool for brand storytelling and community building.
Graphic Designer
Passionate graphic designer with a flair for visual storytelling and a strong eye for design aesthetics. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and experienced in creating compelling visual content for diverse mediums. A collaborative team player with a commitment to delivering innovative and visually impactful solutions that resonate with target audiences.
Related: Best Resume Format for Freshers with Samples
How to Describe Yourself in a Resume: Essential Tips
Here are a few tips that can give you a clear understanding of how to describe yourself on a resume. Learn how to optimize the different sections of your resume to come across as the most desirable candidate for a job :
Write a Strong Objective Statement
The objective statement is the most eye-catching statement of your resume that will describe your career intent. It can be called the pitch of your resume. In two to three sentences, this section should explain the primary purpose behind why you are looking for a job.
A strong objective statement should reflect your characteristics and highlight your skills and career goals. It should be clear, concise, and preferably customized for every job you apply for. Avoid using generic objectives. Instead, try answering the question – ‘Here is what I can do for you if hired for the job’.
Also Read: How to Write Profile Summary for Freshers?
Showcase Your Skills and Accomplishments
Highlighting your skills and accomplishments in your resume can help prove why you are a perfect fit for the job. Make sure you use the perfect self-descriptive words for your resume while writing this section.
Going through a few concrete examples can help you understand what are the good adjectives for a resume. Focus more on describing your main personality traits and highlighting what you are good at. Use relevant keywords that will present you as the most suitable person for the position.
Use the Right Adjectives and Action Verbs
Using the right action verbs and good adjectives for a resume is very important to make your application memorable and compelling. It is all about detailing your skills, expertise, and accomplishments creatively yet thoughtfully. A powerful hold on the language is crucial to make this happen.
Here are a few tips on how to use self-descriptive words for a resume :
- Gather a list of good adjectives for a resume and choose the most effective word to convey your point. Try not to clutter your resume with too many long words.
- Ensure you understand the correct meaning of every word you use in your resume. Check if it is industry-specific and relates to the position you are applying for.
- Combine appropriate action verbs with the proper adjectives while describing your job responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Include specifics with numbers and statistics to support the powerful adjectives in your resume.
Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description
The primary purpose of a resume is to describe who you are as a professional. Apart from this, a resume that is tailored to a particular job description will also tell an employer why you are the best fit for the job.
Tailoring your resume is all about understanding the specific requirements of a job profile and aligning your main personality traits with these requirements. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while tailoring your resume to a job position :
- Read the job description in detail and determine the relevant keywords and phrases.
- See if there is any extra emphasis on a particular word or phrase that might have been repeated multiple times.
- Connect your skills and experiences with these keywords or phrases appropriately.
- Decide on the right skills and experiences to include in your resume, depending on the job you are applying for.
- Try not to exceed one page unless you have varied interests or more than five to ten years of industry experience.
- Certain values and personality traits may seem very valuable in your workplace. Make sure you include these while describing your job responsibilities and accomplishments. Emphasize them wherever possible.
The Bottom Line
Understanding how to describe yourself in a resume is very important if you want your application to make a powerful impression in the minds of the reader. Make sure you use the right action verbs and good adjectives for the resume while highlighting your skills and achievements.
Tailor your resume to the job position you are applying for by using industry-specific or job-specific keywords and phrases. Use the above tips and strategies to highlight yourself as a strong personal brand.
Read more about effective resume and cover letter tips for a perfect job application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do you describe yourself in the resume summary section?
Ans. Ideally, you should mention your current job title and briefly write about your professional experience. Include your accomplishments if any, with numbers and statistics. Highlight your top personality traits, values, and skills. Mention what you can bring to the table if hired.
Q2. What is a good resume summary?
Ans. A good resume summary is a snapshot of your professional career that you explain in about two to four sentences. It should include your job title, years of experience, two to three of your biggest achievements in your professional life, and one or two of your top skills relevant to the role you are applying for.
Q3. How can I describe myself professionally?
Ans. You have to describe yourself perfectly in your resume if you want to show yourself in the best light. Your purpose should be not only to describe your personality but also to emphasize why you are the best fit for the job you are applying for.
Make a list of adjectives and keywords that are relevant to the job position or the industry. Select the best ones that describe you as the best person for the job.
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