How to Write a Resume Profile

Get the boss to notice your resume.

Don't waste the space on your resume telling a potential employer you want a job. That's what everyone wants. Instead, write three or four strong statements that tell an employer why he should take a few more seconds to review your resume. Yours might be the only one that catches his eye if you have a well-written profile.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Write a profile, not an objective. Fill it with key words that are appropriate for your target position. Create a list of 10 or 12 keywords ready to use in your profile. These should include your career title, some industry skills and some general skills. If you need some help with the key word list, browse through a few job board postings. The good ones will be easy to spot.

2. Write a statement about your experience that targets the position you're looking for, with one or two of your keywords added for emphasis. An example is, "Highly effective sales management professional with 12 years of experience in world-class environments."

3. Write a statement about your professional skills that are transferable to most any position within your field. You might say, "Possesses excellent analytical, time management and account management abilities." Another possibility is, "Able to review and disseminate information to diverse audiences using exceptional written and oral communication skills."

4. Complete your profile with a statement about what you can do for a potential employer that someone else might not be able to do. An accounting clerk might write, "Able to process hundreds of thousands of dollars in small sales receipts, daily, while maintaining highest levels of accuracy."

Tips & Warnings

• Review your profile several times. Ensure that you've included the most important key words and points you want a potential employer to notice first. You'll also want to make sure the statements make sense and are well structured. This profile is a reflection of you.

• Never use "I" in your profile. Instead, use an implied "I." Write about yourself in first person, not third.

• Don't overdo it. The profile should be three to four sentences, no more than five.

• Read your statements out loud. Put an "I" in front of each statement, and ask yourself if it makes sense.

• Double-check your spelling and grammar. You don't want any mistakes.