By Marcia Powers
Contributor, Career Services
You’re ready to apply for a job. You possess all of the required skills and qualifications, and you’re sure that you are the best candidate for the position. You’ve polished up your resume, but you’re still a bit hesitant to submit it. What if the employer scans over some of your qualifications? If only there was a way to immediately highlight who you are as a professional and why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Fortunately, there is, and it’s called a profile statement.
The profile statement is typically placed below your name and contact information, and is preferably organized beneath a separate “Profile” section header. Within two-five sentences, your profile statement should introduce your most relevant skills, accomplishments, and qualifications. Because of its strategic location, your profile statement will probably be the first piece of information the employer reads (after your name, of course).
Although there are no cut-and-dry rules about how to write them, you might find some of the following suggestions to be helpful when getting started on your profile statement.
Briefly sum up your professional identity.
There are places to elaborate upon your professional identity (your cover letter, for example), but your profile statement is not one of them. When summing up your professional identity, you might address how many years of experience you have in your field, your areas of expertise, or other noteworthy accomplishments, all of which may be addressed in one or two sentences.
Identify your skills and qualifications most relevant to the job.
Review the job description and if you possess the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking, highlight these in your profile statement. Just make sure that you are able to back up these skills elsewhere in your resume with evidence or examples.
Demonstrate your best writing and communication skills.
Make sure that your profile statement is direct, concise, and free from spelling and grammatical errors.
Ask a trusted friend, family member, or career coach to proofread and offer suggestions.
Though you don’t have to add a profile statement to your resume, it’s a great opportunity to make shining first impression and ensure your qualifications don’t get buried or overlooked.
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