Killer Resume Profile Examples That Win Attention
For an eye-catching resume profile, you must capture three to five top qualifications for your target job. These may include:
- Your years of related work
- An advanced certification in your field
- Results or achievements you’re recognized for
- Your leadership style or approach
- Rare technical skills or expertise
How To Focus Your Profile
Follow the guidelines below to figure out which points your profile should emphasize:
1. Clarify your goals
The more certain you are about the job you want, the easier it’ll be to know your key selling points. Consider and write down your target job duties and any preferences for title, industry, employer size, or work culture.
Tip: Some applicants state their job goals directly in their profile, with an objective statement such as “Seeking position as sales manager in the tech industry.” But we discourage this because an objective focuses on your needs, not the employer’s.
2. Wait to start writing
Although the profile section appears first on your resume, you may want to write it last. That’s because the process of creating your experience, education, and other resume sections can help you discover or decide your main assets as a candidate. Note these as they occur to you, and you’ll have a head start on brainstorming points for your profile.
3. Consider your strengths
Before drafting your profile, brainstorm and jot down your strengths on a separate document or sheet of paper. Based on your goals and resume so far, write out what you feel are your top skills and credentials. Then, identify anything that sets you apart from similar candidates. For instance, maybe you have an advanced degree or extensive industry experience. By focusing on points like these, you can create a profile that catches hiring managers’ attention.
Resume Profile Examples
Below are three examples of resumes with attention-getting profiles:
Yaling Zhang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Profile
Experienced software developer with a decade-long track record of leading complex software projects for Microsoft and Google. Integrates cutting-edge AI technology to enhance UX. Leads a team of 16 developers specializing in optimizing the hiring process and mentoring fresh talent. AWS and Google Cloud certified.
Key Skills
- AI and machine learning
- Cloud technologies
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Mentorship
- Programming languages: C#, JavaScript, Node.js, Python, React, and Ruby on Rails
- Project management
Professional Experience
Lead Software Developer, Microsoft, Redmond, WA | May 2020 – present
- Manage a team of 16 software developers as they design AI-driven features for Microsoft’s suite of productivity tools
- Coordinate with cross-departmental teams to ensure the seamless integration of new software
- Boosted customer satisfaction scores by 20% after implementing a series of UX improvements based on recent feedback
- Facilitate technology workshops to keep the team updated on the latest industry trends
- Saved approximately $500,000 in annual costs by migrating legacy systems to a cloud-based solution and optimizing resource allocation
Senior Software Developer, Google, Mountain View, CA |October 2013 – April 2020
- Collaborated with developers to enhance search engine accuracy and performance
- Authored over 20 technical papers and articles for Google on software development best practices
- Contributed to open-source projects related to Google’s technology stack to encourage collaborative development
- Created a suite of learning resources and reduced onboarding time for new hires by 35%
- Mentored a group of 14 junior software developers, sharing programming knowledge from years of experience
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Software Engineering, June 2020
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science, June 2010
University of California, Berkeley, CA
Certifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services, 2018
- Google Cloud Architect, Google, 2015
- Gold Certified Ruby Programmer, Ruby Association, 2013
More Tips for an Eye-Catching Profile
Get specific
Include a quantified achievement in your profile to stand out from other candidates. The simplest way to do this is by starting a sentence “Recent achievements include…” or “Work highlights include…” Choose an achievement that helps hiring managers envision the impact you’ll make at their company.
Use strong verbs
The best profile verbs evoke your having created or improved something. For instance, the three profiles above include:
- Advance
- Build
- Developing
- Enhance
- Exceed
- Integrates
- Mentoring
- Optimizing
Add a professional headline
This profile feature is optional but can help you further emphasize your main skills.
Example:
Analytical Data Scientist Experienced in Transforming Complex Data into Actionable Insights for Business Growth
FAQs on Resume Profiles and How to Make Them Stand Out
A resume profile is a brief summary at the top of your resume that highlights your most relevant qualifications, skills, and achievements. Unlike a generic objective statement, a well-crafted profile focuses on what you offer the employer rather than what you’re looking for. A strong profile can help grab the hiring manager’s attention quickly, encouraging them to read further.
Your resume profile should be 3 to 5 sentences long—concise but impactful. Avoid long paragraphs; instead, make every sentence count by focusing on your most valuable skills and accomplishments.
Both terms are often used interchangeably, but they have slight distinctions:
- Resume Profile: More focused on your skills and achievements that align with the job you’re applying for.
- Resume Summary: A general overview of your professional background, often broader in scope.
Both are effective, but a profile is often more targeted toward your next career move.
A strong resume profile typically includes:
- Your years of experience in the industry
- Key skills and specialties relevant to the job
- Notable achievements (with quantifiable results, if possible)
- Certifications or advanced expertise that set you apart
- Industry-specific keywords to help with ATS (Applicant Tracking System) optimization
Yes! While most profiles are written in paragraph format, you can use bullet points if you want to make it easier to scan. This is especially useful for technical roles or resumes with several standout skills.
Example of a bullet-style resume profile:
- 7+ years of experience in digital marketing, specializing in SEO and PPC.
- Proven track record of increasing web traffic by 200% through data-driven strategies.
- Certified Google Ads specialist with expertise in audience targeting and conversion optimization.
- Skilled in A/B testing, analytics, and growth marketing strategies.
Your resume profile should be the first section on your resume, right below your name and contact information. Since hiring managers spend only 6–7 seconds on an initial resume scan, placing your profile at the top ensures they see your strongest qualifications immediately.
Yes! A generic profile won’t be as effective as one that’s tailored to the specific job description.
To customize your resume profile:
- Review the job posting and note key skills and requirements.
- Match your skills and experiences with those listed in the job ad.
- Use industry-relevant keywords to ensure ATS optimization.
- Highlight what makes you a perfect fit for the role.
To optimize your resume profile for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS):
- Use keywords from the job description (e.g., “project management,” “data analytics,” “customer acquisition”).
- Avoid overused buzzwords that lack substance (e.g., “hardworking,” “motivated”).
- Include measurable achievements (e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in Q4”).
- Keep it concise and formatted correctly—ATS systems struggle with overly complex layouts.
Avoid these common resume profile mistakes:
- Being too vague: Saying you're a "team player" or "detail-oriented" isn't enough—back it up with examples.
- Using passive language: Instead of "was responsible for managing projects," say "Led 10+ projects from concept to completion."
- Listing irrelevant skills: Focus only on skills that match the job you're applying for.
- Overloading with buzzwords: Skip phrases like “go-getter” or “dynamic professional” unless they’re backed by achievements.
If you’re switching industries, emphasize transferable skills and relevant accomplishments rather than your previous job titles.
Example:
"Results-driven operations manager transitioning into HR, with 10+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams, streamlining processes, and improving employee engagement. Certified in workplace conflict resolution and HR compliance."
Resume Templates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.