What Is an About Me Section on a Resume?

The about me section of your resume, better known as the profile or summary of qualifications, serves as your introduction to the hiring manager. It’s a succinct yet engaging paragraph that provides a snapshot of you as an industry professional and what you can bring to potential employers. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide valuable tips and insights to help you craft an about me section that can set you apart in a crowded field of applicants.

Resume about me tips

When written correctly, an about me section should function similarly to a summary of qualifications or a resume profile. The only subtle difference is that you might employ a slightly more personalized touch to your content, especially when highlighting your values. Still, the purpose of an about section isn’t to tell your life story. It’s meant to engage the hiring manager quickly, illustrating why your background makes you an ideal fit for the company’s needs. For instance, let’s review the examples below.

About Me Section Example #1

A community outreach coordinator with seven years of experience leading large nonprofit initiatives to provide essential resources and services to disenfranchised populations. A passion and commitment to improving the quality of life for underprivileged communities and raising awareness of socioeconomic disparities.

Why This About Me Section Is Strong:

This about me section is effective because it provides insights into the candidate’s personal values while also capturing their expertise in community outreach. The paragraph highlights the applicant’s commitment to social justice in a way that is firmly grounded in their professional experience.

About Me Section Example #2

A marketing coordinator with three years of experience and a passion for the gaming industry. Eager to pursue a marketing position at your company that allows me to pursue my interests and grow within an industry I’m truly invested in.

Why This About Me Section Is Weak: 

In this example, the candidate is targeting a marketing role with a game developer. They begin by emphasizing their passion for the gaming industry, which could appeal to companies within this space. The paragraph spends too much time highlighting the applicant’s interests and long-term career aspirations. It doesn’t mention their marketing background or how their unique talents could benefit potential employers.

How To Create an About Me for Your Resume

Leading with a strong introduction at the top of your resume is highly recommended for all job seekers, no matter your level of experience. In today’s job market, hiring managers often have limited bandwidth to review every resume they receive. Including a personalized summary allows you to immediately make a lasting impression on the reader, which can greatly increase your chances of landing the interview. Whether you label this as an about me section, profile, or summary of qualifications is more of a stylistic choice, as they all fulfill the same objective.

Highlight your unique value

When crafting your about me section, focus on conveying the unique value you can bring to your target company. How does your background align with the company’s needs? How can your industry knowledge help support the organization’s mission and long-term goals? Answering these questions will give you all the insights you need to write a compelling introduction that can stand out from the competition.

Align your about me section with the company’s culture

In addition to highlighting the value you can offer potential employers, you could also touch on how your values align with the company’s culture. That said, it’s important to approach this topic carefully to create a paragraph that feels authentic, not pandering. For instance, let’s analyze the example below.

Personal Statement for a Resume Example

A senior executive with 12 years of experience within the construction industry, specializing in business development, strategic planning, and change management. A proven track record of leading complex initiatives to transform organizations and drive the adoption of clean energy solutions. A passion for supporting environmentally safe and sustainable energy alternatives.

Why This Personal Statement Is Strong:   

This example is written by an executive applying for a senior-level role at a construction company committed to green energy alternatives. This paragraph shows that the candidate supports this mission but in a genuine way. The introduction also provides insights into how their background makes them uniquely suited for the role, both in terms of their personal values and industry qualifications.

How To Write an About Me Section for Your Resume

The key to writing an impactful about me section is to emphasize defining aspects of your professional background that make you distinct as a candidate. Whether you highlight personal values or feature a major project from your previous jobs, the goal is to show hiring managers that you’re uniquely qualified and talented. Avoid cliche terms such as “problem-solving,” “detail-oriented,” or “hard-working,” as these phrases don’t provide any substantial insights into who you are as an industry professional.

Examples of About Me Sections for Different Roles

Entry-level about me example

A recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering and a passion for innovation. A proven track record of designing intuitive software applications to solve real-world issues. Developed a mobile app in Python to support users diagnosed with ADHD in monitoring phone use and achieving productivity goals.

Professional about me example

A marketing manager with seven years of professional experience specializing in digital advertising, strategic planning, and brand messaging. A dynamic background in developing and executing impactful digital marketing campaigns for health and wellness products with rigorous clinical testing in improving long-term heart health.

Career changer about me example

A registered nurse with 11 years of experience delivering empathetic, patient-centered care in fast-paced hospital environments. A strong background in educating nursing teams and collaborating with hospital administrations to implement cutting-edge clinical approaches. Aspiring to transition from a direct care role to an administrative leadership position.

Creative about me for resume example

A senior 3D animator with over eight years of experience within the entertainment industry. A dynamic background producing visually stunning and emotionally impactful animations for major film and gaming studios. A relentless drive to push the boundaries of 3D animation to bring dynamic characters to life.

Technical professional about me example

A user experience (UX) designer with seven years of experience, specializing in wireframing, usability analysis, and behavioral studies. A passion and commitment to developing holistic designs that maximize accessibility for users diagnosed with disabilities. A strong history of translating user insights and feedback into dynamic product features.

Resume example

Here’s a resume example with a good about me section:

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  • Resume Example with a Strong “About Me” Section
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John Smith

[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | City, ST | LinkedIn | Portfolio

About Me

Dynamic and results-driven marketing manager with seven years of experience specializing in digital advertising, strategic planning, and brand messaging. Passionate about developing and executing impactful marketing campaigns that drive engagement and brand awareness. A strong background in leading cross-functional teams, optimizing SEO strategies, and managing paid advertising efforts to increase ROI and customer retention. Committed to delivering data-driven marketing solutions that align with business objectives and customer needs.

Professional Experience

Marketing Manager

XYZ Digital Agency | City, ST | January 2021 – Present

  • Led a cross-functional marketing team to execute multi-channel campaigns that increased brand engagement by 40%.
  • Developed SEO-driven content strategies that improved website traffic by 55% within 12 months.
  • Managed paid social media and Google Ads campaigns, optimizing ad spend to achieve a 30% increase in conversion rates.
  • Conducted market research and consumer analysis to refine targeting strategies and enhance customer engagement.
  • Implemented email marketing automation, boosting customer retention by 25%.
Senior Digital Marketing Specialist

ABC Media Group | City, ST | June 2018 – December 2020

  • Designed and launched data-driven content marketing strategies, leading to a 35% growth in organic traffic.
  • Managed a $500K digital advertising budget, improving campaign efficiency and reducing cost-per-lead by 20%.
  • Created and executed social media content calendars, resulting in a 25% increase in social engagement.
  • Developed A/B testing strategies to improve landing page conversions by 18%.
Marketing Coordinator

Tech Solutions Inc. | City, ST | May 2016 – May 2018

  • Assisted in SEO strategy development, leading to a 15% increase in search engine rankings.
  • Coordinated marketing events and partnerships that expanded brand reach to 10K+ new leads.
  • Managed social media content and engagement, increasing followers by 20% within a year.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of City, ST | Graduated May 2016

Skills & Technical Proficiencies

  • Digital Marketing Strategy
  • SEO & Content Marketing
  • Social Media Management
  • Google Ads & PPC Campaigns
  • Email Marketing & Automation
  • Market Research & Data Analytics
  • Brand Messaging & Storytelling
  • Adobe Photoshop & Canva

Certifications & Professional Associations

  • Google Analytics Certified – 2023
  • HubSpot Content Marketing Certification – 2022
  • Member, American Marketing Association (AMA)
  • Guest Speaker at Digital Marketing Conferences – Topics: SEO Trends, Social Media Engagement

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About a Resume About Me Section

Should I include an about me section instead of a profile?

Although profiles and about me sections share the same functionality, we typically recommend labeling your opening paragraph as a profile or summary of qualifications in most situations. These section titles are more formal, making them the safer choice. But if you’re pursuing a different type of role, such as a position at a startup, an about me section might be the better choice due to the more personal tone.

Should I use artificial intelligence to write my about me section?

If you’re staring at a blank page without any inspiration, using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can be a great way to get yourself started. That said, relying on ChatGPT to write your entire about me section ultimately limits the value it can provide to your application. Without adding a personal touch to the paragraph, you’ll likely be left with a generic, uninspiring summary that doesn’t differentiate you from the competition.

Should I include a personal bio for a resume?

While having a strong opening summary is a great addition to your resume, creating a personal biography isn’t the right approach during the job search. The goal is to give hiring managers a compelling glimpse into who you are in a succinct, engaging paragraph. Providing excess information can overwhelm the reader, rather than elevate your most defining professional characteristics.

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.

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