Work experience, education, skills: Check! You’ve got all the essential parts of your resume down … but what’s going to show off your quintessential you-ness?
This is where an “About Me” section can come in handy. An "About Me" section in a resume is a concise personal statement that serves as your professional introduction, highlighting your unique skills and background.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the nuts and bolts of crafting a compelling “About Me” section. We'll cover its purpose, help you decide if you really need one, and dive into what to include if you do, with real-life examples and templates.
What is an “About Me” section? And why might you need one?
An “About Me” section on a resume is a brief personal statement, usually at the top of your resume, that provides a snapshot of who you are, what your professional background is, and what you bring to the table.
Think of it as your resume’s handshake – it’s the first impression that sets the tone. In a sea of standard resumes, an effective “About Me” section can be the sparkle that catches the recruiter’s eye. It’s like saying, “Hey, not only do I have the skills and experience, but here’s my unique flavor that I bring to the table.”
Sounds a lot like a resume summary? It’s more or less the same thing, so you can think of it in whatever way makes the most sense to you. Just remember that an “About Me” section needs to follow the same rules as a professional summary — in other words, keep it brief, optimize it with keywords, include quantifiable metrics, and skip the hobbies!
This little snippet is more than just a chance to toot your own horn. It’s your elevator pitch, your personal brand, your “why you should hire me” in a nutshell.
If you're wondering whether an “About Me” section fits on your resume, upload it to the tool below. It scans your resume, offering personalized insights not only on the inclusion of an “About Me” section but also on other sections within your resume.
Do you need an “About Me” section?
Whether you should include an “About Me” section (or any other optional section) on your resume depends on a few different factors.
You should include an “About Me” section if:
- You have extensive work experience or a particularly long (2+ page) resume. If you find it tough to distill a long career into a few brief sentences, imagine how a recruiter feels skimming your resume!
- You’re changing careers, moving to a similar role in a new industry, or shifting job titles. In cases like this, an “About Me” section can provide helpful context about how your experience fits the role you’re applying for.
- The job posting asked for a specific background or qualifications and you want to highlight these upfront.
On the other hand, it’s best to skip the “About Me” section if:
- You’re a student, recent graduate, or otherwise at the beginning of your career.
- Your resume is already packed and including an extra section would push it onto a second page
- You find yourself just repeating things that are obvious from your resume itself.
Now that you know whether you need an “About Me” section, let’s discuss what needs to be in it.
What should an “About Me” section include?
Your “About Me” section should always mention your:
- Job title
- Achievements
- Metrics
- Relevant skills
- Career highlights
Here’s how to (briefly) cover each one.
Job title
This should be the title of the job you’re applying for, even if it’s not the same as your current job title. For example, even if your current job title is “Social Media Staffer” in your Experience section, you should start with something like “Experienced Marketing Manager” if that’s the job you’re applying for now.
Accomplishments
Try to pick one or two standout accomplishments to mention here. For example, “I have over 5 years of experience in digital marketing, having successfully managed campaigns that increased ROI by 30%.”
Metrics
Just because it’s called an “About Me,” section, that doesn’t mean it should be light and fluffy. Drive your accomplishments home by including specific performance metrics for key soft skills. Instead of saying, “I excel at customer service,” try something like, “Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 20% through effective client management.”
Skills
Instead of rehashing your entire Skills section, pick 2-3 hard skills that are particularly important for the job you’re applying for. For example, “Proficient in data analysis, project management, and web development.”
Highlights
Think of your “About Me” section as a kind of career highlights reel. Try coming up with a sentence that briefly summarizes your core experience so recruiters know exactly who you are at a glance. For example, “Over a decade of experience in marketing, consistently exceeding sales targets and leading successful campaigns.”
Do’s and don’ts for writing an “About Me” section
Before you dive in, here are a few guidelines you should keep in mind when writing your “About Me” section
DO: Keep it brief. No more than 2-3 sentences or 100-150 words is idea.
DO: Focus on the company’s needs instead of your own. The days of a resume objective where you explained the kind of role you’re seeking are long past. When writing your “About Me” section, consider details mentioned in the job posting and find a way to incorporate these — for example, if the company website repeatedly mentions innovation, try including something like, “Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to drive company growth.”
DON’T: Get too personal. Hobbies and interests rarely belong on a resume, and definitely not in your “About Me” section — despite the name. Likewise, don’t write it as if you’re writing to a friend; stick to an upbeat, professional tone.
DO: Strike a balance between personal and professional. Not including hobbies doesn’t mean your “About Me” section can’t have a little personality to it. Try adding a small personal touch like, “I blend my passion for technology with a strong background in project management.”
DON’T: Resort to cliches. Instead of a sentence like, “I'm a team player with excellent communication skills” — which means nothing and is likely to make the hiring manager’s eyes glaze over — be specific about what you’ve accomplished.
DO: Tailor your “About Me” section when applying for different roles or companies. Since it’s such a small but prominent section, customizing it for each application can make a big difference without being too time-consuming.
DON’T: Forget about keywords. Including keywords like the job title and specific hard skills from the job posting can make the difference between getting past ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and being relegated to the trash pile.
DO: Run your resume through a resume checker. Resume Worded’s free tools like Score My Resume and Targeted Resume can provide tailored feedback to help you optimize your “About Me” section for keywords and readability.
“About Me” templates by career level
Ready to get started? Here are some templates you can customize to write your own “About Me” resume section, no matter what stage of your career you’re at.
Entry level
Recent graduate with a [Your Degree] from [Your University]. Eager to kickstart my career and apply my strong [Key Skill] and [Another Key Skill] skills in a professional setting. Excited to contribute to a dynamic team and learn from experienced professionals.
Mid career
[Job Title] with over [X years] of experience in [Your Field], I have consistently delivered exceptional results. My expertise in [Your Industry] and [Key Skill] has led to [mention a significant achievement]. I am now seeking a new opportunity to further leverage my skills and drive [specific goals] in a [target industry/role].
Experienced professional
[Executive] with a track record of [mention relevant accomplishments], I bring over [X years] of experience in [Your Industry]. My expertise in [Key Skill], combined with a history of leading [mention team/project], uniquely positions me to make an impact in [target industry/role]. I am dedicated to [mention your professional goal or vision].
Career changer
Transitioning from [Your Previous Career] to [Your Target Career], I offer a unique blend of skills and experiences. With a background in [mention key transferable skills], I am excited to apply my talents to [target industry/role]. My commitment to [mention your commitment to the new career] drives my passion for [what you aim to achieve].
“About Me” examples by job
Want to see what an “About Me” section looks like in action? Here are some examples for different roles and industries, including changing careers. Feel free to take on (or more) of these and tweak it to make it your own!
Marketing manager
Marketing Manager with over 5 years of experience in creating and executing data-driven marketing strategies. My strong analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of SEO and SEM have consistently driven traffic and revenue growth by over 20%.
IT specialist
With a background in IT spanning 8 years, I have honed my skills in network administration, system troubleshooting, and cybersecurity. My experience includes successfully implementing robust security protocols that reduced data breaches by 40%. I thrive in fast-paced, challenging environments and am committed to maintaining the highest level of IT security.
Product manager
As a seasoned project manager, I have overseen complex initiatives from conception to completion, ensuring on-time delivery and cost efficiency. My proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and streamline processes has consistently resulted in projects being completed 15% under budget.
Data analyst (career change)
Transitioning from a background in finance to a data analyst role, I bring strong quantitative and data analysis skills. My proficiency in financial modeling and my attention to detail are valuable assets in making data-driven decisions. I am excited to apply my analytical mindset to provide insights and drive success in the field of data analysis.
