So, who are you? It might sound like a silly question, but an employer needs to understand who you are, and they need to figure it out fast.
If an employer has to read four pages of detail in your resume to figure out who you are and work out if you could do the job, it's pretty likely that they won't bother and you'll end up in the rejection pile.
To ensure you get an interview you need a fabulous professional profile at the top of your resume.
A professional profile is a statement that captures who you are and what skills and experience you can bring to a job, succinctly describing your background and unique selling points! Here's how to write one:
1. Brainstorm key strengths and unique selling points
It's good to start this process with a brainstorming session! You need to workshop what your your top 3 strengths, skills or selling points are, in relation to what you bring to an organisation or job:
First, brainstorm by yourself, making sure you come up with at least three unique selling points that showcase your range of skills and talents.
Second, talk to a trusted work friend/colleague and ask them what they think your strengths are. (Or email a few colleagues and ask them.)
2. Work out what to call yourself
Note down all the different ways you could describe yourself. Are you a teaching and learning professional? An experienced project officer? A marketing manager? A financial accountant?
Decide what you are going to call yourself on your resume. You could have multiple job titles. For example, an Administrator and Project Manager; a Program Manager and Policy Advisor; a Leader and Stakeholder Manager.
3. Work out your specialisation/s and sector/s
You'll need to add to whatever you decide to call yourself (step 2) with some detail on your specialisation and/or sector.
For example, have you always worked in the public sector? Or in Higher Education with a focus on governance? Or in small business and start-ups?
4. Bring it all together!
This is a simple structure you can use to write your professional profile. However, you can be as creative as you like! You want to show your personality and describe how your skills can help their organisation.
1st sentence:
An [experienced - change adjective to suit you - innovative? creative? organised? passionate? senior?] [job title and job title] [specialising in area (optional)], with experience in [X sector/type] or [organisation/field].
2nd-4th sentences:
Take each of your three key skills or unique selling points from your brainstorming session (step 1 above) and craft them into 2-3 sentences.
Example: An excellent [key skill#1] with a proven ability to achieve [something] to ensure [result]. Skilled in [skill#2] and [skill#3], enabling stakeholders/customers/clients to achieve [outcome].
Example:
A highly organised, customer-service focused administration professional with extensive experience across a diverse range of industries including X and X. Enjoys the challenge of solving stakeholder issues within tight deadlines in complex, fast-paced working environments. An excellent communicator with proven success in building rapport with all stakeholders, using empathy and listening to understand needs and provide innovative solutions.