Use this templateHow to Describe Yourself on a Resume + Examples
Learn how to describe yourself on a resume by optimizing key resume sections, incorporating the right skills and verbs and knowing what words to avoid. Check out our resume examples for excellent ways to describe yourself professionally.
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How to describe yourself professionally on a resume
Every resume must include a section where you write a compelling paragraph describing yourself professionally. This resume section can be a professional summary or objective statement.
These two sections contain a brief statement showcasing your most relevant qualifications for a specific job, but they have some key differences. Let’s look at some examples of how to describe yourself in either scenario.
How to describe yourself on a resume summary
“Passionate Science Teacher with 12 years of experience teaching students in public and private schools. Strong at classroom management and creating innovative curricula for grades 8-12. Recognized by school district as educator of the year in 2017 and 2020.”
How to describe yourself on a resume objective
“Motivated communications graduate with previous experience as Marketing Intern at Mars, Inc. Skilled at market analysis and research, trade marketing and social media marketing. Eager to offer my communication skills and data analysis in a marketing research assistant position as I continue to develop professionally in a positively challenging environment.”
PRO TIP
Whether you call it a resume summary, objective statement or “About Me” section, they all serve the same purpose. If you’re still pondering ways to describe yourself on a resume, check out our 20+ resume profile examples for more ideas.
Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments
When describing yourself on a resume, use action verbs that precisely explain your achievements. Action verbs are essential when writing your resume summary, objective and work experience section.
Consider the difference between these two statements:
“Worked as an administrative assistant.”
“Assisted the vice president of sales with setting appointments, solved customer issues, managed a sales staff of 10, and ran weekly sales meetings.”
Both are true, but which one sounds better?
The second example uses action, provides details and shows a responsible, dynamic and adept candidate.
Opt for strong, active verbs in your resume and cover letter. Instead of empty words like “hard worker” or “fast learner,” pick words that show your abilities in action.
“I’m a hard worker who likes challenges and will hit the ground running” doesn’t tell the employer much, but “surpassed sales goals in four consecutive quarters” provides a specific example of a hard-working employee who achieves results.
Examples of action verbs to describe yourself on a resume
Select active words that show a hiring manager what you’ve accomplished. Here’s a list of active, descriptive words you can use:
- Achieved
- Analyzed
- Awarded
- Built
- Championed
- Collaborated
- Conceived
- Consulted
- Created
- Delivered
- Earned
- Established
- Formulated
- Generated
- Identified
- Implemented
- Improved
- Invented
- Launched
- Learned
- Leveraged
- Managed
- Mentored
- Modeled
- Monitored
- Negotiated
- Operated
- Oversaw
- Participated
- Pioneered
- Produced
- Promoted
- Raised
- Recognized
- Resolved
- Simplified
- Solved
- Spearheaded
- Trained
- Troubleshoot
- Volunteered
- Won
Incorporate skills to describe your abilities
Skills are what you know how to do and what you will bring to a new job. Always use a balanced mix of soft and hard skills to describe yourself on a resume.
Here are some resume skills you can include in various sections to describe yourself professionally:
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Cultural competence
- Customer service
- Cybersecurity
- Data analysis
- Digital literacy
- Emotional intelligence
- Financial literacy
- Foreign language proficiency
- Leadership
- Networking
- Problem-solving
- Project management
- Sales
- Marketing
- Teamwork
- Time management
Don’t water down your resume with generic terms
Steer clear of clichés and buzzwords: phrases and words that serve as filler and don’t really say anything. Depending on the industry, using these words can make you look unprofessional. These words and phrases won’t tell the employer anything about who you are and what you’ll bring to their company.
- Best of breed
- Go-getter
- Guru
- Hit the ground running
- Involved in
- Received
- Responsible for
- Rockstar
- Synergy
- Think outside the box
- Wheelhouse
PRO TIP
Although these buzzwords have a bad reputation for being ambiguous filler words, some employers use them as a part of their company culture. If you’re applying for a job that includes some of these resume keywords in the job description, add them if they resonate with who you are as a professional.
Examples of how to describe yourself on a resume
The following are examples of resume profiles or “about me” sections you can copy, paste and customize. Remember to edit them with your skills and achievements before adding them to your resume.
Experienced Software Engineer with over a decade of expertise in programming and coding. Known for tackling complex challenges and creating scalable solutions. Holds a Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional certification, showcasing a commitment to excellence. Continuously updated on technology trends to deliver high-quality code and contribute to project success.
Dedicated Registered Nurse with 10 years of experience providing compassionate, high-quality patient care. Proficient in critical thinking, patient assessment and effective communication, consistently ensuring the well-being and comfort of patients while promoting a culture of safety and excellence in health care.
Results-driven Marketing Manager with a proven track record of increasing brand visibility and revenue growth through strategic campaigns. Proficient in digital marketing, data analytics, and market research, consistently exceeding targets and KPIs. Achieved a 25% increase in online sales and a 15% boost in conversion rates through innovative marketing strategies in the past year.
Eager entry-level Elementary Teacher committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. Equipped with strong classroom management skills, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for student development. Previously achieved a 15% improvement in student test scores through tailored lesson plans during student teaching and dedicated to delivering engaging and impactful education to young learners.
Customer service representative
Motivated entry-level Customer Service Representative with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, poised to deliver exceptional client support. Proficient in problem-solving and active listening, ensuring prompt issue resolution. Recognized for achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate through effective communication and issue resolution during previous roles, and committed to maintaining high service standards while building positive customer relationships.
Energetic and personable Restaurant Hostess with a proven track record of enhancing the guest experience through exceptional hospitality. Proficient in seating management, reservation coordination, and effective communication with guests and staff. Recognized for achieving a 15% increase in positive customer feedback and consistently ensuring efficient table turnover to enhance restaurant performance.
Resume examples to kickstart your job search
Find dozens of resume examples for your desired job with pre-written sections that perfectly describe your unique skills and abilities.
Key takeaways
- You must describe yourself in a resume summary or objective statement to compel employers to hire you.
- When describing yourself on a resume, include action verbs describing your achievements. Use active verbs like “maximized,” “delivered” and “spearheaded.”
- Incorporate soft and hard skills that accurately describe your abilities, such as adaptability, critical thinking, financial literacy or strong communication.
- Avoid filler buzzwords that don’t say much, like go-getter, hard worker or rockstar — unless the employer specifically asks for that in the job ad.
- Write impressive descriptions of yourself with the help of our Resume Builder, which considers your role in creating a personalized resume.
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