Parts of a Resume/CV/Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Profile

The profile is typically a short statement (3 - 4 sentences long) which encourages a potential employer or representative of a school/scholarship board to read further through the writer's resume, CV or personal statement. This section is optional in a resume or CV, but is typical of a cover letter or personal statement. This section should include:

• professional skills transferable to any position in the applicant's field
  
• (or) special circumstances (such as academic achievement or disadvantages) which relate to the potential student
  
• key words or phrases that highlight related skills
  
• key achievements or skills that demonstrate abilities beyond other applicants
• potentially goals the applicant would like to achieve in future employment
• (or) academic goals the potential student would like to achieve
  

In a cover letter, the profile typically follows the objective section. The profile will follow the contact information on the resume or CV, and will be the first thing the potential employer sees. Since these documents are rarely looked at for more than 10 - 30 seconds, this section may be all the employer uses when determining if an interview should be scheduled. In a personal statement, the profile will follow any story used to draw interest in the potential student. Writers should use this section to really sell themselves, anticipating it may be their last chance to do so.

The following video by Glen Hughs, Director of cvsthatwork.com, offers some additional thoughts on the importance of a profile: