“So tell us about yourself.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That question may send a chill down your spine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where do you even start? Do you talk only about your work experience? Your personal life? Or just freeze up and say nothing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, resumes<\/a> are usually the first glance that the employer will ever catch of you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wondering how to start a resume?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNow, let’s get started with resume intros and opening statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First Impressions Are Huge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While first impressions aren\u2019t everything, they are incredibly important. Especially when you are one lone resume in a sea of applicants. You need to shine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many scientific studies mention the importance of the first impression. According to one study<\/a>, a person forms their first impressions about someone within the first 1\/10th of a second of seeing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you submit your resume through any online platform, such as a job listing or an email, then the recruiter\u2019s first impression of you will be when they open the document. If science backs up the claim that we make snap judgments within seconds<\/a>, then we can assume that your resume introduction paragraph will be the true first impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So let\u2019s make it awesome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: How to List Education on a Resume: Complete Guide and Examples<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Intention of an Opening Statement for Resume?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To make an awesome opening statement for your resume, we first need to break down what the purpose of the introduction really is. A Resume Introduction Paragraph is a short and clear way of sharing your personal interests and experiences with the employer. It is also a great way of clarifying what qualities you are looking for in a job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about it like a first date for you and the company! (Actually, maybe don\u2019t do that\u2026 that\u2019s an HR nightmare waiting to happen.) Let\u2019s use a different example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A better example is the \u201cSkip Ads\u201d example: you are on YouTube, waiting to watch a new video. An advertisement comes up with a \u201cYou May Skip this Ad in 5 Seconds\u201d button on the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What can that company say within the first 5 seconds that will get you to watch their advertisement?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about your resume\u2019s opening statement as your personal advertisement. You are giving your potential employer a quick snippet of your product (which is you), and hopefully getting them to buy it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you understand the intention behind the resume introduction, let\u2019s get into specifics. In the next section, we\u2019ll break down the two main types of introduction paragraphs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Two Types of Introduction Paragraphs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are two main types of resume intro paragraphs: The Resume Summary Statement and the Resume Objective Statement. While both set out to accomplish the same result, they are specifically formatted based on the amount of experience you have in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Resume Summary Statement<\/strong> is best for applicants with several years of experience in their field and are planning to progress within that field.
The Resume Objective Statement<\/strong> is best for those new to the industry or anyone making a career change\/coming back from an employment gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ll go into depth on both of these options in the next two sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Resume Job History: How to List Work Experience on a Resume Right<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Resume Summary Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Resume Summary Statement is a quick way to organize and focus on many years of work experience and projects in a relevant subject area. Summary statements often include quantifiable stats about your work. Some examples of those include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Managed a remote team of over 50 people<\/li>
- Contributed to boosting positive customer reviews by over 45%<\/li>
- Prepared 300+ students for standardized testing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Remember: you are more than a number, and so is your work. Don\u2019t exclude something you\u2019re proud of just because it doesn\u2019t look \u201cimpressive\u201d enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also remember: numbers alone can\u2019t get you the job. If you can sandwich together your quantifiable stats with specific descriptors of the experiences you can\u2019t put into numbers, you are golden!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an example of that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeasoned and innovative event planner with over 6 years of experience in the Atlanta entertainment industry. Organized and executed events with an attendance of 500+ people. Maintains a strong relationship with local leaders and community members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This summary statement gives the reader both quantifiable and contextual job experiences, which humanizes the applicant and gives the reader a clearer picture of who you really are (and how skilled you are at writing<\/a>!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Hobbies and Interests on a Resume: Why and How to Include Them<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Resume Objective Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re entering the job market for the first time, coming back from a break, or switching career paths, you might feel as though you don\u2019t have relevant enough experiences to list in a Resume Summary Statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s where objective statements come in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Objective statements are better for highlighting skills rather than experience. This is a great way to showcase skills you\u2019ve learned in school or from jobs in other industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some examples of this include:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Dedicated and motivated engineering graduate seeking entry-level assistant quality control manager position with Company X<\/li>
- Looking to transition my 4 years of experience in client-facing problem solving into a more behind-the-scenes role<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When writing an objective statement, the most important thing is to be specific.<\/strong> If you don\u2019t have any quantifiable statistics about your job experience, you must be specific about where your current expertise fits in with the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s use the \u201cskip ads\u201d example again here: you may have a product that people don\u2019t think they need, but if you can garner even a smidge of that person\u2019s interest within the first 5 seconds of your ad, they might try and find ways to justify purchasing your product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you decided which type of statement is best for your experience level? Great! Now, let\u2019s dive into how to start writing your personal statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Resume Skills: How to Put Skills on a Resume the Right Way in 2021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you happen to already have an elevator pitch<\/a>, that is a great place to start!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t have an elevator pitch? Don\u2019t worry. You can check out our other blog post on \u201cHow to Create an Elevator Pitch in 5 Easy Steps<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Examine your work history. What have you previously done that could fit this position? Is there a quantifiable way to state that? If so, do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accomplishments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are some of your most impressive accomplishments? These can be both in your work life and your personal life if it makes sense to include. (Maybe don\u2019t tell them about that hot dog eating contest you won in Florida, though.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Proficient in a certain software? Include that. Great at public speaking? Include that. If something you\u2019re good at happens to fit a task you might face at this new job, include it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever you decide to include, make sure you can actually do it. And make sure you can do it on the spot if asked to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You are more than your job experience. Recruiters aren\u2019t hiring resumes, they\u2019re hiring people. Make sure your opening statement matches the vibe that you want to give off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you are an incredibly creative and outgoing person, you probably want to tell them more about your people skills than your Excel spreadsheet skills. No harm in mentioning both, just start with what you feel represents you best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: How to List Your Achievements on Your Resume (the Right Way) in 2021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You Have Everything You Need to Succeed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that you have all of the information needed on how to open a resume, it\u2019s time to do just that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you get stuck at any point or just need an extra boost of motivation before you start, remember this: you are enough.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are not just your job experience, you\u2019re a human being! Career changes, gaps in employment, and first jobs are all a part of life. You are exactly where you need to be to get the job you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Need help with the rest of your resume? We\u2019ve got you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out one of our other resume writing blog posts in our career section<\/a>. And, if you have any questions on writing a great introduction statement or opening paragraph on a resume, just leave a comment below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks for reading, and good luck on your job hunt!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: 55 Resume Tips, Hacks & Expert Advice to Help You Score a Job Interview<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"