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How to Describe Yourself on a Resume (With Examples)

8 min read · Updated on January 23, 2024

It doesn't have to feel like nails on a chalkboard when trying to describe yourself on a resume!

How you describe yourself on your resume directly impacts whether you land that interview you so eagerly want. It's essential to describe your qualifications and experience in such a way as to grab the employer's attention without hesitation. 

How do you do that, exactly? By incorporating self-descriptive words on your resume that stand out to hiring teams and showcase that you're the best fit for the job. 

In this post, we start off with tips for developing self-descriptive words for your resume, followed by examples of descriptive words to use and avoid. 

Tips for developing self-descriptive words for your resume

It's not uncommon for individuals to struggle with talking about their accomplishments and strengths. We tend to share about another's skills and abilities easily, but when it comes to describing ourselves, we fall short. Fortunately, below are some steps you can take to boost your creative juices and find the words for your resume to help you stand out from the competition. 

Ask friends and peers for help

One way to come up with ways to describe yourself is to ask your peers, friends, and managers for input. For a comprehensive perspective, ask for feedback from those in your personal and professional lives. Here are some questions you can ask to receive the information you need:

What are three adjectives you would use to describe me?

How would you describe me to a coworker or friend?

If you could sum up my personality in one word, what would it be, and why?

Consider past performance reviews

Another way to develop self-descriptive words for a resume is to reflect on past performance reviews. What did supervisors have to say about you? What about coworkers who provided input? What were some of the strengths and achievements emphasized?

Make a list of your past accomplishments and strengths

Brainstorm to come up with a list of all your strengths, so you can more easily refer to them when describing yourself on a resume. Do this by first listing some of your key achievements and considering what strengths allowed you to achieve them. 

For example, suppose you implemented a new customer service rating system two weeks ahead of schedule, which led to a 10% increase in customer feedback. In that case, you might describe yourself as efficient and productive. 

Refer to the job description

If you're struggling to come up with the best self-descriptive words for your resume, refer to the job description. Highlight any skills, knowledge, and requirements you possess that align with the job. By incorporating these keywords into your resume, you're not only emphasizing that you meet the job qualifications but are also improving your resume's chances of getting past an employer's  applicant tracking system , or ATS.

Think positive

It's good to be humble and clear on your strengths and weaknesses. However, when it comes to self-descriptive words for a resume, you want to focus on the positives only - your strengths. 

Save sharing your weaknesses for the interview, when you'll likely be asked about them. During an interview, you can - and should - give your weaknesses a positive spin with context, which is challenging to do on a resume.

As you develop your list of strengths and how you'd describe yourself, work to develop some unique adjectives to use that are specific to your qualifications. Refer to the list of strengths you've developed, and look up synonyms for those words that could help you to stand out from other applicants. 

For example, instead of incorporating the commonly used term “creative,” you might use words like inventive or prolific. A word of caution is to avoid words that come across as boastful or exaggerating your qualifications.    

Review example resumes

An excellent resource to refer to when you're attempting to craft your own resume is to look at  resume examples  online. The resume examples you review don't need to be specific to your field, since self-descriptive adjectives and descriptive verbs aren't industry-specific, as shown in the examples below. This approach not only helps to generate ideas for self-descriptive words for your resume but also provides guidance on  how to write your resume  as a whole.

Self-descriptive words for a resume - examples

When it comes to self-descriptive words for a resume, technically, we're referring to adjectives, since adjectives describe a noun. However, two additional categories of words are essential to fully describe your abilities and work history: descriptive verbs and skills.  

Powerful adjectives for a resume

Here are only a few of the many adjectives you could use on your resume, with examples of how you might include them in a sentence. 

Adaptable:  Adaptable professional with ability to move from project to project within different departments. 

Compassionate:  Compassionate caretaker with 10 years of experience, working with hospices and providing end-of-life services. 

Knowledgeable:  Knowledgeable mechanic with 3 excellence awards for superb service and quality, earned in less than 6 months. 

Perceptive:  Perceptive speaker with ability to navigate an audience to know where to direct attention to garner the best outcome. 

Tech-savvy:   Tech-savvy Visual Artist with ability to bring together ideas and people to produce valuable and thought-provoking content, including images, videos, and graphics. 

Top tip: For an extensive list of 100 power adjectives, refer to “ 100 Powerful Resume Adjectives that Can Make Your Resume More Compelling .” 

Descriptive verbs for a resume

Action verbs  are vital in really making your work section stand out. Each bullet point you include for the jobs you list should begin with a power verb that emphasizes your role in the activity or achievement. Power verbs are also used in the resume summary to highlight accomplishments. 

Skills for a resume

Skills on your resume  should include a combination of soft and hard skills. In many instances, hard skills are spelled out and soft skills are inferred based on our past achievements. 

Unusual words to describe yourself on a resume

As mentioned, be creative and specific when selecting self-descriptive words for your resume, to help set you apart. A great way to do this is to use a thesaurus to gather synonyms for the list of self-descriptive adjectives you come up with. Some interesting choices that aren't used as often yet can still sound good on a resume include:

Inventive 

Self-descriptive words for a resume: what NOT to use

Yes, there are some words to leave off your list of self-descriptive words for your  resume. These words tend to be overused, generic, highly subjective, or boastful. Here are a few examples:

You might think you're likable, but likability is in the eye of the beholder. Instead of using likable, consider adjectives that refer to being likable, yet add value, such as team player, compassionate, and energetic. 

Intelligent 

Don't flat-out state you're intelligent, at risk of coming across as overly confident. Also, it should be inferred that you're intelligent by the other adjectives and proof you provide to back them up on your resume. Words like big-picture thinker, agile, and quick learner are better word choices.

Saying you're successful is very broad. Instead, you want to narrow your successes to specific skills and strengths with qualifiers and quantifiable data. 

Here are a few more self-promotional adjectives to leave off your resume. 

Got-to-person

Outside the box thinker

Instead of using these types of adjectives, come up with alternatives where you can show results linked to them. A good place to begin is by asking yourself, "What have I achieved that shows I'm a go-getter, the best, and so on?"

Where to incorporate self-descriptive words on a resume

Now that you've seen some examples of self-descriptive words, where do they belong on your resume? There are three main areas to place them:

Resume summary. Your  resume summary  falls just below your contact information and is the main area where you'll incorporate self-descriptive adjectives, with a few skills and power verbs. 

Competencies and skills list. Your  core competencies or skills list  should include the soft and hard skills required for the job, based on the job description. 

Work experience section. The  work experience section  is where you'll include the power verbs that describe what you did on the job, as well as some of the skills that supported you in doing so. You might also include some adjectives in this section, though generally, the adjectives are inferred. For example:

“Motivated team of 10 to implement an enhanced customer booking log project on time, resulting in an 8% increase in positive customer experience ratings”

From this achievement, one can infer that the person is motivational, a leader, and efficient. 

Apply a variety of self-descriptive words on your resume

Now you have some tips to help you discover the best self-descriptive words for your resume, with examples. You also know where to include them. As a final tip, when you incorporate your descriptive words, be sure to use a variety of adjectives and power verbs so your resume doesn't sound redundant. Good luck! 

If you're wondering if you're using the right self-descriptive words throughout your resume, why not submit it for a  free resume review ? Our  TopResume team of experts  will help to ensure your resume describes you in a way that lands you interview after interview!

Recommended reading:

How to List Certifications on a Resume with Examples

What Are the Best Fonts for a Resume

How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume (with Examples)

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See how your resume stacks up.

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About Me in Resume for Fresher (31 Strong Examples)

Writing a strong About Me in Resume for Fresher is a make or break section for powerful first impression on the interviewers and them getting an interview call ! Get a headstart for yourself with these 31 carefully crafted examples.

Have you ever been to a party or networking event and been asked, “So what do you do?” You launch into your elevator pitch, but you can see that the person you’re talking to is not even paying attention. They’re looking around the room, thinking of something else they need to be doing. Don’t worry – you’re not alone. 

Many people find it difficult to talk about themselves in an interesting and relevant way. But your resume needs to do just that – show potential employers what makes you unique and why they should hire you . 

So how can you make sure your resume stands out from the rest ? One way is to add a smartly crafted “About Me” section. This will allow potential employers to learn more about who you are, beyond your job titles and work experience. 

Plus, it can help make up for any lack of experience you may have. In this post, we will give you tips on how to write an effective one and provide 30+ samples of About Me for freshers. Let’s get started!

How to Write About Me in Resume for Fresher?

As a fresher, your “about me” section in your resume should briefly summarize your skills and qualifications while quickly differentiating yourself from other applicants. It should be crisp and no more than 2 sentences long.

3 Factors to consider when writing About Me in Resume for Fresher

1. crisp introduction.

When writing about yourself in a resume, it is important to strike the right balance between conveying your professional achievements and sounding arrogant.

One way to do this is to start by mentioning your professional title and then providing a brief overview of your background information.

Start with a strong statement that highlights your best qualifications. For example, “An experienced software engineer with over 10 years of experience working in the technology industry.”

By doing this, you will give employers a sense of your professional experience without coming across as boastful. Additionally, be sure to avoid using first-person pronouns such as “I” or “me” throughout the rest of your resume. Instead, focus on using language that highlights your skills and accomplishments. 

2. List your Relevant key Skills and Accomplishments

Including a “Skills and Achievements” section in your “About me” is a great way to show off your most relevant skills that employers will like . Ensure that you highlight your major accomplishments too. You can find 80+ examples of the kind of achievements the people often showcase in their resumes here .

When listing your skills, be sure to include both hard and soft skills and any relevant certification or training you have. Briefly mention one or two of your most relevant accomplishments for each skill. You can also check out 22 transferable skills that often compound your career growth !

For example, if you are a certified accountant, you might mention your experience preparing tax returns or auditing financial statements in your internship. If you are a fresher software developer, you might mention your contributions to an open source project or a website development in your free time. By highlighting your key skills and accomplishments, you can give potential employers a better sense of your capabilities and expertise.

For example, “Certified software engineer with experience developing Java and Python web applications. Track record of delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of my clients.”

3. Mention Your Long Term Goals

Start by mentioning your long-term career goals . Use concrete examples to illustrate your successes, and highlight any awards or recognition you’ve received. Tell hiring managers how your desired job is part of your present and long-term career strategy in this section. Talk about your goals and why you’re enthusiastic about interviewing for the position. 

[ For a deep dive on this, Read – About Me in Resume – How to write it Smartly ]

31 strong examples of about me in resume for fresher.

We have crafted these 31 examples considering various career paths that freshers choose.

You may not be interested in reading “About Me” in resume examples for any profession apart from the one you have chosen. But it will boost your imagination if you take time to go over all the examples below.

1. About Me in Resume for Fresher Customer Service Executive

Customer service executive with experience working in a fast-paced environment. Holds a proven track record of providing excellent customer service and resolving customer issues. A motivated self-starter who is able to work independently and as part of a team and proficient in using computer software programs, such as Microsoft Office and Salesforce. 

2. About Me in Resume for Fresher Accountant

Aspiring Accountant who graduated from the University of XYZ. Worked as an intern in a CA firm for 6 months. My key skills are accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial analysis. Eager to contribute my skills to a reputed organization. 

3. About Me in Resume for Fresher or College student

A Recent college graduate seeking an entry-level position in the field of accounting. Possesses a strong academic record, having graduated with honors, eager to put my skills to work in a professional setting. Gained valuable experience through internships and volunteer work.

4. About Me in Resume for Fresher Data Analyst

A diligent Data Analyst certified with a Diploma in Data Analytics from ABC University. Seeking an opportunity to establish a career as a Data Analyst exhibiting a strong willingness to become proficient in Analytical tools, Statistics, and Computing Methodologies in the professional environment. Eager to contribute meaningfully to the success of the team. 

[ Learn to make your resume attractive with – 40+ Strengths in Resume for Freshers ]

5. about me in resume for fresher marketing executive.

A highly skilled, competent, and diligent Marketing executive seeking an opportunity to establish a career. Have experience in Marketing and have the ability to develop and execute marketing plans that will generate results. A strategic thinker with a track record of success in developing and implementing marketing initiatives that have increased brand awareness and generated leads. 

6. About Me in Resume for Freshers in Social Media Marketing

A motivated Social Media enthusiast graduating from the Management program at XYZ university seeking a position in Social Media Management. Gained experience in content creation, strategy development, and community engagement through coursework and previous internships. 

7. About Me in Resume for Fresher Teacher

A recent graduate of the Teacher Education program at XYZ University passionate about education. Patient and adaptable with a proven ability to establish rapport with students from diverse backgrounds. Experience working with children of all ages, from young learners to high school students. 

8. About Me in Resume for Fresher Content Writer

A dedicated and reliable individual seeking an entry-level position as a Content Writer. Gained valuable experience writing compelling copy for a variety of clients through freelance. With strong research and editing skills, eager to put my skills to use in a new setting and contribute to the success of the organization. 

[ Craft Impactful Resume Summary with – Resume Summaries – 101 Smart Examples of Professional Summary in a Resume ]

9. about me in resume for fresher in sales.

A recent graduate seeking an opportunity to be a Sales Executive. Highly passionate about helping businesses strengthen Customer Relationships by identifying prospects and having the skill to present a product or service to clients professionally. Open to working with B2B as well as B2C businesses. 

10. About Me in Resume for Entry-Level Market Research Analyst

Entry-Level Market Research Analyst with proven problem-solving and analytical skills with an Honors Degree in Economics seeking a Market Research Analyst position. A quick learner with the skills and training needed to be a successful Entry-Level Market Research Analyst and able to work independently.

11. About Me in Resume for Fresher Software Engineer 

A talented Software Engineer aspiring to gain a full-time position in a reputed company. Gained extensive experience in software development, testing, and deployment through internships. A highly motivated and hardworking individual skilled in Java, SQL, and Python. Seeking a position to utilize the gained skills and experience to positively contribute to the company.

12. About Me in Resume for Freshers in Architecture

A creative individual passionate about architecture and excited to begin my career in design. Possess a strong interest in sustainable design and am committed to creating both environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing buildings. Responsible for helping to design and oversee the construction of a new office building as an intern. Eager to utilize the skills and knowledge gained through experience to help create beautiful and functional buildings that will stand the test of time.

13. About Me in Resume for Fresher Journalist

An aspiring journalist looking for an opportunity to learn and grow in the field. A keen eye for detail and a passion for news can be an asset to any newsroom. A hard worker with a go-getter attitude eager to put the skills to use in a real-world setting. Looking forward tirelessly to producing quality journalism that informs and engages the public.

[ Show your clarity and relevance with – Resume Objective for Fresher – How to Write it Impactfully ]

 14. about me in resume for fresher cashier.

Aspiring cashier with 9 months of customer service experience. Proactive, have an excellent memory and work well under pressure with full computer literacy. Have always strived to provide the best possible shopping experience for customers and have been commended for the ability to upsell. Would welcome the opportunity to put the skills gained to use in a new setting. 

15. About Me in Resume for Fresher Lawyer

A highly motivated law graduate who is innovative and always keen to develop creative case strategies with a strong interest in writing effective briefs, Confident in the ability to excel in this role and contribute to the organization’s success. Eager to put the skills to use in a role that offers challenges and opportunities for personal development. 

16. About Me in Resume for Freshers in Digital Marketing

As an aspiring digital marketing executive looking to gain experience in the industry and contribute to the success of the organization. Recently completed a course in digital marketing and am eager to put the knowledge learned into practice. A quick learner with a keen eye for detail is also very organized. Confidence in the ability to become an asset to any organization and contribute to the company’s online success. 

17. About Me in Resume for Freshers Mechanical Engineering  

A recent graduate of ABC University aspiring to be a Mechanical engineer. Have experience working in the automotive industry as an intern and looking for an entry-level position in a company to continue to develop my skills. A hard worker with strong attention to detail, having experience working with computer-aided design (CAD) software and industry-standard engineering practices.

18. About Me in Resume for Fresher Graphic Designer

Aspiring Graphic Designer with an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design and 1+ year of freelance experience. Proven ability to develop creative solutions to complex design problems. Strong understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, and print production. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. Recognized for excellent time management skills and the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines.

19. About Me in Resume for Fresher Web Designer

A highly creative Web Designer with an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design and one year of experience working as a Junior Designer. Proven skills in HTML, CSS, and Adobe Creative Suite. Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with a team. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. seeking an entry-level position in web design.

20 . About Me in Resume for Fresher Advertising Copywriter

Highly motivated Advertising Copywriter looking for a challenging role in a fast-paced environment. Proven track record of developing creative and effective advertising campaigns. Strong writing, editing, and communication skills. Able to work independently and as part of a team. Experienced in handling multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines. Seeking an opportunity to use my skills and knowledge to contribute to the company’s success.

21. About Me in Resume for Fresher in Project management

A problem-solving Management graduate with a strong interest in process improvement and change management. An effective communicator who can build good working relationships with colleagues and clients. Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently. Looking forward to contributing to the company’s success as a Project Manager.

22. About Me in Resume for Fresher Registered Nurse

Passionate Registered Nurse recently graduated from the nursing degree program at XYZ University. Committed to providing high-quality patient care and promoting excellence in nursing. Demonstrated leadership abilities and a strong commitment to professional development. Passionate about working with diverse populations and committed to making a difference in the lives of others. 

23. About Me in Resume for Fresher Personal Chef

Freshly graduated with an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a year of personal chef experience. Looking for an entry-level position at a restaurant. A hard worker passionate about food and cooking, eager to learn new skills in the culinary world. Experienced in menu planning and budgeting with excellent customer service skills.

24. About Me in Resume for Fresher Interior Designer 

Aspiring Interior designer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces. Currently completing my studies at the XYZ Design School and am eager to put my skills and knowledge to work in a professional setting. Have a strong interest in learning about different cultures and styles of design. 

25. About Me in Resume for Fresher in Banking

A highly motivated finance enthusiast looking for an entry-level position in a progressive financial organization with the opportunity to develop my skills in a challenging and fast-paced environment. A diligent individual who can work well under pressure and meet deadlines. Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, which would be beneficial in a role within a bank.

26. About Me in Resume for Fresher Account Manager

John Doe is an experienced account manager who has worked for ABC Corporation for the past 6 months as an intern. In his current role, he manages a portfolio of accounts and ensures that clients are satisfied with the company’s products and services. He has a proven track record of success in this field and is always looking for new opportunities to grow his career. Doe is a motivated self-starter who can take the initiative and work independently. 

27. About Me in Resume for Fresher Artist

Aspiring artist with a unique talent for creating one-of-a-kind paintings and sketches. Seeking to use her abilities to help others express themselves and communicate their ideas. Her artwork has been featured in several group exhibitions and has won numerous awards for her work. Passionate about art and its ability to bring people together. 

28. About Me in Resume for Fresher Financial Advisor

Aspiring Financial adviser pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance to become a financial advisor with a keen interest in researching various financial products and services. Skilled in analyzing data and information to identify trends and recommend solutions. Collaborative team player who can work independently when needed. Completed internships with major banks in New York City. 

29. About Me in Resume for Fresher Photographer

A passionate photographer with a year of freelance experience. Experience in portrait, product, event, and landscape photography. Strong editing skills with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Ability to manage social media accounts for a photography business. Able to take direction well and work independently. 

30. About Me in Resume for Fresher Receptionist

Aspiring Receptionist and a recent graduate with excellent organization, customer service, and communication skills. Possesses a strong ability to multitask and stay calm under pressure. Proven track record of providing exceptional administrative support in a fast-paced environment. Eager to leverage abilities to contribute to the success of XYZ company.

31. About Me in Resume for Fresher Dentist

Aspiring Dentist and a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Dental Science from XYZ University. Have experience working with patients of all ages, providing preventative care, diagnosis, and treating oral diseases through clinical experience. Passionate about oral health and enjoy working with patients to help them achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums. 

32. About Me in Resume for Fresher VFX Artist

A fresh VFX artist with a degree in Computer Graphics and Animation. I specialize in realistic visual effects using software like Maya, Nuke, and After Effects. My personal projects have honed my skills in 3D modeling, texturing, and compositing. I led the entire VFX pipeline for a short film, creating complex particle simulations and compositing. I’m passionate about VFX and eager to work on feature films and TV shows, creating captivating visual effects. Driven by challenges and the learning in them!

[ Power up your resume with : How to Smartly write Achievements in Resume ]

The bottom line.

A resume is a marketing document that sells you as the best candidate for the job. It is your opportunity to show off your skills, experience, and accomplishments clearly and concisely. 

The “about me” section of your resume should be tailored to the specific role you are applying for and highlight the qualities that make you the perfect fit. Take some time to reflect on your experiences and think about what makes you unique. 

When writing your resume, be sure to focus on your strengths and put your best foot forward. Are you ready to create an amazing resume? Check out other blogs to polish your resume!

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Resumes are still the most important document in your job search . Generating a professional and interesting resume isn’t easy, but there is a standard set of guidelines that you can follow. As hiring managers usually only spend a short time looking over each resume, you want to make sure that yours has a reason for them to keep reading.

If you’re looking to write a resume, rewrite a resume you already have, or are just curious about resume format, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will go through the steps to writing an excellent resume, as well as offering examples for what sections of the resume should look like.

Key Takeaways:

A resume is a short document that details your professional history in a way that tailors your experience and skill set for the particular job you’re applying for.

Resumes follow a few standard formatting practices, which hiring managers and recruiters expect to see.

Highlighting your work experience, skills, and educational background with relevant keywords can help you get past applicant tracking systems and into more interviews.

How to write a resume

Writing a resume involves using the proper formatting, writing an introduction, and adding your work experience and education. Stuffing your entire professional life into a single page resume can feel overwhelming, but remember that you’re distilling the relevant parts of your professional experience in order to catch the eye of the recruiter .

Formatting your resume. To start, use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google docs. Standard resume formatting calls for:

1 inch margins

10-12 point font

A professional, commonly-used font

Additionally, there are three resume formats that are commonly used. Most people should stick with a chronological resume format , but the combination resume format and functional resume format can be effective for more advanced workers or those who have significant gaps in their resume.

Write a resume header . It doesn’t matter if you have the best resume in the world if the hiring manager can’t contact you. Every single resume should include the following contact information:

Your full name. First and last.

Your phone number. Use a personal phone number, and make sure your voicemail is set up properly.

Your email address. Nothing inappropriate — [email protected] is a safe choice.

Location. City, State, Zip Code is fine, but you can include your full mailing address if you think it’s appropriate.

Your social media (optional). LinkedIn is the obvious one you’d want to include, but make sure your profile looks good. If you have an online portfolio , either on a personal blog/website or on a site like Journo Portfolio , feel free to include that here as well.

Your job title. Also optional, but can be useful for applicant tracking systems.

Resume introduction. You have four options for your resume introduction: a resume objective, summary statement, resume profile, or qualifications summary. For most job-seekers, a resume summary statement is the best choice. Regardless of which resume introduction you choose, avoid first-person pronouns (I/me/my).

Resume objective. A resume objective is the goal of your resume. Since the objective of every resume is to land a job, this is not the most original or impressive opener you can have.

On the other hand, it’s a good choice for an entry-level applicant or someone who is changing career paths . This should be a 1-3 sentence summary of why you’re motivated to get the position you’re applying for.

Who should use a resume objective: Entry-level applicants, career-changers, and recent college graduates.

Resume summary. This is the best opener for most job-seekers. As the name suggests, a resume summary highlights the most salient aspects of your resume.

It should include your current position, how many years of experience you have, some of your biggest achievements, and possibly your career goals. This should be a 1-3 sentence spiel and should include some quantifiable experiences.

Who should use a resume summary: Most job seekers; anyone with quantifiable accomplishments to emphasize and a broad range of skills.

Qualifications summary. A bullet point list (4-6 points is the sweet spot) of your qualifications for the position. It’s best used by applicants going for jobs that require a fixed skill set. It’s not a great choice for entry-level applicants who lack quantifiable achievements.

You’ll notice that a qualifications summary takes up more space than a resume objective or summary, but it can actually save the hiring manager time if you provide a bunch of valuable information right off the top.

Who should use a qualifications summary: Those applying to a job with requirements for certain skills and job-seekers who have a lot of experience in their industry and/or field.

Resume profile. A resume profile is similar to a resume summary, but goes into more detail about your accomplishments at your current or former job, while also telling the reader about your career goals. Think of a resume profile as a section that pulls all the best parts of your work experience section into one place.

Who should use a resume profile: Anyone with significant accomplishments under their belt, expertise in a niche field, or applying to a job in the same industry that they have lots of experience in.

Resume headline. Resume headlines aren’t necessary, but you can include one alongside any of the four types of resume introduction listed above. A resume headline comes between your contact information and the resume introduction of your choice.

Headlines can be used by entry-level applicants and experienced job-seekers alike. The important point is that your headline should be short and to the point. Additionally, you should use title case when writing your resume headline (capitalize words as you would for a book title).

Who should use a resume headline: Any job-seeker who wants to showcase their experience or unique value right off the bat.

Work experience. Your work experience section is the place to let hiring managers know that you have relevant experience that would allow you to handle the job you’re applying for.

If you’re using the chronological resume format, your work experience section would come after your resume summary/objective. In a funcitonal reumse, it would follow your skills section. Either way, work experience should be listed in reverse-chronological order (most recent experience at the top).

When listing your work experience, you should include all of the following information:

Job title. Start by stating the position you held at the company. These are easy cue for the hiring manager to look at and determine whether your past positions would help you succeed at their company.

Company Info. Include the name of the employer, the location where you worked, and perhaps a brief description of the company, if it isn’t a well-known name.

Dates Employed: Use the mm/yyyy format if you want to be sure that most applicant tracking systems (ATS) will pick it up. Whatever format you use for dates, be consistent, or your resume will look sloppy.

Job Description. Don’t just list your job’s responsibilities; hiring managers and recruiters already have an idea of your duties based on the job title. Instead, list your most important and impressive responsibilities/achievements at the job with bullet points. Determine which of these are most relevant for your new role based on the job description.

Ideally, each bullet should be no longer than a single line. However, two lines is acceptable, if used sparingly.

Always start with a strong action verb, followed by a quantifiable achievement and a specific duty. For example: “Developed ad campaigns for clients, increasing sales by an average of 27%.” Each job title should include 3-5 bullet points.

The order that you include this information can be changed around, as long as you are consistent throughout your resume. However, the bullet points detailing your job’s achievements should always be the last item for each entry.

It’s important that you tailor your resume’s work experience section to the job you’re applying for. We recommend reading the job description carefully and highlighting the action verbs in one color and the skills, adjectives, and job-specific nouns in a different color.

Educational background. In almost all cases, your education section should come after your professional history. If you’re a recent college graduate with limited work experience, you may choose to put your educational achievements first.

Like the section on your professional history, educational experiences should come in reverse-chronological order, with your highest level of education at the top. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add any information about your high school experience. If you didn’t finish college, it’s okay to give a list of what credits you did complete.

Each educational experience can be listed in the following format:

Degree/Program Name College/University Name Dates attended

You don’t need to add anything else, especially if your resume is already impressive enough. But if you’re struggling to fill up the page, or you feel that aspects of your educational experience will help make you a standout, you may consider also including:

Minor. If you think it rounds out your not-exactly-relevant-to-the-job major nicely.

GPA. Only if it was 3.5 or higher. Otherwise, it’s not going to do you any favors to include this.

Honors. Dean’s List, Cum Laude, etc.

Achievements. If you wrote a killer thesis/dissertation that showcases intimate knowledge relevant to the job to which you’re applying, you can include its title and a very brief description.

Extracurricular activities. Only include if they’re relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a management position and you were president of your student government.

Certifications/Licenses. If the job you’re applying for requires/likes to see certain certifications or licenses that you have, you may include them in this section as well.

Skills section. Your impressive skills should be scattered logistically throughout your professional history section, but you should also include a section solely dedicated to highlighting your skill set . Skills can be broken down into two categories:

Hard skills are skills you learn through training and indicate expertise with a technical ability or job-specific responsibility.

Soft skills are your personality traits, interpersonal abilities, and intangible qualities that make you more effective at your job.

Your resume should have a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, as both are essential to job performance. However, since soft skills are harder to prove in the context of a resume, we recommend leaning more toward hard skills. Additionally, whenever you list a soft skill, make sure that it has a correlating item in your work experience section.

For example, if you say you are skilled in collaboration, you should mention a time when a team project was a major success somewhere in your work experience section.

Optional sections. If you still have space left or there’s more you want to show off that doesn’t quite fit in any of the above sections, you may consider adding an additional section covering one or more of the below categories:

Language . Being bilingual is always impressive, and can be included on a resume for any company. Highlight this more if your position involves liaising with international distributors and/or clients. Don’t lie about your proficiency level.

It may be best to not mention it if you’re not particularly proficient speaker . Such as if you took courses in school, or haven’t really managed to gain fluency. It can end up looking like an attempt to inflate your credentials, which you want to avoid.

Volunteer experience . Always a good thing to include. It shows you’re a team player who behaves in a way that promotes the greater good, without thought of personal gain. Especially good for entry-level candidates and those applying for jobs at a non-profit. If you have gaps in your work history, you can also consider including volunteer experiences in your work history section instead.

Personal projects. A personal blog, published works, or a portfolio of your past projects are all good things to include. They show you take initiative, enjoy and take pride in your work, and that you can handle the responsibilities of the job, if relevant.

Certifications/licenses. If you didn’t include these in your education section, this is another good place to list relevant certifications or licenses that you have.

Interests . This is largely just a space filler if your resume is light in other areas. However, if your hobbies are directly related to the job that you’re applying for, it’s not a bad idea to include them. And it might draw a recruiter’s attention if you end up sharing some of the same interests as they do.

If you have several seemingly random items that are valuable, but don’t warrant creating a whole separate section for, you can also make a section called “Additional Experience.” Here you can include all of the above categories in one place. Just make sure that each item is clear and easy for readers to understand.

Resume samples

Now that we have a good idea of how to write a resume, let’s take a look at some example resumes:

Jack Pilgrim Washington , DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – [email protected] – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim Resume Summary Graphic designer with 3+ years of experience creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Worked with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Adept at planning, managing, and prioritizing multiple deadlines at once, and thrives in fast-paced work environment. Work Experience Creative Designs | Washington, DC Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present Worked with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements to drive sales by over $250,000 per quarter Trained, managed, and mentored team of 4 junior designers to fulfill 40+ project orders on a weekly basis Conducted UX research through surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to plan content marketing strategy, driving organic search traffic by 12% Presented proposals, results, and status updates to set of 4-7 clients, ensuring customer satisfaction at or above 95% for 3 years straight Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018 Translated client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategy, increasing client retention by 22% Reduced project turnaround time by 8% by Utilizing web-based ticket system for completing and archiving finalized pieces Posted digital artwork to network IPTV using web interface to produce high-end info-graphics and other materials Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016 Assisted marketing team with data collection, analysis, and presentation using Google Analytics Drew up storyboards for new marketing campaigns alongside sales team, increasing brand awareness through social media Wrote 500-1000 word articles to pair with graphical elements on page, leading to a 40% boost in engagement on company website Education Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia May 2016 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Skills Adobe Creative Suite Typography HTML/CSS WordPress Collaboration Organization

Allison Neederly Chicago, Illinois , 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly Resume Summary Dedicated customer service representative with 4+ years experience resolving customers’ needs in-person, online, and over the phone. Top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% customer satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly personable, and knowledgable about company’s products and services. Relevant Skills Customer Service Responded to upwards of 200 customer queries daily with XYZ Inc., reducing the average wait time by 56% and increasing customer satisfaction rates by 13% Ability to resolve conflict and create a positive atmosphere for shopping for both new and existing customers through technical proficiency Expert product knowledge and communication skills, and experience training and mentoring new customer service staff Web Chat and Phone Skilled in 3 web chat platforms for helping online customers resolve their queries quickly and accurately Achieved fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc., with an average resolution time of under 5 minutes per customer Performed outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, as well as writing web-based surveys for 10,000+ customers Troubleshooting Detailed product knowledge allowed for customer technical issues to be resolved at rate within top 5% of all customer service associates at XYZ Inc. Created manual for step-by-step directions for troubleshooting that was implemented for team of 100+ customer service reps Positive attitude took average tech-related negative response from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, increasing trust in brands and services Work Experience XYZ Inc. | Philadelphia, PA Customer Service Associate New Look Global | Burlington, VT Junior Customer Service Representative L.L. Bean | Burlington, VT Sales Associate Education University of Vermont | Burlington, VT May 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Priya Laghari New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | [email protected] | www.priyabizdev.com Resume Profile Strategy Development: Grew John Deere’s international sales by 13% by tapping into undeserved countries in Southeast Asia Management: Oversaw a team of managers representing marketing, sales, and product teams. Streamlined collaborative, cross-functional communications through agile and scrum management system CRM: Developed, customized, and implemented new customer relationship management database for accounts totaling over $10M in value Work Experience Business Development Manager 01/2015-Present Microsoft | Redmond, WA Developed product strategies and roadmap for Google AdWords, increasing inbound traffic by 26% YoY Reduced time training on new software by 50% for new and existing employees by implement e-learning programs Spearheaded digital marketing campaign worth $1M that saw a return of 200% in first year by qualifying leads earlier in the sales funnel Regional Sales Manager 11/2012-01/2015 Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO Managed territory encompassing 29 regional locations with an annual revenue of approx. $55M Worked with C-level executives to plan business strategies, resulting in 20% reduction in overhead costs Increased client retention by 12% in first year by implementing a CRM approach based on account profiling and elevating levels of relationship selling Account Manager 02/2009-11/2012 Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL Implemented and developed CRM strategic plans, increasing retention of long-term clients by 22% Maintained 50+ accounts totaling over $35M in value Generated leads through one-on-one consultation via phone inquiries, online check-ins, and meeting office walk-ins Relevant Skills CRM: Proficient with Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot; some experience with Keap. Used various CRM software over a decade to successfully manage customer relations and quick to adapt to new software and tools that aid in quality of customer experience. Salesmanship: Negotiated and closed over several deals worth $1M+ and skilled in upselling and cross-selling. Adept at working closely with marketing and product teams to maximize the efficiency of the sales funnel for both inbound and outbound traffic. Presentation: Represented Microsoft Northwest Region at quarterly board meetings, ensuring all stakeholders were kept abreast of new developments and opportunities. Also deliver monthly presentations to big clients and vendors to maintain positive relationship. Data analytics. Expert at integrating data from various analytics platforms, including Google, Microsoft Power BI, and SAP BusinessObjects Education Colgate University | May 2008 MBA Fordham University | May 2006 Bachelor’s Degree in Business

For more resume examples and templates:

Resume examples by job

Google docs resume template

Resume templates

Resume builder

Resume Headers Samples:

Tip : Never put your contact info in the header of your document; some applicant tracking systems might miss it.

For more on how to write a resume header:

Resume Header

Resume Titles

Resume introduction examples

Entry-Level Resume Objective.

Recent graduate with a bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Virginia seeking an entry-level role in content marketing. Excellent copywriter with 2+ years experience editing content as a member of the UVa Writing Center.

Career Change Resume Objective.

Eager to apply 7+ years of experience with customer success management to make successful outbound B2B calls, deliver customized business solutions to new and existing customers, and provide expert product knowledge in the role of Account Manager for XYZ Inc.

Example Resume Summary Statement.

Accountant with over 8 years of experience in the medical industry. Adept at advising on management of cash deficits, reconciling departmental accounts, and creating new accounts and codes. Coordinated invoice preparation system for ABC that reduced contractor overhead by 19% YoY.

English teacher with a love of language and 6 years of experience teaching high school students. Developed new curriculum that boosted freshman reading comprehension scores by 12% and created after school book club for AP Lit class, resulting in 100% of participating students achieving a 5 on the AP Lit test.

Example Qualifications Summary.

Executive assistant with 5+ years experience helping maintain efficiency in an office of 25 employees Communicated directly with internal and external stakeholders, helping Senior Vice President manage projects worth $5M+ Proactively managed office schedules, identifying and prioritizing changes to ensure client satisfaction Recognized in a company of 500 for “Outstanding Achiever” in May 2019

Example Resume Profile.

Detail-oriented IT Specialist with 4 years of experience overseeing and improving the infrastructure of IT systems. Adept at building and running troubleshooting systems and testing services. Decreased security risk by 47% through continual optimization, while also improving the speed of client portal by 22%. Excellent communicator both internally and for client-facing discussions. Achieved 98%+ customer satisfaction ratings through weekly and monthly check-ins with accounts valued cumulatively at $500,000.

Entry-Level Resume Headline.

Bilingual College Graduate with 80 WPM Typing Speed and Tutoring Experience

Experienced Resume Headline.

Business Development Specialist with 6+ Years Experience Scaling Start-Up Tech Teams

For more on resume introductions:

Resume objective statement

Resume summary statement

Resume summary statement examples

Qualifications summary

Sample resume work experience sections

Work Experience XYZ Industries | Seattle, WA Marketing Associate | May 2019-Present Delivered weekly presentations to client-base to communicate brand messaging, increasing client retention by 11% Served as liaison between marketing and product teams, resulting in projects finishing 2 weeks early, on average Leveraged Excel skills to create and maintain spreadsheet to track consumer insights, emergent trends, and inform decisions of marketing team through competitive analysis Managed team of 5 contractors to juggle multiple priority projects simultaneously, never missing a deadline Initiated an affiliate referral program that PR team went on to turn into a revenue-generating stream valued at $30,000 annually ABC Corp | Seattle, WA Marketing Intern | September 2018-May 2019 Developed, maintained, and processed 20+ digital consent forms and distributor forms Worked collaboratively with a team of 10 marketing professionals, closely aligning our goals with the PR team Provided data analysis using Google Analytics and performed keyword research to increase blog traffic by 56% over six months Answered up to 50 customer queries by phone and email each week

For more on building the perfect resume work experience section:

Resume work experience section

First resume (no experience)

Examples Of Education Resume Sections

Graduated recently from a 4-year program.

Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois May 2020 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Minor in Psychology 3.95 GPA magna cum laude Dean’s List all semesters

Two degrees.

Fordham University | Bronx, New York April 2016 Master of Chemical Engineering Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York April 2014 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Anticipated graduation date (not yet graduated).

DePaul Univeristy | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Arts in History – Degree anticipated May 2021 Current GPA: 3.8

Older job seeker (graduated 10+ years ago).

University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Business Administration

High school graduate (no college degree).

Johnston High School 2016-2020 Head of Computer Club

More on crafting the perfect resume education section:

Education resume section

GPA on resume

Dean’s list

Magna cum laude

Examples Of Skills For Resume

Examples of hard skills include:

Examples of soft skills include:

Here’s more information on how to incorporate skills into your resume:

Resume skills section

Hard skills

Soft skills

Top skills for professionals

Skills-based resume

Resume writing FAQ

What is a resume?

A resume is a one to two-page document that focuses on professional experience, past achievements, education and certifications, and specific skills tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Almost every job application requires a resume, and hiring managers use them as a first impression in determining which applicants get a shot at an interview.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or have 30 years of professional experience, this guide should help craft a resume that stands out from the crowd and get you one step closer to landing your dream job.

What is the format for writing a good resume?

Most people will want to use a chronological or reverse-chronological resume format. This format is compatible with most applicant tracking systems (ATS) and is easy for employers to read. Additionally it helps highlight your experience, which helps prove your qualifications.

How far back should a resume go?

A resume should go back no further than 10 to 15 years. However, it is important that all your information is relevant. Therefore, do not include job experience that is irrelevant to your application, even if it’s fewer than 10 years old. Save that information for later discussions.

Should you personalize your resume for each job?

Yes, you should personalize your resume for each job you apply to. Many recruiters use ATS now, which will search for keywords in a resume and reject those that don’t have them. That means that the skills you choose to highlight as well as your opening, such as your resume summary, should be altered to suit each job you apply to.

You don’t need to rewrite the entire resume for each job, but it does show attention to detail and initiative to make sure that your resume is customized. It also makes it more likely that you’ll get past the first step of the process.

State of New York Department of Labor – Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications

Harvard University – Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter

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Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

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30 Best Personal Skills for Your Resume [Examples]

3 key takeaways

• Personal skills are often referred to as soft skills.
• Soft skills include qualities like leadership, teamwork, and time management.
• Build a better skills section in your resume with Teal’s AI Resume Builder .

You've spent hours crafting the perfect resume, highlighting your professional and personal skills. But the interview invites just aren’t coming. While technical skills and experience are necessary, personal skills are equally important for standing out in a crowded market.

Personal skills for a resume showcase your ability to work effectively with others, communicate clearly, and adapt to new challenges. They demonstrate to employers that you're not just qualified on paper but will also work well within a team.

You could be overqualified in terms of experience and technical skills and still not get the job due to lacking people skills. Ultimately, the hiring manager will hire someone that complements the current team.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• Top personal skills to add to a resume
• How to decide which personal skills to add to your resume
• How to format and write personal skills on a resume

Struggling to land interviews with your resume? Get started with Teal’s AI Resume Builder for free.

Understanding personal skills

Personal skills, also known as soft skills , are transferable abilities that show how you interact with colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment. Imagine a team brainstorming session—your communication skills help you exchange ideas, while teamwork lets you build on each other's contributions. Both competencies rely on personal skills.

Personal skills are used in everyday situations at work, from managing projects to effectively resolving conflicts with teammates or clients.

In one survey by Business Name Generator , 84 percent of employees and managers thought soft skills were important for new hires. By highlighting strong personal skills on your resume, you show employers you're a well-rounded professional who can integrate into their team.

Personal skills vs professional skills

Professional skills, also known as hard skills , are the technical abilities specific to your job or industry. Think coding languages for a programmer, design software for a graphic designer, or financial knowledge for an accountant. If you’re applying for an open role, these skills demonstrate your proficiency in tasks directly related to the position.

The main difference between personal and professional skills lies in their focus. Personal skills highlight how you work with others and navigate challenges as well as your own innate qualities. Professional skills, on the other hand, demonstrate your technical expertise specific to the job or industry, like knowledge of a particular software program or financial analysis.

Here are a few different personal and professional skill examples:

Personal skills examples for resume

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Time management

Professional skills examples for resume

• Programming languages
• Graphic design
• Cybersecurity
• Data analysis
• Writing skills

Some skills are both personal and professional, for example:

• Critical thinking bridges the gap between analyzing a problem (personal) and building a solution (professional). 
• Decision-making has aspects of choosing a deadline for a project (personal) or deciding what software to use (professional).
• Problem-solving requires both the ability to come up with creative solutions (personal) and have technical or professional expertise (professional).

A well-crafted resume balances both soft and hard skills, proving you're a well-rounded professional with the technical chops and collaborative spirit to excel.

Imagine two equally qualified candidates on paper. Both have the technical skills and experience listed in the job description. But one candidate stands out. Their resume highlights strong personal skills throughout the bullet points, showing off their ability to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and adapt to new challenges. This gives the hiring manager confidence the candidate will fit long-term. This is the importance of personal skills in a resume.

From communication and teamwork to problem-solving and adaptability, highlighting strong personal skills creates a more compelling resume, so you stand out as a job seeker.

Top list of personal skills for a resume

Of course, you should only include personal skills you really possess on your resume. At the same time, a resume is your sales pitch. Demonstrate your strongest personal skills rather than listing every single trait.

Here is a comprehensive list of in-demand personal skills to consider when writing your resume.

1. Communication

Communication skills refer to the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. This allows everyone involved in a project to understand the situation, ask insightful questions, and contribute their expertise.

2. Teamwork

Teamwork as a skill involves collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and valuing their strengths. According to a survey from NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), nearly 80 percent of employers are looking for candidates with teamwork skills, especially for new graduates.

3. Interpersonal

Interpersonal skills let individuals connect with people from all walks of life, building a harmonious teamwork atmosphere. This skill allows people to connect with others and demonstrate empathy and understanding.

4. Active listening

Active listening is a valuable workplace skill. It's the act of listening with the intent to understand someone else's perspective and needs. With active listening, individuals ensure clear communication and effective collaboration so everyone feels heard and valued.

5. Negotiation

Strong negotiation skills allow individuals to navigate challenging conversations with diplomacy and respect. Negotiation uses compromise and creative problem-solving to find mutually beneficial solutions that satisfy all parties.

6. Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution skills involve effectively addressing disagreements by facilitating open communication and listening to all perspectives. In addition to a useful team skills, this is one of many valuable customer service skills.

7. Leadership

 Leadership skills allow someone to motivate and guide their team toward a common goal, setting a clear vision and providing ongoing support and encouragement. True leaders don't just tell people what to do, they inspire them to achieve more, resulting in greater business results.

8. Project management

Project management skills allow individuals to excel at organizing tasks, prioritizing effectively, and managing timelines. By keeping team members aligned and focused on project goals, they ensure a smooth workflow and successful project outcomes.

9. Analytical

Individuals with strong analytical skills can dissect data, identify trends and patterns, and uncover the root causes of problems. Having an analytical mind, coupled with critical thinking skills, allows someone to develop effective solutions and make informed decisions.

10. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills include the ability to actively identify, analyze, and overcome obstacles, both independently and as part of a team. While challenges are inevitable in any workplace, with the right problem-solving skills, they can promote opportunities for growth. 

11. Decision-making

Effective decision-making skills separate good performers from great ones. This skill gives an individual a keen ability to weigh options, assess risks and benefits, and make sound choices in a timely manner, ensuring progress and avoiding costly mistakes.

12. Initiative

Having initiative allows people to proactively identify tasks that need to be done and take ownership of them without needing constant direction. This quality is highly valued in fast-paced work environments.

13. Resourcefulness

Resourcefulness refers to the ability to find creative solutions even when faced with limited resources. Resourceful individuals excel at thinking outside the box, brainstorming unconventional approaches, and leveraging existing tools in innovative ways.

14. Adaptability

Adaptability involves adjusting to new situations, learning new skills quickly, and navigating changes in processes, technologies, or even company culture. This flexibility allows people to integrate into new teams, adopt updated workflows, and contribute effectively in any environment.

15. Time management

Time management skills allow someone to prioritize tasks effectively, manage their schedule meticulously, and meet deadlines consistently. This skill allows someone to juggle multiple responsibilities, allocate time efficiently, and make sure every task receives the attention it needs without sacrificing quality.

16. Organization

Organization skills are about managing information efficiently and prioritizing tasks well, demonstrating strong planning and task management skills. A detail-oriented approach lets someone move deftly between projects while maintaining a productive workflow.

17. Empathy

Empathy refers to connecting with others on an emotional level, understanding their feelings, and sharing their perspectives. Having emotional intelligence creates a supportive and understanding work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

18. Integrity

Integrity is about demonstrating honest and ethical behavior in all actions. This skill builds trust and respect with both colleagues and clients. Honesty and integrity are the foundation of strong relationships, and people with integrity act with transparency and fairness in all their interactions.

19. Attention to detail

Attention to detail means a keen eye for accuracy and making sure tasks are completed meticulously, with a commitment to quality and precision. People who value attention to detail take pride in their work and go the extra mile to make sure every deliverable meets high standards.

20. Work ethic

Work ethic is evident in dedication, reliability, and an unwavering commitment to delivering quality work. Individuals with a strong work ethic consistently go above and beyond the minimum requirements, taking initiative and putting in the extra effort to achieve outstanding results.

21. Accountability

Accountability means always delivering on promises, which builds trust and reliability within a team. Accountable individuals can admit mistakes, learn from them, and take steps to improve themselves.

22. Positive attitude:

Maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook creates a supportive and motivating work environment. These individuals inspire those around them, encouraging and empowering everyone to do their best. While challenges happen, people with a positive attitude focus on solutions and maintain a "can-do" spirit.

23. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a skill that allows individuals to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as recognize and respond to the emotions of others. This creates a healthy workplace culture by letting people build strong and positive relationships with colleagues.

24. Level-headed

Being level-headed is about remaining calm and collected under pressure. Deadlines and demanding situations aren’t a problem. Level-headed individuals cope with stress and maintain their composure in challenging situations, prioritizing tasks effectively, thinking clearly under pressure, and making sound decisions even when faced with tight deadlines.

25. Delegation

Delegation skills are about providing clear instructions, ongoing support, and opportunities for independent problem-solving. Delegation allows someone to effectively assign tasks to others based on their strengths and development needs.

26. Reliability

Reliability involves consistently delivering on commitments, exceeding expectations, and earning the trust of colleagues. People know they can count on these individuals to dependably complete tasks on time and to a high standard.

27. Creativity

Creativity as a skill is the ability to develop innovative solutions to problems. Creative individuals excel at brainstorming unconventional approaches, challenging assumptions, and finding new and improved ways of doing things.

28. Motivation

Motivation means being driven to achieve goals and go above and beyond at work. Highly motivated individuals have a genuine passion for their work, creating a more positive and productive work environment.

29. Curious

Curiosity is about having a continuous desire to learn new skills and knowledge. Curious individuals are proactive in seeking out training opportunities, embracing new technologies, and staying up-to-date on industry trends.

30. Flexible

Flexibility is the ability to adapt based on changing circumstances. Flexible people are great at thinking on their feet, adjusting their work style to new situations, and finding creative solutions to unexpected problems.

For more examples of skills that you can include in your resume, download our free skills workbook .

How to write personal skills on a resume

Relevant experience is a must when it comes to landing the right job. But what truly sets you apart are your personal skills, the qualities that demonstrate how you function within a team and contribute to a positive work environment. Follow these tips to best showcase your skills on a resume.

Step 1: Identify relevant personal skills

First, carefully read the job description. Analyze it to identify key personal skills and qualities that the employer is looking for.

Look for opportunities to showcase the skills the company values most in your resume skills section . You can do this faster with Teal’s Matching mode!

Within Matching Mode in the Resume Builder, you can select a job from your job tracker to match against your resume. You’ll automatically get a list of highly relevant keyword recommendations that you can add to your resume.

Step 2: Choose powerful verbs

Replace bland words like "skilled" or "helped" with action verbs that showcase initiative and achievement, such as "spearheaded," "implemented," or "directed."

“Orchestrated the adoption of a new payroll software company-wide, leading to a 40% time savings.”

Pro Tip: Use Teal's AI Achievement feature to write impressive resume achievements in seconds.

Step 3: Quantify your impact

Quantify your resume by adding results. Did your communication skills lead to a 20% increase in project efficiency? Highlight measurable achievements to strengthen your claims.

“Increased website conversion rate by 12% through A/B testing and website optimization strategies.”

Step 4: Tailor to the job

Don't overwhelm your resume by randomly stuffing words into your experience section. Aim to highlight the top skills that best represent your strengths and align with the job requirements.

According to Teal’s Director of Talent Mike Peditto , “While there isn't a magic number of skills, a long list can become overwhelming and take focus away from the top skills needed for a job. Focus on the skills that appear early and often throughout the job description. Here, you'll likely find the top five to eight skills the job is asking for, above all else.”

Try to personalize your skills section for each job application, emphasizing the skills most relevant to the specific role.

Step 5: Craft compelling descriptions

Structure your skill descriptions using action verbs followed by a specific example of how you used that skill to achieve a positive outcome. Don't just list responsibilities—show what you accomplished or what results you achieved.

"Built rapport with a diverse clientele, resulting in a 15% increase in client retention rate.”

Tips for using personal skills on your resume to attract recruiters

Follow these tips to use your personal skills to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers:

• Include relevant personal skills from the job description throughout your resume, but avoid keyword stuffing.
• Identify existing personal skills that overlap with the job description so you can demonstrate a strong fit for the role. You can use Teal’s Matching Mode in the Resume Builder to choose a job and automatically analyze the job description to find the skills the company values the most.
• Provide specific examples from your work experience. Instead of listing "problem-solving skills," describe a challenge you tackled successfully and its impact on the business.
• Highlight skills consistently throughout the application process, from your resume, cover letter, and interviews. Your resume is only one part of the job search process.

Teal's Matching Mode feature makes it easy to surface relevant hard and soft skills within a job description to add to your resume. It will also help you identify where the overlap lies, so you can quickly add the ones you really possess.

The best way to add personal skills to your resume

Using an AI Resume Builder like Teal can speed up the process of adding the right personal skills to your resume.

From the Resume Skills Management feature within the Resume Builder, you can add skills to your resume, or even group them together by adding a category. Drag and drop the skills to rearrange them or toggle a button to sort them from A-Z automatically.

If you’re not sure what personal skills to highlight on your resume, head over to the Matching tab at the top of the screen, then choose a job from your job tracker.

From here, Teal’s AI-powered Matching Mode will suggest what skills and keywords you should add to your resume based on the job description. Aim for an 80 percent match score.

Personal Skills Examples for Your Resume

Beyond specific job skills or technical expertise, job seekers also need to bring personal skills to the table. Here are some examples of how professionals can showcase personal skills in their resume, whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional.

‍ For an experienced professional

One common personal skill to highlight as an experienced professional is leadership. Experienced professionals are expected to guide and support others, so it’s important to demonstrate leadership skills, especially when applying to management-level roles.

For example, a bullet point on your resume could look like this: 

“Successfully mentored and coached junior team members, contributing to their professional development and increasing team productivity by 20%."

For a new graduate

As a new grad, your work history might be lighter, but you can still highlight personal skills like teamwork. Teamwork is an important skill in just about any job. As a new grad, whether you’ve completed internships or group projects in class, this is a skill you can highlight in your resume.

For example, you could write a bullet point for a past internship like this: 

“Collaborated effectively with a team of five to develop an Instagram strategy that increased engagement by 40%.”

For a professional targeting a technical role

Be sure to highlight personal skills that complement your hard skills when applying to technical positions. Whether you’re applying for a job as a data analyst, a software engineer, or something else, highlighting your analytical skills demonstrates your ability to approach challenges logically and strategically.

For example, you might want to demonstrate that you have a strong analytical mind. A bullet point on your resume could look like this: 

“Analyzed customer data to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making, resulting in a 10% improvement in customer satisfaction.”

To further improve soft skills for your career, read our guide on interpersonal skills .

Yes, you should add personal skills to your resume

Work experience might be the foundation of your resume, but strong personal skills are key to landing your next job. However, crafting a resume that effectively showcases these skills can be tricky.

That’s where Teal makes your life easier. With Teal’s AI Resume Builder , you can not only create a detailed skills section, but also use AI to generate powerful work achievements that demonstrate your personal skills and accomplishments in context for greater impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of a personal skill.

Personal skills are strengths like communication and teamwork. You use these skills daily in the workplace, from brainstorming sessions to resolving conflicts.

What are personal skills and examples?

Personal skills, also known as soft skills, are transferable abilities that show how you interact with colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment. For example, leadership could look like motivating a team to complete a project that exceeds expectations, while initiative might involve identifying an inefficiency and creating a solution that saves the company money.

What is an example of personality on a resume?

Focus on showing, not telling, your skills on a resume. For instance, instead of listing "outgoing," highlight your communication skills by describing presentations you've led or teams you’ve managed.

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How to Right-Align Dates for a Professional Looking Resume (and Why)

A recruiter-backed guide on how to use tabs to correctly right-align dates on your resume for a sleek, professional look. Follow these step-by-step instructions to perfectly align your dates for a resume hiring managers will love.

5 months ago   •   5 min read

Paying close attention to formatting is a must for anyone creating a resume from scratch. You want your final document to look neat, tidy, and well laid out. And an important part of that is right-aligning your dates.

The key to right-aligning dates is to use right-tab stops rather than spaces. Spaces are time-consuming and aren’t guaranteed to be perfectly in line, whereas tabs are reliable, quick to set up, and create a sleek, professional look.

In this article, we’ll explain how to right-align dates in Word and Google Docs in a few easy steps to help you create a great looking resume.

Why is right-aligning dates on a resume important?

Traditional resume formatting, as shown in the example below, includes left-aligned text and right-aligned dates. Right-aligning dates enhances the readability of your resume by reducing clutter along the left side, and makes it easier to scan by separating your text into two easy-to-read columns.

This formatting style is common across all industries and creates a sleek, professional-looking resume. The benefit of using this standard format is that recruiters are expecting it, making it easier for them to pick out the desired information quickly and find what they’re looking for on your resume.

Here is an example of a traditionally formatted resume showing right-aligned dates:

Tips for right-aligning dates on a resume

When it comes to resume formatting, using simple techniques like tabs will save you time and effort and help create a professional-looking resume.

Tabs are the easiest way to right-justify dates. Tabs are precise, so all your dates will align perfectly to the right, giving your whole document a professional finish.

Don’t use spaces

Avoid using spaces to create a right-aligned look. Spaces are time-consuming to add or adjust and often end up out of line with each other, which ruins the sleek look of your resume.

Start with a template

The easiest way to create a professional resume that includes right-aligned dates is to start with a resume template. With our free resume templates , you can input your information into the preformatted design and don’t need to worry about adjusting tab settings as it's all done for you.

Use proper date format

Different rules apply when formatting dates depending on what you're explaining. For example, certificates and licenses require specific dates, whereas work experience generally requires only a month/year. Follow these rules for formatting dates on your resume , and make sure you're consistent throughout.

To find out if you have aligned and formatted the dates on your resume the right way, upload it to the tool below . It will assess the formatting and provide tips for improvement.

A step-by-step guide for aligning dates on your resume

Follow these easy steps to right-align dates in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

How to right-align dates on your resume in Microsoft Word

To right-align dates and text in Microsoft Word:

• Select the “Home” tab in your top taskbar.
• In the “Paragraph” section of your taskbar, set the main body of your text to “Align Left” or click "Ctrl+L."
• Open “Paragraph Settings” by clicking the arrow icon in the bottom left corner of the paragraph section.
• Alternatively, right-click and select “Paragraph” from the drop-down menu.
• Click the “Tabs” button in the bottom left corner of the pop-up box.
• Under “Tab stops” on a Mac, or “Tab stop positions” on a Windows computer, set your tab stop to 6.2 inches (15.7cm) and select Right align from the alignment options.
• Hit enter, or click “Set” (Windows) or “OK” (Mac) to save your changes.
• In your document, your regular text will be left-aligned. When you want to write a right-aligned date, hit the tab key to start writing your text on the right.
• Once you have formatted your dates to your liking, run your resume through a Resume Scanner to ensure your formatting choices can be read by ATS software and to receive personalized feedback on any other areas of your resume that can be improved.

Here is a screenshot of the Tab options on a Windows computer:

And here are the same Tab options on a Mac:

How to right-align dates on your resume in Google Docs

To right-align dates and text in Google Docs:

• To start, ensure you are in Pages view instead of Pageless, as right-aligned tabs do not work in Pageless. To change your view, click “File,” “Page setup,” and select “Pages”.
• Click “View” in the top taskbar and ensure “Show ruler” is selected.
• Click the ruler along the top of the document where you want your right-aligned dates to start, usually around 6 inches.
• In the pop-up window, select “Add right tab stop,” as shown below.
• Type your regular left-aligned text, and when you want to add a right-aligned date, hit your tab button, and your text will start typing on the right.
• Once complete, check your formatting using a Resume Scanner to ensure your choices are compatible with modern ATS software.

Note that this style of formatting does not work in Pageless view in Google Docs, so if you change your view to Pageless after formatting your resume, your right-aligned dates will revert back to the left. Currently, the only way to right-align dates in Pageless view is to use regular tabs and spaces, which leads to inconsistent spacing. Therefore, pages view is preferred if you are creating a resume in Google Docs, and is the default view for all of our professional templates.

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The 12 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (Plus Examples)

S kills can make or break your resume. They should match the jobs you're applying for and show recruiters that you can succeed at their companies.

Sometimes companies will use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that automatically scan resumes and forward the best matches to hiring managers. Whether a human or a computer is looking over your resume, it pays to have a robust set of skills.

Below, we'll cover some skills to put on your resume, the difference between soft and hard skills and the best ways to highlight skills when communicating about your work experience:

The 12 Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Putting the right skills on your resume signals your readiness for the jobs you apply for. Almost anyone can develop these, regardless of professional background—they're huge green flags for recruiters.

1. Adaptability

Change is the only constant in business, according to Mark Cuban . The skills you develop when you start a job may not be relevant in five years, even if you're still in the same position.

Companies want employees who can adapt to changing times. Demonstrating that on your resume shows employers that you're a good long-term investment.

2. Attention to Detail

Anyone can do sloppy work. Having attention to detail means spotting the little mistakes before they become big problems.

Calling out your attention to detail on your resume sets you apart as someone who will sweat the small stuff and pursue excellence in every part of your job.

3. Communication

Virtually every job involves some amount of communication . Are you a software engineer who just wants to code? You still have to talk to clients about their needs.

Eyeballing a management role ? You'll need to successfully communicate with direct reports to give feedback and achieve team goals.

Talking about your communication skills on your resume, including listening, presentation and writing skills, shows you know how to work with others. You can also mention your communication style to make sure you're a good fit for a company's culture.

4. Creativity

The best employees are not just cogs in a machine. They stand out by thinking outside the box and offering creative new solutions to their company's problems.

But creativity doesn't necessarily mean you're artistic. If you're an analyst, it could mean drawing novel conclusions from data. If you're a manager, it could mean finding interesting new ways to engage your team.

Including creativity as a skill on your resume shows employers that you can offer value beyond the job description.

5. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is your ability to find solutions beyond the obvious. Good critical thinkers can get to the "why" behind a problem, anticipate future problems and elevate the quality of work their teams produce.

Putting critical thinking on your resume takes your skills to the next level. It also speaks to your independence—you come up with solutions on your own, rather than relying on others.

6. Customer Service

Many jobs require some sort of customer service element. Salespeople or project managers talk to customers, helping them get exactly what they're looking for. Other workers, like copywriters or data engineers, may still meet with customers to speak to their area of expertise and demonstrate the viability of their company's work.

Don't take customer service skills for granted. They're valuable in almost any position.

7. Digital Skills

Most office jobs require basic computer literacy. Employers expect employees to know how to open computer and phone applications, send emails and sometimes use video call tools like Teams or Zoom . Being digitally literate can mean knowing when to send a quick chat vs. a long email .

These skills are absolutely worth listing on your resume, especially if you have experience with specific software or tools common in your industry.

8. Leadership

Leadership is your ability to get your team to work together toward a shared goal. It's not just important for managers—individual contributors can communicate better if they have strong leadership skills. ICs can also use leadership skills to take charge when their teams are confused and get the job done.

Putting leadership skills on your resume identifies you as someone who can bring order to a complicated workplace. It also sets you up as potential management material —someone worthy of future internal promotions at a company.

9. Organization

Many jobs require you to juggle several tasks. Organization is your ability to keep everything together, even when you have multiple deadlines or you're working for clients with very different expectations.

Highlighting your organizational skills puts you forward as a candidate who can perform the full range of job responsibilities without getting lost.

10. Problem-Solving

Good problem solvers can take projects from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. They can also spot solutions that aren't obvious, making them invaluable to their employers.

Setting yourself up as a problem-solver makes you an excellent candidate for almost any job since this skill is so widely used.

11. Teamwork

Teamwork is your ability to function well with your immediate coworkers, but also with other teams you may encounter. It's more than just good communication; it includes good social skills and compassion for others.

Listing teamwork as a skill on your resume shows that you're ready to work in a bustling company where you're one part of a bigger whole.

12. Time Management

Many employers want things done yesterday. That's not always possible, but good time managers offer the next best thing: work that's done well and finished as soon as possible.

Introducing yourself as a good time manager shows that you'll finish tasks before they're due. That's something hiring managers love to see.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills on Your Resume

Hard skills are what you do. Soft skills are how you get it done. Good resumes include both.

Soft Skills for Your Resume

Soft skills are non-technical aspects of work, like being a good communicator or managing your time wisely. They're relevant everywhere.

According to data from LinkedIn, 92 percent of professionals say soft skills matter as much or more than hard skills.

"Soft skills are often what set one candidate apart from another with similar technical qualifications," Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, told Newsweek . "Employers look for candidates who not only have the required hard skills but also possess the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to work well with others and fit into the company culture."

The introduction of artificial intelligence in the workplace may only improve the value of soft skills.

"While AI will automate certain tasks and change the nature of work, it will also place a premium on soft skills that are uniquely human," Schawbel said. "Soft skills related to creativity, emotional intelligence, ethics, collaboration, and adaptability will continue to be highly valuable in the AI-augmented workplace, enabling individuals to work alongside AI systems effectively and ethically."

Hard Skills for Your Resume

Hard skills refer to technical knowledge that you can spend months or even years developing. These are the things you learn in specialized degree programs and job training. Connecting a website to a database, operating a complex piece of machinery and balancing a quarterly budget are all hard skills.

Most jobs require certain hard skills. You wouldn't apply to be a video editor without some knowledge of editing software and techniques.

Companies may teach some hard skills on the job. For example, teaching new salespeople how to use their unique customer relationship management (CRM) software. However, most careers require hard skills that you learn elsewhere, either in school, training or an entry-level job .

How to List Skills on Your Resume

There are two sides to listing skills on your resume: the skills you include and how you express them.

Schawbel recommends creating a dedicated "Skills" section on your resume. List hard and soft skills there.

Next, Schawbel says to back up your soft skills with specific examples from your work experience. Did you demonstrate leadership when you took command of a flailing project at your last job? Write that down, using keywords that highlight those skills like "leadership" or "teamwork." Your work experience is evidence of your skills.

Remember that recruiters and hiring managers read hundreds of resumes. You want to present your highlights without going on and on about yourself. Schawbel recommends starting each bullet point in your resume with action verbs to quickly demonstrate your skills to an employer. Use language like:

• "Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to deliver budget analyses."
• "Wrote marketing emails that increased product engagement by 130 percent over six months."
• "Managed construction projects across multiple sites with 15 direct reports."

Stand out by presenting a different version of your resume for each new job you apply for. Tailor your skill list for each new position by looking at the job's duties and responsibilities.

If you're applying for a management position, include your leadership skills and the times you used them. Otherwise, consider leaving those off the resume and highlighting other skills.

Skills Section Examples by Job Type

Here are some examples of possible skill sections for jobs in multiple industries and experience levels. Use these as starting points to think about skills on your resume. However, you should always look at job descriptions to see exactly what skills to include.

Copywriters write content for videos, emails and other marketing collateral. They try to persuade readers or listeners to buy the product or service they're highlighting.

Hard Skills:

• Copywriting
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Social media marketing

Soft Skills:

• Attention to detail

Data Scientist

Data scientists explore massive data sets with advanced mathematics and computer models. They work with business managers to produce actionable insights from raw data.

• Data analysis
• Data visualization
• Machine learning
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Organization

Nurses perform a range of tasks in hospitals and other health care settings. The exact skills they need depend on their medical subfield and the type of institution they work for.

• Medical knowledge
• Medical technology
• Nursing ethics
• Patient education
• Workplace safety
• Adaptability
• Time management

Project Manager

Project managers organize work across multiple teams. They often bridge the gap between individual contributors and clients or other stakeholders. They keep projects on time and within budget.

• Negotiation
• Project management
• Technical writing

Retail Sales Associate

Retail sales associates sell items, maintain the sales floor and assist customers. This is an entry-level position, but it can be an excellent opportunity to build skills.

• Basic mathematics
• CRM or point of sale (POS) software
• Inventory management
• Customer service

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure what skills to put on your resume? Here we tackle some common questions.

How Many Skills Should I Put on My Resume?

You want enough skills on your resume to impress recruiters without wasting their time.

"Aim for a list of 5 to 10 key skills. This allows you to emphasize your most critical qualifications without overwhelming the reader," Schawbel says.

Should I Format My Resume for an ATS?

Don't try to write your resume for a computer. It's a myth that most applications are rejected by automated systems—HR workers read most resumes and make decisions based on their merits.

Make things easier for recruiters by organizing information well on your resume. Include a dedicated skills section and describe your work experience directly and efficiently, with callouts to the skills you've listed.

Should I Change the Skills Section for Each Job Application?

Yes. It's a good idea to write a resume draft and then modify that draft slightly for each new job application.

Be sure to mention skills that appear in the job description. Cut mentions of skills that aren't relevant to the position, so that you don't waste recruiters' time.

What Skills Should I List if I Have No Work Experience?

Without work experience, you still have life and school. Draw up a list of transferable skills you've developed throughout your life and use those on your resume.

You should have several soft skills. If you had a leadership position in school, for example, list leadership, communication and teamwork skills.

Transferable soft skills aren't always obvious, but if you put some thought into your activities you should come up with a good list. For example, practicing a musical instrument alongside school demonstrates good time management, attention to detail and creativity.

Should I Add Certifications or Trainings?

Yes. Certifications and training are outside proof of your competence in skills. They can set you apart from other candidates who don't have that kind of evidence on their resumes.

Can I List Skills That I'm Still Learning?

Yes. Feel free to list skills where you're a beginner.

Some professionals label skills with their experience level, such as "beginner," "intermediate" or "advanced."

You can also describe your experience level in your work experience. For example:

• "Learned the core functions of our company's CRM system."
• "Wrote advanced web applications with JavaScript for five years."

Once you have your resume in good condition, you can start thinking about cover letters . Then you can learn more about finding your next opportunity with our review of the best job search apps .

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How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself When You Have No Experience? (With Examples)

One of the most common interview questions you will get is, “tell me about yourself.” While not technically a question, this is one of the most loaded interview prompts you will have to respond to.

It’s common for interviewers across all industries and positions to ask this question. It’s also one of the most difficult questions to answer, especially if you have no experience.

It’s not a yes or no question. Not only that, but it can sometimes be challenging to figure out exactly what the interviewer is looking for and which response will be the best.

And, if you have no experience, it can feel even more daunting. You might not know where to start or what to talk about.

Don’t worry, though. In this guide, you will learn all that you need to know about answering this question.

After reading this guide, you will be able to confidently respond to “tell me about yourself” without hesitation, even if you have no experience.

Quick Summary

If you don’t have any experience, here are some things to talk about when answering the question of “tell us more about yourself”:

• Talk about your education, including self learning
• Talk about projects or volunteering experience you have done
• Discuss your skills, including skills used in other situations which are transferable to your scenario
• Talk about your career goals
• Mention your passion and motivation

Above all, be confident. Practice answering this question several times before your interview, and you will get the hang of it in no time!

What Do Employers Want With This Question?

Photo by Pexels

To better answer this question, though, you first need to understand what employers and hiring managers actually want with this question.

There are a few things employers are looking for when asking this question. Here are some of the things an interviewer might want to hear in your response.

Whether You Are Passionate

One thing that is bound to come out when you answer this question is how passionate you are about the topic, job role, or industry.

For example, if you are applying for a position as a junior developer, your passion will inevitably rise to the surface when you talk about how you got into software development and why you wanted to be a developer.

If you aren’t passionate about software development and just made it through college or your bootcamp while hanging by a thread, you won’t be waxing on about software engineering with passion.

Your passion and motivation will be crucial in your job role, which is why employers ask you this question.

Whether You Possess Self Awareness

Another crucial factor that will become evident in your response is how self-aware you are. Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses?

Are you able to objectively determine what you are good at and what you are lacking? When you talk about yourself, including your educational journey, you will have an opportunity to reflect on the weaknesses you noticed and what you did to address them.

That will show employers that you are self-aware and able to accept feedback and constructive criticism, which are all crucial qualities for job success.

Whether You Are a Fit for the Company Culture

When you are asked to talk about yourself, employers want to see if you will be a fit for the company culture. A lot of your perspectives on the industry and life in general will come out when you talk about yourself.

In addition, your work ethic and enthusiasm will become apparent. Many companies look for such qualities when assessing whether you would make a good fit for the team.

That’s also why it’s important to research the company culture before your interview. It will help you answer the question in a way that makes it appear as if you make a good fit.

Whether You Have Confidence and Problem-Solving Skills

In addition, your response will indicate how you approach problems and how you go about solving them. When you talk about yourself, it’s natural to talk about the obstacles you have faced and how you overcame the challenges that were presented to you in life.

The confidence in how you approach problems, and the confidence in which you answer this question in general, will have a decided impact on the interviewer’s impression of you.

A good problem solver is not afraid of problems and obstacles but rather embraces them head on, with confidence.

How to Answer the Question “Tell Me About Yourself” When You Have No Experience?

So, how can you answer the question “tell me about yourself” when you have zero experience to speak of? Here are some things you can talk about.

Talk About Your Education

Most likely, if you have no experience, you are applying for a new grad or entry-level role. Some grads may have internship experience, but not all grads manage to find internships during their studies, and that’s okay.

Instead, talk about your education. For example, if you took courses that are relevant to the job requirements, or if you opted to take electives that are relevant, talk about them.

Discuss what you learned in those classes, the types of assignments or essays you had to submit, and the grade you achieved.

Don’t omit self learning!

A common mistake is to only mention university studies. However, if you did self learning on the side, you should definitely mention them as well.

Whether it’s an Udemy course, a bootcamp, a training event, or even self learning on YouTube, mention any self learning you undertook that is applicable to the job.

Self learning shows that you are motivated and passionate about the topic. It demonstrates that you are willing to go beyond what is required of you.

Instead of doing the bare minimum, you sacrificed your spare time to enrich your knowledge. It shows dedication and, above all, that you enjoy the topic – otherwise, you wouldn’t spend your leisure time on it.

If the self learning resulted in a certificate or certification, make sure to highlight that. An example could be CompTIA’s A+, Net+, and Sec+ certificates, which are relevant to the IT (Information Technology) field.

“During my computer science studies, I studied data structures and algorithms and Python in school. I also learned C++ and C#, which were not covered by my university. I also attended an online bootcamp to brush up my frontend and backend skills, earning a full-stack developer certification in the process from [bootcamp name].”

Discuss Past Projects

If you did any projects related to the topic, even if it’s not actual work experience, mention them as well.

For example, many college courses require you to do projects. Going back to our example of software engineering, most computer science degrees will require you to do things like build a web app, design a database, and complete other projects.

Of course, university projects are the bare minimum. Ideally, you will have projects that you completed in your free time, such as building a game in Python.

For IT, you might have built a home lab or written security audit reports.

However, even if you only have university projects under your belt, it’s better than nothing.

In addition, if you took part in hackathons, group meetups on the topic, or other projects with fellow students, mention them.

“During the last summer break, I took part in Google’s Summer of Code. I worked with other developers to contribute to important open-source projects that make the world a better place.”

Mention Volunteering Experience

In addition to university and personal projects, you may have volunteering experience under your belt.

Volunteering experience does not exactly qualify as work experience. That’s because it’s missing many elements of the skills that are required to work in a company.

For example, when you volunteer, you can usually decide how many hours you put in and work at your leisure, since you’re not getting paid for it. You also don’t have a manager breathing down your neck; it’s typically more easy going, since they are just happy that you’re contributing.

Nevertheless, it can still showcase your skills. It also shows how passionate you are about the topic, since you are willing to devote your time to working for free.

Finally, it demonstrates that you have the right ethical convictions and are willing to contribute your time and effort for the greater good.

“I helped my local church set up and secure their IT systems. I applied my skills in networking and served as a support point for church staff who needed help with their computers.”

Talk About Your Career Goals

Don’t just talk about your past, though. It’s a good idea to talk about your future plans as well.

For example, what are your career goals? Why did you apply for a role at this company?

To answer that latter question, you will need to do a bit of research about the company before your interview.

Another question you might want to answer is where you see yourself in a few years. Even if the interviewers don’t ask that question (and they often do), you can talk about it when asked to speak about yourself.

“While currently applying for help desk, I would like to advance from there. In a few years, I see myself becoming a network administrator/system administrator. Eventually, I would like to transition into cybersecurity, starting by becoming a SOC (Security Operations Center) analyst. To that end, I am currently working on obtaining relevant certifications, such as Sec+ and Pentest+.”

Delve Into Your Life Trajectory

When asked about yourself, you can just literally talk about yourself, including how you grew up and which factors influenced you to take the path you took.

For example, was there a parent figure in your life, whether an uncle or teacher, who motivated you to pursue the degree and career you choose? How did they influence you?

How did you find your path? For example, why did you choose your specific university?

“I’ve always been interested in computers and tech. When I was a kid, I was already coding simple games and apps. Over the years, my passion for software development has grown, and I regularly contribute to open-source projects. My older brother was a great inspiration to me, as he is a well-known software engineer at [Company Name] and has spearheaded many important innovations there.”

Wax On About Your Passion and Motivation

When someone doesn’t have experience, recruiters will usually want them to have passion and motivation. Someone who is passionate will be able to internalize and apply constructive criticism, as well as invest in their own education.

So, talk about how passionate you are about the job. Talk about the things that motivate you.

“I’m extremely passionate about software. I simply love building things, and nothing is better than the satisfaction of building a working app that can help people out in their day-to-day lives. Not only that, but even the small steps bring me great joy. The empowering feeling of implementing a working algorithm is something that I can’t describe.”

Talk About Your Skills, Including Transferrable Ones

Finally, make a big deal out of any skills you have, even if you don’t have work experience. For example, are you a natural leader?

Perhaps you were a student leader in college. While that’s not quite work experience, it does show that you have leadership skills.

It’s a skill that is transferable to any situation. If you have any other transferable skills, such as working under pressure while meeting deadlines, mention them too.

“In college, I led three of my group projects. I was in charge of ensuring the project ran smoothly, that everyone submitted their work on time, and that everyone communicated with each other in a seamless manner. Despite the challenges, such as some students who didn’t seem to want to put in the work, I was able to bring the projects to completion, on time, successfully.”

Tips for Answering The Question Correctly

Don’t memorize a script.

Don’t memorize a script. Interviewers can tell when you are simply parroting a script that ChatGPT or a friend wrote for you.

Besides, reciting a script is a mistake. It won’t allow your passion to shine through.

When you speak naturally, you will be able to speak from your heart. You will use a tone of voice that demonstrates passion, which isn’t as easy to do when simply reciting something you committed to memory.

Another thing to remember is that a script doesn’t really prepare you for questions that may be interjected. You’ll want to instead make a list of common questions you may expect and provide a few possible answers to each, so you can allow the conversation to flow freely without being stumped by anything that gets thrown your way.

There Is No Perfect Answer

Another thing to remember is that there is no perfect answer. Interviewers want to see things like your level of confidence, self awareness, and passion, as we already mentioned.

There is no single way to demonstrate this. So let the conversation flow, and don’t be stilted.

If you feel stumped, just speak. Don’t worry about giving the perfect answer; just start speaking, and the rest will come by itself.

Be Confident

Above all, be confident. Be confident in your suitability for the position and don’t second guess yourself.

Interviewers like candidates who are confident, because they will be able to approach problems confidently and tackle problems head on. It’s normal to display some signs of nervousness, though.

In fact, worrying about being nervous and trying not to look nervous is usually counterproductive, because it only makes you more nervous. Allow yourself the luxury of displaying some nervousness, as it will make your mind more relaxed and allow you to focus on the interview at hand.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Most of all, practice! The more you practice for your interview, the easier it will be when the time comes to do it in real life.

Talk to yourself in the mirror, talk to an imaginary hiring manager, have a friend interview you while role playing as a hiring manager, or use an AI chatbot that exists for this purpose. The most important thing is to get comfortable freestyling answers to questions such as “tell me about yourself.”

That way, when the time comes, you will be able to confidently express yourself, without stumbling over your words or hesitating when speaking.

If this is your first interview, it’s normal to be nervous, or anxious. The first interview is always nerve wracking, but believe me, it does get easier with time.

Consider it a learning experience. Don’t worry too much about the outcome, because there will be other interview opportunities at other companies.

Rather, consider it practice for future interviews. Over time, you will get more comfortable answering the question of “tell me more about yourself.”

It will even come naturally! You will no longer have to worry about being hit with that question, because answering it will be second nature for you.

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. Tom has been a full-time internet marketer for two decades now, earning millions of dollars while living life on his own terms. Along the way, he’s also coached thousands of other people to success.