Use This TemplateHow To Describe Yourself on a Resume + Examples
Learn how to describe yourself on a resume by optimizing key resume sections, incorporating the right skills and verbs, and knowing what words to avoid. Check out our resume examples for excellent ways to describe yourself professionally.
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If you’re unsure how to describe yourself on a resume, this guide covers everything you need. Learn how to craft a strong professional summary, use action verbs and relevant skills to showcase your strengths, avoid generic language, and see real examples to help you stand out.
Don’t want to spend time writing multiple drafts trying to describe yourself on a resume perfectly? We’re here to help! Access personalized content suggestions for all your resume sections using our Resume Builder.
How to Describe Yourself Professionally on a Resume
Every resume must include a section where you write a compelling paragraph describing yourself professionally. This resume section can be a professional summary or objective statement.
These two sections contain a brief statement showcasing your most relevant qualifications for a specific job, but they have some key differences. Let’s look at some examples of how to describe yourself in either scenario.
How to describe yourself on a resume summary
“Passionate science teacher with 12 years of experience teaching students in public and private schools. Strong at classroom management and creating innovative curricula for grades 8-12. Recognized by school district as educator of the year in 2017 and 2020.”
How to describe yourself on a resume objective
“Motivated communications graduate with previous experience as a marketing intern at Mars, Inc. Skilled at market analysis and research, trade marketing, and social media marketing. Eager to offer my communication skills and data analysis in a marketing research assistant position as I continue to develop professionally in a positively challenging environment.”
PRO TIP
Whether you call it a resume summary, objective statement, or “About Me” section, they all serve the same purpose. If you’re still pondering ways to describe yourself on a resume, check out our 20+ resume profile examples for more ideas.
Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Accomplishments
To make your resume stand out, start your statements with action verbs, which are strong, specific words that highlight what you’ve achieved. Action verbs make your contributions feel dynamic and results-driven, especially when paired with quantifiable results.
Compare these two examples:
❌ “Worked as an administrative assistant.”
✅ “Coordinated executive schedules, resolved over 50 client inquiries weekly, and streamlined meeting prep processes, saving 10+ hours per month.”
The second version paints a clearer picture of your skills, scope of responsibility, and impact. Instead of using vague phrases like “hard worker” or “go-getter,” show how you’ve taken initiative and driven outcomes.
Use numbers to describe your accomplishments
Grab an employer’s attention not only with adjectives but with verifiable results, which give them an idea of the impact you can have on the company.
Numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts are eye-catching details that can help you quantify your accomplishments.
We recommend you utilize the simple formula of action verb + task + result to describe yourself and your achievements.
Here are some examples of phrases to describe yourself on a resume that follow this formula and feature measurable accomplishments.
- “Streamlined inventory tracking system to reduce stock discrepancies by 35% in under six months.”
- “Led customer onboarding initiatives that increased user retention by 22% within the first quarter.”
- “Created email marketing campaigns that boosted click-through rates by 18% month-over-month.”
- “Resolved IT support tickets in record time, cutting average response time by 40%.”
- “Trained five new team members and improved department productivity by 15%.”
- “Developed budget tracking tool that saved the department over $10,000 annually.”
- “Negotiated vendor contracts to reduce procurement costs by 12%.”
- “Designed interactive lesson plans that raised student engagement metrics by 20%.”
- “Managed social media accounts that doubled follower growth in six months.”
Powerful action verbs to describe yourself on a resume
Here are some strong verbs to kick off your achievements and summarize your strengths:
- Achieved
- Analyzed
- Awarded
- Built
- Championed
- Collaborated
- Conceived
- Consulted
- Created
- Delivered
- Earned
- Established
- Formulated
- Generated
- Identified
- Implemented
- Improved
- Invented
- Launched
- Learned
- Leveraged
- Managed
- Mentored
- Modeled
- Monitored
- Negotiated
- Operated
- Oversaw
- Participated
- Pioneered
- Produced
- Promoted
- Raised
- Recognized
- Resolved
- Simplified
- Solved
- Spearheaded
- Trained
- Troubleshoot
- Volunteered
- Won
Incorporate Skills to Describe Your Abilities
Your skills show employers what you’re capable of and how you’ll contribute to their team. To describe yourself effectively on a resume, highlight a balanced mix of hard skills (technical or role-specific abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal and workplace strengths).
You can weave these skills throughout your resume summary, experience section, and dedicated skills list. Here are some impactful examples to consider:
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Cultural competence
- Customer service
- Cybersecurity
- Data analysis
- Digital literacy
- Emotional intelligence
- Financial literacy
- Foreign language proficiency
- Leadership
- Networking
- Problem-solving
- Project management
- Sales
- Marketing
- Teamwork
- Time management
Tailor how you describe yourself for ATS
An important factor to consider when describing yourself on a resume is the presence of applicant tracking systems (ATS) in the application process.
Most companies now use ATS software to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems scan your resume for relevant keywords, formatting consistency, and other criteria that match the job posting. If your resume lacks the right language or structure, it might be rejected even if you’re qualified.
Therefore, aligning your self-descriptions with the exact terms used in the job ad is crucial for ensuring you have an ATS-friendly resume. Remember to also use industry-specific terms, the most commonly used versions of your job titles, and key action verbs that reflect the employer’s needs.
If you already have a resume that you want to check for ATS compliance, take advantage of our free ATS Resume Checker, which verifies your document for 30+ of the most common ATS red flags.
Don’t Water Down Your Resume With Generic Terms
Steer clear of clichés and buzzwords: phrases and words that serve as filler and don’t really say anything. Depending on the industry, using these words can make you look unprofessional. These words and phrases won’t tell the employer anything about who you are and what you’ll bring to their company.
- Best of breed
- Go-getter
- Guru
- Hit the ground running
- Involved in
- Received
- Responsible for
- Rockstar
- Synergy
- Think outside the box
- Wheelhouse
PRO TIP
Although these buzzwords have a bad reputation for being ambiguous filler words, some employers use them as a part of their company culture. If you’re applying for a job that includes some of these resume keywords in the job description, add them if they resonate with who you are as a professional.
Examples of How to Describe Yourself on a Resume
The following are examples of resume profiles or “About Me” sections you can copy, paste and customize. Remember to edit them with your skills and achievements before adding them to your resume.
Experienced software engineer with over a decade of expertise in programming and coding. Known for tackling complex challenges and creating scalable solutions. Holds a Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional certification, showcasing a commitment to excellence. Continuously updated on technology trends to deliver high-quality code and contribute to project success.
Dedicated registered nurse with 10 years of experience providing compassionate, high-quality patient care. Proficient in critical thinking, patient assessment, and effective communication, consistently ensuring the well-being and comfort of patients while promoting a culture of safety and excellence in health care.
Results-driven marketing manager with a proven track record of increasing brand visibility and revenue growth through strategic campaigns. Proficient in digital marketing, data analytics, and market research, consistently exceeding targets and KPIs. Achieved a 25% increase in online sales and a 15% boost in conversion rates through innovative marketing strategies in the past year.
Eager entry-level elementary teacher committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. Equipped with strong classroom management skills, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for student development. Previously achieved a 15% improvement in student test scores through tailored lesson plans during student teaching and dedicated to delivering engaging and impactful education to young learners.
Customer service representative
Motivated entry-level customer service representative with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, poised to deliver exceptional client support. Proficient in problem-solving and active listening, ensuring prompt issue resolution. Recognized for achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate through effective communication and issue resolution during previous roles, and committed to maintaining high service standards while building positive customer relationships.
Energetic and personable restaurant hostess with a proven track record of enhancing the guest experience through exceptional hospitality. Proficient in seating management, reservation coordination, and effective communication with guests and staff. Recognized for achieving a 15% increase in positive customer feedback and consistently ensuring efficient table turnover to enhance restaurant performance.
Resume Examples to Kickstart Your Job Search
Find dozens of resume examples for your desired job with pre-written sections that perfectly describe your unique skills and abilities.
Key Takeaways
- You must describe yourself in a resume summary or objective statement to compel employers to hire you.
- When describing yourself on a resume, include action verbs describing your achievements. Use active verbs like “maximized,” “delivered,” and “spearheaded.”
- Incorporate soft and hard skills that accurately describe your abilities, such as adaptability, critical thinking, financial literacy, or strong communication.
- Avoid filler buzzwords that don’t say much, like go-getter, hard worker, or rockstar—unless the employer specifically asks for that in the job ad.
- Write impressive descriptions of yourself with the help of our Resume Builder, which considers your role in creating a personalized resume.
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