How to Write a Profile

Step 1: List at least four but no more than eight of your key strengths.
1.______________________ 2.______________________ 3.______________________ 4.______________________ 5.______________________ 6.______________________ 7.______________________ 8.______________________

If you are having trouble, consider the skills employers want as a starting point. These will vary depending on the job you are seeking. If you are applying for a specific position, use the key words in the job description to identify the necessary skills. You will find that most skills fit into one of the following categories:

Analytical Communication International Interpersonal

Leadership Management Research Teamwork

Technical Work Ethic

What examples do you have that fit within these categories? Draw them from your work experience, education, and personal life. Ask these questions: When have I exhibited ____________ (insert category from list above) skills? Describe the situation where you exhibited these skills. What are my major accomplishments? What skills have I worked to improve? What new skills have I learned? Still having trouble? Review the handout on Action Verbs. This should trigger examples of successes in your life.

Step 2: Divide strengths into soft (personal) and hard (technical) skills.
Soft skills ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Examples of soft and hard skills: Soft Skills Motivated Flexible Personable Communication skills Presentation skills Hard skills _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ Hard Skills Speak a foreign language Proficient at MS Office Three years sales experience Analyzed reports Developed strategy

Step 3: Choose which strengths to highlight based on your experience and the employers needs.
For example, if you are applying for a middle management position, be sure to include a synopsis of your experience, i.e., Marketing executive with 7 years experience

Step 4: If your work experience is minimal, highlight educational experience.

For example, Motivated, personable, M.B.A. student with strong leadership skills...

Step 5: Include soft skills.

These determine whether you fit in the organization. Your resume focuses on achievements and technical skills; soft skills are generally not the highlight. The profile is where you highlight your fit characteristics. Use them to make the employer want to meet and interview you.

Step 6: Use short, punchy statements.

Profiles need not be written in complete sentences. Choose the format that works best for you:

Bullet points List of strengths separated by commas or semi-colons Short phrases separated by periods

Step 7: Keep it short.

Your profile should generally not exceed 5 lines and/or 7 points. Other titles for this section include:

Executive Summary Skills

Strengths Expertise

Qualifications

Step 8: Be sure youre answering the following questions in your profile:

1) Who are you? Example: Analytical M.B.A. candidate with 3 years experience in financial services 2) What do you have to offer? Examples: Proven success in information management and data analysis or Strong knowledge of global business issues 3) What sets you apart from other candidates? Example: Key assets include: flexibility, team management, and leadership 4) What kind of environment do you thrive in? Example: Thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment

5) What benefits can you provide the company? Example: Quick learner with the ability to adapt rapidly to changing business needs 6) What are your areas of expertise? Examples: Building and maintaining strong customer relationships or Sourcing new business

Sample Profiles
1) Energetic MBA student with two years of experience in finance seeking financial analyst position. Proven team player with excellent presentation and communication skills. Detailoriented with ability to effectively multi-task and work in a fast-pace environment. Proficient at SAP and MS Access. Areas of Expertise: IRR and NPV Financial Forecasting Variance Analysis 2) Self-motivated human resources professional with five years of experience in training and organizational development. M.S.M. in Organizational Development graduate with expertise in design, development, implementation, measurement and facilitation of training programs which are aligned with business strategy. Team player with highly developed conflict resolution and communication skills. Key strengths: Performance Management Adult Learning Theory Myers Briggs Qualified PeopleSoft 3) Master of Finance candidate with seven years of financial analyst experience in the technology industry. Hard-working, goal-oriented professional with strong interpersonal skills and detailed product knowledge. Key Accomplishments: Partnered with CEO of Norwegian healthcare insurance company to create a new agency distribution channel to preserve $485M in revenue over 8 years in anticipation of government deregulation Managed team of 15 people to analyze the IT outsourcing options of an Asian bank to reduce annual operating costs by 20%