What Is A Resume Introduction?
A resume introduction is a short paragraph at the top of your resume (above the fold) that tells about yourself, your educational background and experience, your career goals and a value proposition for the job and organization you’re applying for.
A resume introduction is also known as a resume objective, career objective or objective statement. It is usually only two to three sentences long. Due to space limitations, it can be difficult to write as it has to be simple and concise.
It also serves as your formal opening statement and it helps employers to identify your skills and strengths immediately. Think of it as similar to the outfit you’re wearing to an actual interview. It gives the first impression that you’ll definitely need.
Clueless on how to create a powerful resume introduction for yourself? Fret not as we have compiled a list of resume introduction mistakes you should avoid as a fresh graduate.
Resume Introduction Mistakes Fresh Graduates Should Avoid
1. Not Starting With A Self-introduction
You must introduce yourself. No, you don’t have to include your full answer to “Tell me about yourself”, Be cautious of the 3-sentence limit and only include things that are absolutely necessary.
As a fresh graduate, it would be your primary academic qualification. Be careful not to use the wrong qualification when applying for a job. For example, do not address yourself as an entry-level nurse when applying for a Finance position.
Fresh graduates often make mistakes when it comes to using the right adjectives. Again if you are applying for a Finance position, do not use adjectives like “caring” or “creative”.
2. Not Personalising Your Resume Introduction
A resume introduction should be unique to the specific role you’re applying for. It is important to research the job description in order to match your profile with the ideal candidate employers are looking for.
Two common mistakes you should beware of:
- Mentioning irrelevant skills – e.g. using “Canva” when applying for a nursing role.
- Mentioning obvious skills – e.g. Office 365/Google Suite. In this day and age, they are standard skills that all fresh graduates must be equipped with.
Again, the space is limited. Only include the most relevant and unique skills in your resume introduction to keep the hiring manager interested in your application during the first 7 seconds.
3. Not Including The Role You’re Applying For
A classic fresh graduate mistake. A resume introduction without mentioning the role is essentially useless as it defeats the purpose of writing it – to highlight the position and why you’re the best candidate for it.
Always state the role that you are applying for. Be specific – “Digital Marketing Manager” for example. This will assist employers in immediately identifying and connecting your profile to the applied role.
But beware as this could also be a double-edged sword. In this case, ensure that your experience and skills match the applied role of a “Manager”. That’s why personalising your resume introduction for EACH job application is crucial.
4. Zero Value Proposition
Why should the company hire you? Or even offer you interviews, to begin with? Without including your value proposition, it will be difficult to set you apart from dozens of other applicants applying for the same role.
Your final sentence must describe how your skills and experience can contribute to the company’s success. Research on the company goals and vision beforehand, customise this sentence accordingly and you’ll be ten steps closer to landing your dream job.
5. Not Proofreading Your Resume Introduction
Now that you have written a strong resume introduction, do not let grammatical mistakes and poor writing styles destroy your hard work and credibility.
Imagine being mentally ready for the interview but showing up in a messy outfit. The result will most likely not be favourable.
The same goes for your resume introduction. Proofread it and have others review your work.
Best Resume Introduction Examples
Having these 5 tips in mind, you will be able to create a complete resume introduction that is simple, concise and full of useful information.
“I’m an analytical fresh graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and three months of the regional internship experience. Looking forward to utilising vast academic knowledge and work experience to fill the Economist position at XYZ. A determined high achiever striving to reach XYZ’s objectives in the APAC region and beyond.”
This example is only the tip of the iceberg. Want more high-quality resume introductions to help you succeed when applying for jobs in Malaysia? Check out this article now.
The Bottom Line
A resume introduction is only one of the many important parts of a resume. There are also other parts that you should focus on, such as the resume contact information section.
With a greater understanding of resume dos and don’ts, you are ready to create powerful resumes and ace the job application.
Need more help on landing your dream job? Our Job Majestic Blog has all the interview and hr-related resources you’ll need to have an awesome career.
