While there are multiple factors that determine if you land the position, crafting an effective professional profile can kick start a strong introduction to your CV and your chances of being the candidate selected.
WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL PROFILE?
A professional profile is a clear and concise summary of your skills, strengths, and milestone experiences. This summary should clearly indicate what you are seeking (in terms of a career) as well as the value you offer the organisation.
You can think of your professional profile as the first impression of your CV. If your professional life was a movie, your professional profile would be the trailer. Being a first impression, it can also be used as your elevator speech at networking events, career fairs or on social media platforms.
If you are an entrepreneur, you can include it on your LinkedIn profile or company’s Facebook page to generate interest in your company. You can also use it to promote your skills and the value you can offer an organisation.
In summary, your professional profile must be written in such a way to compel the reader to want to get to know you further.
HOW TO CREATE A PROFESSIONAL PROFILE FOR YOUR CV
- Keep it brief & to the point!
Employers simply require the most relevant information pertaining to the job. Limit your professional profile to two or three sentences; summarize your main points.
- Consider your audience & choose your words.
The position you’re applying for will determine what you should include in your profile. For example, if you’re applying as a web developer in a project management firm or an engineer in a laboratory, you can include technical terms to showcase your proficiency and knowledge. Once your interviewer knows what you’re referring to, jargon is permitted and even possibly expected.
- Relevancy.
Employers already know what type of person they are looking for, which they would state in the job description. In order to capture the reader’s attention therefore, the skills and qualities you list should carefully mirror the requirements of the job description.
For example, if you are applying for the role of Marketing Manager, your professional profile may include familiar and relevant terms such as “customer acquisition”, “market research”, “selling”, “marketing strategy” or “advertising campaigns”.
- Capitalise on examples.
Every candidate would most likely list “Strong communication skills” and “leadership abilities” in their professional profile. Providing brief examples provides context and will carry your application further. How many people did you lead? How many years of experience? Are there specific KPI’s that demonstrate your success in the role? Indicate a tangible example to add further credibility and stand out.
- Be clear about your intentions.
Do you want this position to start your career, learn new skills or make a career switch? Is your intention to stay with the company long-term or are you seeking foundational experience? There is always the temptation to stretch the truth on a resume, but employers will inevitably find out. Be honest about your intentions, why you are applying and what your expectations are.
- Include attention grabbing language.
Based on their limited time, employers usually skim your resume. Adding strong, action and emotive language can capture their interest in what you have to tell them. Action words such as “Managed”, “Improved”, “Developed”, “Solved”, “Designed” and “Collaborated” will energize your professional profile and allow your resume to stand apart.
BENEFITS OF USING A PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Having a professional profile, whether it’s on your resume or social media, can offer multiple opportunities:
- Gives a snapshot of who you are
From job applications to acquisition of new clients, your professional profile is a great marketing tool. It is essentially a snapshot of your proficiency or expertise within an industry. Having this snapshot enables them to identify areas in their company where you can potentially be a fit. In competitive job markets in the Caribbean, every professional or entrepreneur needs this introductory snapshot to market themselves.
- Structures and formalises your resume
Your qualifications and work experience tells the interviewer what you are. Your professional profile answers the question of who you are. The summary at the top of your resume allows the hiring manager to see your personality, feel your enthusiasm and ultimately helps build their first impression of you.
- Shows your commitment
Additionally, starting your resume with a professional profile indicates that you’re placing time and effort in presenting yourself in the best way and taking this job application seriously. You are essentially speaking to the interviewer in your summary, so it is worthwhile to express yourself and convince the interviewer to select you for an interview.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE TEMPLATE
Marketing Specialist Professional Profile
Flexible and goal-oriented marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in managing all aspects of above the line and social media campaigns with annual budgets over $100,000. Highly motivated to build your company’s online brand, increase market share and generate lucrative leads to your website. In previous roles, boosted the number of website subscribers by 200% YOY and increased sales revenues by 20%.
Graphic Designer Professional Profile
Creative, dynamic & innovative graduate from UWI with a major in graphic design. Proficient in Adobe Suite, videography, Photoshop and typography. Interested in being a part of your team to contribute unique ideas and generate forward-thinking creative solutions for print and digital media. Completed 6-month internship at McCann Erickson.
Computer Technician Professional Profile
Energetic and analytical graduate from University of West Indies with a BS in Computer Science. Previous experience in developing information systems, designing databases and implementing streamlined procedures to achieve company’s objectives. Skilled in Visual Studio Code, JavaScript as well as creating and updating databases. Completed 3-month internship at Fujitsu Caribbean.
