It goes without saying that a curriculum vitae (CV) is an essential component of any job application, but is it all you need to land a job?
As the CV only provides employers with a snapshot of your educational and occupational merits, employers and headhunters have little way to gauge an applicant’s character outside of an interview. However, given that most employers may be going through dozens of applications, only the most outstanding CVs will secure interviews. But if an outstanding CV is the golden ticket to an interview, what chance do regular folks have against their Ivy League competitors?
If you aren’t someone of a prestigious pedigree, don’t fret – you still have a fighting chance with the “About me” section. Although not a traditional part of the CV, this often overlooked element lets employers learn more about potential hires. Play your cards right, and it may give you the boost needed to stand toe-to-toe against candidates with shinier accolades. Interested in beefing up your resume game? Read on to find out more…
How not to sell yourself
Whether for a CV, your LinkedIn profile or a general portfolio, the “About me” section provides you with a rare opportunity to sell yourself. Before we begin, let’s establish what an “About me” page should not be:
· An exact replica of the details in your CV – it’s redundant and doesn’t provide readers with any new insight about you.
· An autobiography – most readers don’t have the luxury of reading through a long story, nor do they want to know everything there is to know about you.
· A comprehensive list of your achievements and triumphs – it’s good to be proud of what you’ve accomplished, but there’s no need to highlight everything you’ve ever achieved. It’s a sure-fire way to appear arrogant.
Instead, consider the “About me” page as an opportunity to describe what you and your skills/experience can offer potential employers.
Getting into the details
An “About me” section is best when around 250 words. According to The Balance, it needs to be able to convey several things:
1. Who you are and what you’re currently doing
2. How you got there
3. What your greatest personal and professional achievements are
4. What you’re looking to do next
The opening of the page should briefly cover your background. What is your current occupation (or what was it previously if you are unemployed)? What sort of skills or tasks does your line of work involve? There’s no need to be overly fancy or dramatic to sound convincing – assuming your CV has reference contacts, potential employers can always verify your story if they are uncertain. When writing the page, you can refer to yourself either in the first person or third person, but be consistent throughout.
Example:
John Smith is an English copywriter by trade and passion. With fifteen years of experience at McMann Advertising Co., John has managed creative campaigns at the local and international level – creating award-winning cross-cultural campaigns for global brands.
Next, discuss your passions – cover the professional aspect first, then your hobbies and interests. Employers typically favour hobbies and interests that can help grow on a professional and personal level (i.e. taking classes or workshops related to your field).
Example:
John is an advocate for creating experiences – not just in work, but across life as a whole. As a storyteller, he aims to help his clients evoke colourful, thought-provoking narratives. Keenly interested in photography since high school, John enjoys taking photography workshops to sharpen his insight into the visual aspects of his projects.
Once you’ve got your background information filled in, let your readers know about some of your professional and personal achievements. As CVs only allow for a brief highlight, this is your chance to provide more detail about your most meaningful accomplishments.
Example:
John’s captivating storytelling has helped McMann secure several multi-million dollar projects for clients such as Toboyta Motor Industries, Lingor Chocolates and the Brolex Watches – several of which have won awards at the Cannes Advertising Festival. During his first three years at McMann, John standardised project pitching decks and streamlined the presentation deck building process.
Although work-life balance is difficult to achieve in the advertising industry, John is a family man and enjoys going on food and travel adventures with his wife and two kids.
At the end of the page, include a call-to-action so that readers can know what you are looking for – this is especially handy for people who want to pick up freelance work or are looking for a new job.
Example:
Due to the coronavirus epidemic, John was let go from his job and is currently looking for a new copywriting and advertising project management position. For contract, full-time or freelance job opportunities, please get in touch at #phone number or @email. Thank you!
If you plan to have an “About me” section for both your CV and LinkedIn profile, avoid copying and pasting the same content for both. After all, laziness is not a good look for potential employees. Switch up the wording and consider including more detail for LinkedIn (their 2000-character limit gives you more leeway to describe yourself).
Having an “About me” section will help bring your CV to life – whether you’re searching for a job or not. By making your resume stand out from the crowd, you’re more likely to get a call-back or interview request from a headhunter or potential employer. If you’re having trouble finding just the right words to sell yourself, your friendly neighbourhood wordsmiths are always happy to help!