How to Start a Resume: Example Introductions

Introduction

The opening of your resume is prime real estate. In the few seconds a hiring manager spends on initial review, your introduction determines whether they continue reading or move to the next candidate. A compelling opening captures attention, communicates value, and establishes you as a serious contender before the reviewer even reaches your work experience.

Yet many job seekers struggle with this crucial section. Should you use a professional summary or an objective statement? How do you condense years of experience into a few impactful lines? What makes an opening memorable rather than forgettable? These questions lead to generic openings that fail to differentiate candidates or, worse, to resumes with no introduction at all.

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about starting your resume effectively. We’ll explore different introduction formats—professional summaries, career objectives, resume headlines, and branding statements—explaining when each is appropriate and how to execute them well. You’ll find over 20 example introductions across various industries and career levels, plus frameworks for crafting your own compelling opening.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive distilling decades of leadership into a powerful summary or a recent graduate crafting your first objective statement, you’ll learn how to start your resume with the impact it deserves. The right opening doesn’t just introduce you—it makes hiring managers eager to learn more.

Types of Resume Introductions

Professional Summary

The professional summary is the most common and versatile resume introduction for experienced professionals. It’s a brief paragraph (typically 3-5 sentences or about 50-150 words) highlighting your most relevant qualifications, key achievements, and professional value proposition.

Best For:

• Professionals with 3+ years of relevant experience
• Career changers emphasizing transferable skills
• Senior professionals with diverse accomplishments to highlight
• Anyone whose value proposition requires context

Key Characteristics:

• Written in third person or implied first person (no “I”)
• Focuses on achievements and impact, not just responsibilities
• Tailored to the target position or industry
• Includes quantifiable results when possible
• Mentions relevant keywords for ATS optimization

Career Objective

A career objective states what you’re looking for professionally—the role you want and what you hope to achieve. While traditional objectives have fallen out of favor, modernized versions still have their place.

Best For:

• Entry-level candidates with limited experience
• Career changers explaining their transition
• Students and recent graduates
• Candidates targeting very specific roles
• Situations where explaining your goals adds clarity

Key Characteristics:

• Focuses on what you want AND what you offer
• Brief (1-2 sentences)
• Specific to the target position
• Emphasizes how you’ll contribute value
• Avoids generic statements about “seeking opportunities”

Resume Headline

A resume headline is a concise phrase or single line that functions like a newspaper headline—capturing attention and communicating your professional identity instantly.

Best For:

• Any career level as a supplement to other introductions
• LinkedIn profiles and digital applications
• Situations requiring extreme brevity
• Professionals with clear, marketable titles or specializations

Key Characteristics:

• Single line, usually 5-15 words
• Contains your title, specialty, or key differentiation
• May include years of experience or notable achievement
• Often paired with a summary or bullet points below

Branding Statement

A branding statement goes beyond summarizing qualifications to articulate your unique professional identity—your personal brand. It answers the question: What makes you distinctive in your field?

Best For:

• Executives and senior professionals
• Creative professionals
• Anyone with a distinctive professional identity
• Personal branding-focused job searches

Key Characteristics:

• Emphasizes unique value proposition
• More narrative and personality-forward than standard summaries
• Positions you distinctively in your market
• May include professional philosophy or approach

Crafting an Effective Professional Summary

The Anatomy of a Strong Summary

Effective professional summaries typically include these elements:

Opening Hook: A strong first line that identifies who you are professionally and your primary value proposition.

Key Qualifications: Your most relevant skills, experiences, or expertise areas for the target role.

Notable Achievements: Quantifiable accomplishments that demonstrate your impact and capabilities.

Career Highlights or Specialization: What sets you apart—special expertise, industry recognition, unique experience.

Closing Value Statement: How you’ll contribute to the target organization (optional but powerful).

Summary Writing Formula

Follow this structure for reliably strong summaries:

[Professional identity] with [years of experience/key qualification] in [field/industry]. [Key achievement with numbers]. [Notable skill or expertise]. [Additional achievement or qualification]. [What you bring to the role/organization].

Example: Marketing Manager Summary

Weak Example: “Marketing professional looking for a challenging position where I can use my skills and experience to help a company grow. Strong communicator with a passion for creativity.”

Strong Example: “Results-driven Marketing Manager with 8 years of experience building high-performing B2B marketing programs in the SaaS industry. Increased marketing-qualified leads by 156% at TechCorp while reducing cost-per-acquisition by 34%. Expertise in demand generation, marketing automation, and team leadership. Track record of aligning marketing strategy with sales objectives to drive measurable revenue impact.”

What Makes the Strong Example Better

• Specific identity: “Results-driven Marketing Manager” vs. vague “Marketing professional”
• Quantified experience: “8 years” vs. no specifics
• Industry context: “B2B…SaaS industry” vs. generic
• Measurable achievements: “156%…34%” vs. no numbers
• Specific skills: “demand generation, marketing automation” vs. “strong communicator”
• Value proposition: “drive measurable revenue impact” vs. generic “help a company grow”

Professional Summary Examples by Career Level

Entry-Level Summaries

Example 1: Recent Graduate in Accounting

“Detail-oriented Accounting graduate from State University with strong foundation in financial analysis, tax preparation, and accounting software proficiency. Completed internship at Regional CPA Firm, contributing to audit procedures for 12 clients. Proficient in QuickBooks, Excel, and SAP. Eager to apply analytical skills and academic knowledge in a staff accountant role.”

Example 2: Customer Service Professional

“Energetic Customer Service Representative with 2 years of retail experience and consistently high customer satisfaction ratings. Recognized three times as Employee of the Month for exceeding sales goals and resolving customer complaints effectively. Strong communicator fluent in English and Spanish, with a commitment to creating positive customer experiences.”

Mid-Career Summaries

Example 3: Software Developer

“Full-stack Software Developer with 6 years of experience building scalable web applications using JavaScript, Python, and cloud technologies. Led development of customer portal at FinTech startup, serving 50,000+ users with 99.9% uptime. Strong background in agile methodologies, code review practices, and mentoring junior developers. Seeking senior developer role where I can drive technical architecture decisions while continuing hands-on development.”

Example 4: Human Resources Manager

“Strategic HR Manager with 10 years of experience across talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR operations in manufacturing environments. Reduced turnover by 28% through implementation of retention programs and manager training initiatives. Expertise in HRIS implementation, performance management system design, and compliance. SHRM-CP certified professional committed to building positive workplace cultures.”

Example 5: Project Manager

“PMP-certified Project Manager with 7 years delivering complex technology projects on time and under budget. Managed cross-functional teams of up to 25 members through all project phases from initiation to closure. Consistently achieved project margins 15% above target while maintaining 95% client satisfaction ratings. Skilled in agile and waterfall methodologies, stakeholder management, and risk mitigation.”

Senior-Level and Executive Summaries

Example 6: VP of Sales

“Dynamic Sales Executive with 15+ years leading high-growth revenue organizations in the enterprise software space. Most recently grew ARR from $12M to $48M in 3 years as VP of Sales at CloudTech, building and developing a team of 35 sales professionals. Expertise in enterprise sales strategy, sales operations optimization, and customer success alignment. Proven ability to scale sales organizations through strategic hiring, process implementation, and performance culture development.”

Example 7: Chief Financial Officer

“Strategic CFO with 20 years of experience guiding financial operations for technology companies from startup through IPO. Led successful $85M Series D raise and subsequent NASDAQ listing for SaaS platform company. Deep expertise in financial planning and analysis, investor relations, M&A integration, and board governance. Recognized for building finance functions that balance disciplined stewardship with strategic business partnership.”

Example 8: Operations Director

“Operations Leader with 12 years optimizing manufacturing and supply chain performance for Fortune 500 companies. Delivered $15M in annual cost savings through lean transformation and automation initiatives at GlobalManufacturing Corp. Expert in continuous improvement methodologies, vendor management, and cross-functional team leadership. Six Sigma Black Belt with track record of turning around underperforming operations.”

Professional Summary Examples by Industry

Technology

Example 9: Data Scientist

“Data Scientist with 5 years of experience applying machine learning and statistical modeling to solve complex business problems. Built predictive models at E-commerce Giant that increased conversion rates by 23% and reduced customer churn by 18%. Expertise in Python, R, SQL, and cloud ML platforms including AWS SageMaker and Google Cloud AI. Strong communicator able to translate technical findings into actionable business insights.”

Example 10: Cybersecurity Analyst

“Certified Cybersecurity Professional (CISSP, CEH) with 7 years protecting enterprise networks and cloud infrastructure from evolving threats. Led incident response for Fortune 500 financial services firm, reducing mean time to detection by 60%. Expertise in threat intelligence, vulnerability assessment, SIEM implementation, and security awareness training. Committed to building security cultures that balance protection with business enablement.”

Healthcare

Example 11: Registered Nurse

“Compassionate Registered Nurse with 8 years of clinical experience in critical care and emergency departments. Recognized for exceptional patient outcomes and family communication in high-stress environments. Led quality improvement initiative that reduced medication errors by 40% on 30-bed ICU unit. Current certifications include BLS, ACLS, PALS, and CCRN. Committed to evidence-based practice and continuous professional development.”

Example 12: Healthcare Administrator

“Healthcare Administrator with 10 years of experience managing operations for multi-physician practices and ambulatory care centers. Grew patient volume 45% while improving patient satisfaction scores from 78% to 94% at Regional Medical Group. Expertise in revenue cycle management, regulatory compliance, and EHR optimization. Master’s in Healthcare Administration with strong track record of balancing quality care with operational efficiency.”

Finance

Example 13: Financial Analyst

“Analytical Financial Professional with 6 years of experience in corporate FP&A and investment analysis. Developed financial models supporting $200M+ capital allocation decisions at Fortune 500 energy company. Expert in financial modeling, variance analysis, and business case development using Excel, SQL, and Tableau. CFA Level II candidate with strong ability to synthesize complex data into strategic recommendations.”

Example 14: Investment Banking Associate

“Investment Banking professional with 4 years of M&A and capital markets experience in the technology sector. Executed 12 transactions representing over $3B in aggregate deal value, including IPOs, follow-on offerings, and strategic acquisitions. Strong financial modeling, due diligence, and client relationship skills. MBA from Top Business School with undergraduate degree in Finance.”

Education

Example 15: High School Teacher

“Dedicated High School Mathematics Teacher with 9 years of experience making complex concepts accessible and engaging for diverse learners. Consistently achieved 15%+ improvement in standardized test scores. Developed innovative curriculum integrating technology and real-world applications that increased student engagement. Master’s in Education with certification in Mathematics and Special Education. Committed to creating inclusive classrooms where all students can succeed.”

Creative Industries

Example 16: Graphic Designer

“Creative Graphic Designer with 6 years of experience developing visual identities, marketing materials, and digital assets for consumer brands. Led rebranding initiative for retail client resulting in 30% increase in brand recognition. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics, and UI/UX principles. Portfolio includes work for Fortune 500 clients and award-winning startup campaigns. Passionate about translating brand strategy into compelling visual communication.”

Career Objective Examples

When Objectives Work Best

Career objectives work well when you need to explain your goals explicitly—particularly when your experience doesn’t obviously align with your target role. Modern objectives focus on value delivered, not just personal aspirations. Using tools like 0portfolio.com can help you craft these objective statements effectively alongside your complete resume.

Effective Objective Formulas

Formula 1: Goal + Skills + Contribution “Seeking [target role] where I can apply my [relevant skills] to [specific contribution/benefit to employer].”

Formula 2: Background + Transition + Value “[Current/recent background] seeking to transition into [target role/field], bringing [transferable skills] and commitment to [relevant value].”

Entry-Level Objectives

Example 17: Recent Graduate

“Recent Marketing graduate seeking entry-level Digital Marketing position where I can apply classroom knowledge in SEO, content strategy, and analytics to drive measurable campaign results while developing hands-on experience in a fast-paced agency environment.”

Example 18: First-Time Job Seeker

“Motivated high school graduate seeking Retail Sales Associate position at Target, bringing strong communication skills, customer-first attitude, and flexible availability to contribute to positive shopping experiences and team success.”

Career Change Objectives

Example 19: Teacher to Corporate Training

“Accomplished High School Educator with 8 years of classroom experience seeking Corporate Training Specialist role. Bringing proven curriculum development skills, presentation expertise, and ability to make complex information accessible to diverse audiences. Passionate about facilitating adult learning and professional development.”

Example 20: Military to Civilian

“Transitioning Army Officer with 10 years of leadership experience seeking Operations Management role in logistics. Offering proven ability to lead teams of 50+, manage complex supply chains under pressure, and deliver results in resource-constrained environments. Eager to apply military discipline and strategic thinking to private sector operations challenges.”

Returning to Workforce Objectives

Example 21: Re-entering Professional

“Experienced Project Manager returning to the workforce after career pause, seeking PM role in healthcare technology. Bringing 12 years of prior project management experience, recently completed PMP certification, and fresh perspective on work-life integration. Ready to contribute immediately while reestablishing my professional trajectory.”

Resume Headlines and Branding Statements

Headline Examples

Example 22: Technical Expert “Senior Cloud Architect | AWS Certified | 15+ Years Enterprise Infrastructure Experience”

Example 23: Sales Professional “Top-Performing Enterprise Sales Executive | $50M+ Annual Revenue | SaaS Industry Expert”

Example 24: Creative Professional “Award-Winning Brand Strategist | Fortune 500 Experience | Visual Storytelling Expert”

Example 25: Healthcare Professional “Board-Certified Emergency Physician | 12 Years Clinical Experience | Patient Safety Champion”

Branding Statement Examples

Example 26: Marketing Executive

“I build marketing engines that drive measurable business growth. Over 18 years, I’ve developed an approach that combines data-driven decision making with creative risk-taking to deliver campaigns that capture attention and convert customers. From startup scrappiness to enterprise scale, I’ve led teams that punch above their weight and exceed expectations.”

Example 27: Technology Leader

“At the intersection of technology and business strategy, I help organizations transform digital challenges into competitive advantages. My career has been defined by taking complex technical problems and translating them into solutions that non-technical stakeholders can champion. I believe the best technology leaders are translators first and technicians second.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Generic, Cookie-Cutter Openings

Weak: “Hardworking professional seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and grow with the company.”

This tells the reader nothing specific about you. Everyone is hardworking and seeking challenging positions.

Fix: Replace generic language with specific qualifications, achievements, and value propositions unique to you.

Mistake 2: Focusing Only on What You Want

Weak: “Looking for a marketing position that offers competitive salary, work-life balance, and opportunity for advancement.”

Employers care about what you’ll contribute, not just what you want from them.

Fix: Balance your goals with the value you’ll provide to the organization.

Mistake 3: Including Irrelevant Information

Weak: “Detail-oriented professional with 10 years of experience and a passion for excellence. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and photography.”

Your hobbies don’t belong in your professional summary.

Fix: Keep your introduction focused on professional qualifications relevant to the target role.

Mistake 4: Lacking Specificity

Weak: “Sales professional with experience in various industries and proven track record of success.”

This lacks the specificity that makes a candidate memorable.

Fix: Include specific industries, years of experience, quantified achievements, and concrete skills.

Mistake 5: Being Too Long

Professional summaries should be concise. If your introduction runs longer than 5-6 sentences or 150 words, you’re including too much.

Fix: Edit ruthlessly. Every word should earn its place.

Mistake 6: Using First Person

Weak: “I am a dedicated project manager who has delivered multiple projects on time.”

Resumes traditionally avoid first-person pronouns in summaries.

Fix: Use implied first person: “Dedicated project manager with track record of on-time delivery.”

Mistake 7: Not Tailoring to the Position

Using the same generic summary for every application signals that you’re mass-applying without genuine interest.

Fix: Customize your introduction for each application, emphasizing qualifications most relevant to that specific role.

Writing Your Own Introduction: A Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Identify Your Key Selling Points

Before writing, list:

• Your primary professional identity (title, specialty)
• Years of relevant experience
• Top 3-5 skills most relevant to target roles
• 2-3 quantifiable achievements
• Any notable credentials, certifications, or recognition
• Your unique value proposition

Step 2: Research Your Target

Review:

• Job descriptions for your target roles
• Keywords and skills commonly requested
• Language used to describe ideal candidates
• Problems the role is expected to solve

Step 3: Write a First Draft

Using the formula and examples above, write your first draft. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for completeness.

Step 4: Edit for Impact

Review your draft for:

• Specificity: Replace vague language with specific details
• Quantification: Add numbers wherever possible
• Keywords: Ensure relevant industry/skill keywords appear
• Value focus: Emphasize what you offer, not just what you’ve done
• Brevity: Cut unnecessary words

Step 5: Test and Refine

Get feedback from:

• Colleagues in your industry
• Mentors or career advisors
• People in hiring positions

Refine based on their input.

Step 6: Customize for Each Application

For each application, adjust your introduction to:

• Match the language of the job description
• Emphasize the most relevant qualifications
• Address specific requirements or challenges mentioned
• Include any company-specific keywords

Conclusion

Your resume’s opening sets the tone for everything that follows. A powerful introduction captures attention, communicates your value proposition, and makes hiring managers want to learn more. A weak introduction—or no introduction at all—misses a crucial opportunity to differentiate yourself from competing candidates.

The right introduction format depends on your situation. Professional summaries work for most experienced professionals, offering space to highlight achievements, skills, and impact. Career objectives suit entry-level candidates and career changers who need to explain their goals and direction. Headlines provide quick, scannable identification for any career level. Branding statements position senior professionals and executives with distinctive professional identities.

Whatever format you choose, focus on specificity over generality, achievements over responsibilities, and value to employers over personal desires. Include quantifiable results whenever possible. Tailor your introduction to each application rather than using one generic statement for all.

Review the examples in this guide as models, but don’t copy them directly. Your introduction should reflect your unique qualifications, achievements, and professional identity. Use the formulas and frameworks provided to structure your own compelling opening that makes hiring managers eager to read on.

Your resume has seconds to make an impression. Start those seconds with impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include a professional summary or objective? Most experienced professionals should use a professional summary. Objectives are better for entry-level candidates, career changers, or situations where explaining your goals adds clarity.

How long should my resume introduction be? Professional summaries should be 3-5 sentences or 50-150 words. Headlines should be one line. Objectives should be 1-2 sentences.

Should I customize my introduction for each application? Yes. Tailoring your introduction to each position—emphasizing relevant qualifications and using matching keywords—significantly increases effectiveness.

Can I use bullet points in my professional summary? You can, but paragraph format is more common and often more effective for summaries. Bullet points work well if you’re listing several specific qualifications concisely.

Should I include personal traits like “hardworking” or “passionate”? These unsupported claims add little value. Instead, demonstrate these qualities through your achievements and specific qualifications.

Where does the introduction go on my resume? The introduction appears at the top of your resume, immediately after your contact information and before your work experience.

Is it okay to skip the introduction entirely? It’s not recommended. The introduction is valuable real estate that helps hiring managers quickly understand your candidacy. Only skip it if you’re extremely space-constrained.

Should I write my introduction first or last? Many people find it easier to write the introduction last, after they’ve compiled all their experience and achievements. You’ll have a clearer sense of your key selling points.