3 key takeaways:
- Learn what a resume introduction is, and the different types of introductions to choose from
- Explore several resume introduction examples across experience levels to help you write your own
- Best practices for how to start a resume and customize it for each job post using the AI Resume Builder
You don't have much time to convince a hiring manager to read your entire resume. That's why a resume introduction is so important. As the first section of your resume, this summary uses a brief 3-5 sentences to explain who you are, what you do, and how you can add value to the company.
In this post, you'll learn the different types of resume introductions and how to start a resume. Plus, you’ll learn how to customize your resume introduction to make it stand out and get resume introduction examples to use as a guide for creating your own.
Struggling to write your resume introduction? Make one fast with Teal's AI Resume Builder.
Resume introduction: What it is and why it matters
A resume introduction is a brief statement at the beginning of your resume that summarizes your background, qualifications, and what you bring to the role. Its goal is to grab a hiring manager’s attention quickly— often within just a few seconds of reading.
This section is also known as a professional summary, resume summary, career summary, resume objective, short professional bio, or personal statement, depending on its format and purpose.
A strong resume introduction:
- Highlights your most relevant skills and achievements
- Aligns with the job you’re applying for
- Sets the tone for the rest of your resume
Think of it as your hook and a chance to make a memorable first impression and encourage the employer to keep reading. Now that you know what a resume introduction is and why it matters, let’s look at the four most common types and when to use them.
Choosing the right resume introduction type
Just like choosing the right resume format, you'll also need to choose the right resume introduction. There are four main types of resume introductions that are most common among jobseekers, these include:
Resume introduction type #1: Resume objective
A resume objective (or career objective) is a brief statement of your career goals and how you hope to contribute to a company. It’s best suited for entry-level professionals, career changers, or those with limited experience looking to clarify their intentions.
💡 Use a resume objective when:
- You’re a recent graduate or have minimal work experience.
- You’re changing careers and need to connect transferable skills to a new industry.
- You want to highlight specific career goals related to the position.
Resume introduction type #2: Professional resume summary
A professional resume summary is a high-level overview of your experience, skills, and achievements, tailored to the job you’re applying for. It’s best for mid-level or experienced professionals who want to highlight their value upfront.
💡 Use a professional resume summary statement when:
- You have at least a few years of experience in your field.
- You want to showcase specific achievements and measurable impact in past roles.
- You’re applying for a role closely aligned with your past experience.
Resume introduction type #3: Qualifications summary
A qualifications summary is a bullet-point format introduction that quickly showcases key skills, experiences, and notable achievements. It works well as a career summary for candidates with highly relevant expertise in their field.
💡 Use a qualifications summary when:
- Your skills and experience are highly aligned with the job description.
- You want a concise, easy-to-read format that highlights your qualifications immediately.
- You need to showcase hard skills and certifications required for the role.
Resume introduction type #4: Resume profile
A resume profile is a detailed yet concise overview of your professional background, combining elements of a resume summary and a qualifications summary. Unlike a resume summary, which emphasizes key achievements, a resume profile provides a broader view of your expertise, skills, and industry experience.
💡 Use a resume profile when:
- You have a well-rounded skill set and want to highlight both soft and hard skills.
- You need to provide context for your career trajectory while still keeping it concise.
- You have multiple relevant qualifications and want to structure them into a powerful opening statement.
How to write a resume introduction
In this section, we'll explore how to introduce yourself in a way that showcases your value and motivates the hiring manager to continue evaluating your application. The tips can mean the difference between getting an interview and being overlooked in the review process.
A powerful intro that sparks interest and highlights your strengths, experience, and passion for the work can lead to an interview—or mean missing the chance altogether.
1. Focus on resume introduction length
Start a resume off right by choosing the type of introduction that's best for your current work history and industry skills. The best length for a resume introduction is 3-5 sentences.
This gives you enough space to call out the most important information without going overboard (remember, the idea is to write something that people will actually take the time to read).
Pro Tip: Start your intro with a high-impact metric or achievement to immediately grab attention. For example: “Marketing professional who grew email engagement by 65% in under six months.”
2. Match your resume introduction to a job
To more effectively position yourself as a successful employee, remember to customize your resume introduction for each job application. Read the job requirements mentioned in the job description and note any ATS keywords, technical skills, or other specific qualifications.
Then make sure to incorporate those words into your resume summary or objective to position yourself as someone who has exactly what the company is looking for.
Pro Tip: Teal's Job Application Tracker & AI Resume Builder help extract the top keywords so you can quickly customize your resume intro and let a company know exactly why you are applying for a specific position.
3. Include metrics
If you're able to include numbers in your resume opening statement—specific metrics or other quantifiable information—this is a great way to prove your capabilities right off the bat. Metrics contribute to a great resume introduction because they demonstrate the impact you made at your prior organization.
To find metrics, consider how success and performance are measured in your industry or job position. Then see if you can dig up relevant numbers.
Pro Tip: Start your resume opening sentence with a high-impact metric or achievement to immediately grab attention. For example: “Marketing professional who grew email engagement by 65% in under six months.”
4. Use strong action verbs
Another helpful tip for the best resume introduction: Use action verbs. Strong action words help spice up your opening statements by bringing your prior work to life and strengthening your resume summary, as the hiring manager can easily picture the impressive work you did.
Pro Tip: You can find countless lists of action verbs for resume online that will help you paint a vivid picture of your key skills in your resume intro.
5. Write your resume introduction last
And while this may sound counterintuitive, it's actually helpful to write your resume introduction last. Similar to writing your short professional bio, it'll be faster and easier to go through your finished resume and pull out the highlights rather than starting from scratch (nobody likes staring at that blinking cursor).
Pro-Tip: Want to save time writing a resume introduction? Teal can help.
Use the AI technology integrated within Teal's AI Resume Builder to generate professional summaries directly within the Teal platform.
Here's how to create a strong resume introduction in minutes, with Teal:
- If you haven’t signed up already, create a Teal account without any charges or commitments.
- Next, log into your web browser account and select the AI Resume Builder on the left-side navigation bar.
- Scroll until you reach the “Professional Summary” section, then click the button that says “Generate with AI”.
- If the response doesn't meet your expectations, you have the option to edit it or choose the "Regenerate with AI'' feature.
- After selecting the best summary, make sure to save it.
Resume introduction examples
Regardless of your resume format, these examples of resume introductions can inspire you to create a compelling resume that will assist you in your job hunt.
Example resume introductions by experience level
For students
Even if you’re a student, a strong resume introduction can help you stand out. Here's a beginner resume summary introduction example for a student:
"As a highly motivated student pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology with an interest in sleep research, I'm excited to apply my academic knowledge and gain hands-on experience in the field through an internship. I'm a quick learner and team player with a solid understanding of the principles of neuroscience, physiology, and research methodologies, and I am ready to contribute to ongoing research projects focused on improving our understanding of sleep and sleep disorders."
For recent graduates
Here's an example resume introduction for a recent graduate looking to kickstart their career. This resume introduction sample highlights key skills, education, and relevant experience:
"As a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in biology and a passion for understanding the science of sleep, I'm eager to apply my knowledge and skills to a career in sleep research. With a strong foundation in neuroscience, physiology, and research methodologies, I'm well-equipped to contribute to studies aimed at improving our understanding of sleep disorders and their treatments."
For entry level professionals
Here's are resume summary examples for entry-level professionals starting their careers. These introduction examples emphasizes skills and practical experience:
"As a skilled HVAC professional, my strong foundation in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems makes me well-equipped to make a positive impact. I have gained practical experience through hands-on projects helping with the installation and maintenance of various HVAC systems. I am confident that I have the skills and motivation to excel in this industry.
"As a driven laboratory technician, I bring hands-on experience in microbiology and biochemistry, with a focus on accuracy and safety. In my recent internship, I contributed to a project that increased data accuracy by 20% through meticulous sample handling and process improvements. I am detail-oriented, proficient in lab safety protocols, and eager to apply my knowledge to support advanced research at your LabTech."
For mid-level professionals
Here are resume introduction examples for mid-level professionals looking to further their careers. Starting a resume profile like this showcases specific expertise, highlights measurable achievements, and demonstrates a blend of analytical and creative skills to make a strong case for impact.
"As an experienced social media marketing professional, I'm excited to apply my project management skills and expertise to drive growth and engagement for your organization. With a proven track record of success in developing and executing social media strategies, I have a strong track record of delivering results managing social media campaigns across a variety of platforms. I am highly analytical and data-driven, and am also a creative thinker who is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage audiences and drive business results."
"As a financial analyst with five years of experience in FP&A, I have a proven track record of driving efficiency improvements and cost reductions. By implementing data-driven strategies, I helped my previous team reduce operating expenses by 15%, directly contributing to an annual profit increase of $500K. My analytical skills, combined with a collaborative approach, enable me to deliver impactful insights that align with organizational goals."
For experienced professionals
Here are two resume introduction examples for experienced professionals aiming to highlight their extensive expertise. These About Me resume sections focus on key resume accomplishments, specialized skills, and the value they bring to their field or industry.
"With over a decade of experience as an attorney, I have a proven track record of success in handling complex legal matters, including contract negotiations, civil litigation, and intellectual property disputes. I am highly skilled in legal analysis, negotiation, and advocacy, and I have a reputation for delivering results that exceed expectations. My strong communication skills and attention to detail make me an asset to any legal team."
"With over 15 years as a project manager in the construction industry, I have led large-scale projects valued at over $10M each, consistently delivering them on time and under budget. My strategic approach to project planning, combined with my ability to manage cross-functional teams, resulted in a 25% increase in project efficiency in my previous role. I am passionate about driving impactful results and am excited to bring my expertise to support your company’s growth."
5 common resume introduction mistakes to avoid
Even strong candidates can lose momentum if their resume introduction misses the mark. Here are five common mistakes to watch out for — and how to avoid them.
1. Being too generic
A vague opening like “Hardworking team player looking for an exciting opportunity” doesn’t tell the employer anything specific. Your intro should highlight your unique skills and value, not read like a cliché.
2. Making it too long
Your resume opening statement should be 3–5 concise sentences—not a full paragraph or mini cover letter. Hiring managers skim, so get to the point quickly.
3. Writing in the first person
Avoid using “I,” “my,” or “me.” Your resume introduction should be written in implied first person (professional, yet objective).
❌ Instead of: “I’m a passionate marketer with 5 years of experience…”
✅ Try: “Marketing professional with 5 years of experience driving brand growth…”
4. Not tailoring it to the job
One-size-fits-all introductions won’t stand out. Use keywords from the job posting and focus on what’s most relevant to the role you’re applying for.
5. Overusing buzzwords
Words like “go-getter,” “synergy,” or “self-starter” can feel empty without proof. Focus on concrete accomplishments and skills over fluff.
Create a strong resume introduction today
Your resume introduction is a crucial first impression, setting the tone for the rest of your application.
Whether you choose a resume objective, professional summary, qualifications summary, or resume profile, the key is to keep it concise, relevant, and tailored to the role.
By highlighting your most valuable skills, experiences, and career goals in a compelling way, you can immediately capture the hiring manager’s attention and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Take the time to refine your introduction, align it with the job description, and showcase what makes you the best fit for the position.
