As a Resume Advisor, I usually advise people to stick to Highlights/Summary of Qualifications as opposed to using a Profile. Recently I’ve been told that Profile is sort of a new trend, so it might be preferable.
I haven’t had the chance to get any reading done on it. I still prefer Highlights/Summary of Qualifications because it’s in point form, a lot easier and quicker to read.
I’m sure many here must be recruiting/hiring employees, or reviewing resumes. I thought I’d ask and find out what the preference is these days.
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
^ Sadiyah... more then a question of trend, I think its really one of the format and syntax of the resumé… a summary with highlights of qualifications is more suited to someone looking for an entry-level job and who doesn’t have much else to highlight by way of experience, performance and accomplishments in different work settings. A summary of qualifications presents just the specifics of the stuff that’s captured later in the content of the resumé anyways.
For me personally, I actually use a profile at the beginning (two actually… one for teaching & research and one for consulting & project management). What's more, I call them "summary profile". In both of them, I do not use paragraphs but rather bullet points to underscore the principal elements of my work experience thus far.
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
Umar, you're quite right. I should've been more precise. What is your opinion on students/new grads using a profile? I personally did not like it much.
However, just a few days ago, I was assisting someone looking for a senior/executive position and profile made sense for her. In fact, highlights of qualifications wouldn't have done it for her.
Do you have any examples of good sample profiles or the type that you use?
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
What's a profile?
Whn my company hires entry level managers fresh out of university, we look for level of education (details of the course are irrelevant), but above all for people who describe what they've accomplished in life and what results they have delivered, and for a history that shows interest in the field they are trying to work in.
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
Profile is more or less like highlights/summary of qualifications quite often in a paragraph format. It outlines your experience, relevant accomplishments, and worthiness.
mad_scientist, are details under the education section really irrelevant? A lot of students and fresh grads like to include major academic projects they've worked on. I'd think they should matter for those who don't have relevant work experience.
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
Here's an excerpt from my CV:
[quote]
SUMMARY PROFILE (ACADEMIA): TEACHING & RESEARCH
Practice comprises over seven years of instructional experience at the undergraduate, graduate and post graduate levels.
Teaching appointments range from classroom instruction at universities and colleges to delivering seminars and workshops at corporate training facilities and industry symposia.
Extensive teaching experience in Management Information Systems, e-Business Strategies, Information Systems for Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Systems Implementation, and Internet Applications Development.
Competent in modern pedagogical techniques including case studies, evaluation manors and student portfolios.
Core research interests include Community Informatics, Computer Mediated Communication and Socio-Technical Design, with peripheral interests in Knowledge Management, Mobile Commerce and Supply Chain Management.
Experienced in empirical research investigations using both Quantitative and Qualitative methods, with particular expertise in Grounded Theory, Social Network Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling.
Practiced Project Manager competent in operational and product development projects related to new technology initiatives.
Fulfilled consulting engagements related to enterprise technology initiatives with various multinationals and Fortune 500 clients.
Core competencies include strategic & operational planning and multi-site technology deployment for e-Business ventures.
Accomplished in leading project teams during the full systems development cycle including design, deployment, configuration and training.
Well versed in the use of ITIL best practices, six sigma quality management models and agile software development processes.
Recent consulting engagements include Business Analyst Team Lead for an e-HR corporate portal project, and a Web Analytics Advisor for an e-Government community portal project.
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
profile is an accomplishments, experiences and capability summary of all your experience and invariable helps people looking at the resume get a much better understanding of how your skills align with what they are looking for.
I have hired people and a profile is always helpful, at minimum it saves me the hsasle of going thru a resume to connect the dots. even for new grads who list internships and part time jobs or student leadership etc..my man interest is..what did you accomplish, what can you do, and a profile is very helpful.
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
Hii Sadiyah .......how r u ..I have to make my Cv or resume ......
SO Can u plz send me soem samples ....I don t have much job experience ....& soon be getting my Bachlor's Degree in engineering.I shall be very thnkful to u to help me out...
Re: Profile vs. Highlights/Summary of Qualifications
not really highlights of qualifications, and the format could be paragraph or bullets. I have seen both. I currently use a bullet form since each bullet focuses on a different aspect.