Getting to Know About Me In A Resume

When reviewing resumes, most employers look at experience, education, and skills.

But one small section at the top that can quietly reveal a lot more about a candidate is the “About Me.”

This short paragraph gives you a quick overview of the applicant’s background, strengths, and goals.

Knowing how to read and assess this section can make your hiring process faster and more effective.

We’ll break down what makes a good “About Me” in a resume, what red flags to watch out for, and how to use it during shortlisting in this article.

What Is the “About Me” Section in a Resume?

The “About Me” section in a resume is a brief introduction written by the candidate to describe themselves as a professional.

Think of it as a summary that highlights their career background, key skills, achievements, and work goals.

Most candidates keep this section between 2 to 4 sentences long, and it usually appears at the very top of the resume, just below the name and contact details.

A good “About Me” should give you answers to questions like:

Who is this person professionally?
What do they bring to the table?
What are they aiming for in their career?

For example, a fresh graduate might write about their degree, internship experience, and what kind of role they’re looking for. A senior executive, on the other hand, may focus on leadership achievements and long-term strategic goals.

While not compulsory, many Malaysian job seekers use this section as a way to stand out, especially in industries like marketing, tech, design, or customer service, where communication and personal branding are important.

What Employers Should Look for in the 'About Me' Section

When you review a resume, the “About Me” section can give you a quick sense of who the candidate is before diving into the full details. Pay attention to these:

Alignment with the job and company culture

Look for signs that the candidate understands the role they’re applying for.

Even if they don’t mention your company directly, their values and professional direction should feel in tune with the position.

For example, a candidate applying for a customer-facing role should naturally highlight people skills or service orientation.

If your company values innovation and agility, you might want to see those themes reflected in their summary.

Clarity and confidence in writing

A strong “About Me” section is clear, direct, and free of jargon.

The candidate should be able to introduce themselves professionally in one or two lines, without sounding unsure or overly wordy.

Statements like “Experienced sales executive with a strong background in B2B negotiation” reflect self-awareness and confidence, while vague phrases like “looking for opportunities to grow” may lack focus.

Mention of key skills and experience

You should expect to see a snapshot of the candidate’s relevant strengths.

This could be a mix of soft skills, technical expertise, or industry knowledge.

Importantly, good candidates don’t just mention what they’re good at, they support it with real-world outcomes.

For example, “led a digital transformation that reduced costs by 15%” says much more than simply writing “strong in project management.”

Professional tone and relevance

Whether the writing style is formal or slightly casual, the tone should remain respectful, mature, and focused on work-related traits.

If the candidate uses overly playful language, adds unrelated personal hobbies, or writes like they’re on social media, it may signal a lack of understanding about professional boundaries.

Similarly, if the content strays too far from the job description, it might show poor tailoring or a lack of interest.

Common Red Flags in “About Me” Sections

While many candidates try to impress with their “About Me” section, not all of them get it right.

Some may use generic phrases, while others might overstate their skills or fail to match the job.

Spotting these signs early can save time during shortlisting.

If the section feels empty, unfocused, or exaggerated, the rest of the resume might not be any stronger.

Some common red flags employers in Malaysia should watch out for are below.

Overly vague or generic statements

If a candidate writes something like “I am a hardworking individual looking for growth,” it tells you very little.

Generic phrases may sound nice, but they don’t give you any real insight into the person’s background or capabilities.

Strong candidates tend to be specific, using clear examples or measurable achievements.

Lack of focus or relevance to the role

Sometimes, a resume starts with a paragraph that feels completely disconnected from the job they’re applying for.

For instance, someone applying for a finance role might write a creative-focused summary that talks about their love for writing or photography.

This lack of alignment suggests they haven’t tailored the resume and may not fully understand the job expectations.

Overused buzzwords with no substance

Words like “motivated,” “dynamic,” or “results-driven” are common in resumes, but if they’re not backed up with real results or job-related context, they lose their meaning.

Be cautious when a candidate fills the section with big words but gives no clear proof of what they’ve done.

A strong “About Me” should show impact, not just say impressive-sounding things.

Examples of Strong “About Me” Sections

When candidates write a good “About Me” section, it becomes easier for you to get a first impression of their potential.

Below are a few examples across experience levels to help you understand what a strong section looks like. These examples reflect clarity, relevance, and professionalism.

Fresh Graduate Example

“Recent Computer Science graduate from Universiti Malaya with internship experience in data analysis and Python programming. Passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and currently seeking a junior data analyst role to build hands-on experience in the tech industry.”

This summary is short and clear. It mentions the candidate’s education, relevant experience (internship), key skills (Python), and career goal. All tailored to an entry-level tech role.

Mid-Level Professional Example

“Marketing Specialist with 5 years of experience in SEO, content marketing, and campaign strategy. Increased organic website traffic by 40% at a fintech startup through targeted content initiatives. Eager to contribute strategic thinking and hands-on execution in a growing digital team.”

“About Me” above shows years of experience, key skills, a quantifiable achievement, and a professional goal. It also hints at industry familiarity and shows readiness for growth.

Managerial/Leadership Role Example

“Senior Sales Manager with over 10 years of experience in B2B sales and client retention. Managed a team of 12 and drove revenue growth of 25% year-on-year in the manufacturing sector. Looking to bring leadership and commercial insight into a regional sales role.”

The summary above focuses on leadership, measurable results, and the scale of responsibility. It’s targeted toward higher-level roles and demonstrates the ability to lead teams and deliver outcomes.

How HR in Malaysia Can Use 'About Me' to Screen Candidates

In the Malaysian hiring landscape, where employers often receive a high number of applications for a single role, the “About Me” section can help recruiters filter candidates more effectively.

It’s not a replacement for a full resume, but it can guide your first impression and speed up the shortlisting process.

So, how can your HR team make use of this small but powerful paragraph in the hiring process?

Quick check for personality and culture fit

Sometimes, the way a person writes about themselves can hint at how they might behave or communicate at work.

A thoughtful “About Me” can show if the candidate values teamwork, growth, creativity, or professionalism, things that may align with your company’s culture.

This is especially useful when you’re hiring for collaborative roles or building team dynamics.

Gauge communication style and clarity

The section gives you an early clue about the candidate’s writing ability and self-awareness.

If the writing is structured, confident, and focused, it reflects well on their ability to communicate in a workplace setting.

This is important for roles where clear communication (verbal or written) is part of the job.

Shortlist faster based on relevance

When you’re going through 100+ resumes, a well-written “About Me” helps you decide faster whether to keep reading.

It tells you right away if the person has the right background, knows what they want, and understands the role.

This is especially helpful for junior or entry-level roles, where experience may be limited but intention matters.

Spot career direction and stability

The way a candidate talks about their goals can reveal how seriously they’re taking the opportunity.

If they have a clear career direction that fits the role, it’s often a sign that they’re not just job-hopping.

This can help you avoid short-term hires and focus on candidates who want to grow with your company.

Tips for Employers to Screen the "About Me" Section

The “About Me” section can be helpful, but it should be viewed as one part of the bigger picture.

Here’s how Malaysian employers and HR professionals can get the most value out of it, without relying on it too heavily:

Use it to complement, not replace, the full resume

While the “About Me” section offers a snapshot of the candidate, it’s still just a summary.

Don’t base your decision solely on this paragraph. Instead, use it as a starting point to decide whether the rest of the resume is worth reviewing.

For example, if a candidate shows strong alignment in their summary, you can quickly move on to confirm those details in their work history or achievements.

Compare it with LinkedIn or other professional profiles

Many candidates write summaries on both their resumes and LinkedIn.

Cross-checking the tone, wording, and examples can give you a better sense of consistency.

If both platforms reflect similar messages, the candidate is likely clear about their professional identity. If they differ too much, it may be worth asking about it in the interview.

Watch out for copy-paste templates or AI-generated content

In today’s digital age, some candidates use AI tools or free templates that sound too polished or too generic.

If you see phrases that feel robotic, overly formal, or unrelated to the role, the content might not be original.

One trick is to search for a sentence from their summary online. If it appears word-for-word on resume template websites, it may not be authentic.

Look for subtle signs of leadership potential

Especially in mid- to senior-level roles, the “About Me” section can signal how a person views their role in a team or company.

Candidates who mention mentoring others, leading projects, or influencing outcomes (with results) might be worth shortlisting for leadership pipelines even if they’re not applying for a management role yet.

FAQ

1. Is the 'About Me' section compulsory in a resume?

No, it’s not a mandatory part of a resume. However, many candidates include it to make a strong first impression and help employers quickly understand their professional identity.

As an employer, it can help you spot key traits or goals early, but don’t penalise candidates if they choose to skip it, especially if the rest of their resume is strong.

2. How do I know if the 'About Me' was written genuinely by the candidate?

It can be hard to tell at first glance. If the section sounds overly formal, too general, or feels like a copied template, there’s a chance it wasn’t written personally.

To check, compare it with their LinkedIn profile, ask related questions during interviews, or search for parts of the text online to see if it's taken from a resume tool or template.

3. Should employers train recruiters to analyse personal summaries?

Yes, especially in competitive industries where small details matter. A well-trained recruiter can use the “About Me” section to spot potential, assess communication style, or flag unclear goals.

Short training sessions or resume review workshops can help your HR team develop sharper instincts when reading summaries.

4. Can the 'About Me' section be used to spot leadership potential?

Yes, in some cases. If the candidate mentions mentoring others, leading initiatives, or influencing results, that can be an early sign of leadership ability.

This is useful when screening for roles that require a growth mindset or team contribution, even if it’s not a leadership role yet.

5. Is it more useful for fresh graduates or experienced hires?

Both. Fresh grads often use this section to make up for limited work experience by sharing academic achievements or personal motivation.

Experienced hires can use it to highlight achievements and career direction. The value of the section depends on how well it’s written and how clearly it fits the job you’re offering.

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