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The opening statement on a resume also referred to as objective or personal branding statement should state three things about you.

  1. Who you are
  2. Your biggest strength
  3. The benefit you offer a company

Who you are
This is similar to a job target or the title of the position you are applying for.  It tells the employer what you specialize in.  For example C# Software Developer, Human Resources Manager, VP of Marketing, Account Manager.

Your biggest strength
Highlight your biggest strength that would benefit an employer.  Employers want to know what you can do for them and how you will be able to do it.  For example:  developing new business, solving complex problems, improving processes, creating marketing campaigns.

The benefit you offer a company
The last part of the opening statement tells the employer what benefit you offer them by being who you are and your biggest strength.  It tells the employer why you are an asset to them and how they will benefit by hiring you.  For example:  reducing downtime increasing profits, improving production, reducing turn-over, saving the company money

The opening statement should be an attention grabber and make the reader want to find out more about you.   Here’s an example of an opening statement after you put together the three parts listed above.

Example of opening statement
Human Resources Manager establishing new personnel programs for hiring, training, and motivating new employees which reduces turnover by 50%.