How to write a professional profile
A professional profile is a great way to stand out in the job market, not only when applying for jobs, but in any situation where you need to build a trustworthy online identity. An essential part of your personal brand, a professional profile on all your networking and social media accounts, lets people know your unique value proposition. It may be the first thing a recruiter reads about you online, so it should show off your skills and provide insight into who you are beyond your job title.
Professional profiles are increasingly becoming a must-have for job seekers and anyone who wants to expand their network and progress their career. In this article, we show you how to write a professional profile and provide examples of how to write one for different industries. Follow these tips to create a standout professional online profile, no matter your role.
What is a professional profile?
A professional profile is a page where you can build an online presence that showcases your skills, work experience and career aspirations. There are many platforms online, such as SEEK (profiles pages), which allow you to build connections with potential employers, recruiters and other professionals, and for them to be able to find you, too.
When you apply for a job, hiring managers can visit your profile and learn more about you beyond your resumé. Or, you can be found by recruiters and headhunters for jobs that may not even be advertised yet.
While similar, a professional profile does not replace your CV, resumé or cover letter. A professional profile resumé is broad and not tailored to a specific job, while your resumé or CV should be properly considered and customised to every job you apply for.
How to write a professional profile
Once you have a professional profile, you should take some time to fill out all the sections and show your skills and experience. Keep these tips in mind when building your online profile.
1. Keep it brief but impactful
Most professional profiles will have a section for you to add a summary of who you are and what you do. This professional summary should introduce you, your background and your career goals in a few short sentences, so hiring managers, recruiters or other professionals can quickly understand what you’re about.
Tip: You can also optimise your profile with keywords – like specific skills or job titles – to increase your discoverability in online searches.
2. Include any achievements in your industry
You want your professional profile to show visitors proof that you’re good at what you do. Add work experience, specific achievements, credits or quantifiable results, if they’re applicable to what you do. Include things like awards (and nominations), projects you’ve worked on, specific results you’ve achieved and other important highlights.
3. Include skills that are relevant to the type of jobs you’re applying for
Even if you have no previous work experience, you’ll still have skills to add to your profile. Think about what you’ve learned in school or abilities you use in everyday life that would help in a workplace, like computer programs you’re skilled in. For skills you’ve used in the workplace, try to include endorsements from managers or colleagues who can vouch for your skillset and work ethic.
4. Use a high-quality image
A professional headshot is essential for your online career profile; it shows you take your work seriously and helps flesh out your professional brand. You don’t need to hire a photographer to take the photo, but it does need to look polished and professional:
Be well-groomed
Wear clothing that is appropriate for your field/position
Don’t use a group photo, unless it’s obvious who you are
Make sure the image isn’t low resolution
Aim to look approachable
Tip: Take the photo against a plain background with ring lighting (if possible). A natural smile and upright posture tend to make the best headshots.
Professional profile examples
As with your resumé, you should tailor your professional profile to reflect your career, industry and goals; although you don’t need to customise it for each job you apply for, as you would a resumé. To give you some ideas, these professional profile examples will help you get started.
Digital marketing professional profiles
If you work in digital marketing, including quantifiable results and links to a portfolio are recommended. Ensure you incorporate these into your bio as well, such as:
Digital Marketing Professional
I am a digital marketing specialist of five years, with expertise in social media management and paid advertising. I have managed and consulted on social media for a number of publically traded retailers, with a goal to work with luxury consumer brands.
Achievements:
Increased IG engagement by 30% for a high-profile FMCG brand.
Launched a series of campaigns in 3 new overseas markets, achieving an average of 30% brand lift in the new territories.
IT professional profiles
As an IT professional, it's good to show hiring managers quantifiable results. So in your summary you’ll want to be specific in the work you’ve done and what it’s helped achieve. For example:
IT Security Lead – security solutions, threat analysis, project management
I am a results-driven IT professional with a master's in cyber security and more than a decade of experience deploying scalable IT solutions. My goal is to help businesses grow while reducing security risks, using my skills in project management and team leadership.
Led the design and implementation of a multi-layer security architecture, reducing external cyber attacks by 60%.
Managed an in-house online security response team, reducing incident response time by 40% within the first three months.
Medical professional profiles
By highlighting your passions in the medical field, you can help find new opportunities in the industry, including jobs, connections and speaking engagements. A way to highlight your passion could include:
Paediatrician
I have 20 years in paediatrics, helping provide medical care and assistance to children and parents of children with special needs. My expertise in paediatrics has led me to training opportunities in private hospitals across the country.
Achievements:
Improved the framework for paediatric care for children with disabilities, which was adopted across more than 20 hospitals.
Key speaker for paediatric care improvements for children with disabilities at more than 10 events nationwide.
Education professional profiles
Often, hiring managers in education are looking for more than a diploma or degree. While these are essential, highlighting your empathy and passion is just as important.
High School and Community Art Teacher
I am a dedicated teacher of more than 10 years, experienced in high-school, including elective senior students. For the past five years, I have worked in lower-economic school districts, developing arts and culture programs that provide creative educational pathways to disadvantaged children and youth. My work was recently recognised with a Local Community Member of 2024 award.
Achievements:
Developed and led the Community Kids Arts Club, providing primary-aged children with a safe creative space before school.
Launched a new lunchtime program for neurodivergent students seeking a quiet area for their lunch break. Arts activities also provided children a creative outlet as well as a safe space to study and socialise.
Healthcare professional profiles
When writing your profile as a healthcare professional, be clear about your main qualifications as well as any specialised areas that may increase your discoverability.
Senior Cardiac Nurse
As a registered nurse (RN) of more than a decade, qualified in cardiac care, I have worked in both rural and urban hospitals in surgical, pre- and post-operative care. My passion is providing clarity and positive experiences for patients where possible, including implementing support programs in remote communities.
Achievements:
Successfully implemented a heart disease and care program in Rural Hospital, with a 90% fulfilment rate.
Coordinated a remote heartcare community program reaching more than 300 residents across the region.
Engineering professional profiles
Highlighting your achievements on your professional profile as an engineer can help show your experience, technical knowledge and soft skills. Be sure to include large-scale projects or other career highlights you’re proud of.
Civil & Environmental Engineer
I am an experienced civil engineer of more than 5 years, specialising in infrastructure and urban planning. I have a background in environmental engineering and am passionate about design accessibility and creating pedestrian-friendly urban zones.
Achievements:
Lead engineer of the $50 million Downtown Project
Recipient of the Sir John Holland Civil Engineer Award in 2023
Consulting professional profiles
Your professional profile as a consultant is important for networking, getting your information around and finding new clients.
Sustainability consultant
Experienced in sustainability management in hospitality, I work one-on-one with businesses to improve their sustainability scores. My approach combines staff training with implementation of sustainability programs to help hotels and restaurants reduce waste, improve efficiency and ultimately improve their bottom line.
Achievements:
- Improved sustainability ratings for several five-star hotel brands, including Hilton and Conrad properties.
Designed and managed sustainability programs for Famous Hotel and Popular Cafe Franchise.
Working alongside your resumé and cover letter, your professional profile is a valuable asset in your job hunting process. Spending some time optimising your profile can help you stand out and increase your chances of being found by hiring managers and recruiters. It’s also an essential part of building a personal brand.
Treat your professional profile like an extension of a job application. Ensure you’re highlighting your qualifications, skills and experience, and show off your achievements to demonstrate why you’d make a great asset for any employer.
FAQs
Is a professional profile the same as a resumé or CV?
A professional profile is not the same as a resumé or CV, but does help your job hunt. Your resumé or CV is a summary of your skills, experience and qualifications, while a profile is an online 'About Me' page or section summarising your professional identity.
Where can I use a professional profile?
Use a professional profile on online job sites like SEEK.com.au, industry platforms, and any professional networking site. These are ideal to help you apply for jobs and network with hiring managers, recruiters and other professionals.
What are the biggest advantages of having a strong professional profile?
The biggest advantages of having a strong professional profile include:
Making a good first impression
Allowing recruiters and hiring managers to find you
Controlling your job search and what information you share about your career
Standing out from the crowd beyond your resumé or cover letter
Building a professional brand to increase your reputation
What are some of the elements that make up a winning professional profile?
Showcasing your experience, education, qualifications, goals and examples of your work for a winning professional profile. You can also add links to online work, as well as add attachments or photos to show your achievements.
How can I write a good headline for my professional profile?
A good headline on a professional profile summarises what you do, any specialisations you have, and any other detail that describes your unique offering.
What’s the best way to showcase my skills and expertise in a profile?
Adding quantifiable results is the best way to showcase skills and expertise on a professional profile. Your results show your competence level and how much measurable impact you can have, lending credibility to your skills.
Should I include quantifiable achievements in my professional profile?
Yes, you should include quantifiable achievements in a professional profile. Quantifiable results and achievements are a type of storytelling, helping hiring managers see exactly what you’ve achieved and the tangible benefits of hiring you for their company.
How important is a professional headshot for my online profile?
A professional headshot is important for an online profile as it’s often the first thing hiring managers or recruiters will see. Having a professional headshot helps build a credible and trustworthy image, and helps show that you take your job seriously.
What are some keywords I should consider including in my profile?
Your job title, location, skills, specialisations and qualifications are all keywords you should include in your profile. These are often searched for by hiring managers and recruiters, so including them in your profile will help you be found when they’re on the hunt.
Are there any resources available to help me write a strong professional profile?
SEEK has some great career advice and free resources to help you write a strong professional profile. You can also use other online guides, online forums, like Reddit or Facebook groups, and even YouTube videos to help guide you on creating the perfect professional profile.
