How to Add a Branding Statement to Your Resume

By

Updated on December 10, 2020

Businesswoman interviewing prospective employee — Photo:
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. / Getty Images

The growing popularity of personal branding and a job market that continues to be competitive has increased the use of branding statements at the top of resumes.

What Is a Branding Statement?

A branding statement is a short, catchy statement that highlights your most relevant expertise in about 15 words or fewer. If you include a branding statement, you can elaborate further on your key qualifications through a longer summary statement.

What to Include in Your Branding Statement

A strong branding statement conveys exceptional qualities, skills, experiences, or areas of knowledge that distinguish you from the average candidate. Your statement should express how you add value and produce results that impact the bottom line in your target sector.

Note

Branding statements should be tailored toward a particular job and show how you have the qualifications to excel in that position.

Take an Inventory

Start by taking inventory of your accomplishments in your most relevant roles. Make note of the personal assets which you drew upon to generate those successes. Analyze the requirements of your target job and look for the overlap with your chief assets.

Describe Your Strengths

Select three or four adjectives that describe your key strengths. Weave together the adjectives with your desired job title or role and tie them to the value-added.

Where to Put Your Branding Statement

Your branding statement should be listed between the Contact and the Experience section of your resume:

Janna Cramson
1001 Northwest Ave, Apt 1
Bethesda, MD 20810
E: janna.cramson@email.com
C: 555-555-5555

Creative, skilled, social media expert with five years of experience managing professional social media accounts.

Professional Experience

Social Media Manager, XYZ PR Firm, Bethesda, MD
November 2020-Present

Update All Your Online Profiles

Also take the time to review your LinkedIn profile and the other information you have online to make sure it's consistent.

Taking the time to update your brand—and to rebrand yourself, if necessary - will help you remain a competitive candidate throughout your career.

Resume Example With a Branding Statement

This is an example of a resume with a branding statement. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more resume options.

Screenshot of a resume with a branding statement — @ The Balance 2020

Download the Word Template

Resume Example With a Branding Statement (Text Version)

Benjamin Applicant
123 East Street, Oakland, CA, 94610
Home: 555-555-5555
Cell: 555-123-4567
benjamin.applicant@email.com

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Detail-oriented development assistant experienced in coordinating extensive fundraising efforts and drafting successful grant proposals.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Development Assistant, Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA
July 2020 – present

Manage fundraising efforts including organizing mass mailings and writing and sending appreciation letters to donors.
Enter and maintain data in donor database; responsible for answering any questions regarding donor data.
Manage general logistics within the development office through administrative assistance, such as drafting mail, filing, faxing, and answering phone calls.

Recruitment Manager, ABC Education Nonprofit, Oakland, CA
August 2018 – June 2020

Identify and pursue over 500 prospective applicants for our teacher fellowships.
Maintain regular communication with more than 250 career centers and student organizations at top colleges and universities.
Manage the company’s hiring process through resume reviews, phone interviews, and in-person interviews.
Manage a team of three employees, training new members, and creating and delegating assignments.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Education

Bachelor of Arts, 123 College, San Diego, CA
May 2018
Major: Marketing

Certifications

Certificate of Fundraising, XYZ University
December 2018

Received the award for best final grant proposal of 35 students.

More Resume Heading Options

What’s the difference between an objective, a headline, a profile, a summary, and a branding statement on a resume?

Here’s more information on each of the other options for upgrading your resume, so it’s more than just a list of the work you have done:

Resume Objective: Short synopsis of your employment goals as they relate to the job you’re applying for.
Resume Headline: Phrase that highlights your value as a candidate.
Resume Profile: Brief summary (paragraph) of your skills and qualifications for the position.
Resume Career Summary: Lists your key achievements, skills, and experience.

When considering what to include on your resume, decide which type of heading will best showcase your qualifications for the job. What’s most important is to make sure that you take the time to specifically relate your skills to those the employer is seeking.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!