What should the opening statement of a resume do?

The opening statement of a resume serves as a concise summary of the candidate's professional history, effectively providing a snapshot of their skills, experience, and qualifications. This summary is crucial because it sets the tone for the rest of the resume and helps potential employers quickly gauge whether the candidate's background aligns with the job requirements. By outlining key achievements and relevant experiences in a succinct manner, the opening statement captures the attention of hiring managers and encourages them to read further.

Highlighting only current jobs would limit the scope of the candidate’s background and might lead to an incomplete picture of their capabilities. A personal biography tends to delve into personal life details, which are generally not pertinent to the professional context required in a resume. Including detailed job responsibilities can overwhelm the reader and detracts from the overall purpose of providing a brief and impactful overview in the opening statement.