How to Write a Shidduch Resume (With a Free Template)
A shidduch resume — sometimes called a shidduch profile — is a one-page summary that helps a shadchan understand who you are and who might be a good match. It is not a job application, and it is not a dating profile. Done well, it is simply a clear, respectful introduction that saves everyone time and helps the right suggestions reach you.
This guide walks through exactly what to include, what to leave out, and how to keep the tone right. At the end you will find a template you can fill in.
What a shidduch resume is actually for
A shadchan often juggles many singles at once. A clean, well-organized resume makes you easy to picture and easy to suggest. The goal is not to impress with length or polish — it is to be clear, honest, and easy to share. One page is the standard, and one page is enough.
Keep three principles in mind:
- Clarity over completeness. Include what helps a shadchan place you. Leave the rest for conversation.
- Warmth over formality. This is a person, not a CV. A few genuine lines about character matter more than a list of accomplishments.
- Accuracy over aspiration. Describe yourself and your family as they are.
What to include (section by section)
1. Basic information
- Full name
- Age and date of birth
- Current city / community
- Marital status (single, divorced, widowed)
- Height (commonly included)
- Contact person and phone number (often a parent or the single, depending on the community)
2. Education and learning / career
- Schools, yeshiva, seminary, or college attended
- Current learning or professional situation
- Future plans, briefly (learning, profession, or a combination)
3. Family background
- Parents’ names and occupations
- Where the family lives
- Siblings (and, where customary, their married status or who they are married to)
- Community and shul affiliation
4. Hashkafa and lifestyle
- A short, honest description of religious outlook and daily practice
- What you are looking to build in a home
- Keep this genuine and specific rather than using stock phrases
5. About you (a short personal paragraph)
- A few sentences in a warm, natural voice: interests, character, what matters to you
- This is the section people remember — write it like a person, not a brochure
6. References
- Two to four people who know you well and have agreed to speak with a shadchan
- Include name, relationship to you, and phone number
- Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference
What to leave out
- Long lists of achievements or awards
- Anything you would not be comfortable sharing with a stranger
- Photos inside the document, unless your community expects it (many share photos separately and privately)
- Salary, exact addresses, or other sensitive personal details
- Overly polished marketing language — it reads as inauthentic
Tone and formatting tips
- One page. If it runs long, tighten the wording before cutting substance.
- Consistent formatting. Clear headings, a readable serif or clean sans-serif font, and generous spacing make it easy to scan.
- Proofread, then have someone else read it. A parent, sibling, or mentor will catch what you miss and confirm the tone feels like you.
- Export as a PDF. A PDF looks the same on every phone and is easy to forward to a shadchan on WhatsApp without the formatting breaking.
How to share it (and keep control)
Most resumes are shared by forwarding a PDF or a link to a shadchan. A few practical habits keep things calm and private:
- Keep one up-to-date version so you are never sending an old draft.
- If you share a link, use one you can update or revoke later, rather than a file that lives forever in someone’s chat history.
- Track who you have sent it to, so follow-ups do not get confused.
A simpler way to build and manage it
Writing the resume is the first step — but the process quickly grows: suggestions to track, dates to reflect on, shadchanim to follow up with. Livnot is a private workspace built for exactly this. You can build your shidduch resume from a guided template, export a clean PDF, and keep every suggestion and follow-up organized in one calm, private place. It is not a dating app and has no public profile — your information stays yours.
Free shidduch resume template
Copy this, fill in the brackets, and keep it to one page. For a printable version, use the free shidduch resume template.
[Full Name] BASIC INFORMATION Age / Date of Birth: [ ] City / Community: [ ] Marital Status: [ ] Height: [ ] Contact: [name] — [phone] EDUCATION & LEARNING / CAREER [Schools, yeshiva/seminary, college] [Current learning or profession] [Future plans, briefly] FAMILY BACKGROUND Father: [name, occupation] Mother: [name, occupation] Residence: [city] Siblings: [names / status as customary] Community / Shul: [ ] HASHKAFA & LIFESTYLE [A few honest sentences about religious outlook and the home you hope to build.] ABOUT [First Name] [Three to five warm, natural sentences about who you are, your interests, and what matters to you.] REFERENCES (with permission) 1. [Name] — [relationship] — [phone] 2. [Name] — [relationship] — [phone] 3. [Name] — [relationship] — [phone]