How To Write Resume Summary Sample

Organizing The Elements For Maximum Impact

The strongest impact can be created by organizing your information in a way that reveals the most relevant details first. As a rule, you should always focus on putting your most powerful information first.

So, if your educational qualifications are perhaps at the lower end of the qualification spectrum, lead with your experience or relevant skills first. The idea is to organize all the information in a way that immediately captures the readerâs attention, to ensure that the entire resume summary statement gets reviewed.

Sample Resume Summary: Military Transition To Civilian

Project Manager

Dynamic project leader with more than 10 years of experience driving strategic goals and securing incredible savings across departments. Capable of identifying requirements, preparing and maintaining timelines, and determining appropriate schedules for timely project completion. Demonstrated excellence liaising with executive leadership and advising on escalated issues to develop appropriate resolutions. Adept communicator with an ability to collaborate with all levels of management comprehensive understanding of progress initiatives and cost estimate development.

Business & Management Resume Objective Examples

Recent graduate with a B.A. in Marketing looking to start my career in Advertising at XYZ Inc. Strong skills in copywriting and graphic design, coupled with a creative mind. Practical experience in creating social media ads as a marketing intern.

Click here for a complete .

Project Manager Resume Objective

Detail-oriented software engineer with 5+ years of experience in Node.js and React looking to transition into the role of an IT-focused project manager. Practical experience conducting daily scrum meetings and following agile project management methodologies.

Click here for a complete project manager resume example.

Human Resources Resume Objective

Psychology graduate looking for a position in recruitment at XYZ Inc. Completed an HR internship at Recruitment Agency X. Solid entry-level experience doing recruitment work, which included pre-selecting qualified candidates and filtering them based on client needs. Looking to further develop my experience in the HR field and help XYZ Inc. go above and beyond their hiring needs.

Business Analyst Resume Objective

Business Student at University X seeking a summer internship as a Business Analyst at XYZ Inc. Strong business know-how, with a focus on analyzing and interpreting data. Completed 10+ real-life business consulting case studies as university projects. Skilled in financial and managerial accounting.

Click here for a complete business analyst resume example.

Recommended Reading: Where To Print Documents Nyc

How To Write A Great Resume Summary Statement

First off you need to do you research. Just like everything else youve done up to this point in your job search quest, you need to make sure that youre maximizing your potential.

You have a very limited space to use on your resume and the last thing you want to do is waste any of it.

The goal is to get your statement down to four to six bullets distilled down into two or three laser focused sentences.

The first thing you want to do is go back and look at the job youre applying for and determine your target audience. Re-read the job description, keeping your eyes open for key phrases and words.

• Who are they looking for?
• What do they want that person to bring to the table? What value can they provide?
• What would l look for in a hire if I were the one posting this job?

Once you identify those things, its time to figure out how you fit into them.

Now, keep in mind that the above things are things you WANT to put in your statementand also remember there are things NOT to put in your statement. Things like:

When To Use A Resume Summary

When building a resume, you can either include a resume summary or an objective, both of which are optional sections.

These sections explain why youre the ideal candidate for the job, but in a different way.

Your resume objective describes your professional goals for the job youre applying for. Unlike the resume summary, you dont include work experience here.

A resume summary, on the other hand, sums up your previous work experience and explains how it can benefit the company you want to work for.

Theres a clear difference and its important to know when to use each.

Heres how to decide:

• Do you have relevant work experience? Include a resume summary
• Dont have a lot of work experience in general or youre switching careers? Include a resume objective

Sticking to a resume summary? Just skip ahead, were going to more in-depth on how to write a summary in the next section.

If you want to create a resume objective, though, heres how.

A good resume objective does three things:

Essentially, the focus is more on your motivation than your experience.

Heres an example of a resume objective done right:

Good example:

If youre going to include an objective instead of a summary, make sure you:

Now, lets get back to the topic of writing resume summaries. Heres what to do it right.

You May Like: How To Write An Email With Resume

Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Example

As an administrative assistant, you should display minute attention to detail and proficiency in day-to-day office tasks, related computer skills, and communications.

Proficient Administrative Assistant with over 7 years of experience in working closely with senior managers and executives. Have handled everything administratively from data entry to client communications with flawless efficiency. Successfully redesigned administrative workflows for speedy, precise, and cost-efficient execution of assignments.

Why Should You Write A Resume Summary Statement

A Summary section is the best way to quickly outline your qualifications right at the top of your resume.

Employers read a lot of applications, and yours needs to stand out if you want to land the job. The quicker you can sell your skills the better. With a strong resume summary, hiring managers who read your resume will understand within a few sentences:

• Who you are
• What your relevant skills are
• Some of most important achievements

While resume summaries aren’t strictly mandatory, most job-seekers include one. They provide a quick and easy way to sell yourself and stand out from other applicants.

Read Also: Cum Laude Resume

Make The Resume Summary Relevant To The Job

Your resume summary can only stand out if it includes experience, skills, and achievements that are relevant to the job opening.

Resume summaries that stand out the most are tailored to the job description. Itâs good practice to extract the top keywords from the job description and put it in your resume summary.

The more specific your summary is to the job description, the better. This also helps your resume score points for passing the screening of an Applicant Tracking System.

Thatâs why the first and most important step to write a compelling resume summary is to read the job description.

A common mistake that candidates make is writing a generic resume summary that is irrelevant to the exact job opening.

âIncorrect Example

Social media professional looking to grow an audience at a company…

Correct Example

Social media expert with experience in Facebook and LinkedIn Marketing looking to apply audience development skills…

Resume Keywords In The Summary Statement

Resume real estate is valuable and job seekers should make the most of their summary statements by including relevant keywords. Resume keywords are job titles and noteworthy hard skills found in the job posting.

• Legal Consulting
• Human Resources

As a job seeker, you have a personal brand. Each company also has its own brand. In order to sell yourself, you must find a way to align your brand with the company brand. A well-written career summary, optimized with the right keywords, gives you that opportunity.

Edit your resume faster with Jobscan

The job search process can be time-consuming and exhausting. Speed up your job search with Jobscans Resume and LinkedIn Optimization tools.

Paste in your resume text and the job description below for all the top keywords:

A version of this article was first published on April 12, 2017. It was rewritten with updated information and republished on October 28, 2021.

Also Check: Resume Magna Cum Laude

Then Showcase The Most Relevant Parts Of Your Experience

Your summary should reflect the requirements in the job description to identify which qualities the employer is most interested in. Review your skills and experience to see where they match. Draw attention to any specific outcomes you achieved. This will help focus the attention of a recruiter and show them exactly what you could bring to the role and how your skills could benefit the employer.

How To Write A Resume Summary Statement

A resume summary statement typically sits right below the job seekers contact information and right above the body of the resume. It gives hiring managers a glimpse into the job seekers expertise before diving into their resume.

Each element of your job application matters. The summary on a resume is no exception. This often-neglected aspect of a resume can be a powerful introduction if written with strategy. In this article, well walk you through:

• What a resume summary statement is
• How to write a resume summary section
• When to include a resume summary section
• The difference between a resume summary vs. objective statement
• 9 resume summary statement examples

Also Check: How Much Work History To Put On Resume

How To Write A Good Resume Summary

ZipJob Team

18 min read

In this post, weâll show you how to write a great resume summary statement that lands the interview along with some tips and examples to ensure you capture the attention of a hiring manager.

Regardless of whether youâre looking for an entry-level job or larger career advancement, you probably already know how important your resume can be in your quest to find that perfect job. The problem is, though, that few resumes these days seem to have that special touch that truly makes the job seeker stand out from the crowd. If youâve agonized over your own resume and still feel like thereâs something missing, thereâs a good chance that the problem is that youâre not making good use of your professional resume summary.

The one thing most people fail to understand as they create resumes filled with facts, figures, and lists of accomplishments is that todayâs companies and hiring managers are inundated with tons of resumes that follow that same approach. And if your resume is as dry and dull as all of those, itâs not likely to receive the attention that it needs to earn you a second look.

Thatâs where your resume summary statement comes into play. A summary usually sits at the top of your resume and writing a powerful and compelling resume summary can dramatically increase your chances of being called in for an interview, so it is vitally important that you know how to make yours stand out from other job seekers.

Who Needs A Resume Summary

Not every resume needs a resume summary. If you are new to the job market, do not yet have a great deal of experience, or have a pretty simple career path, you may be better off saving the space for something else.

However, if you are an experienced professional with several years of experience, or if you are hoping to switch career paths, a resume summary can help to organize your resume. A resume summary can tie together different pieces of your experience or indicate how your skill set is transferrable to the role you are seeking.

Also Check: How To Insert Vertical Line In Word For Resume

Assistant Manager Resume Summary:

The first one includes relevant skills and experiences. However, it lacks details to follow up with the skills they claim to be an expert in.

Just by looking at the first summary, we can sense the applicant prioritizes what the company can do for them instead of what they can do for the company. And thats not a pleasant thing to see as a recruiter.

Second Describe Your Desired Role And Qualifications

Use strong words to describe yourself, including your most relevant qualities. State the position you are applying for and give details of your most recent qualification or achievement. You want to make the best impression possible, so focus on the key points. You can include more details about your skills elsewhere on your resume.

Also Check: How Many References To Put On A Resume

When Should You Use A Resume Summary Statement

Ideally, you should include a resume summary when you have three and more years of work history. Thats because this section is designed to flatter your skills, expertise, and employment history.

If youre just starting out in your professional career and you dont have much to write about in your summary statement, a better option would be a resume objective statement section.

The main difference between a summary statement and a resume objective is what you focus on. The objective statement shows your future professional goals, while a summary statement focuses on your strengths, skills, and what you can do for the business youre applying to.

And even if the objective statement isnt your thing, consider using a substitute section. The Enhancv resume builder has tremendous resume sections like resume headers and key achievements that can help you present yourself in the best light possible.

Whichever route you go, both should show you in the best light possible.

While nearly all CVs youve probably seen have a resume overview, theyre not entirely necessary. Depending on the job position youre applying for what matters more is how its going to be used to increase your chances for an interview.

You can still build a strong application even if you dont have a resume summary section. Heres an example of an accounting analyst resume that has no summary, but still secured the job.

Warehouse Supervisor Resume Summary Example:

Warehouse Supervisor with Management, Customer Service, & Forklift Experience

• Dependable manager with 15+ years of experience in warehouse management and employee supervision.
• Skilled at managing inventory control, shipping & receiving, customer relations and safety & compliance.
• Certified Power Equipment Trainer, Forklift Operator and Reach Operator skilled at coaching other staff.
• Promoted to positions of increased responsibility given strong people and project management skills.

Why this summary is good:

The applicant was applying for a warehouse supervisor position that required them to have demonstrated management, customer service and forklift experience. As such, the applicant showcased their experience in these areas with a few keywords in the title, followed by additional details in the accompanying bullet points. Their final bullet shows a record of promotions, while reinforcing the applicants customer service and project management skills.

By: Kyle Elliott, MPA/CHES, Career Coach and Consultant

You May Like: How Many References Should I Have On My Resume

Writing Resume Summary Statements For The Reader

The best writing is that which speaks to its audience in understandable terms that they can immediately identify with. When it comes to your summary statement, that means including the job postingâs requirements in your finished product.

While you certainly donât want to simply regurgitate the job postingâs requirements in your summary, you should try to incorporate the terms used in that posting as you describe your own qualifications.

If the company is looking for a Director of Marketing and your former title at a different firm was Head of Marketing, use the âDirector of Marketingâ title when youâre describing your former position. That helps to ensure that your prospective employer recognizes that youâve done the same job in the past. Do this for specific skills and experience as well. Simply identify terms used in the job posting and use those terms when describing your own skills, attributes, and experience.

Showcase Your Relevant Skills

Writing a strong resume skills section will set you apart in your job search and increase your chances of landing an interview. However, if youre like most no-experience job-seekers, your technical skills may be limited.

In this case, use your resume to highlight the soft skills youve acquired throughout your life. Soft skills are applicable for nearly any industry, and are valued by employers.

Here are some examples of soft skills:

• Critical thinking
• Positive attitude
• Assertiveness

Additionally, listing foreign language skills on your resume is a great way to stand out from other applicants and fill out your skills section.

You May Like: How To Describe Excel Skills On Resume

Director Of Software Engineering

Started off my career developing software applications for payment terminals and never looked back there after. Today I am proud to be versatile with the kind of projects and companies I have worked with & the tremendous software development & management experience of 15+ years in the payments industry is something that makes it distinctive

Tip : Quantify Your Experience

A resume summary aims to get your key qualifications across quickly. That means that you want your most relevant skills and experiences to be easy to find. Quantifying key details from your experience allows recruiters to get an immediate snapshot of your qualifications. Like with resume bullet points, numbers are your friends. What metrics or accomplishments speak to your success?

Consider including:

• Total years of experience relevant to the role or industry.

• The size of the team you led if you’re seeking a management position.

• Class information, if you’re a teacherlike how many lectures you conducted or how many students were in attendance.

• Accomplishments like large sales you exceeded or the book of clients you handled.

For this example, I’ll share my personal resume summary: Seasoned career services professional with 10-plus years experience in team leadership, recruiting, talent acquisition, customer service management, and career coaching roles, with the purpose of helping others find their best-fit jobs. I’m accomplished in creating jobs exploration programs and events, developing a career service mobile app for college students, and most recently, leading a team of 15 career coaches that provided advice and guidance to tens of thousands of job seekers.

My next tip for writing an effective resume summary is to always use an adjective.

Read Also: How To Upload Resume From Iphone