Customize Your Resume Summary For Every Application
Your resume summary will be most effective if you customize it for every application. The hiring company is looking for a particular skills and experience, so you should tailor your summary to suit their exact specifications.
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to search candidate resumes for keywords. This software speeds up the hiring process by scanning resumes for the desired phrases. To get past the ATS, you need to make sure your resume has the right keywords.
To do this, research the position and the company. Study the job description to see which keywords you should use in your resume, and study the company website to find the companys mission and values.
Resume summary keywords
Keywords are central to a successful resume summary. Much of the modern hiring process is automated, and the software that accepts resumes is searching for specific keywords. Further, even if your resume makes it past that software, hiring managers will be looking for the same skills.
Fortunately, finding the right keywords in the job description isnt too hard. For example, the emphasized words in this passage are likely the keywords the company is looking for:
Company X seeks a graphic designer with 5+ years of experience in website design. Must be skilled in Adobe Photoshop and logo design.
You’ll note that the keywords include:
- The job title
- The skills important to the position
- The tools and software the role requires
It Project Manager Resume Summary Example:
Experienced Project Manager with vast IT experience. Skills include computer networking, analytical thinking and creative problem solving. Able to apply customer service concepts to IT to improve user experience for clients, employees and administration.
Why this resume summary is good:
Because this candidate is switching career paths, its important he or she take skills used for previous positions and apply those skills to the new job listing. This is a great example because the candidate makes it clear that his or her experience is not in the new field, but that they are still able to bring relevant experience to the table.
When writing your resume summary, keep these tips in mind: Use writing that is straight to the point, clear and concise, youll have a higher chance of getting noticed by the hiring manager.
By: Sarah Landrum, Founder of Punched Clocks, contributor at Entrepreneur.com and Forbes
+ Year Business Owner Resume Summary Statement:
Dynamic and motivated marketing professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations, and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.
Why this is a good summary section:
This is a resume summary statement that was for a candidate returning to work after having her own business for 15+ years. Because of this, we needed to emphasize her soft skills and what she can bring to this potential position. In addition, we highlighted the skills she has honed as a business owner so that she can utilize these qualifications as a sales professional, account manager, and someone knowledgeable about nutrition, medicine, and the overall sales process.
By: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish. MBA, Ph.D., CPRW, and Founder of Feather Communications
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Top 50+ Skills Hiring Managers Look For On Resumes
A lot of research has been done as to what hiring managers look for on a resume. Many of the skills they seek are job-specific, while others are transferable.
To increase your chances of getting called in for an interview, include these top skills throughout your resume.
These professional skills are divided by category to help you find the skills that are relevant to you.
Quick Tips For Writing Your Resume Summary
Writing a great resume summary may seem complicated, but with the right strategy it can be simple. To make sure you didnt miss anything, use this list of all the facets of a great summary as a checklist to make sure you havent missed anything:
- Position your summary at the top of your resume.
- Keep short and succinct use around 4-6 sentences at most.
- Title your summary with a simple “Summary” or something similarly simple.
- Use the first sentence to introduce yourself, including your current job and your years of experience.
- Showcase some impressive skills, experience, and achievements.
- Use keywords from the job posting.
- Tailor your resume summary for every new application.
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Understanding The Resume Summary Statement
So what exactly is a resume summary statement?
A resume summary statement is similar to an objective statement in that it is a quick way for a job seeker to catch a hiring managers attention by summarizing critical information at the top of your resume in an easy to read format.
Before we go any further, I want to stop you right now and reiterate: A Resume Objective and Resume Summary Statement are NOT interchangeable. They are, in fact, two very different things and should not be confused.
Resume statements essentially are just a few short, well worded, well targeted sentences that summarize your skills and experiences.
Sometimes called Qualification Summaries or even just Competencies, these two or three sentences can, when done right, give you a real advantage in the hiring game.
I dont get it. Im already qualified to do the job. Whats the point? Cant they just read my resume and get that information themselves?
Absolutely. But remember, hiring managers are often going through dozens, if not hundreds of resumes per available job, so anything that can make their job easier is a good thing.
Imagine thisyoure the perfect candidate and you just know youre the one the company should hire but the manager has been going through mountains of resumes. By the time they get to yours, theyre just skimmingtrying to make it through.
Cue long drawn out overly dramatic cry of despair:
Noooooooooooooo!
Cue victory dance!
But just who was that mysterious man?
Senior Regional Talent Acquisition Consultant
A result-driven Recruiting Professional who blends strong recruitment experience with a background in Branding and Marketing. Proven record in the ability to understand business needs and building rapport with Talent Acquisition Teams and Hiring Managers. Proven ability to source, select and secure top-notch candidates for multiple concurrent positions
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What To Include In Your Resume
Begin with a resume summary statement. A resume summary statement is a list or a few sentences at the top of a resume that highlights your qualifications for a position. It is a great way to quickly show an employer why you are a strong candidate for a position.
Resume summary statements can be useful at any career level, including as a college student.
The summary statement should be located below your name and contact information. In a few sentences , state some of your skills and accomplishments that make you an ideal fit for the job. Try to include keywords from the job listing.
Mention a strong GPA. Along with your school and degree information, include any achievements, such as a high GPA and any academic awards .
Emphasize your teamwork and leadership skills. Employers are always interested in job candidates who have demonstrated personal initiative in assuming leadership roles and who have proven themselves to be productive team members. Be sure to describe all leadership positions you have held within campus organizations or in academic team projects.
Emphasize all related experience. Even if you do not have much employment history, you can include volunteer experiences and any extracurriculars related to the job. You can put all these experiences in a section titled Related Experience, or divide them into different sections.
Business Data Analyst Resume Summary:
|
Experienced data analyst with 3+ years of experience who loves to automate and streamline processes in a fast-paced environment. Intermediate knowledge of analytical stack . Experienced in preparing detailed documents and reports while managing complex internal and external data analysis responsibilities. |
|
Data analyst. Manage and analyze YouTube channel data and content using YouTube analytics, Excel, Python, and Tableau. Create weekly, monthly and Ad-hoc channel performance reports. Help make data-driven decisions to produce, schedule, and broadcast video content. Analyze audience retention data, demographics, viewer trends, etc. to produce content to reflect the wants and needs of the audience. |
Both of these resume summaries let us know theyre professionals in the industry because of three main things:
- Clarifies technical details and lets us know about their background
- Instead of being vague and generic, the applicants are specific and also use examples to support their points
- As a hiring manager for data analysts, we can see what tools they use and how adept their knowledge is for software application
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Service Industry Resume Summary Examples
Restaurant Manager:
“Professional restaurant manager with a dedication to providing outstanding customer service levels. Skilled in recruitment, staff retention, and training. Increased restaurant revenue by 30% by advertising weekday specials and theme nights.”
Waiting Staff:
“Reliable and personable waiter with 3+ years of experience at a busy Mexican restaurant. Great people and presentation skills, with a solid ability to upsell desserts and appetizers to customers. Excellent knowledge of world cuisine and speaks conversational Spanish and Italian.”
Types Of Professional Skills
Skills can be broken down into four main categories:
| Time Management | Positive Attitude |
Contrary to popular belief, hiring managers often care more about soft skills than hard skills, though both hard and soft skills contribute to your appeal as a candidate.
Hard skills, such as computer programming or accounting, can be taught using a combination of curriculum and hands-on practice. Whereas soft skills, such as a positive attitude or punctuality, are harder to teach.
Regardless of your background, hiring managers are usually flexible with teaching you the hard skills needed for their job, as long as you already have the right attitude along with the aptitude to learn.
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Sales Representative Resume Summary:
|
A results-driven sales representative with 5 years of experience in B2B sales and a proven track record of closing multi-million deals in healthcare and finance markets is eager to join the ABC company, adhering to its highest standards for personal and team excellence. |
|
A goal-driven salesman with 5 years of experience in B2C retail and pharmaceutical sales and a consistent history of surpassing annual quotas by up to 200% is eager to join the ABC company as a sales representative |
Both of these resume summaries are effective because theyre tailored for the vacancy. And two, its emphasizing their soft skills and includes technical details to support their statements.
Resume Summary Vs Objective
While a resume summary will highlight a few important experiences and skills youve acquired, a resume objective is a statement of your career goals. You might decide to include one or the other, or both. Your choice may depend on the position, company or industry youre applying for as well as the complexity of your past experience.
A resume objective might be useful if you have limited work experience, like recent high school or college graduates. A resume summary is more appropriate if you have some work history and various skills and experiences worth highlighting.
Related:
For example, a recent high school graduate applying for a nursing program may want to include a resume objective, while an experienced registered nurse should opt for a summary statement.
An objective statement for a recent graduate entering a nursing program might say:
Motivated nursing student seeking to develop more extensive experience working with elderly patients.
While the nurse with experience could write a summary that states:Attentive nurse practitioner with three years of experience effectively diagnosing patient illness and managing treatment.
As shown above, an objective statement will state what you hope to achieve while a summary statement will highlight your current accomplishments.
Image description
Resume summary vs. objective:A resume summary is a short description of your qualifications that explain why you’re a good fit for the role.
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Hard Skills Vs Soft Skills In Your Resume
There are endless skills that you can include on any resume, and you have to decide which ones will be the most effective. There are hard, industry-specific technical skills, as well as soft skills that every job demands.
Hard skills are technical abilities that are specific to a particular job and are often measurable. For software developers, their set of hard skills would include specific programming languages. Soft skills are personal skills or creative abilities that can come naturally or be strengthened over time. Some examples of soft skills are adaptability, self-motivation, people skills, time management, and the ability to work under pressure.
Some great skills employers love to see on your resume if you are looking for remote work are: written and verbal communication, the ability to work independently, time and task management, organization, comfort with technology, and specific knowledge of remote communication tools like Zoom, Skype, Dropbox, Google Suite, etc., shared Toni Frana, FlexJobs expert career coach.
Lets take a closer look at the skills section for your resume.
Note: FlexJobs is the longtime leader in helping job seekers find the highest-quality remote, work-from-home, hybrid, and flexible jobs. You can to our database of hand-screened job listings, as well as job search and career webinars, and many other great resources! Learn today howFlexJobs can empower your job search!
Tips For The Perfect Resume Summary
- Focus on your biggest selling point in the first sentence while summarizing your career background
- Outline your greatest achievement or relatable work experience
- Be concise but include specific details, such as numbers and applicable data
- Include exact tasks or duties that are in the job description
- Tailor the summary to the specific job whenever possible
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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.
Resume Summary Statement Vs Resume Objective
A resume summary statement is not the same as a resume objective. Both are a few sentences long, and are located at the top of ones resume. However, a resume objective statement tends to focus more on your own interests as the job seekerit emphasizes what you are looking for in a job or company.
A resume summary statement, on the other hand, communicates what you can bring to the table in the targeted role. It is a way to sell yourself to the employer.
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Resume Summary Statement Examples
Many people who land on our website have at least 2+ years of relevant work experience. To best accommodate this audience, weve provided 20 resume summary examples for jobseekers in a wide range of industries:
Bartender Resume Summary
Lead bartender with 3+ years of experience in cocktail preparation and creation. Deep knowledge of local craft beers, wine, spirits, and cocktails, as well as their optimal food pairings. Bartending license certified by the District of Columbia.
Related resume samples:
Business Analyst Resume Summary
Methodical business analyst with 5+ years of experience supporting business solution software and analyzing operations. Evaluated risks related to requirements implementation, testing processes, project communications, and training which saved the company $5,000+ annually.
Related resume samples:
Camp Counselor Resume Summary
Camp Counselor with 4+ years experience directing lively, interactive, and educational summer camps for youths from 5 to 15 years old. Energetic leadership style, extensive experience running summer camps. First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguarding certifications, plus Wilderness First Responder Training.
Related resume samples:
Cashier Resume Summary
Related resume samples:
Certified Nursing Assistant Resume Summary
Related resume samples:
Customer Service Resume Summary
Related resume samples:
What Is The Difference Between A Resume Summary And A Resume Objective
While a resume summary highlights a few important experiences and skills you have acquired, a resume objective is a statement of your career goals. You might decide to include one or the other, or both. Your choice may depend on the position, company or industry you are applying for as well as the complexity of your past experience.
A resume objective might be useful if you have limited work experience because you are a recent high school or college graduate. A resume summary is more appropriate if you have some work history and various skills and experiences worth highlighting.
For example, a recent high school graduate applying for a nursing program may want to include a resume objective, while an experienced registered nurse should opt for a summary statement.
An objective statement for a recent graduate entering a nursing program might say:
‘A motivated nursing student seeking to develop more extensive experience working with elderly patients.’
While the nurse with experience could write a summary that states:
‘An attentive nurse practitioner with three years of experience effectively diagnosing patient illness and managing treatment.’
As shown above, an objective statement will state what you hope to achieve while a summary statement will highlight your current accomplishments.
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General Labor Resume Summaries
Labor positions require a great deal of organizational ability and ingenuity, which are excellent soft skills to include on your resume summary for these job applications.
52. Warehouse WorkerAccomplished warehouse worker with over 4 years of packing and shipping orders without any product deviation. Experience in monitoring stock and handling any shortages, and maintaining timely ordering processes to increase the chances of stock availability for clients.
53. HousekeeperA professional housekeeper, possessing state-of-the-art industry training on eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning solutions. Bringing meticulous attention to detail, which helped to grow existing client base by 25% in the first year of operation.
54. General LaborerA capable and energetic laborer with over 6 six years employment experience working in both indoor and outdoor settings. Extremely knowledgeable and certified to operate heavy machinery, including items such as a forklift, pallet jack, and skid steer.