example of overview on resume

24 Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

A resume summary statement usually comes right after a job seeker’s contact info and before other resume sections such as skills and work experience. It provides employers with a brief overview of a candidate’s career accomplishments and qualifications before they read further. Because of how early it appears on the document, your resume summary statement (or your CV “profile” in the UK) is one of the first places recruiters and employers look. And without the right information, they’ll doubt that you’re qualified and may move to another resume.

So I got in touch with a select group of professional resume writers, coaches and career experts to get their best resume summary examples you can use and adapt to write a resume summary that stands out and gets interviews.

As a former recruiter myself, I’ll also share my best tips to write your resume summary effectively.

Why the Resume/CV Summary is Important

You may have heard that recruiters only spend 8-10 seconds looking at your resume. The truth is: they spend that long deciding whether to read more. They do glance that quickly at first and may move on if your background doesn’t look like a fit. However, if you grab their attention, they’ll read far more. Recruiters aren’t deciding to interview you in 8-10 seconds, but they are ruling people out in 8-10 seconds. And this is why your resume summary is so crucial. It appears high up on your resume (usually right after your header/contact info) and is one of the first sections employers see. So it’s part of what they’ll see in the first 8-10 seconds.

Your resume summary statement is one of your first (and one of very few) chances to get the employer to stop skimming through their pile of resumes and focus on YOU.

Watch: Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

10 resume summary examples:.

These career summary examples will help you at any experience level – whether you’re writing a professional summary after a long executive career, or writing your first resume summary without any experience! After you finish this article you’re NEVER going to have to send out a limp, weak resume summary statement again (and you’ll get far more interviews  because of it).

1. Healthcare Sales Executive Resume Summary Example:

Turnaround & Ground Up Leadership – Concept-to-execution strategies for untapped products, markets + solutions that yield 110% revenue growth – Negotiates partnerships with leading distributors + hospitals—Medline to Centara + Novant Health to Mayo Clinic –  Revitalizes underperforming sales organizations via scalable, sustainable infrastructures emulated as best practice –  C-Level networks of clinical + supply chain leadership acquired during tenures with XXX, XXX and XXX

Why this resume summary is good:

This resumes summary example’s strength lies in the detailed, unique information that has been included. By including revenue stats, names of past employers and partners, the reader right away sees that this person will bring to the role a strong networking ability with key players in his industry, and more importantly can build, grow and revitalize a sales organization, market or product.

By:  Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

2. 15+ 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

3. Human Resources Generalist Resume Summary Example:

Human Resources Generalist with progressive experience managing employee benefits & compliance, employee hiring & onboarding, performance management processes, licensure tracking and HR records. Dependable and organized team player with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Skilled at building relationships with employees across all levels of an organization. Proficient with HRIS, applicant tracking and benefits management.

Why this is a good resume summary:

The applicant highlights their experience across a wide range of HR functions from the very first sentence, and continues this pattern throughout the rest of the summary. They then use easily digestible langue to showcase their hard skills (in the first & fourth sentences) and soft skills (in the second & third sentences). They also integrate a variety of keywords to get past automated job application systems , without sounding spammy or without overdoing it.

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

4. Social Media Marketing CV Profile Example (UK):

Social media expert with successes in the creation and management of social media strategies and campaigns for global retail organisations. Extensive experience in the commercial utilisation of multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; I build successful social strategies that increase brand awareness, promote customer engagement and ultimately drive web traffic and conversions.

Why this summary is good:

This summary is well-written, short, sharp, and gives recruiters a high-level explanation of the candidate’s core offerings in a persuasive and punchy style. A quick scan of this profile tells you the exact type of social media platforms the candidate is an expert in, as well as the campaigns they have experience running and types of organizations they have worked for. Most importantly, the summary is rounded off by showing the results that this person achieves for their employers, such as increased web traffic and conversions.

Editor’s note: This CV profile summary was written for the UK market… this is a great one to use/copy, but make sure you put it through a spell-checker if you’re applying for jobs in the US (utilisation vs. utilization, etc.)

By: Andrew Fennell, Director at StandOut CV , contributor for The Guardian and Business Insider

5. Marketing Manager Professional Summary Example:

Marketing Manager with over eight years of experience. Proven success in running email marketing campaigns and implementing marketing strategies that have pulled in a 20% increase in qualified leads. Proficient in content, social media and inbound marketing strategies. Skilled, creative and innovative.

This resume summary stands out because it gets straight to the point. By immediately introducing the number of years of experience the candidate has, the HR manager doesn’t need to spend time adding up years. The candidate also jumps right into his or her strongest skill, provides a statistic , then gives additional skills.

By: Sarah Landrum, career expert and contributor at Entrepreneur.com and Forbes

6. 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.

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 applicant’s customer service and project management skills.

7. 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.

Because this candidate is switching career paths, it’s 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, you’ll have a higher chance of getting noticed by the hiring manager.

8. Career-Changer Resume Summary Example:

Earn trust, uncover key business drivers and find common ground as chief negotiator and identifier of revenue opportunities in sales, leadership and account management roles spanning e-Commerce, air travel and high-tech retail. Navigate cultural challenges while jumping time zones, lead international airline crews and manage corporate accounts to deliver an exceptional customer experience. A self-taught techie sought after as a go-to for complex billing systems and SaaS platforms alike—bridging the divide between technology and plain-speak. – Tenacious Quest for Success + Learning . Earned MBA and BS in just 3 years while working full-time – gaining hands-on experience in research- and data-driven product roadmap development, pricing and positioning. – Results-Driven Leadership. Whether leading Baby Boomers, Gen X or Millennials—figures out what makes teams tick, trains and transforms individuals into top-performers. – Challenger of Conventional Wisdom. Always ask the WHY. Improve the user experience through smart, strategic thinking that anticipates outcomes. Present cases that influence, and lead change that drives efficiency and profitability.

This client was eager for a career change and had moved from role to role and industry to industry. After completing her Master’s degree, she was eager to tie her skills together to land a role – which she did – as a Senior Technology Account Strategist for a global travel company. Although a bit longer than a traditional summary, its strength lies in the details. Without ever getting to the experience section, the reader gets a clear idea of the scope of responsibility, and hard and soft skills the candidate brings to the table.

By: Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

9. Project Management Executive Professional Summary Example:

15+ years of initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change for Fortune 500 firms across a wide range of industries including enterprise software, digital marketing, advertising technology, e-commerce and government. Major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability – both as a leader and expert consultant.

Why this resume summary is good:

“Project Manager” is one of those job titles that’s REALLY broad. You can find project managers earning $50K, and others earning $250K. The client I wrote this for was at the Director level, and had worked for some of the biggest and best tech companies in her city. So this resume profile section shows her level and experience, and the wide array of areas she has responsibility for in her current work. You can borrow or use some of the phrasing here to show that you’ve been responsible for many important areas in your past work.

By: Biron Clark, Founder of  CareerSidekick.com.

10. Startup And Finance Management Consultant Career Summary Example:

Experienced strategist, entrepreneur and startup enthusiast with a passion for building businesses and challenging the status quo. 8+ year track record of defining new business strategies, launching new ventures, and delivering operational impact, both as a co-founder and management consultant. 

Why this resume summary example is good:

This summary was for a highly-talented management consultant looking to break out of finance, and into trendier tech companies like Uber . His track record and educational background were great, so the goal of this summary section was to stand out and show he’s more than just the typical consultant with a finance background. So we emphasized his passion for startups, and his ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. That’s something that companies like Uber and other “disruptive” tech companies look for.

14 Resume Summary Examples for Various Industries

Compassionate and effective 5th-grade teacher with experience overseeing the classroom and preparing lessons. Extensive experience encouraging students through positive reinforcement and motivational techniques. Collaborate well with school administration and other members of the teaching team. Ensure all students meet learning requirements, including literacy, social, and arithmetic skills.

2. Teacher’s Assistant

Goal-oriented teacher’s assistant with ten years of experience working with elementary school children. Aid teachers with lesson planning, classroom settings, and group instruction. Model positive behavior and maintain order in the classroom. Willingness to take on additional responsibilities to meet learning objectives.

Tech Industry

3. computer programmer.

Innovative computer programmer with a proven track record of writing high-quality code and supporting team needs with subject matter expertise. Adept in multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++. Ability to troubleshoot complex programming issues with inventive solutions. 

4. Cybersecurity Analyst

Dedicated cybersecurity analyst with ten years of experience in online security research, execution, planning, and maintenance. Proven track record of identifying business risks and proactively resolving them. Experience designing and instituting layered network security for large-scale organizations. Train users and other staff members on IT safety procedures and preventive techniques.

Skilled healthcare professional with ten years of experience in patient care, diagnosis, and providing appropriate treatments and medical services. Manage medical staff and resolve complex medical cases with maximum efficiency. Communicate the patient’s condition and treatment plan in easily understood terminology. Remain current with the latest advancements in medicine and research to ensure patients receive proper care.

6. Registered Nurse

Seasoned registered nurse offering comprehensive patient care in emergency room settings. Experience handling diverse patient populations and caring for various conditions. Proven leadership managing nursing teams and other staff. Focus on enhancing patient care and satisfaction through empathetic communication and excellent customer service. 

7. Digital Marketing Manager

Forward-thinking digital marketing manager experienced in all facets of digital marketing, including social media management, PPC advertising, SEO, and email marketing. Proven experience creating comprehensive marketing plans that improve lead prospecting and enhance brand awareness. Up to date with the newest tools available for digital marketing campaigns.

8. Marketing Analyst

Industrious marketing analyst well-versed in analyzing marketing campaign analytics and making recommendations to improve performance. Collaborate with account managers and use KPI metrics to explain the results of marketing initiatives. Meticulous with a strong work ethic and robust communication skills.

Food and Service Industry

Experienced wait staff member capable of managing orders, processing payments, and upselling menu items. Ensure restaurant guests feel welcome with attentive service catered to their needs. Remain current on updates to the menu and assist guests with selecting orders to meet their dietary requirements. Maintain a positive attitude and focus during busy restaurant periods.

10. Hotel Receptionist

Friendly hotel receptionist with extensive experience handling guest check-ins, check-out, and payments. Facilitate a positive guest experience with polished customer service skills and a readiness to address common inquiries and complaints. Collaborate well with other hotel team members, including executive administration and on-site restaurant staff.

Business/Office Jobs

11. financial analyst.

Highly motivated financial analyst with a proven track record of recommending appropriate financial plans based on financial monitoring, data collection, and business strategizing. Experienced in qualitative and quantitative analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling. Excellent communication skills for building and fostering long-term business relationships across the organization.

12. Tax Accountant

Experienced tax accountant with ten years of experience preparing federal and state tax returns for corporations and partnerships. Monitor changes in laws to ensure the organization properly complies with reporting requirements. Assist with tax audits, ensuring the team receives proper supporting evidence for tax positions. Analyze and resolve complex tax issues. Look for available tax savings opportunities for corporations with an aggregate savings of $500K last year. Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Sales and Customer Service

13. sales representative.

Enthusiastic sales representative with expertise in identifying prospects and converting qualified leads to paying customers. Provide quality customer service and contribute to team sales success. Offer exceptional communication skills and seek to understand client needs before making the appropriate product recommendations. Continually meet and exceed sales goals. Leverage extensive knowledge of available products to provide appropriate client solutions and enhance customer loyalty and retention.

14. Customer Service Associate

Knowledgeable customer service professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry. Known as a team player with a friendly demeanor and proven ability to develop positive rapport with clients. Maintain ongoing customer satisfaction that contributes to overall company success. Highly articulate, with a results-oriented approach that addresses client inquiries and issues while maintaining strong partnerships. Collaborate well with the customer service team while also engaging independent decision-making skills.

Now you have 24 professional resume summary statements and some explanations of why they’re effective. Next, I’ll share tips for how to write your own in case you’re still unsure how to begin based on these examples above.

How to Write a Resume Summary: Steps and Hints

We’ve looked at 10 great resume summary examples above. As you begin writing a resume summary for yourself, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Read the employer’s job description. Your career summary shouldn’t be a long list of everything you’ve done; it should be a refined list of skills and experiences that demonstrate you’re a fit for their job.
• Mention your current job title if relevant. One common way to begin your resume summary is to state your current job title.
• Explain how you can help employers achieve their goals or solve their problems.
• Consider using bold text to emphasize one or two key phrases.
• Include any relevant metrics and data like dollar amounts, years of experience, size of teams led, etc. This helps your resume stand out.
• Focus on making the employer want to read more. The goal of your resume summary isn’t to show everything you can do, but to grab their attention and show enough that they continue reading.

Creating a Customized Resume Summary

While general summaries are appropriate when applying for jobs requiring similar skills and experience, a customized resume summary can enhance your chances of moving on to the next step in the hiring process. 

That’s because most companies use automated tracking systems (ATS) to review submitted resumes for content directly related to the job posting. If you use keywords and natural language phrases in your summary that interlink to the job description, you’ll have a much higher chance of passing the ATS review.

Let’s look at an example of a resume summary that is customized for the specific job description below:

“Highly motivated social media specialist with strong project management skills. Creative marketer skilled in crafting innovative social media campaigns that resonate with a target audience. Regularly develop compelling copy and social media content to enhance lead generation and brand awareness. Detail-oriented with extensive project management skills that ensure proper prioritization of tasks and projects. Work with various social media management and analytics tools to examine results and make adjustments as necessary.”

This summary directly addresses the key points in the job description but rewrites them so the customization is natural and flows well. It’s personalized for the open role and uses similar terms with a few strategically placed keywords, such as “social media content” and “project management.”  

How Long Should a Resume Summary Be?

As you read the resume summaries above, you probably noticed there are some short single-paragraph resume summary examples and much longer career summaries that are two to three paragraphs plus bullet points. So how long should YOUR professional summary be? If you have relevant work experience, keep your summary to one or two paragraphs. The piece you really want the hiring manager to read is your most recent work experience (and you should make sure you tailored that info to fit the job description). The resume summary is just a “bridge” to get the hiring manager into your experience.

If I were writing my own career summary right now, I’d likely use one single paragraph packed with skills, accomplishments, and exactly why I’m ready to step into the job I’ve applied for and be successful!

Even for a manager resume summary, I recommend a very short length. However, if you’re changing careers, or you’re looking for jobs without any work experience , the summary section needs to stand on its own, and should be longer. That’s why some examples above are a bit longer.

Formatting Your Resume/CV Career Summary

You may have noticed a variety of different formats in the career summary examples above. There isn’t one “right” way to format this section on your resume or CV. However, I recommend either using one or two brief paragraphs, or combining a short sentence or paragraph with bullets. Avoid writing three or four long paragraphs with no special formatting like bullet points. That’s simply too much text for your summary section and will cause recruiters and hiring managers to skip over it in some cases.

Should You Include a Resume Objective?

You do not need to include an objective on your resume, and doing so can make your resume appear outdated. Use a resume summary instead of an objective. Follow the resume summary examples above and focus on discussing your skills, qualifications, and achievements, rather than stating your objective. Employers know that your objective is to obtain the position you’ve applied for, and the resume objective has no place on a modern resume/CV in today’s job market.

Examples of Bad Resume Summaries

Now that we’ve seen a few exemplary resume summaries, let’s look at some that you should avoid at all cost.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

“Experienced cashier who knows how to run the register cash. Responsible with the money and can talk with the customer. Knows when to stoc up the invenory and checks it all the time. Can count change and run credit card tranactions. Get the customer happy by good service. I am always cheerful and organized.”

Why this resume summary is bad:

If you read the summary carefully, you’ll notice several spelling errors. The words “stock,” “inventory,” and “transactions” are all spelled wrong. Grammatical errors make the summary choppy and difficult to follow (“Get the customer happy by good service”).  A summary like this probably won’t fly with a company looking for a detail-oriented cashier responsible for managing in-person sales.

2. Lacks Relevant Keywords

“Talented worker with experience managing a team of staff. Creative and responsible with knowledge of organizational processes. Can keep up with the busiest of environments. Stays focused when at work, ensuring prompt task completion. Dependable and willing to collaborate with a team to get things done.”  

In this example, the chef doesn’t use keywords relevant to cooking, restaurants, or kitchens. The summary is very generic and can apply to nearly any job. A manager who receives the application isn’t likely to understand what value the candidate can bring to the restaurant.  To fix the summary, the applicant must rewrite it to include relevant keywords and phrases. 

3. No Numbers to Quantify Achievements

“An experienced and hardworking manager ready to align procedures for maximum revenue and profits. Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in higher sales and better customer satisfaction. Collaborate well with sales team members, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge to support customer purchases and inquiries. Develop strong rapport with clients and maintain ongoing relationships.”

This isn’t a terrible summary for a sales manager, but it has room for improvement. For one, the first two sentences essentially duplicate each other, mentioning an aptitude for improving processes with the objective of higher sales. The other issue is a lack of quantifying achievements. 

The applicant mentions they have a proven record of increasing sales, but they could strengthen the summary by quantifying their results. For example, they might say, “Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in a 25% increase in sales over the past year.” The quantifier provides additional credibility. 

4. Not Targeting the Specific Job

“Looking for work in a role that requires great customer service, project management, and communication skills. Able to collaborate with people from diverse and varying backgrounds. Highly organized and reliable worker with a strong work ethic. Responsible and reliable worker you can count on.”

While the candidate lists various skills they have, including customer service and project management, there’s no indication of prior roles held or what position they’re applying for. The summary could apply to numerous positions in a variety of industries. To improve the resume summary, the applicant must specify the job they’re applying for and indicate their prior experience in a similar role, if they have any.

After You Start Getting Interviews, Make Sure to Take Advantage…

If you follow the advice above, you’ll have a great professional resume summary to make your qualifications stand out to employers. But landing the interview is only half the battle… So make sure you go into every interview ready to convince employers that they should hire you, too! If you write a great resume summary example that gets employers excited to interview you, they’re going to ask you questions like, “tell me about yourself” early in the interview to learn more about your background. So make sure you’re prepared with an answer.

I also recommend you review the top 20 interview questions and answers here.

Your resume caught their interest, so naturally, they’re going to follow up with a variety of questions to learn more about your professional background.

The bottom line is: A strong professional resume summary, followed up by other well-written resume sections will get you the interview, but your interview performance is what determines whether you get the job offer!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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I would recommend to customise the skills section of your resume, and ensure that it matches the job posting. The higher the number of phrases within the resume matching the job requirements the more are the chances that the recruiter will pick you for the job.

I just wanted to say, “thank you!”. This was very helpful. Instead of jumping from one website to the next there’s so much useful, relevant information right here.

Hi, I have been having trouble creating a resume as My old one is so long, I’ve worked for a government agency for the past 14 years and held multiple positions doing many different duties for each and now I have to relocate to another area where they do not have an agency like mine in my new area within a 3 hour drive, how can I squeeze all my experience and duties on one page and where do I even start, I’m so nervous, it’s been so long since I’ve attempted the job hunt. So I’m wondering, I do not want to cut anything out that may hurt my chances and I can’t afford to have my resume rewritten by a professional. Can you guide me as to where you think would be a good place to start, I’ve been staring at this laptop for weeks trying to decide on a resume template, there are so many. I thank you for your time and any input will help.

Hi, I am a new graduate and do not have any experience in my field which is Nursing. I want to apply for the jobs but I have no idea about what to mention in my resume.

Hi, this article should help with the resume summary, at least: https://careersidekick.com/summary-for-resume-no-experience/

Other than that, you need to put your academic experience. And internships/part-time jobs if you’ve had any.

Dear Biron,, Thanks for sharing the 10 examples of professional summaries in your article, and especially the reasons why they were considered to be good. However, as a HR professional, I would most likely skip over most of them and would not read much past the first or second sentence. The summaries were mostly too wordy and boring, and did not demonstrate ‘oomph’ at first cursory reading. Simply indicating certain skills or behaviors does not give an idea of the level of expertise, and could simply be wishful thinking on the part of the resume writer.

Just goes to show that there are many ways to see what makes a good summary.

I am a chemical engineer and project management professional with 15+years experience. My experience is between process engineering and project management . How can I marry the two in my profile summary?

It’s not about showing everything you’ve done. It’s about showing employers evidence you’ll succeed in their job. You can show a bit of both but focus heavily on what’s most relevant for the jobs you’re applying for right now. 80/20.

This was absolutely helpful and amazing! Thank you very much!

Hello, I am an active job seeker. I hold a law degree from a foreign country and currently in college for an associate degree. My question is, how do I blend both my foreign job experience with that of the United States in my resume. Thank you.

I’d put your work history in chronological order, starting with the most recent up top. That’s what I’d recommend for 95% of people actually. Then it doesn’t matter where you held each job.

And then in your Education section, I’d include your foreign degree and the current degree you’re pursuing in the US, too (for the US degree, you can say “in progress” or “graduating May 2019” for example).

I am 40 years old & B.A degree holder I have experience in many fields.I would like to join any one fields

I am a fresh graduate, who has five years teaching experience and some months customer service representative experience. Pls kindly assist me to put the resume summary together

I’m an active duty service member and finding in a little difficult creating a good transitional summary from 20 year profession in tactical communications to a drug and alcohol counselor. Do you have any recommendations how I should approach this? Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

Great piece

How to write the CAREER ABSTRACT in resume for ware super visor retail business?

Just wanted to say thank you.Your advise and information was clear and easy to understand , sometimes there is nothing pertaining to what im looking fot in particular, buy you have sermed to cover everything I n a short quick easy to understand method.It will help tremendously.

Thanks! Glad to hear it helped :)

Very informational

What if you have work experience, but the job your going for(teachingeducation) has nothing to do with warehouse work? How should I build my resume?

In the summary, describe yourself and then say, “…looking to transition into ___” (the type of work you want to be doing now).

This is a bit like a resume “Objective”. I normally don’t recommend an Objective section (and I recommend a Summary section instead), however the one time an Objective does make sense is when you’re trying to change industries or make a big change in the type of role you have.

So that’s why my advice here might seem like I’m telling you to combine an Objective with your resume Summary.

Then “tailor” your previous work to be as relevant as possible. Even if you worked in a different industry you can still show things like leadership, accountability, progress/improvement, hard work, achieving goals, strong teamwork skills, etc. You can do all of that in your resume bullets and work history.

Don’t u have Resume Summary of legal secretary/legal assistant?

No, sorry about that. There are hundreds of different professions/job titles, and we aren’t able to include an example for every scenario out there. These resume summary examples are designed to give you a general idea of how to write yours.

The summaries listed are excellent example and have helped me develop a stand out summary for a new position.

Hello, I been trying to land the job of my dreams. I need help with my resume if i want the recruiters in airlines to notice me. I’ve applied before but haven’t had complete success to making it to a face-to Face Interview. It is a career change – yet i feel i am a great candidate bc i have had many customer service and I even attended an academy for that specific position. Can you please tell me what I am doing wrong on my resume ?

what if i never had a job experience?

Great question. If you don’t have any work experience, take one of the formats/examples above and put your accomplishments and qualifications from your academic studies.

Your headline could say: “Motivated Bio-Sciences Graduate With Expertise in ____”.

And then you might talk about accomplishments in school, group projects you worked on or led, etc.

Basically, when you have no work experience, your school/studies BECOMES your recent work. You should talk about that like it’s a job, because that’s the experience you do have.

really amazing article and too useful , thanks

Hi Mr. Clark, I have been out of the work force for about 18+years and I have been a small business owner for the same number of years. However, I want to go back to the work force. But my problem is that, I don’t know how to prepare my resume or resume summary statement. I had a degree in Communication,Arts and Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Public Administration. I’m a bit confused as to how to incorporate all these experiences into my resume. Please can you help?

Hi Dorothy, I can recommend a professional resume writer if you want. But they’re typically not cheap, so it’s something you’d have to be willing to invest in. If not, there’s a lot of free info online about how to “tailor” your resume for specific jobs. I can’t help one-on-one unfortunately, but I’d recommend thinking about which type of jobs you want, and think of what experience you have that is most relevant. that’s what to put on your resume. Your resume isn’t only about you, it’s about them – what do they want/need? (if you want to get a ton of interviews, that’s how to do it :) ).

Can I have a professional resume writer?

I use a similar format when writing my opening statement for my coverletter. How do you recommend differentiating the two? Or is it ok to use largely the same language?

I think it’s okay to use something similar. I might be more brief in the cover letter… it needs to be about them just as much as it’s about you. Whereas the resume is all about you, at least in the summary section. (The later sections should still be tailored to THEIR needs..)

Struggling to write a Summary Statement for a Secretary/Administrative Assistant position. I have 15 years government experience but have been away from the government since 9/1993 and have spent 15 years as a Substitute Teacher after taking off for 10 years to raise my children.

Hiya! I am a mother of three attempting to return to the workforce. I have been a stay at mom for about 13 years, so I have a (large) gap in my employment history; which doesn’t look great. I have a college education and have obtained a few certifications whilst not employed, plus many volunteer hours. I know that I should probably use a functional resume format. Would love some advice on what I should include in my summary statement.

Hi Juniper,

I rarely like functional resumes, but it might be worth trying. I’d “split-test” it (a marketing term). Create two resume styles, send out 50% one way, 50% the other way, and track results for a week.

I’d treat the resume summary statement just like any other resume. Highlight your skills and past wins/accomplishments.

how do i explain long term gaps in employment? leave them out?

Hi Paulette,

Don’t mention them on a resume summary. But do mention the gaps on a cover letter or lower down on the resume. Here’s an article on how to explain gaps in employment:

https://careersidekick.com/explaining-gaps-in-employment/

I am student in civil engineering field. Have 1.5 yrs of work ex. How should i structure my resume. Thanks.

Hello My name is Shataka and I’m a current job seeker trying to land my dream job as a Counselor. I have Master degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. My experience lies in many different fields. I’m currently a Substance Abuse Counselor, with a teaching background and over 5 years of social service experience. I guess my question is how would I sum up all my experience to help me find a job as a Counselor.

Comments are closed.

Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

Resume summary examples: how to write one and samples you can use, a resume summary is not meant to simply summarize things already on your resume. here's what you should do instead, with examples approved by hiring managers and practical templates and examples you can copy to get you started..

🔍  Search for a summary by job title

Search for a job title or industry. You can also leave this blank and scroll through 250 summaries below.

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Customer service, business development, account manager, what is a resume summary.

A resume summary is a short section at the top of your resume. The purpose of a summary is to highlight something that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for but isn’t included elsewhere in your resume, like transferable skills or a context that makes your accomplishments stand out. Despite the name, it isn’t supposed to simply summarize the information already in your resume.

Who needs a resume summary?

A resume summary is completely optional, but it can be beneficial in a number of situations.

People with a lot of experience

It can be a struggle to summarize 15+ years of work experience in a way that’s concise enough not to make a recruiter’s eyes glaze over without leaving out valuable accomplishments. If you have extensive relevant work experience, use your resume summary to distill the key elements. Think of it as the highlights reel of your resume.

People who are changing careers or job titles

If you’re changing careers completely, a resume summary is the best way to briefly contextualize your experience, highlight your transferable skills, and explain why you’re a good fit for the position — especially if those things aren’t obvious from the body of your resume.

The same thing applies if you’re pivoting to a new role within your current industry or career. You don’t want a hiring manager assuming your skills aren’t relevant or that you’re simply applying for every job you can find, so use your summary to demonstrate why that isn’t the case.

For a more detailed guide to resume summaries for career changers, check out How to Write a Resume Summary if You’re Changing Careers .

If the job is looking for something specific

If the job description asks for anything specific or particularly unusual and you fit the bill, emphasize that in your summary. This could be anything from experience with startups (e.g. small knit, cross-functional teams) to specific qualifications (e.g. CFA Level 3).

Do you need a resume summary?

Probably not! Most people don’t need a resume summary. Remember that your resume should already be a succinct summary of your work history and achievements — if yours is self-explanatory or less than a page long, there’s no need to re-summarize it again at the top. Unless you fall into one of the categories discussed above, or your situation is otherwise unique, your resume is probably enough on its own.

If a summary doesn’t add anything to your resume , or is just restating information that’s already included elsewhere, leave it out.

If you’re a student or recent graduate , or otherwise don’t have a lot of work experience, you’re unlikely to need a resume summary.

The same thing applies if your work history is self-explanatory and doesn’t need clarification. A summary doesn’t add anything to your resume simply by existing, so only include one if it’s actually necessary.

How to write a resume summary

Here's a quick step-by-step guide to get you started:

• Lead with the job title. If you're applying for a job as a project manager, that's how you should describe yourself, regardless of your past experience.
• Describe the scope of your experience, including how many years' experience you have and the size of businesses you've worked for.
• Choose a standout accomplishment that's relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Include metrics — this moves the line from 'bragging' to 'demonstrable experience.'
• Mention 2-3 key skills that match the job description.
• Include any specific highlights from your resume that show why you’d be a great fit for the position.
• Run your resume through a free resume checker to see how well your summary scores.

Search Results

Resume summary examples.

Ready to write your own resume summary? To make it easier for you, here are some templates you can follow and examples of what your summary should look like in action. There are a ton of examples in the rest of this page - we'll start with generic templates, then move to templates for each kind of career level, and then examples by job title.

Let's start with an annotated example to help guide you through the rest of the examples.

Resume summary templates by career level

Let's first through some generic resume summary templates you can use as a foundation for your own summary. You can apply them to a reume for any job title or industry.

Template 1: Executive Resume Summary

This is a basic but effective resume summary. It’s short and easy to read, while briefly explaining your background, experience, and what you can bring to the company. This is a good option if you want to emphasize your relevant skills.

Template 2: Conventional Resume Summary

This is an alternative way to format your summary. It’s less conversational and more results-focused, which works well if you have a few particularly impressive accomplishments you want to highlight.

Resume summary examples by job title

Training manager, microbiologist, site reliability engineer, internal audit, learning and development, medical billing, construction manager, talent acquisition, it specialist, security manager, civil engineer, special projects, vp of marketing, process specialist, reporting analyst, program analyst, environmental scientist, vice president of operations, virtual assistant, director of marketing, recruiting coordinator, maintenance technician, sales associate, electronic technician, network engineer, customer success, correctional officer, content writer, video editor, procurement, system engineer, program manager, sql developer, training and development, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, project administrator, market researcher, c-level and executive, respiratory therapist, data mining, actuarial science, full stack developer, quality engineer, care coordinator, technical support, solutions engineer, site manager, production planner, software architect, merchandising, dental assistant, policy analyst, biomedical engineer, implementation specialist, project coordinator, case manager, cyber security, radiologic technologist, medical technologist, director of analytics, revenue cycle, mechanical engineer, system administrator, research assistant, sales leader, machine learning, social media manager, relationship manager, safety engineer, c, c++, and c# developer, etl developer, brand strategist, communications, director of information technology, intelligence analyst, makeup artist, advertising, data analyst, front end developer, service desk, supply chain, python developer, social worker, packaging engineer, instructional design, security analyst, digital marketing, cloud developer, director of engineering, platform engineer, engagement manager, software tester, loss prevention, automation engineer, interior design, integration architect, manufacturing engineer, planning engineer, environmental engineer, data specialist, sales engineer, brand ambassador, product owner, administrative assistant, payroll specialist, java developer, growth marketing, product manager, credit analyst, demand planning manager, architecture, project engineer, underwriter, inventory manager, chief of staff, industrial engineer, real estate agent, cloud engineer, office manager, account executive, digital media, sales manager, sales executive, business intelligence, change management, investment banking, production assistant, gig economy, marketing executive, materials engineer, business analyst, financial controller, service technician, digital transformation, audio engineer, desktop support, ux designer, data governance, chief digital officer, pharmacy technician, data modeling, executive assistant, contract specialist, supply chain planner, hotel manager, finance executive, continuous improvement, content creator, design director, vp of finance, financial advisor, accounts payable, software developer, creative director, data scientist, collections specialist, warehouse manager, quality control, diversity and inclusion, production manager, finance director, php developer, health and safety, event coordinator, director of product management, public policy, purchasing manager, operational excellence, marketing manager, plant manager, data engineer, graphic designer, director of software engineering, digital strategist, art director, technical writer, scrum master, technology director, human resources (hr), network administrator, orientation leader, administrative coordinator, sharepoint developer, financial analyst, claims adjuster, cost analyst, administration, clinical research, back office, materials management, risk management, fundraising, business owner, campaign manager, operations manager, legal assistant, loan processor, ux researcher, project leader, software engineer, web developer, inside sales, engineering manager, equity research, director of operations, occupational therapist, director of sales, project manager, sales coordinator, game design, electrical engineer, solutions architect, brand manager, senior executive resume summary example #1.

We discussed how senior level hires can use an executive resume summary to emphasize their most impressive and relevant accomplishments. Here are a few examples of how to do it in action.

This example serves as a good high-level overview of your experience. There’s an opportunity for you to mention one or two of your most impressive accomplishments and it provides a useful context for the body of your resume. Here it is in text format if you'd like to copy this into your own resume to use as a starting point:

Resume Summary Example #2

This example is good because it focuses on concrete data and achievements. Remember, the more quantifiable your achievements are, the more likely they are to land with a hiring manager. Here's the example in text format in case you'd like to use it in your own resume:

Mid-Level Jobseeker Resume Summary Example #1

If you’re a mid level hire, a resume summary can help set you apart from entry level applicants by highlighting a few notable skills or accomplishments and providing important context.

This example makes the extent of your previous experience clear to a hiring manager. It emphasizes a couple of noteworthy accomplishments that may set you apart from other mid level hires and might otherwise have gotten lost in the body of your resume. If you'd like to use this in your own resume summary, here it is in text format that you can easily copy-and-paste:

This example briefly provides the context for your resume and hones in on your most impressive achievements. The bullet point format and focus on hard numbers make it easy for a hiring manager to read and quickly digest. Here it is in text format:

Career Changer Resume Summary Example

A resume summary is particularly important if you’re changing careers. You don’t need to go into detail about why you’re changing careers, but briefly mentioning any relevant training or certifications is a good idea, alongside the transferrable skills you’ll bring to the role. If you're changing careers, make sure to see more summary examples for career changers .

Resume summary tips

Keep it short.

Your resume summary should be 3-6 lines long, or around 100-200 words. Less is more — hiring managers will skim over long chunks of text, so don’t be tempted to go over. The quicker and easier your summary is to read, the more chance it’ll make an impact. If you feel like you need more space to write about yourself, that’s what your cover letter is for.

Tailor your resume summary

Even more so than your resume, you must tailor your summary to each job you apply to. Here are a few ways you can do that:

Mention specific technical skills the job requires. If you’re applying for a job that requires a particular skill or qualification that you have, make sure you highlight that. But keep it specific! If you’re applying for a data science role that requires Python, explain how you’ve used Python in the past. Don’t include every programming or technical skill you have, or it’ll look like you’re using a scattershot approach and may overshadow your actual relevant experience. Doing this will also help you get past the applicant tracking systems , or resume screeners, which scan your resume for specific keywords.

Review the job description. Using specific language from a job description in your resume summary can make you look like a good fit, as long as you don’t overdo it. If a job description mentions leadership, describe the size of the teams you’ve led. If they want someone with entrepreneurial flair, mention a project where you demonstrated initiative. This doesn’t necessarily have to be work-related — personal projects can fit, too, as long as they highlight that specific skill or quality.

Be specific and results-oriented. The more specific you are about your accomplishments, the more impressive they’ll be. Use hard numbers wherever possible. Don’t just write “experienced in managing teams” or “increased revenue.” Quantifiable achievements like “managed teams of 5-20 people” or “drove $100,000 in incremental revenue” are more meaningful.

Avoid buzzwords

Phrases like “hardworking,” “team player,” and “attention to detail” have no place on your resume. Anyone can claim to have excellent communication skills — prove it by mentioning that your email campaign resulted in a 30% increase in repeat customers. Remember: Show, don’t tell.

Write your summary last

The goal of your summary is to provide a brief introduction and context for the body of your resume. Focus on writing your resume first — once you’ve nailed it, it’ll be much easier to fill in the summary section.

People applying for remote jobs

If you’re applying for a fully remote position, it can be helpful to note that in your summary. Specifying that you’re only applying for remote work can weed out positions that are only partially or temporarily remote. And if you have experience with remote work in that past, mentioning some of your remote achievements can demonstrate that you’re just as effective when working from home.

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77+ Resume Summary Examples [& How-to Guide for 2024]

Most companies get hundreds or even thousands of applications monthly.

Hiring managers don’t have the time to read each resume in detail, so they usually end up scanning it for five to six seconds.

So, unless your resume manages to grab the hiring manager’s attention in those few seconds, they’ll just toss your application aside and move on to the next one.

That’s why, you want to make sure that the hiring manager can instantly tell that you’re the right candidate for the job before they even read your resume in depth. 

This is where writing an attention-grabbing resume summary comes in!

In this guide, we’re going to cover: 

• What Is a Resume Summary?
• Tips for Writing an Effective Resume Summary 
• 77+ Convincing Resume Summary Examples

Let’s dive in.

This guide is part of our larger resume series. If you want to start from the basics, take a look at our comprehensive guide on how to make a resume .

What Is a Resume Summary? 

A resume summary is a section that summarizes your resume’s contents. It’s placed in your resume’s header, close to your 

contact information , and it’s the first thing hiring managers see when they look at your resume.

When done right, your resume summary serves as a snapshot of your entire career. It shows that you’re a qualified candidate in less than five seconds, and it gets the hiring manager interested in reading the rest of your resume.

So, what makes a resume summary effective?

A good resume summary is two to four sentences long and includes:

• Your years of experience and job title
• Some of your biggest achievements to date
• A couple of your most essential skills that are relevant for the role

Let’s look at an example:

• Detail-oriented Technical Writer with 7+ years of experience in writing end-user documentation, specializing in user help guides. Excellent writing, analytical thinking, research, and time management skills. Rewrote over 80% of user help guides for 30+ products at Company X, resulting in a 42% decrease in product-related customer support calls.

New to resume-making? Give our resume summary video a watch before diving into the article!

When Should You Use a Resume Summary?

Hiring managers skim through resumes before deciding to read them, so candidates who grab their attention from the start stand a better chance of grabbing their attention. This is why you should always include a brief paragraph in your resume header that summarizes your strengths as a candidate.

Depending on your experience level, you can choose between a resume summary or a resume objective .

Resume objectives focus on professional goals, skills, and motivation for applying for the job, so they’re perfect for students, recent graduates , and other entry-level workers.

A resume summary, on the other hand, is perfect for seasoned professionals, as it focuses more on your past work experience and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. So, if you already have some work experience, we recommend sticking to a resume summary.

If you’re embarking on a career change , on the other hand, you can choose between a resume summary or a resume objective, depending on how your previous skills and work experience relate to the job.

When you’re making your resume, write your resume summary last. Creating a resume summary is much easier once you’ve already finished up your work experience section! 

5 General Resume Summary Examples

There are different aspects of your professional background that you can focus on when writing your resume summary.

Let’s look at some examples and what they do right:

• A hard-working bartender with over five years of experience providing professional service at various bars across Brooklyn. I have received the Hospitality Skill Certification for Bartenders and I know how to make over 200 alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Seeking the Head Bartender position at Bar X, where my skills and beverage knowledge can be leveraged to offer customers the highest quality of service.

Above all, this resume summary shows how experienced the candidate is. Their main selling point is their vast bartending knowledge, followed by an impressive bartending qualification and customer service skills .

• Communicative financial analyst, specializing in informative and persuasive financial presentations, cost accounting, and team management. Master’s Degree in Finance and two related certifications from the Corporate Finance Institute. Extensive experience with a variety of software programs, including SQL, Equitrak, and Lawson.

What sticks out the most in this resume summary is the candidate’s educational background and certifications. It matches the field they’re applying for, and their knowledge also extends to the most important professional software.

• Human Resources Manager with 7+ years of experience seeks to improve overall efficiency at XYZ Office. Career highlights include handling all employee relations in a 75-employee finance firm, reducing recruitment lead time by 35%, and increasing employee retention by 17%.

In addition to the candidate’s long professional experience, the most impressive part of this resume summary is their achievements . The candidate also made sure to quantify their professional accomplishments, which gives you credibility and shows you know what you're talking about.

• Detail-oriented receptionist with 4+ years of experience in customer service. Efficient in performing the administrative and front-desk tasks of large-scale offices. Fluent in Norwegian, English, Spanish, and Swedish. Proficient in MS Office Suite and ZenDesk.

This resume summary shows off the candidate’s key skills, including language proficiency , extensive customer service experience, and computer skills .

• Hard-working and passionate Secondary Social Studies teacher with 10+ years of experience in creating positive environments in which teenagers can learn and grow. Incorporates interdisciplinary knowledge into the classroom to engage students of all learning orientations. 

This candidate mentions they have more than a decade of work experience , but the main takeaway is what they can do on the job. The hiring manager who reads this resume summary can immediately see what this applicant can bring to the team.

How to Write a Resume Summary

Now, let’s get down to business – how can you write a resume summary that’s guaranteed to catch the hiring manager’s attention?

Let’s start with the basics. Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Experience. If you have a lot of relevant professional experience, you should summarize it. This may include your job titles and years of experience in the field. (e.g., “Facebook marketer with 5+ years of experience..." )
• Skills. Mention your areas of expertise, specializations, certifications , and/or skills. (e.g., “Experienced in managing Facebook ad accounts and SEO copywriting..." )
• Achievements. Add one or two impressive achievements to show what you can do. (e.g., “Managed over $100,000 in marketing budget over several accounts and reduced annual company costs by 16%.” )

The next step is to take your resume summary from good to great by following these expert tips:

#1. Tailor Your Resume Summary

You could be an excellent candidate with tons of work experience, but if your resume summary isn’t tailored to the job ad, the hiring manager probably won’t be impressed.

If the hiring manager doesn’t see your value in the first seven seconds of reading your resume , you probably won’t get them to give it a second glance.

This is where tailoring your resume summary comes in. Just reference the job description to make sure your work experience, skills, and achievements all match what the employer is looking for in a candidate.

Let’s go over it in detail.

Imagine you’re applying for this specific job:

The ad tells you exactly what the company is looking for in a candidate.

So here’s what a resume summary tailored to this ad might look like:

• Professional marketer manager with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing. Social media marketing experience, including Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn advertising. Experience in managing an account with a monthly budget of $30,000. B.A. in marketing management. Fluent in German. 

By carefully tailoring your resume summary to the ad and mentioning what the company is looking for, the hiring manager will be hooked! They’ll immediately think, “This is the right person for the job!” and read the rest of your resume in detail.

Tailoring your resume summary to the job description can also help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems that companies use to filter through resumes. This is software that scans applications and disqualifies candidates who don’t mention specific skills or add enough keywords from the job description throughout their resume, so the more you tailor your resume to the job, the better your chances!

#2. Quantify Your Achievements

Your resume summary is supposed to be brief, which means you’re not supposed to list all your achievements. So, make sure to mention the ones that are most relevant and impactful for the role you’re applying for to pique the hiring manager’s attention.

The best way to back up your accomplishments is by providing concrete data.

Quantifiable achievements are instantly more credible and more likely to leave a good impression than vague statements. 

Let’s compare:

• Helped customers sign up on our platform.
• Onboarded 100+ customers to our SaaS platform with a retention rate of over 75%.

See the difference? In fact, the first example sounds more like a responsibility than an achievement.

Here’s what this applicant's entire resume summary would look like:

• Customer service representative with 5+ years of experience in telephone customer service, tech support, and customer care. Familiar with Intercom, Drift, and several other customer service software solutions. Handled up to 100 calls daily with a retention rate of over 75%. 

In some fields, there aren’t many achievements that you can mention. For example, saying that you served 50 people a day isn’t an achievement if you're a server. Don’t fret! In such cases, it’s OK to stick with your key responsibilities simply.

#3. Use Power Words and Action Verbs

Saying you’re a “team player” who was “responsible for” this or “managed” that is boring.

To stand out from every other applicant using the same words, you need to use the right action verbs and power words .

These words can make your skills and achievements pop, and the hiring manager will appreciate that you’re going the extra mile to describe your experience.

Let’s compare how the same sentence with and without power words plays out:

• Spearheaded Company X’s content marketing operations.
• Responsible for content marketing at Company X.

While both of these sentences say the same thing, the first one makes you seem more competent and implies initiative and leadership skills. The second just comes off as passive.

To drive the point home, here’s what a resume summary looks like packed with action words:

#4. Follow Our Formula

When you get down to writing your resume summary, you might still not be sure where to start or what to add.

Don’t worry!

We have a tried and tested formula that you can follow to write the perfect resume summary.

77+ Convincing Resume Summary Examples (For Different Fields)

Need inspiration to write your resume summary? No sweat!

We’ve curated a list of 77+ resume summary examples for different professions to help inspire you.

Sales and Customer Service Resume Summary Examples

#1. sales associate resume summary.

“Enthusiastic and knowledgeable sales associate specialized in upselling furniture and dealing with customer objections. Proven 2-year track record of success at Company X, having exceeded department KPIs by 40-50% for 6 months in a row.”

Read the full sales associate resume example here.

#2. Account Manager Resume Summary

“Client-oriented account manager with a successful track record in the oil industry. Managed accounts worth over $500K while working with clients such as BP and Lukoil.”

#3. Software Support Specialist Resume Summary

“Software support specialist with 5+ years of experience in providing support and assistance to clients, managing user accounts, and recruiting and hiring new IT support interns. Built customer relationships and trust with 20+ B2B clients. Skilled at simplifying complex problems, making it easy for non-technical specialists to solve IT issues.”

#4. Customer Service Representative Resume Summary

“Dedicated and trustworthy customer service specialist with four years of experience in online software troubleshooting, tech support, and customer care. Experienced in using Intercom and Drift. Received an average 87% customer satisfaction rating to date, 15% higher than the company average.”

Read the full customer service resume example here.

#5. Cashier Resume Summary

“Reliable and detail-oriented cashier. Skilled at mathematics, thinking on my feet, and solving any potential customer issues that arise without help from management. Experience in training and onboarding 3+ new cashiers at Company X.”

Read the full cashier resume example here.

#6. Retail Manager Resume Summary

“Retail Manager with 5 years of experience managing mid-sized retail stores. Increased store revenue by 15% through effective team management and customer engagement strategies. Proficient in inventory control, merchandising, and staff training. Looking to leverage retail management expertise in a larger, high-volume store setting.”

Read the full retail manager resume example here.

#7. Barista Resume Summary

“Passionate Barista with 2 years of experience in specialty coffee shops. Known for crafting signature beverages and maintaining high standards of customer service. Consistently received positive feedback for friendly demeanor and quick, accurate order fulfillment.”

Read the full barista resume example here.

#8. Server Resume Summary

"Dedicated Server with 3 years of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Skilled in order accuracy, multitasking, and providing exceptional customer service. Recognized for ability to maintain composure and efficiency during peak hours."

Read the full server resume example here.

#9. Waiter Resume Summary

“Positive and friendly waiter with 3 years of experience working at a fast-paced Italian restaurant. People skills with a proven ability to upsell alcohol, desserts, and appetizers to customers. Memorized restaurant’s wine stock and accompanying meals to the T.”

Read the full waiter resume example here.

#10. Front Desk Agent Resume Summary

“Front Desk Agent with 4 years of experience in the hospitality industry, excelling in customer service at busy city-center hotels. Skilled in handling reservations, guest inquiries, and providing travel recommendations. Committed to enhancing guest experiences and maintaining a high standard of service.”

#11. Housekeeper Resume Summary

“Hard-working house-keeper with 5+ years of experience. Past experiences include working as a housekeeper in hotels as well as private residences. Proven time-management skills and deep familiarity with all cleaning materials and tools.”

#12. Line Cook Resume Summary

“Line Cook with 3 years of experience in high-volume kitchens. Efficient in meal preparation and plating, with a focus on maintaining quality and speed. Trained in various cuisines and knowledgeable about food safety standards.”

#13. Restaurant Manager Resume Summary

“Professional restaurant manager with a strong interest in providing the highest standards of customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction. Skilled at reducing staff turnover, conflict resolution, marketing, and upselling techniques. Increased restaurant revenue by 20% through advertising lunch menu and word-of-mouth strategies.”

#14. Bar Manager Resume Summary

“Experienced Bar Manager with 7 years overseeing busy urban bars. Successfully increased annual sales by 20% through innovative marketing and menu redesign. Expert in inventory management, staff training, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons. Seeking to bring leadership and efficient operational skills to a high-end establishment.”

Read the full bar manager resume example here.

Administrative and HR Resume Summary Examples

#15. receptionist resume summary.

"Organized Receptionist with 3 years of experience in corporate and medical office settings. Efficient in managing multiple phone lines, scheduling appointments, and providing administrative support. Known for a welcoming demeanor and effectively handling client inquiries."

Read the full receptionist resume example here.

#16. Recruiter Resume Summary

"Communicative professional with 5+ years of experience in recruitment. Worked with every part of the recruitment process, including sourcing, vetting, and onboarding of candidates. Passionate about IT recruitment, having worked as a tech recruiter at Company X. MBA from University X."

Read the full recruiter resume example here.

#17. Human Resources Specialist Resume Summary

“Human Resources Specialist with 6 years of experience focusing on employee retention and satisfaction. Implemented employee engagement programs that increased retention rates by 25%. Skilled in conflict resolution, performance management, and creating positive work environments. Dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee development.”

Read the full human resources resume example here.

#18. Office Manager Resume Summary

“Office manager with 5+ years of experience in controlling inventory, ordering and tracking new supplies, developing procedures and training material for staff. Strong communication skills, organized, with a track record of success.”

Read the full office manager resume example here.

#19. Secretary Resume Summary

“Professional Secretary with 4 years of experience in fast-paced legal and corporate environments. Proficient in document preparation, managing executive schedules, and coordinating meetings. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ensuring efficient office operations.”

#20. Executive Assistant Resume Summary

“Accomplished executive assistant with experience in providing support to a high-level CEO and other executives for 4 years. Helped with everything from customer support to data entry and preparing well-researched documents. Skilled at time management, proficient in MS Office and Adobe Photoshop.”

Read the full executive assistant resume example here.

#21. Administrative Assistant Resume Summary

“Experienced administrative assistant seeking to leverage advanced administrative skills for improved efficiency at Media XYZ. 5+ years of industry experience includes decreasing data entry mistakes by 23%, decreasing negative feedback by 11%, and giving insights into creating paperless office environments.”

Read the full administrative assistant resume example here.

#22. Data Entry Resume Summary

“Data entry clerk with 3+ years of experience in verifying complex data, maintaining databases, and producing monthly reports using advanced Excel functions. Known for quick typing skills, eye for detail, and the ability to keep clients and employers happy.”

Read the full data entry resume example here.

Finance Resume Summary Examples

#23. accountant resume summary.

“Licensed Certified Public Accountant with 10+ years of experience in budget analysis, financial audits, and forensic accounting. Created financial reports within a five-person finance team and managed a $500,000 budget. Over the two years working there, helped cut annual company expenses by 15%.”

Read the full accountant resume example here.

#24. Financial Analyst Resume Summary

“Dedicated financial analyst with a track record of successful investments. 5+ years of experience in investment banking, with a focus on the oil industry. Responsible for analyzing potential investments, as well as conducting industry, market, and company-specific research. MBA in Finance.”

Read the full financial analyst resume example here.

#25. Bank Teller Resume Summary

“Bank teller with 2+ years of experience in client-facing roles at Bank X, where I handled customer transactions, cross-selling bank products, and keeping customers happy by providing a professional and efficient service. Followed strict and safe deposit box operations guidelines and processed 100+ customer transactions daily.”

Read the full bank teller resume example here.

#26. Banker Resume Summary

"Experienced Banker with 5 years of expertise in personal and small business banking. Managed a portfolio of high-value accounts, increasing client satisfaction and financial performance. Skilled in financial advising, loan processing, and risk management. Committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals with tailored solutions."

Read the full banker resume example here.

Business Resume Summary Examples

#27. business analyst resume summary.

“Solutions-driven business analyst with over 5 years of experience in consulting businesses and analyzing their operations. Previous experience in working with Consulting Company X and Consulting Company Y. Strong understanding of digital transformation. Improved a client company’s processes by taking them online, which improved manufacturing output by 3%.”

Read the full business analyst resume example here.

#28. Business Development Manager Resume Summary

"Dynamic Business Development Manager with 7 years of experience in identifying and pursuing new market opportunities. Led initiatives that resulted in a 30% increase in annual revenue. Strong background in strategic planning, client relations, and market analysis. Proven ability to drive business growth and forge strong partnerships.”

Read the full business development manager resume example here.

#29. Project Manager Resume Summary

“Project manager with a proven track record of working with agile and waterfall project management methodologies. Managed 5+ teams of software projects over the past 3 years. Basic understanding of several programming languages, including Java, React, and NodeJS.”

Read the full project manager resume example here.

Marketing and Advertising Resume Summary Examples

#30. marketing executive resume summary.

"Accomplished Marketing Executive with 10 years of experience in developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies in the technology sector. Led campaigns that increased brand awareness by 40% and consistently exceeded sales targets by 15-20%. Expertise in digital marketing, market research, and team leadership. Committed to driving market growth and enhancing brand positioning for leading tech companies."

Read the full marketing executive resume example here.

#31. Marketing Manager Resume Summary

“Marketing manager with 4+ years of experience in a corporate environment. Good eye for design, with experience in creating marketing materials with Canva. Intermediate copywriting skills, having worked on the company website, flyers, and several other content pieces.”

Read the full marketing manager resume example here.

#32. Social Media Marketing Manager Resume Summary

“Creative social media manager with 2+ years of experience and a passion for boosting brand awareness and customer engagement. Skilled in copywriting and basic graphic design tools. Personally started and grew a Facebook page for my consultancy brand from 0-1,000+ in just a month. Looking to help Company X establish an online presence and increase their social presence.”

#33. Content Marketer Resume Summary

“Accomplished professional with 3+ years of experience in marketing, content writing, and outreach. Experience in writing for high-authority publications like Forbes, Business Insider, and more. Looking to help Company X increase their online presence and generate more leads through content.”

#34. SEO Specialist Resume Summary

“Results and data-driven SEO specialist with experience in keyword research, developing and marketing evergreen content, and increasing overall website rankings. Freelancing for over 2 years. Grew Company X from 50,000 daily visits to 100,000 within a year by creating long-form content and conducting backlink outreach.”

Read the full digital marketing resume here.

#35. PPC Specialist Resume Summary

“Data-driven SEM professional with 5+ years of experience with Google Analytics, AdWords, Google Display Ads, and Facebook/LinkedIn Ads. Managed a monthly advertising budget of $50,000 over 4 clients.”

IT and Software Development Resume Summary Examples

#36. it specialist resume summary.

“Competent IT specialist with 5+ years of experience working with Windows Server 2016. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. Advanced knowledge in SQL, C++, Bash, and Linux.”

Read the full IT resume example here.

#37. Software Engineer Resume Summary

“Results-oriented software engineer with a focus on the design and implementation of relational database systems. 8+ years of experience in developing cutting-edge engineering solutions with a wide range of eCommerce and technology features. Skilled in agile processes, backend and frontend development, and creating eCommerce websites that integrate with Paypal, Stripe, and other payment APIs.”

Read the full software engineer resume example here.

#38. Cyber Security Resume Summary

"Cyber Security Specialist with 6 years of experience in threat analysis and network defense. Implemented security protocols reducing data breaches by 40% at TechSecure Inc. Certified in CISSP and experienced in cybersecurity technologies including firewalls and endpoint security. Eager to bring advanced threat detection and mitigation strategies to XYZ Cyber Solutions."

#39. Web Developer Resume Summary

"Dynamic Web Developer with 3 years of experience in designing and developing user-friendly websites. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React. Developed an e-commerce site that increased client sales by 30%. Looking to contribute innovative and efficient web solutions at CreativeWeb Studios."

Read the full web developer resume example here.

#40. Computer Scientist Resume Summary

“Creative and people-oriented computer scientist with up to 2 years of working with tech startups. Advanced knowledge of software design principles and agile development principles. Led and managed a team of five in developing new software from concept to delivery.”

Read the full computer scientist resume example here.

#41. Data Scientist Resume Summary

“Business-minded data scientist with a demonstrated ability to deliver valuable insights via data analytics. 10+ years of professional experience in working with CEOs and VPs of Fortune 500 companies. Deep understanding of statistical models, algorithms, and multivariate analysis.”

Read the full data scientist resume example here.

#42. Data Analyst Resume Summary

“Detail-oriented data analyst passionate about helping businesses grow. Former small business owner. Conducted research using three different focus groups and increased sales by 10% over 4 months. MBA recipient with strong technical skills in data mining and data, survey creation, and quantitative methods.”

Read the full data analyst resume example here.

#43. DevOps Engineer Resume Summary

"DevOps Engineer with 8 years of experience in automating and optimizing mission-critical deployments. Led a team that reduced deployment times by 50% through CI/CD pipeline enhancements. Skilled in cloud technologies and infrastructure as code with certifications in AWS and Terraform. Committed to improving operational efficiency at XYZ Tech."

Read the full DevOps engineer resume example here.

#44. AI Engineer Resume Summary

"AI Engineer with 4 years of experience specializing in machine learning and natural language processing. Developed AI models that improved customer interaction accuracy by 35% for a leading tech firm. M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence. Passionate about deploying cutting-edge AI solutions at AI Innovators Inc."

Read the full AI engineer resume example here.

#45. Java Developer Resume Summary

"Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions."

Read the full Java developer resume example here.

Health and Medicine Resume Summary Examples

#46. nurse resume summary.

“Registered nurse specialized in psychiatric nursing. Developed strong psychiatric evaluation and treatment planning skills after 5 years of working at Hospital X. Experienced in administrative work, management, and training new employees.”

Read the full nurse resume example here.

#47. Medical Assistant Resume Summary

“Certified Medical Assistant with 10 years of experience in working in a fast-paced environment, handling confidential paperwork, administering medication, and providing quality patient care. Proven ability to create positive rapport with patients, family, and staff. Completed and submitted clinical documentation following hospital regulations and experience in supporting diagnostic and technical treatment procedures.”

Read the full medical assistant resume example here.

#48. Dental Assistant Resume Summary

“Licensed dental practitioner with 4+ years in helping dentists prepare, perform, and document procedures. Strong hand-eye coordination, with skills in 4-handed dentistry and working with patients.”

#49. Dentist Resume Summary

"Experienced Dentist with 10 years of practice in general and cosmetic dentistry. Committed to providing exceptional patient care, demonstrated through a consistent record of patient satisfaction and successful dental procedures. Proficient in the latest dental technologies and techniques, including digital radiography and CAD/CAM dentistry, with a strong focus on preventive care and oral health education."

Read the full dentist resume example here.

#50. Pharmacist Resume Summary

"Detail-oriented Pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in retail and hospital settings. Proven ability in medication therapy management and pharmaceutical care, with a track record of efficiently managing prescription processing and patient counseling. Skilled in utilizing digital prescription systems and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of drug interactions and healthcare regulations."

Read the full pharmacist resume example here.

Creative Resume Summary Examples

#51. graphic designer resume summary.

"Senior graphic designer with 6+ years of experience in website design and branding, across a wide range of industries. Extensive experience in multimedia, marketing, and print design. Highly skilled in communications, digital storytelling, and Adobe Creative Suite."

Read the full graphic designer resume example here.

#52. UI/UX Designer Resume Summary

“Proactive UX designer with 5 years of experience in delivering enjoyable web and mobile products for the FinTech industry. Designed UI, UX, and marketing materials for 6 apps and 3 games at Company X, 2 of which were featured in Apple’s App Store. Skilled with Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.”

#53. Product Designer Resume Summary

“Creative designer with 7 years experience in product design, packaging, and graphic design. Expertise in new product design, brand identity, and market research. Created and launched a new line of award-winning tableware that generated over $1 million in sales the first year.”

#54. Creative Director Resume Summary

“Experienced creative director, with 10+ years of experience in the advertising industry. Over the past 3 years, managed 2 separate creative teams, creating video ads for company clients. Worked with some high-profile clients, including IBM and Phillips.”

#55. Game Designer Resume Summary

"Innovative Game Designer with 5 years of experience in creating engaging and immersive gaming experiences. Led a team that developed 'AdventureQuest,' a game that won 'Best Mobile Game' at the Indie Game Awards and achieved over 500,000 downloads within the first year. Skilled in gameplay mechanics and story development, with proficiency in Unity and Unreal Engine. Dedicated to crafting games that resonate with players, combining artistic vision with user-friendly design."

Read the full game designer resume example here.

#56. Animator Resume Summary

"Creative Animator with over 8 years of experience in 2D and 3D animation, specializing in character and environmental animation. Proficient in using Maya, Adobe After Effects, and Blender, with a strong background in motion graphics and visual effects. Known for delivering high-quality animations under tight deadlines, contributing to successful animated features and advertising campaigns."

Read the full animator resume example here.

#57. Illustrator Resume Summary

"Award-winning Illustrator with a decade of professional experience, recognized for innovative and impactful visual storytelling. Recipient of the 'Illustrator of the Year' award at the Global Art Forum, with a portfolio that includes book illustrations, advertising campaigns, and digital content."

Read the full illustrator resume example here.

#58. Photographer Resume Summary

"Professional Photographer with a Master's in Fine Arts and 6 years of experience in commercial and portrait photography. Known for a unique aesthetic that combines technical skill with artistic creativity, resulting in visually stunning compositions. Holds a certification in digital photography from the Professional Photographers of America, with a portfolio that has been featured in several national photography exhibitions."

Read the full photographer resume example here.

#59. Actor Resume Summary

"Versatile Actor with 3 years of experience in commercials and television, known for a dynamic range that adapts seamlessly to varied roles. Strong background in stage combat and period drama. Proficient in multiple dialects and expressive character portrayal, enhancing authenticity in every performance."

Read the full actor resume example here.

#60. Writer Resume Summary

"Professional Writer and Blogger with 2 years of experience, specializing in lifestyle and travel content. Successfully increased blog readership by 40% over two years and contributed featured articles in 'Traveler's Digest' and 'Modern Living' magazines."

Read the full writer resume here.

#61. Editor Resume Summary

"Dedicated Editor with 10 years of experience in translated literature, focusing on Mandarin and Cantonese works. Expertise in preserving the original tone and cultural nuances, ensuring translations resonate with English-speaking audiences. Collaborated with acclaimed authors from China and Hong Kong, contributing to over 30 translated novels. Committed to bridging the gap between Eastern and Western literary worlds through meticulous and sensitive editing."

Read the full editor resume example here.

Education Resume Summary Examples

#62. professor resume summary.

"Distinguished Professor with 15 years of experience in higher education, specializing in Modern Literature. Published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and 3 books, receiving the Excellence in Research Award twice. Secured $500,000 in research grants and led multiple international academic collaborations. Committed to fostering critical thinking and research skills in students, enhancing the academic prestige of the department."

Read the full academic CV example here.

#63. Teacher Resume Summary

“Dedicated Teacher with 4 years of experience in elementary education, specializing in innovative teaching strategies. Implemented a project-based learning approach that increased student engagement by 30%. Eager to bring creative teaching methodologies and a passion for educational excellence to School ABC, contributing to student development and academic success.” 

Read the full teacher resume example here.

#64. Tutor Resume Summary

“Experienced Tutor with 2 years of expertise in mathematics and science, adept at simplifying complex concepts. Consistently helped students improve their grades by an average of one full letter grade.”

#65. College Student Resume Summary

"Proactive College Student majoring in Business Administration with strong leadership skills, demonstrated through roles in student government and the debate team. Organized multiple campus events, enhancing student engagement and participation. Seeking to apply organizational and communication skills in a professional internship, contributing to company projects while gaining hands-on experience."

Read the full college freshman resume example here.

#66. High School Student Resume Summary

"High School Student with 3+ months of experience as a cashier. Excellent time-management and communication skills. Actively involved in extracurricular activities, demonstrating strong teamwork and responsibility. Looking to join Retail Store X as a part-time sales representative."

Read the full high school resume example here.

Other Resume Summary Examples

#67. architect resume summary.

"Professional and creative architect with 10 years experience in developing construction drawings, 3D models, and doing design rendering. Served as a project architect at company X and won an honorable mention as a staff architect at XYZ Construction Awards 2023."

Read the full architect resume example here.

#68. Electrical Engineer Resume Resume Summary

"Electrical Engineer with 4 years of experience in power systems and automation. Holds a Master's in Electrical Engineering and a certification in PLC programming. Proven expertise in designing and implementing efficient electrical solutions for industrial applications."

Read the full electrical engineer resume example here.

#69. Interior Designer Resume Summary

"Creative Interior Designer with 3 years of experience, recognized for increasing client satisfaction by 30% through innovative design solutions. Portfolio includes residential and commercial projects, with a focus on modern and sustainable designs. Skilled in AutoCAD and 3D visualization, transforming client visions into reality."

Read the full interior designer resume example here.

#70. Construction Project Manager Resume Summary

"Construction Project Manager with a decade of experience in overseeing large-scale commercial and residential projects. Proven track record of completing projects on time and within budget, reducing costs by 20% on average. Skilled in team leadership and effective communication. Committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality."

Read the full construction project manager resume example here.

#71. Operations Manager Resume Summary

"Dynamic Operations Manager with 2 years of experience in streamlining processes for increased efficiency. Expertise in supply chain management and cost reduction strategies."

Read the full operations manager resume example here.

#72. Event Planner Resume Summary

"Seasoned Event Planner with 5 years of experience, successfully organized over 100 corporate and private events. Increased event attendance by 40% through innovative marketing strategies. Excited to bring expertise in event coordination and vendor relations to XYZ Celebrations."

Read the full event planner resume example here.

#73. Warehouse Worker Resume Summary

“Seasonal warehouse worker with experience working for Supermarket X and Supermarket Y. Diligent, organized, and very hard-working. Previous experience working in the service industry for 2+ years.”

Read the full warehouse worker resume example here.

#74. Welder Resume Summary

"Skilled Welder with 7 years of experience in MIG, TIG, and arc welding. Proficient in reading blueprints and maintaining high standards of safety and quality."

Read the full welder resume example here.

#75. Real Estate Agent Resume Summary

"Experienced Real Estate Agent with 6 years in residential and commercial property sales. Achieved a 25% year-on-year increase in sales volume. Known for excellent negotiation skills and a deep understanding of market trends."

Read the full real estate agent resume example here.

#76. Flight Attendant Resume Summary

"Dedicated Flight Attendant with 1 year of experience, fluent in Spanish and French. Excelled in providing top-notch customer service, contributing to a 15% increase in passenger satisfaction. Fluent in English, French, German, and Arabic. Eager to bring customer care expertise to Airline XYZ."

Read the full flight attendant resume example here.

#77. Paralegal Resume Summary

"Paralegal with 3 years of experience in corporate law, proficient in legal research and document drafting. Certified in legal software applications, enhancing case management efficiency."

Read the full paralegal resume example here.

#78. Social Worker Resume Summary

"Compassionate Social Worker with 6 years of experience in child and family services. Successfully managed caseloads of up to 50 people, improving service delivery by 20%. Skilled in crisis intervention and developing tailored support plans for diverse case needs."

Read the full social worker resume example here.

Resume Summary FAQs

Do you still have some questions about resume summaries? Check the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

#1. How Do You Write a Resume Summary with No Experience?

If you have no work experience whatsoever, you should write a resume objective instead of a resume summary.

A resume objective is also a brief paragraph that goes at the top of your resume. However, instead of focusing on your professional experience and accomplishments, it highlights your career goals, aspirations, skills, and academic achievements.

If you have any informal experience that’s relevant to the job, such as volunteer work or relevant coursework , you can still write a resume summary to highlight why you’re a great candidate.

#2. How Do I Start My Resume Summary?

The best way to start your resume summary is by writing down your job title and exact years of experience. You can also add an adjective that describes your strongest character traits or work ethic.

To make this easy, try this formula:

[Adjective/character trait] [job title] [your experience]. Looking to help/support/apply/assist/etc [employer’s name] [describe how you can be of help to the company]. [Your top achievements/qualifications]. 

#3. How Long Should My Resume Summary Be?

The resume summary should be brief and attention-grabbing. Ideally, it should be between two and four sentences long.

Its goal is to provide a snapshot of your career that can captivate the hiring manager into reading more.

If you want to give the employer more details and elaborate on why you’re the best candidate for the job in your own words, you can also write a cover letter to complement your resume.

#4. Should a Resume Summary Be Written in the First or Third Person?

As a general rule, your resume should avoid using first-person pronouns . This includes your resume summary.

That said, the third person sounds too impersonal – as if somebody else wrote the resume summary instead of you. Luckily, there’s a neat trick you can use to make your text flow better—just get rid of the pronouns altogether.

This way, instead of writing, “She is a marketer with 5+ years of experience in XYZ,” you can write, “Marketer with 5+ years of experience in XYZ,” and get your point across just as effectively.

#5. Should You Always Use the Same Resume Summary?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t use the same resume summary when applying to different jobs.

Your resume summary should be tailored to the specific job ads and reflect how you can meet the company’s unique needs. If your current resume summary can be applied to different job applications, it isn’t as effective and tailored as it should be.

When writing your resume, go through the job ad for the specific position and try to include the skills or qualifications the employer is looking for. Make sure to also mention any relevant experience and your top achievements, and you’ll have the perfect resume summary.

#6. What Are Other Names for a Resume Summary?

Across the internet, you might find different names for what we’re calling a resume summary in our article. Some of these names include:

• Resume profile
• Career summary
• Personal statement
• Qualifications summary
• Summary of experiences
• Summary of qualification

If you’re heading for a career in academia, a “personal statement” means something different. Check out our detailed guide to writing an academic personal statement to learn more!

Key Takeaways

And that’s our full guide to writing a resume summary!

Hopefully, now you feel more confident about adding this finishing touch to your resume.

Before we go, let’s recap everything we covered about writing resume summaries:

• A resume summary is a two to four-sentence long paragraph that tells the hiring manager your key selling points. These can include your years of experience, exact job title, relevant skills, qualifications, and impressive achievements.
• If you don’t have any work experience, you can opt for a resume objective instead. This way, you can focus more on your professional goals and motivation for applying.
• The goal of a resume summary is to catch the hiring manager’s attention. Do this by tailoring your resume summary to the job ad and addressing what the company needs in a candidate.
• Back up your achievements with data whenever possible. Mentioning the exact numbers, dates, and results makes you seem more credible.
• Use power words and action verbs instead of generic descriptions to make your resume summary pop.

Need more career advice? Check out our career blog for more useful articles!

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30 Resume Summary Examples + How to Write One in 2024

• Understand the Resume Summary
• When to Use a Resume Summary
• How to Write a Summary
• 30 Resume Summaries
• Resume Summary Recap

It’s the backbone of your job hunt, but it can be frustrating to figure out what goes into a good resume .

And one of the murky areas that hopeful applicants wrestle with is whether to include a summary or objective statement in their resume. When every bit of space on your resume is invaluable, how do you know when a summary or objective is essential?b

If you’re already a pro, head to the best AI resume builder  to build your resume before moving on to making a cover letter , or you can customize the resume below. Otherwise, join us, and we’ll clear away the confusion and give you 30 summary statement examples you can make your own.

Real Estate Agent Resume

What is a Summary on a Resume?

The summary of your resume should give a quick “snapshot” of your best qualifications, which you’ll later emphasize and quantify with your skills and experience. Your summary offers an overview of which qualifications make you the perfect fit for the job:  So, focus on the highlights of your career.

You want your summary to emphasize your  history of accomplishments and excellence , leveraging that information to demonstrate how you’ll benefit the company and enhance the position for which you’re applying. Your summary should be attention-grabbing and immediately show why you’re the ideal hire!

Is a resume summary the same as a career objective?

You may wonder whether a resume summary and a  career objective  serve the same purpose—and whether they’re interchangeable. There’s plenty of overlap between resume objectives and summaries, thus muddling the waters. 

These key differences will help you simplify and clarify a confusing topic:

Summaries are great if:

• You have extensive, quality experience
• You’re staying within your field or branching out to something similar
• You have some impressive metrics to share

Objectives are better if:

• You’re a new graduate
• You’re changing careers or breaking into the field

Wait! Is the summary the same as a summary of qualifications?

The lesser-known summary of qualifications is not quite the same as a resume summary! While your summary should describe your qualifications and relevant history in a couple of concise sentences, a summary of qualifications is more technical and usually presented in a bulleted list. The summary of qualifications lets you work in some ATS-friendly keywords and then dazzle a recruiter with metrics, accomplishments, and skills.

It’s usually recommended to keep your list of qualifications to three to six bullet points, limiting each to one or two lines. But this format eats up space on your resume quickly! So, it’s best to replace your resume’s summary or objective with a summary of qualifications if you have a long, complicated history of experience in your field and need to emphasize the highlights of your background at a glance.

Know When to Use a Resume Summary

A resume summary is  often best suited to applicants with 10+ years of experience, although standalone accomplishments  can  be equally powerful . 

If you’ve achieved an unusual level of expertise or racked up an impressive list of accomplishments during a shorter time, consider including a summary!

Our simple  free resume templates  make it easy for you to add or remove information and manipulate sections for personalization without affecting the overall layout of your resume. If you work with a resume template through a word-processing program, like the creative  Google Docs resume templates  we designed, making edits can throw everything off kilter, often causing you to start from scratch to correct the problem.

Indicators that a summary would fit nicely on your resume:

• You’ve worked long enough (10+ years) that you should condense the highlights of your career
• You have an eye-catching list of accomplishments and quantifiable achievements
• You’ve worked with big-name companies or prestigious projects
• You’ve advanced quickly within your field during an unusually short time

If the list above feels intimidating, circle back to the original question of whether a summary enhances your resume.

Indicators to exclude the summary & let your skills & experience speak for themselves:

• You’re a new graduate who hasn’t had time to build much experience 
• Your previous work experience has been somewhat run-of-the-mill
• Your background and qualifications look somewhat generic or bland once written 
• You haven’t had many opportunities that resulted in quantifiable achievements

If you can relate, your resume will be strongest if you drop the summary entirely. Instead, lead with your skills and emphasize dependability, ambition, and potential in your experience section.

How to Write a Resume Summary

If you’re bracing yourself for the process of honing your summary, don’t worry! It’ll be a breeze if you follow our tried-and-true formula and keep our handy tips in mind as you write.

Follow our resume summary formula

The process is as easy as: X + Y + Z = Attention-snagging summary!

X = Your characteristics and personality traits Y = Years of experience and quantified success/results Z = How these results apply to the specific job role

Consider this resume summary for a programmer:

You can pinpoint each element when you break this summary down:

X = Inquisitive, driven, and eager Y = 8+ years of experience, a client base of 100+ people, and a savings of 725+ manual hours Z = Specific programming skills like Python and jQuery that will enhance performance within the position

Our best resume summary tips

Now, we’ll unpack some tips to help you nail down the perfect summary to jumpstart your resume:

• Summary length:  Limit your summary to two or three sentences.
• Keywords:  Consider job-specific keywords that the ATS scans for as well as keywords that will hook recruiters.
• Quantify your claims:  When you list accomplishments and achievements, back them up with hard facts! Data like improvement percentages, customer satisfaction metrics, and client base numbers will boost your credibility.
• Tailor summaries to specific positions:  You never want your summary to feel generic, so look for specific requirements in the job description that you can respond to with relevant details from your own experience.
• Grammar and mechanics:  Proofread carefully for spelling and punctuation errors, and keep a close eye on grammar. It’s also ideal to avoid informal contractions and opening sentences with “I.” Your summary should immediately spotlight your professional value—so keep sentence structure concise and use “my” when presenting your skills.

Don’t worry if this is a little overwhelming at first glance!  Save your summary for last,  even though it appears first. Once your other sections are fine-tuned, it’ll be easier to pinpoint choice details to fill in the formula and complete your perfect summary. (And who says you have to nail your summary the first time you write it?! Go through as many iterations as you need when you  outline your resume .)

The good, the bad, and the ugly resume summary

So, what do these concepts look like in action? Take a look at this example of an excerpt from a digital marketing manager’s job description:

As a digital marketing marketer, you will plan, oversee, manage, and implement our brand’s digital marketing campaigns. You will:

• Plan each digital marketing campaign and delegate tasks in a team setting
• Oversee and evaluate the quality of digital marketing materials
• Analyze campaigns and identify how to improve performance

What kind of summary works for this job description? We’ll take it from bad to best.

I graduated with a marketing degree last year and did lots of group projects. I know how to structure a market campaign and read analytics.

Why it’s ugly:  There’s zero personality here. The claims are not only weak and vague, but there’s nothing quantifiable to back them—let alone any indication of managerial skills. Even though the summary addresses some details from the job description, they’re too generic. 

My degree in marketing makes me a great fit for this position. I can use my communication and analytical skills to help your team create great ad campaigns. I’m also familiar with Google Analytics and LinkedIn and have worked with several teams.

Why it’s bad:  While this summary addresses skills and teamwork experience more effectively, the tone still lacks the gusto that most managerial roles require. The first sentence takes up space while offering too little information, and the second two are redundant and unenthusiastic.

Ambition, creativity, and a BA in marketing empowered me to gain 6+ years of experience with a digital marketing team and boost website traffic by 67%. My proficiency in Microsoft Excel, SEO, and KPI tracking enable me to plan, create, and analyze advertising campaigns. My well-honed strategies and communication skills will elevate Nestlé USA’s marketing team to new heights.

Why it’s best:  This summary completes the formula! You can see personality, experience, and quantifiable claims coupled with the applicant’s skills that fit the exact job description. Dynamic, powerful verbs such as “boost,” “create,” and “empowered” also suggest this applicant is qualified for an advanced role.

30 Resume Summary Examples to Inspire You + Why They Work

You’ve got the basics down; now you’re ready to take inspiration from these 30 professional resume summary examples across different professions. As you check them out, keep our key formula in mind. Before you know it, you’ll have a starting point for your own incredible summary.

We begin many of these with a quick list of key points in the job description, so you can see how each summary is carefully customized to the role.

1. Accountant resume summary

Accountant job description  key points :

• Adept at creating and managing financial documents
• Maintaining ledger entries and monthly budgets
• Detailed error checking and problem-solving
• Auditing and document collection
• Mentorship and training skills

Accountant resume summary :

Why this resume works

• The applicant’s ambitious yet matter-of-fact personality is evident in a way that reinforces their desire to take an active leadership role in the accounting field.
• The solid metrics of a CPA certification and an improvement percentage also quantify the applicant’s selling points.
• And lastly, the focus is on more advanced skills instead of entry-level basics. 

Need more help? Our  accountant resume guide  and  accountant cover letter examples  have you covered from top to bottom.

2. Attorney resume summary

Attorney job description  key points :

• Adept with communication and navigating client consultations
• Familiarity with litigation and a strong ability to adapt to changing legislation
• Strategic, analytical thinking, and strong ethical problem-solving skills
• Preparing, customizing, and checking legal documents
• Forewarning clients of potential obstacles and helping them understand their options

Attorney resume summary :

• The candidate immediately demonstrates an ambitious personality alongside a quantifiable accomplishment.
• Next, the more in-depth set of abilities highlights a well-rounded approach to legal success—ending on a strong note with specific examples of how they’ll benefit the law firm.

If you need more guidance on your  attorney resume  or  attorney cover letter , we can show you the way regardless of your experience level.

3. Business analyst resume summary

Business analyst job description  key points :

• Analytical and quick, adaptive thinking patterns
• Basic IT abilities in Microsoft Excel, SQL, Google Sheets, and Agile Development
• Superior communication and interpersonal/soft skills
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to deliver precise reports/data and advice

Business analyst resume summary :

• The formula is all here—personality with a spotlight on skills that apply directly to the job position—and the applicant dives right into measurable achievements.
• While technical skills are touched upon, broader qualifications and personal traits that mesh with the company take the spotlight.

Take your career documents to the next level with comprehensive guidance on your  business analyst resume  and  business analyst cover letter .

4. Customer service resume summary

Customer service job description  key points :

• Impeccable communication, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and reliability
• Task organization and prioritization
• Personable and an affinity for welcoming customers/patrons
• Basic technical/computer skills while monitoring metrics and applying them to better meet company goals

Customer service resume summary :

• This summary would be ideal for a candidate looking to progress to a more managerial customer service role since it offers quantifiable results alongside a strong demonstration of a go-getter personality.
• The applicant also included their experience alongside relevant skills, finally tying everything in with the specific company’s goals.

If you’re  building a resume  for the first time, glancing through our  customer service resume  guide will steer you in the right direction before you transition to your  customer service cover letter .

5. Data analyst resume summary

Data analyst job description  key points :

• Analytical and strategizing skills
• Strong ability to identify trends and problems quickly
• Organization, planning, and communication
• Collaborative and team-based abilities
• Technical database management and basic understanding of key languages like Python and Oracle

Data analyst resume summary :

• A data analyst’s job is highly technical, so it’s ideal to dive right into metrics and list several hard skills in your summary.
• While you can still find personality traits and evidence of soft skills in a team setting, this summary is more focused on measurable, results-driven improvements that the applicant can provide.

You’re in good hands (this is not a plug for Allstate, by the way) with our  data analyst resume  guide if you need some solid examples. Chances are you’ll need a  data analyst cover letter  to go with your resume; we’ve got that handled, too.

6. Data engineer resume summary

Data engineer job description  key points :

• Technical skills like database and development programming languages
• Strong ability to develop, optimize, and maintain database software
• Attention to detail, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Advanced understanding of data pipelines and infrastructures
• Adaptive ability to support stakeholders and executive teams’ data infrastructure needs

Data engineer resume summary :

• As a data engineer, this applicant emphasizes leadership qualities, showing a desire for advancement with metrics to corroborate previous accomplishments.
• You can also see technical skills presented strategically to demonstrate the applicant’s skills in light of the job description.

Start your  data engineer resume  with the right  resume template  that speaks to you and your dream role. Besides a resume summary, know what else requires good writing? Yeah, your  data engineer cover letter .

7. Data scientist resume summary

Data scientist job description  key points:

• Second-nature understanding of the Scientific Method and algorithms
• Advanced ability to organize unstructured data and information
• Clear communication alongside translating large volumes of data into easily-comprehensible business insights
• Improve data quality and streamline/implement pricing models
• Integrate stakeholder input and collaborate on constant, adaptable business model improvements

Data scientist resume summary :

• This applicant demonstrates a driven personality with a highly analytical mindset and scientific background.
• You also get a realistic idea of how they’ll use their skills to produce quantifiable results—and benefit the company.

Looking for more resources? We can help you with the entirety of your  data scientist resume  and help you understand the nuances of writing a  data scientist cover letter .

8. Graphic designer resume summary

Graphic designer job description  key points :

• Attention to detail and a solid understanding of design theory for both print and digital applications (colors, typography, shapes, composition, etc.)
• Technical expertise with digital illustration/editing programs
• Understanding of marketing strategy, advertising techniques, and social media
• Excellent communication with clients and team members

Graphic designer resume summary :

• The candidate’s bright personality shines here, quite impactful for a creative field when backed by quantifiable examples of success.
• Teamwork abilities and experience with digital marketing also take center stage, demonstrating a balance between creativity and organized planning. 

Choose a  well-designed resume template  for your  graphic designer resume , and find a matching template to boost your confidence when it comes to your  graphic designer cover letter , too.

9. Human resources (HR) resume summary

Human resources (HR) job description  key points :

• A knack for facilitating communication between peers and departments
• Ability to update company policies, benefits, employee records, and payroll
• Proactivity when it comes to helping employees understand company policies
• Performance reviews, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and corrective action
• Assist with managing meetings and fostering employee communication and trust

Human resources (HR) resume summary :

• Soft skills are important in HR, especially when addressing sensitive topics, so this applicant’s focus on the personal side of company policies is wise.
• Even so, they still supply a strong metric for previous success and specify how their traits would fit the job position.

Don’t miss our complete  HR cover letter guide , and we share what works and what doesn’t on the rest of your  human resources (HR) resume .

10. Nursing resume summary

Nursing job description  key points :

• Fast, effective communication and task implementation
• Collect patient data such as medical history, current conditions/medications, and updates
• Critical thinking and decision-making abilities regarding when to treat patients vs. when to consult doctors/supervisors for guidance
• Organizational skills and ability to interpret patients’ information, adhere to treatment plans, adjust treatment plans as needed, and administer medications
• Tactfully and kindly discuss care options with patients and families

Nursing resume summary :

• This candidate’s caring, clear-headed personality shines, and they provide an empirical metric for their experience.
• Additionally, you can easily find specific examples of crucial skills that will help them perform efficiently in any fast-paced nursing position.

The roles are endless when it comes to the medical field, so make sure you’re on the right track with your  nursing resume  as well as when it comes to  writing your nurse cover letter .

11. Operations manager resume summary

Operations manager job description  key points :

• Excellent leadership and administrative capabilities
• Analytical thinking and organizational skills
• Ability to manage communication and efficiency among departments
• Adept at hiring, training, and optimizing schedules for employees
• Oversee/analyze production methods, performance, quality assurance, and related data, relying on Salesforce and Tableau

Operations manager resume summary :

• The applicant’s focused and driven personality is evident in the way they immediately showcase their lengthy experience and various aspects of their managerial prowess!
• You also see a success metric right away alongside technical skills aligned with the job description.

Your  operations manager resume  is sure to shine when you consider our  top resume tips ; then, you’ll be primed to write your  operations manager cover letter .

12. Product manager resume summary

Product manager job description  key points :

• Strong ability to analyze product quality from manufacturing to end-of-life
• Firm understanding of company goals and the ability to align products with those goals
• Superior communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams
• Skillfully interpreting data from Google Analytics and various other sources, leveraging it for improved production/distribution strategies
• Ability to analyze KPIs and identify areas for improvement

Product manager resume summary :

• As with any management-focused job description, the emphasis on strategizing and collaborative analysis here are ideal—and the technical skills balance out the interpersonal abilities well.
• The quantifiable improvement in feedback also strengthens this summary! 

Our  product manager resume  guide will ensure your resume is in tip-top shape from resume summary to  resume format . If you’re resume’s already a success, don’t forget about your  product manager cover letter .

13. Program manager resume summary

Program manager job description  key points :

• Planning, initiating, and implementing plans to achieve company goals and complete project portfolios
• Excellent management, leadership, and communication 
• Proactively motivate a team to carry out program activities
• Budgeting, organizational, and strategy-building skills
• Ability to analyze metrics of program success, such as KPIs and satisfaction rates, to identify areas for improvement

Program manager resume summary :

• Talk about detail! We can see several metrics here coupled with an energetic and goal-oriented personality.
• Additionally, these metrics and traits skillfully imply the exact set of abilities this job position requests.

Sail through the rest of your  program manager resume , and don’t forget to check it against our  AI-powered resume tool  before you draft the perfect  program manager cover letter .

14. Project manager resume summary

Project manager job description  key points :

• Excellent team management skills and a strong ability to facilitate collaboration and team cohesion
• Creativity and adaptability in project planning, budgeting, and implementation
• Ability to bridge the gap between project teams and company executives or clients to provide updates and results
• Organization, time management, and attention to codes and policy compliance
• Skillful preparation and management of briefing materials, progress tracking, and reports/reviews that can be leveraged for future improvements

Project manager resume summary :

• This job role is all about results, so leading with personality traits and metrics that support the candidate’s ability to yield these results is ideal.
• Accentuating what the applicant can offer this particular company is also a great move!

PMs, we see you! Peruse our  project manager resume examples  for support and inspiration, and sail through your  project manager cover letter , too.

15. Recruiter resume summary

Recruiter job description  key points:

• Excellent soft skills, including strategic communication. Ability to foster positive relationships with both applicants and staffing agents while managing client and candidate expectations
• Ability to gather information and quickly assess candidates
• Efficiency under pressure when working with high-priority or time-sensitive hires
• Strong ability to gauge talent/potential during interviews
• Develop/update job descriptions, requirements, proposed pay, and benefit plans

Recruiter resume summary :

• This summary concisely highlights the blend of personality traits and interpersonal skills that this applicant offers.
• The candidate still supplies a quantifiable example of their success and relevance, too.

You know all about the job hunt, but we get that you need help with your  recruiter resume , too. When it comes to  writing a resume  or your  recruiter cover letter , we’ll share all we know.

16. Sales resume summary

Sales job description  key points :

• Effective communication, persuasion, negotiation, and people-reading skills
• Ability to answer/field questions or find information quickly
• Time management and organization skills
• Preparing sales contracts, reports, and presentations
• Following up to ensure customer satisfaction, obtain payments, or promote new plans, services, or products
• Understanding and furthering company programs and specific sales objectives

Sales resume summary :

• You can witness plenty of beneficial personality traits here!
• Plus, the candidate’s experience is evident in the skills they highlight—and they specifically speak to the value they’ll offer the company.

Sell your career documents and snag your dream role with our resources for your  sales resume  and  sales cover letter .

17. Scrum master resume summary 

Scrum Master job description  key points :

• Excellent ability to lead, communicate, and collaborate with a team to meet goals while maintaining Scrum values
• Thorough understanding of Agile frameworks and ability to coach teammates in Agile
• Adaptability in fixing errors and problem-solving with strong recovery skills to keep the focus on sprint goals
• Use metrics and stakeholder/team feedback to ensure optimal product quality
• Organization, coordination, and task prioritization

Scrum Master resume summary :

• We clearly see experience, educational, and technical qualifications here.
• Personality shines through while demonstrating a clear understanding of the job role and, of course, everything ties in with the target company at the end.

Scrum Masters, we know you appreciate a logical and organized approach, so start by exploring our  resume examples  and diving into what works on the  best Scrum Master resumes . We can also teach you how to tackle your  Scrum Master cover letter  with ease.

18. Social media manager resume summary

Social media job description  key points :

• Familiarity with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and the ability to maintain responsiveness on all channels
• Quick adaptability to changing social media/market trends and current events
• Adept at monitoring KPIs, SEO performance, and other metrics and assessing the effectiveness and potential improvements
• Ability to collaboratively plan and implement campaigns by creating, posting, and managing original content with the use of Hootsuite

Social media manager resume summary :

• It’s all there—experience, an ambitious, confident personality, credibility-boosting metrics, and highly relevant skills.
• The applicant also provides compelling insight regarding their approach to the company’s success.

As a social media guru, you have an eye for details, which is why you’ll appreciate our free and  creative Word resume templates  as you finish building your  social media manager resume  and writing your  social media manager cover letter .

19. Software engineer resume summary

Software engineer job description  key points :

• Engineering-focused educational background in math or computer science
• Technical experience with tools like C++, Java, Unix, database and cloud storage, etc.
• Strong ability to navigate, explain, and lead the entire software development lifecycle
• Solid understanding of the best software engineering practices with a focus on scalability, quick problem-solving, and information management
• Application infrastructure and design skills that mesh well with speed/optimization

Software engineer resume summary :

• There’s tons of personality here along with strong metrics that demonstrate the applicant’s skills.
• And while there’s a clear mention of technical skills, the strategic thinking of an engineer takes the spotlight, showcasing the ability to expertly handle advanced roles.

If your  software engineer resume  needs a facelift, consider one of our  free resume templates . Remember that your  software engineer cover letter  can make a great first impression.

20. Teacher resume summary

Teacher job description  key points :

• Supervisory and communication skills with the ability to process student feedback and customize lesson plans
• Ability to maintain leadership of the room and engage students with lessons 
• Planning and preparing lessons, assignments, and educational materials
• Updating grades frequently, providing thoughtful feedback, and modifying work for struggling students
• Provide insight, advice, and encouragement regarding students’ future career paths

Teacher resume summary :

• The conversational yet professional tone is ideal for a teacher delineating a diverse and adaptable skillset and backing it up with a quantifiable metric.
• The applicant’s best traits practically demonstrate themselves!

Along with your  teacher resume , your  teacher cover letter  should also be top of mind.

21. Server resume summary

22. Nanny resume summary

23. Data Entry resume summary

24. Marketing resume summary

25. Teacher Assistant resume summary

26. Caregiver resume summary

27. Social Worker resume summary

28. Dental Assistant resume summary

29. Front-End Developer resume summary

30. Web Developer resume summary

Resume Summary Recap & Your Next Steps

You’ve made it to the end, but don’t feel too overwhelmed or get lost in the weeds while striving to pinpoint the best parts of your experience and skillset to include in your summary! Return as often as you need to the summary examples above, and don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from our  resume examples . 

When you start writing your summary, keep our formula in mind:

X + Y + Z = Success!

X = Your characteristics/personality Y = Experience and quantified success/results Z = How your accomplishments apply to the specific role

Carefully read every job description while you search, and tailor your resume summary to each listing. The extra effort and finishing touches will show!

Remember it’s easiest to write your summary once you’ve drafted the rest of your resume , so you can get crackin’ in our  resume builder  for an interactive, intuitive solution. And if you like the resume below, you can start customizing it right away. So, here’s to your success. We’re cheering you on! 

When crafting your document, be sure to include specific information from the job ad but only if you actually have that experience. Because the ATS will automatically search for appropriate keywords and phrases, you can readily find what employers are searching for in other resumes and the ad for the job you’re applying for. Also, look at other ads for similar positions to find industry-specific keyword information to include.

Senior Financial Analyst Resume

86+ Resume Summary Examples To Inspire You

Discover how to write a compelling resume summary that’s ATS-friendly and tailored for any job situation.

Customers Interviewed by:

A resume summary is like an elevator pitch — a quick, punchy way to say “Here’s what I can do.”

Today, most resume writers and career coaches recommend adding a summary to your resume. “A professional summary is an amazing resource to optimize your resume with keywords, catch an employer’s attention, and provide career highlights,” says resume writer Jazlyn Unbedacht .

In this article, we’ll show you how to write an attention-grabbing resume summary that’s ATS-compatible and tailored for any job scenario. Plus, we’ll provide you with plenty of resume summary examples to help inspire you.

What is a professional resume summary?

A resume summary is a brief statement placed near the top of your resume . It highlights your relevant skills, experience, and achievements.

A summary is like a teaser commercial. It quickly shows hiring managers why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. It also encourages them to read your work history for proof of what your summary claims you can do.

Typically, a resume summary is 2-5 sentences long. Your summary should go right under your contact information. (If you’re using a resume headline , your summary should follow that).

Here’s an example of what a resume summary looks like and where it should appear:

How to write a powerful resume summary

Your resume summary should condense your professional background, skills , and achievements into a few impactful sentences. All effective resume summaries present the same basic information.

• Start with your title or role – What you do or what you specialize in.
• Add your experience – How many years you’ve been doing what you do.
• Highlight your achievements – One or two standout successes.
• List your key skills – Focus on those most relevant to the job.
• Conclude with your overall strengths – Talk about what you bring to the table.

Here’s how to put it all together in a simple, easy-to-follow formula:

[Your Professional Title] with [Years of Experience] years of experience. Proven track record in [Top Achievement 1] and [Top Achievement 2] . Skilled in [Skill 1] , [Skill 2] , and [Skill 3] . Known for [Unique Value or Strength] .

Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years of experience . Proven track record in increasing online engagement by 30% and boosting conversion rates by 15% . Skilled in SEO , content marketing , and social media strategy . Known for exceptional analytical skills and creative problem-solving .

When should you use a resume summary?

We highly recommend using a resume summary in the following situations:

• When you have lots of relevant experience : A summary quickly shows hiring managers your rich career history and why you’re a great fit.
• When you possess unique skills or achievements : Adding these to your summary can help you stand out from other candidates.
• When you want to incorporate relevant keywords : The summary is a great place to include keywords that hiring managers will be searching for. (See “How to Tailor Your Resume Summary” further down).

Add measurable achievements to your resume summary

40% of recruiters say the biggest mistake job seekers make on their resumes is not measuring their achievements.

What’s a measurable achievement? It’s an achievement that has a number attached to it. For example: “Increased departmental sales by 25% within one year through strategic product placement.”

Experienced Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years in the tech industry, specializing in SEO, SEM, and content marketing. Achieved a 40% increase in organic traffic for a SaaS company in 6 months, significantly boosting subscription sales. Skilled in using analytics to enhance marketing strategies and ROI.

Measurable achievements impress hiring managers because they show how well you did your job. They prove your value and indicate the kind of positive impact you could have in your new role.

Having trouble coming up with measurable achievements? Here are some ideas to consider:

• Sales and revenue: Dollar amount or percentage growth.
• Cost savings: Amount or percentage of costs saved.
• Productivity: Time saved or percentage increase in output.
• Project management: Projects completed ahead of schedule or under budget.
• Customer satisfaction: Improvement in satisfaction ratings or retention rates.
• Marketing metrics: Audience growth, engagement rates, or campaign performance.
• Product development: Number of products launched or users acquired.
• Quality assurance: Percentage decrease in errors or audits passed.

Read more : 67 Resume Accomplishments Examples to Show Your Value

Add certificates and licenses to your resume summary

If you hold a license that is required for the job you’re targeting, you should definitely mention it in your resume summary. The same goes for important certifications.

Don’t just put your licenses and certifications in your summary. Add them to your education section as well. This is where you can get into more detail about each credential.

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a valid New York State Professional Engineer (PE) license and over 5 years of experience in civil engineering projects. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to exceed project delivery expectations on time and within budget.

Read more : 27+ Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume

Add honors and awards to your resume summary

If you’ve received honors or awards that highlight your expertise, mention them in your resume summary. Make sure they’re relevant to the job you’re targeting. You should also list them in your “Honors and Awards” resume section, where you can go into more detail.

Award-winning Graphic Designer with over 7 years of experience in creating compelling visuals for leading brands. Recognized with the 2022 American Design Award for innovative digital advertising campaigns. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite, with a proven ability to deliver designs that engage and convert.

Write your resume summary AFTER you’ve completed the rest of your resume. You’ll then know exactly which specific skills and achievements to include in your summary.

Resume summary vs resume objective

Depending on your situation, you might want to use a resume objective instead of a resume summary. Both introduce you to the hiring manager, but they serve different purposes.

A resume summary highlights your key achievements, skills, and experience. A resume objective outlines your career goals. In other words, a resume objective is more about what you’re looking for in your career .

If you fall into one of the following categories, you might consider using a resume objective instead of a resume summary:

• A recent graduate – You’ve recently finished school and are entering the job market for the first time.
• Any entry-level job seeker – You have little to no professional experience in your desired field.
• Returning to the workforce – You have significant gaps in your employment history and want to explain your situation while focusing on your future career goals.

To write a resume objective, follow this formula:

[Describe yourself briefly] seeking a [type of position] to leverage [key skill or experience] in contributing to [company or team’s] goals around [specific goal or project] .

Recent marketing graduate with a passion for digital media seeking an entry-level role to leverage skills in social media and content creation in contributing to enhancing brand engagement.

Read more : 54 Examples of Effective Resume Objectives

Don’t use personal pronouns (e.g., “I,” “me,” “my”) in your resume summary, or anywhere else on your resume. Your resume shows your achievements and skills; it shouldn’t tell your personal story.

How to write a career change resume summary

If you’re changing careers , should you use a resume summary or a resume objective? The answer is – you should use a hybrid .

A hybrid summary/objective addresses your career change and the reasons behind it. But it also mentions your relevant skills and experiences.

This approach allows you to explain your shift while highlighting how your background equips you for your new path.

[Your Professional Title] transitioning to [New Professional Field/Title] . Bringing [Years of Experience] years of experience in [Previous Field] with transferable skills in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3] . Proven success in [Top Achievement 1] and [Top Achievement 2] from previous role. Eager to apply [Unique Value or Strength] in [New Field] .

Project Manager transitioning to Digital Marketing . Bringing 8 years of experience in project management with transferable skills in team leadership, strategic planning, and analytics . Proven success in completing projects 20% under budget and improving team efficiency by 35% . Eager to apply strategic insight and problem-solving abilities in digital marketing campaigns .

Read more : How to Change Careers in 5 Steps

How to tailor your resume summary to the job

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is using the same resume to apply to different jobs. Instead, you should tailor each resume (and your resume summary!) to the job you’re targeting.

When you submit your resume it goes into a computer database. This database is called an Applicant Tracking System , or ATS. Hiring managers search through the database by typing keywords (which are usually skills) into the ATS search bar. If your resume doesn’t include those keywords it won’t be found.

The problem is that the same skills can be worded differently from company to company. So you have to read the job description to see how the skills are worded.

For example, if you were applying to the following accounting job, you’d probably want to include some of the underlined keywords on your resume:

Your resume summary is a great place to add important keywords. If you were writing a resume summary for this accounting job, it might look something like this:

Tailoring each resume increases the chances of getting an interview. But it can be time consuming. It can also be hard to know which keywords are the most important.

Do not lie on your resume! If you don’t have the skills listed in the job description, don’t add them to your resume. Tailoring your resume isn’t about tricking the hiring manager. It’s about optimizing your resume so it can be found.

To optimize your resume faster and more effectively, use Jobscan’s resume scanner . This tool analyzes your resume against the job description and provides you with a resume score .

This score tells you how well your resume matches the job description. The higher your score the more likely a hiring manager will find your resume when searching through an ATS database.

After you paste your resume and the job description into the tool, click “scan.” You’ll then receive a match report that looks like this:

To increase your score, add the missing keywords (marked in red) to your resume. Jobscan’s resume scanner has a free version you can access here .

NOTE : Jobscan’s resume tool now has an AI-powered resume summary generator. With this innovative tool, you can create a professional summary statement in seconds…

Read more : How to Tailor Your Resume

Resume summary do’s and don’ts

Here are some essential do’s and don’ts to guide you when you write your resume summary.

• Tailor It to the Job: Use keywords from the job description.
• Highlight Achievements: Use measurable accomplishments.
• Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-5 sentences.
• Use Active Language: Start sentences with exciting action verbs.
• Focus on Value: Emphasize how you can contribute to the employer.
• Use Generic Phrases: Avoid terms like “hard worker” or “team player.”
• Be Vague: Be specific about your skills, experiences, and achievements.
• Use the First Person: Avoid using “I,” “me,” or “my.”
• Include Irrelevant Information: Focus on relevant skills and achievements.
• Be Too Long: A lengthy summary can lose the reader’s attention.

86 powerful resume summaries for every profession

Use the following professional resume summary examples to inspire and guide you as you create your own. No matter what field you’re in, you should be able to find a summary that resonates with your career goals and experiences.

Each example is crafted to showcase key professional skills, achievements, and the unique value you bring to potential employers.

Accounting resume summary examples

Highly analytical and detail-oriented accounting professional with over 5 years of experience in financial reporting, tax preparation, and audit support. Proven ability to improve financial processes, enhance accuracy, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Skilled in leveraging accounting software and analytical tools to provide key financial insights and support business decisions.

See the full accounting resume example here.

Dedicated Accountant with 4 years of experience in managing accurate financial records, budgeting, and tax filing for diverse clients. Demonstrated expertise in streamlining financial processes, reducing errors by 20%, and enhancing operational efficiency. Proficient in GAAP, financial analysis, and software such as QuickBooks and SAP.

See the full accountant resume example here.

Motivated Staff Accountant with 3 years of comprehensive experience in financial statement preparation, general ledger management, and variance analysis. Successfully contributed to financial audits, resulting in a 15% reduction in discrepancies. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve financial accuracy and organizational goals.

See the full staff accountant resume example here.

Administrative and office support resume summary examples

Versatile Administrative Professional with over 6 years of experience in supporting daily operational and administrative functions across various industries. Known for improving organizational processes, enhancing workflow efficiency by 25%, and maintaining utmost confidentiality. Expert in managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and implementing office management systems that support business objectives.

See the full administrative resume example here.

Dynamic Executive Assistant with 5 years of experience providing high-level support to C-suite executives. Specializes in managing complex calendars, coordinating international travel, and facilitating effective communication between executive offices and internal departments. Increased office efficiency by 30% through the implementation of new organizational procedures. Exceptional problem-solving skills and dedication to confidentiality.

See the full executive assistant resume example here.

Experienced Office Administrator with a strong track record in managing office operations, financial bookkeeping, and HR duties within fast-paced environments. Implemented an inventory management system that reduced supply costs by 20%. Skilled in streamlining administrative processes, enhancing productivity, and fostering a positive work environment through excellent interpersonal and team management abilities.

See the full office administrator resume example here.

Proactive Office Assistant with 3 years of experience in supporting office administration, enhancing organizational efficiency, and providing exceptional customer service. Played a key role in reorganizing the filing system, leading to a 40% improvement in document retrieval times. Adept at managing multiple priorities with a keen attention to detail and a strong work ethic.

See the full office assistant resume example here.

Experienced Operations Manager with 7 years in streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency, achieving a 20% improvement in productivity. Expert in supply chain management, team leadership, and lean techniques. Proven track record in driving operational excellence and profitability.

See the full operations manager resume example here.

Experienced Office Manager with 8 years of expertise in optimizing operations and reducing costs by 30%. Skilled in team leadership, budget management, and improving office efficiency. Committed to supporting business goals with meticulous organization.

See the full office manager resume example here.

Organized Personal Assistant with 5 years of experience supporting C-level executives. Expert in managing schedules, coordinating travel, and handling confidential tasks. Successfully organized a major international conference, showcasing exceptional event planning skills.

See the full personal assistant resume example here.

Efficient Receptionist known for enhancing customer experiences through prompt service and a positive attitude. Managed a busy front desk with over 50 daily visitors and a 95% satisfaction rate. Excelled in multitasking and problem-solving to support office needs.

See the full receptionist resume example here.

Dedicated Secretary with 4+ years in high-demand environments, improving office workflows and document management. Implemented a new filing system that increased retrieval efficiency by 40%. Adept at scheduling, minute-taking, and providing comprehensive administrative support.

See the full secretary resume example here.

Proactive Administrative Assistant with 3 years of experience in fast-paced offices. Streamlined administrative processes, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency. Skilled in data management, scheduling, and supporting team logistics with a keen eye for detail.

See the full administrative assistant resume example here.

Business and analysis resume summary examples

Detail-oriented Business Data Analyst with 4 years of experience in translating complex data into actionable business insights. Led a data analysis project that increased revenue by 15% through targeted marketing strategies. Expert in statistical analysis, data visualization, and making data-driven recommendations.

See the full business data analyst resume example here.

Strategic Business Analyst with over 5 years of experience in optimizing business processes and improving profitability. Successfully implemented a new CRM system, increasing customer retention by 20%. Skilled in requirements analysis, project management, and stakeholder communication.

See the full business analyst resume example here.

Analytical Data Analyst with 3 years of experience in interpreting and analyzing data to drive successful business solutions. Developed a dashboard that reduced report generation time by 30%. Proficient in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools.

See the full data analyst resume example here.

Innovative Data Engineer with 4+ years of experience in designing and building scalable data pipelines. Enhanced data processing speed by 40% through the implementation of efficient ETL processes. Skilled in big data technologies, database management, and cloud computing platforms.

See the full data engineer resume example here.

Technology and engineering resume summary examples

Skilled Engineer with 5 years of experience in designing, developing, and implementing innovative solutions across various engineering disciplines. Demonstrated success in project management, leading to a 15% reduction in project timelines and a 10% decrease in costs. Proficient in the latest engineering software, analytical problem-solving, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project specifications and deadlines.

See the full engineering resume example here.

Innovative Computer Science Engineer with 5 years of experience in developing robust software solutions. Led a team to develop an app that received 100,000+ downloads within the first month. Specializes in algorithm optimization and system security.

See the full computer science and engineering resume example here.

Creative Android Developer with 3 years of experience in building user-centric mobile applications. Increased user engagement by 40% through intuitive app redesigns. Proficient in Kotlin, Java, and Android SDK.

See the full Android developer resume example here.

Detail-oriented Front-End Developer with 4 years of experience in creating responsive and visually appealing websites. Improved website speed by 33% for a major e-commerce platform. Expert in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.

See the full front-end developer resume example here.

Versatile Full Stack Developer with 5+ years of experience in developing scalable web applications. Led a project that resulted in a 50% increase in website traffic through performance enhancements. Skilled in both front-end and back-end technologies.

See the full stack developer resume example here.

Experienced Java Developer with 6 years of experience in building high-performance applications. Developed a Java-based system that reduced processing time by 25%. Expert in Spring Framework and microservices architecture.

See the full Java developer resume example here.

Dedicated Network Engineer with 4 years of experience in designing and maintaining secure network infrastructures. Achieved a 99.9% network uptime rate by implementing robust monitoring strategies. Skilled in Cisco systems and network security protocols.

See the full network engineer resume example here.

Skilled Programmer with 3 years of experience across multiple programming languages. Automated internal processes, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency. Proficient in C++, Python, and JavaScript.

See the full programmer resume example here.

Dynamic Python Developer with 4 years of experience in web development and data analysis projects. Enhanced data processing speeds by 35% through optimized Python scripts. Expert in Django and Flask frameworks.

See the full Python developer resume example here.

Innovative Software Developer with 5 years of experience in developing scalable software solutions. Contributed to a project that increased company revenue by 18% through software optimization. Proficient in multiple programming languages and agile methodologies.

See the full software developer resume example here.

Detail-oriented SQL Developer with 4 years of experience in database design and optimization. Improved data retrieval times by 40% through advanced query optimizations. Skilled in SQL Server, MySQL, and database administration.

See the full SQL developer resume example here.

Creative Web Developer with 3 years of experience in designing and implementing user-friendly websites. Increased conversion rates by 30% through A/B testing and website redesign. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.

See the full web developer resume example here.

Results-driven Civil Engineer with 5 years of experience in infrastructure project management. Led a bridge construction project completed 3 months ahead of schedule and 10% under budget. Specializes in structural design and project coordination.

See the full civil engineer resume example here.

Innovative Electrical Engineer with 6 years of experience in designing and implementing electrical systems. Increased system efficiency by 20% through the development of a new circuit design. Expert in power systems and electronic hardware development.

See the full electrical engineer resume example here.

Eager Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer with a strong foundation in mechanical design and analysis. Internship project contributed to a 5% increase in the efficiency of a manufacturing process. Proficient in CAD software and thermodynamics.

See the full entry-level mechanical engineering resume example here.

Experienced Mechanical Engineer with 7 years of experience in product design and optimization. Led a team that improved product durability by 30%, significantly reducing warranty claims. Expert in 3D modeling, finite element analysis, and materials science.

See the full mechanical engineering resume example here.

Customer service resume summary examples

Dedicated Customer Service professional with over 4 years of experience in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Implemented a feedback system that increased customer satisfaction scores by 25%. Known for exceptional communication skills and the ability to resolve issues efficiently.

See the full customer service resume example here.

Results-oriented Customer Service Manager with 6 years of experience leading service teams to exceed customer expectations. Increased team efficiency by 30% through targeted training and development. Expert in strategic planning, team leadership, and customer relationship management.

See the full customer service manager resume example here.

Committed Customer Service Representative with 3 years of experience in fast-paced environments, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate. Reduced call handling time by 20% without compromising service quality. Skilled in problem-solving, communication, and providing high-quality customer support.

See the full customer service representative resume example here.

Education resume summary examples

Passionate Educator with over 5 years of comprehensive experience in developing curriculum and teaching strategies that foster student engagement and learning. Successfully raised student literacy rates by 20% through innovative teaching techniques. Committed to creating an inclusive and stimulating learning environment.

See the full education resume example here.

Creative Elementary Teacher with 4 years of experience in fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for diverse classrooms. Implemented a differentiated learning approach that increased student math scores by 15%. Specializes in creating interactive and inclusive lesson plans.

See the full elementary teacher resume example here.

Dedicated High School Teacher with 6 years of experience in delivering high-quality education in science subjects. Led a student science fair project that won 1st place in a state competition. Known for inspiring students through hands-on learning and critical thinking exercises.

See the full high school teacher resume example here.

Compassionate Preschool Teacher with 3 years of experience in early childhood education. Developed a language immersion program that improved children’s language skills by 30%. Specializes in creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for young learners.

See the full preschool teacher resume example here.

Visionary School Principal with 10 years of leadership experience in improving school performance. Increased school graduation rate by 25% through strategic initiatives and community partnerships. Expert in educational leadership, staff development, and curriculum planning.

See the full principle resume example here.

Analytical Research Assistant with 2 years of experience supporting academic research projects. Contributed to a research study that was published in a top-tier academic journal. Skilled in data collection, analysis, and academic writing.

See the full research assistant resume example here.

Experienced Research Associate with 5 years in academic and field research, specializing in environmental studies. Led a research project that contributed to a 10% reduction in local water pollution levels. Proficient in statistical analysis, project management, and grant writing.

See the full research associate resume example here.

Finance resume summary examples

Detail-oriented Finance Professional with 5 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning. Successfully managed a $5M budget, reducing costs by 15% while optimizing resource allocation. Known for strong analytical skills and precision in financial forecasting.

See the full finance resume example here.

Reliable Bank Teller with 3 years of experience in fast-paced financial environments, maintaining a record of 100% accuracy in transaction processing. Implemented a customer service initiative that increased customer satisfaction ratings by 20%. Skilled in cash handling, customer service, and financial software.

See the full bank teller resume example here.

Trustworthy Financial Advisor with over 6 years of experience in helping clients achieve their financial goals, increasing client portfolio returns by an average of 10% annually. Expert in retirement planning, investment strategies, and risk management. Committed to providing personalized financial guidance.

See the full financial advisor resume example here.

Analytical Financial Analyst with 4 years of experience in financial modeling, variance analysis, and forecasting. Played a key role in a team that achieved a 5% reduction in operating costs through strategic financial planning. Proficient in Excel, SQL, and financial reporting tools.

See the full financial analyst resume example here.

Healthcare resume summary examples

Compassionate Healthcare Professional with over 5 years of experience in providing top-notch care in various medical settings. Improved patient satisfaction scores by 30% through dedicated patient advocacy and care coordination. Skilled in patient assessment, treatment planning, and healthcare administration.

See the full healthcare resume example here.

Efficient Medical Assistant with 3 years of experience in fast-paced clinic environments, supporting patient care and administrative duties. Increased clinic efficiency by 20% through the implementation of an improved patient scheduling system. Proficient in clinical procedures, patient education, and electronic health records.

See the full medical assistant resume example here.

Friendly Medical Receptionist with 4 years of experience in managing front-office duties and patient flow for busy healthcare facilities. Enhanced patient check-in process, reducing wait times by 25%. Known for excellent communication skills and a strong ability to manage patient inquiries and appointments.

See the full medical receptionist resume example here.

Detail-oriented Phlebotomist with 2 years of experience in performing venipuncture with a 98% first-attempt success rate. Contributed to a 15% increase in laboratory efficiency by improving sample processing times. Committed to patient comfort and accuracy in specimen collection.

See the full phlebotomist resume example here.

Dedicated Nurse with 6 years of experience in providing comprehensive patient care in hospital settings. Reduced readmission rates by 20% through effective discharge planning and patient education. Specializes in acute care, patient advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

See the full nursing resume example here.

Experienced Nurse Practitioner with 5 years of practice in primary care, delivering patient-centered solutions that improved patient health outcomes by 40%. Expert in diagnosing and managing chronic conditions, health promotion, and disease prevention.

See the full nurse practitioner resume example here.

Compassionate Registered Nurse with 4 years of experience in critical care units, achieving a patient satisfaction score of 95%. Led a quality improvement project that decreased medication administration errors by 50%. Skilled in emergency care, patient education, and team leadership.

See the full registered nurse resume example here.

Human resources resume summary examples

Strategic Human Resources Professional with 6 years of experience in developing and implementing HR strategies that support business objectives. Enhanced employee retention by 25% through targeted development programs and benefits optimization. Expert in talent management, employee relations, and compliance.

See the full human resources resume example here.

Motivated Entry-Level Human Resources Graduate with internships and academic projects demonstrating strong foundations in HR principles and practices. Led a university project that improved student engagement in career services by 30%. Eager to apply knowledge in talent acquisition, employee onboarding, and HR analytics.

See the full entry-level human resources resume example here.

Versatile HR Generalist with 4 years of experience managing a wide range of HR functions, including recruitment, performance management, and employee relations. Improved overall employee satisfaction by 20% through the implementation of a comprehensive wellness program. Skilled in HR policy development and workforce planning.

See the full HR generalist resume example here.

Dynamic Recruiter with 5 years of experience in sourcing and attracting top talent, filling over 100 positions annually in a competitive market. Increased hiring efficiency by 35% through the development of a streamlined recruitment process. Proficient in candidate screening, interview techniques, and employer branding.

See the full recruiter resume example here.

Legal resume summary examples

Skilled Attorney with 7 years of experience in [specialization, e.g., family law], achieving a 90% success rate across 200+ cases. Streamlined case preparation processes, reducing time to trial by 30%. Expert in negotiation, litigation, and client advocacy, committed to delivering exceptional legal outcomes.

See the full attorney resume example here.

Detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 3 years of experience supporting attorneys in high-volume law firms. Enhanced document preparation efficiency by 25% through improved organization and workflow management. Skilled in legal research, document drafting, and case management software.

See the full legal assistant resume example here.

Experienced Legal Secretary with over 5 years of expertise in managing complex legal administrative tasks. Streamlined office operations, reducing paperwork processing time by 20%. Known for exceptional organizational skills, fast typing speed, and maintaining confidentiality in sensitive matters.

See the full legal secretary resume example here.

Dedicated Paralegal with 4 years of experience in litigation and corporate law, contributing to a 15% increase in case efficiency. Specializes in legal research, drafting legal documents, and case preparation. Proven track record of managing multiple cases simultaneously with high attention to detail and accuracy.

See the full paralegal resume example here.

Marketing resume summary examples

Dynamic Marketing Professional with 5 years of experience in developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies that increased brand awareness by 40%. Expert in market analysis, campaign management, and cross-functional team leadership. Proven ability to drive market growth and enhance brand positioning.

See the full marketing resume example here.

Results-driven Account Manager with 4 years of experience in managing client portfolios and strengthening relationships, resulting in a 25% increase in client retention. Skilled in negotiation, strategic planning, and customer service excellence. Committed to maximizing client satisfaction and revenue growth.

See the full account manager resume example here.

Innovative Digital Marketing Specialist with 3 years of experience in driving online presence and engagement through targeted digital campaigns. Achieved a 50% increase in social media traffic and a 20% conversion rate improvement. Proficient in SEO, PPC, and content marketing strategies.

See the full digital marketing resume example here.

Creative Marketing Specialist with 4 years of experience in developing and implementing effective marketing strategies, leading to a 30% increase in leads. Expertise in market research, brand management, and event planning. Known for exceptional analytical skills and creative solutions.

See the full marketing specialist resume example here.

Strategic Product Manager with 5 years of experience in leading product development cycles and launching products that increased market share by 15%. Specializes in user experience, competitive analysis, and product lifecycle management. Adept at working with cross-functional teams to achieve product goals.

See the full product manager resume example here.

Engaging Social Media Manager with 3 years of experience in growing online communities and enhancing brand presence, resulting in a 40% increase in follower engagement. Expert in content creation, social media analytics, and influencer partnerships. Known for innovative social media strategies and a deep understanding of digital trends.

See the full social media manager resume example here.

Pharmaceutical resume summary examples

Dedicated Pharmaceutical Professional with 6 years of experience in medication management, patient counseling, and clinical research. Led a team in a successful clinical trial that resulted in a 20% improvement in patient outcomes for a new medication. Committed to advancing pharmaceutical care and patient health.

See the full pharmaceutical resume example here.

Experienced Clinical Pharmacist with 5 years of expertise in acute care settings, optimizing medication therapy to improve patient outcomes by 25%. Specializes in therapeutic drug monitoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Recognized for exceptional patient education and advocacy.

See the full clinical pharmacist resume example here.

Detail-oriented Pharmacist with 7 years of experience in retail and hospital pharmacies, increasing prescription volume by 30% through efficient service and patient care. Expert in pharmacology, drug interactions, and regulatory compliance. Dedicated to providing high-quality pharmaceutical care and support.

See the full pharmacist resume example here.

Skilled Pharmacy Technician with 3 years of experience in fast-paced pharmacy settings, supporting pharmacists in medication dispensing and inventory management. Contributed to a 20% reduction in medication errors through meticulous attention to detail and protocol adherence. Proficient in pharmacy software and customer service.

See the full pharmacy technician resume example here.

Project management resume summary examples

Strategic Project Management Professional with over 5 years of experience in leading projects from conception to completion across various industries. Successfully delivered projects 20% under budget and ahead of schedule, enhancing operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction. Expert in aligning project objectives with business goals, risk management, and team leadership.

See the full project management resume example here.

Innovative Agile Project Manager with 4 years of experience in facilitating agile practices and improving team performance in fast-paced environments. Achieved a 30% increase in project delivery speed by optimizing agile methodologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Skilled in Scrum, Kanban, and cross-functional team leadership.

See the full Agile project management resume example here.

Experienced Construction Project Manager with a track record of completing multi-million dollar projects on time and within budget, resulting in a 15% increase in profitability. Specializes in contract negotiations, resource allocation, and quality control, with a strong focus on safety and compliance.

See the full construction project manager resume example here.

Dedicated IT Project Manager with 6 years of experience in managing complex IT projects, including software development and system implementations. Delivered a company-wide ERP system upgrade, enhancing operational efficiency by 25%. Expert in project lifecycle management, stakeholder communication, and IT infrastructure.

See the full IT project manager resume example here.

Organized Project Coordinator with 3 years of experience supporting project planning and execution in dynamic project environments. Contributed to improving project tracking mechanisms, reducing project delays by 20%. Adept at resource scheduling, documentation, and facilitating effective communication between project teams and stakeholders.

See the full project coordinator resume example here.

Versatile Project Manager with 5 years of experience in delivering projects on time and under budget across various sectors. Led a portfolio of projects that resulted in a 40% improvement in productivity for clients. Expert in developing project scopes, coordinating teams, and managing stakeholder expectations.

See the full project manager resume example here.

Certified Scrum Master with 4 years of experience in guiding teams on Scrum practices and enhancing team agility. Improved team velocity by 35% through effective backlog management and sprint planning. Passionate about fostering a collaborative environment and resolving impediments to team progress.

See the full scrum master resume example here.

Seasoned Senior Project Manager with over 8 years of experience in overseeing large-scale projects from inception to completion. Achieved a 95% project success rate by implementing best practices in project management and leadership. Specializes in strategic planning, risk management, and enhancing team productivity through expert guidance and mentorship.

See the full senior project manager resume example here.

Sales resume summary examples

Dynamic Sales Professional with 4 years of experience in driving revenue growth and exceeding sales targets in competitive markets. Achieved a record 40% year-over-year sales increase through strategic client engagement and innovative sales tactics. Expert in relationship building, market analysis, and negotiation, with a proven track record of closing deals and fostering customer loyalty.

See the full sales resume example here.

Results-oriented Sales Manager with 6 years of leadership experience, overseeing sales teams to achieve a 50% increase in annual sales revenue. Specializes in developing sales strategies, coaching sales professionals, and penetrating new markets. Demonstrated ability to lead by example, motivate teams, and drive significant revenue growth through effective management and innovative sales initiatives.

See the full sales manager resume example here.

Writing and content creation resume summary examples

Creative Writer with 5 years of experience across various genres and mediums, including digital content, fiction, and technical writing. Successfully increased web traffic by 40% for several online platforms through SEO-optimized articles and engaging content. Known for a versatile writing style, meticulous research skills, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

See the full writer resume example here.

Dynamic Copywriter with 4 years of experience in creating compelling marketing and advertising copy that increased customer engagement by 30%. Specializes in brand storytelling, product descriptions, and targeted email campaigns. Proven track record of boosting brand awareness and conversion rates through creative and persuasive copy.

See the full copywriter resume example here.

Experienced Grant Writer with a strong history of securing funding for nonprofit organizations, achieving a success rate of over 80% on submitted proposals. Specializes in researching grant opportunities, writing persuasive proposals, and managing grant submissions. Contributed to securing over $3 million in funding for various projects and initiatives.

See the full grant writer resume example here.

Detail-oriented Technical Writer with 6 years of experience in creating clear and concise technical documentation, user manuals, and help guides across various industries. Successfully simplified complex technical information, resulting in a 50% reduction in customer support queries. Skilled in collaborating with technical teams to ensure accuracy and usability of documentation, with a strong focus on enhancing user experience and product adoption.

See the full technical writer resume example here.

Key takeaways

• A resume summary is a brief, punchy statement that highlights your skills, experience, and achievements.
• It’s recommended for all job seekers, from entry-level to executives and career changers.
• Consider using a resume objective instead of a summary if you’re a recent graduate, entry-level job seeker, or returning to the workforce.
• Your summary should be tailored to include keywords for ATS optimization.
• Your summary should be positioned near the top of your resume, under your contact information and headline.
• Effective summaries are 2-4 sentences long, offering a snapshot of your professional profile.
• Start with your professional title, followed by years of experience, major achievements, key skills, and unique strengths.
• Including measurable achievements in your summary can significantly enhance your resume’s impact.
• Tailoring your resume for each job application increases your chances of passing through ATS and getting noticed by employers.
• For career changers, a resume summary can highlight transferable skills and the value you bring to the new field.
• Writing your resume summary after completing the rest of your resume ensures it accurately reflects your most relevant qualifications and achievements.

The resume summary is a brief paragraph that showcases who you are, how you can help the employer with your skills, work experience, and expertise, and why you are the best person for the job.

A resume summary should be written in the first person, but with the pronouns (e.g., “I,” “me,” “my”) omitted. This style keeps the resume professional and focused on achievements and skills rather than reading like a personal narrative. For example, instead of saying “I am a skilled project manager,” you would write “Skilled project manager.” This approach maintains a professional tone while making the summary more concise and impactful.

The resume summary comes directly after your name and contact information. If you’re using a resume headline, the summary should come after that.

No. A resume summary should be tailored for each job application. If you want to apply to five different job applications, then you need to prepare five different resumes tailored to a specific job posting.

A resume summary can be one to four sentences long. It can be written as a short paragraph or listed in bullet points.

A summary of qualifications is the same as a resume summary. It emphasizes key accomplishments, qualifications, and certifications while presenting you as the best candidate for the job.

A resume summary statement is often referred to by other names, including: • Career summary • Career synopsis • Personal statement • Professional summary • Summary of experience • Summary of qualifications • Qualifications summary • Competencies

A good summary for an entry-level resume should focus on educational achievements, relevant coursework, soft transferable skills , and any related internships, volunteer work , or extracurricular activities.

Starting a resume summary effectively means grabbing attention fast. You can lead with your experience, skills, or top achievements to immediately show you’re the right fit. Use exciting action verbs to introduce your skills and experience.

When crafting a resume summary with no experience, focus on your educational achievements, relevant coursework, and transferable skills from activities like volunteering. Emphasize your eagerness to learn, dedication, and how your background aligns with the position you’re seeking. If you’re building your resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free resume builder . There are no hidden costs and it allows you to build an ATS-compatible AI resume in no time!

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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15 Amazing Resume Summary Statement Examples for Job Seekers

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Updated 6/9/2022.

What is the best way to start my resume? How do I get the attention of the hiring manager? Is there something specific I should be doing? These are questions we have all asked ourselves at one point or another. Fortunately, there’s mainly one answer: use a resume summary statement.

So, how do you create an amazing professional summary for a resume? Well, looking at some outstanding resume summary examples is typically a good place to start. If you want to make sure your resume is in the best shape possible, here’s what you need to know about the resume summary statement.

Understanding the Resume Summary Statement

So, what exactly is a resume summary statement? Well, according to the folks at The Balance Careers :

“A resume summary statement is a brief list or a few sentences at the top of your resume (after your contact information) that highlights your qualifications for a job.” That’s a good way to look at it.

And, what about the purpose of a resume summary? Well, they go on to add that resume summaries allow “the person reviewing your resume… to view your most important attributes at a glance.” In the end, that’s really what it’s all about.

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 manager’s attention by summarizing critical information in an easy-to-read format. Now, a “Resume Objective” and “Resume Summary Statement” are two very different things and should not be confused. However, they serve a similar purpose, acting as an introduction.

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.

You may be wondering, “Why do I need a resume summary when they can just read my application?” Well, mainly because hiring managers may receive dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes.

In the end, hiring managers don’t have time to read every application word-for-word. Instead, they skim key areas looking for the right details, giving each resume an average of just six to seven seconds of their time before making an initial determination.

Usually, the resume summary statement is a part they always read. It showcases the best of what you have to offer, giving them critical insights upfront. That’s why getting your professional summary for your resume right is essential.

How to Write a Great Resume Summary Statement

So, how do you write a great resume summary statement? Well, as with much of your job search, it all begins with research. You need to make sure that you’re maximizing your potential, so the more you know, the better.

The goal is to get your statement distilled down into two or three laser-focused sentences that the hiring manager will consider relevant. To make that happen, go back and look at the job you’re 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, it’s time to figure out how you fit into them.

What are your top selling points? Find three or four things that define you as a professional, are unique to you, and involve skills you enjoy using. If you include things you’re good at but hate doing, you could find yourself only attracting interest on jobs that leave you stuck doing them again.

After that, see if you can identify any problems this position solves. Can you showcase value in that specific area?

As your summary starts to take shape, compare it to the job description and the company’s mission and values. How does your summary align with what the company is after? Keep rechecking as you adjust, ensuring it’s really on point by the time you’re done.

Now, there are also things you shouldn’t put in your statement. For example, proficiency in software that practically everyone knows – like Microsoft Office – isn’t ideal in your resume summary. Similarly, certain cliché adjectives, like ‘results-oriented,’ ‘hardworking,’ ‘innovative,’ and ‘motivated’ are also no-nos.

Now that we’ve looked at what to include and what NOT to include, it’s time to start writing your own resume summary examples.

Start out your statement by being specific! Make sure it’s tailored to not only the position but the company as well. Are you applying to five jobs? You should have five objective statements. Ten jobs? Ten statements, and so on.

Focus on how you’re a benefit to the company, not how the company can benefit you. Keep it valuable; make sure you point out what you bring to the table. Also, keep it short and sweet.

Finally, always open your statement with your title (or, for recent graduates, your degree earned). Why? Because you want to let whoever is reading the resume know at a glance exactly who they’re dealing with.

Remember, there are lots of people applying for these jobs, and the last thing you want to do is get lost in the shuffle. Plus, if the job is specifically looking for someone to fill a role and you’re already doing that role at another job, you’ve just ensured that the hiring managers take a second look at your resume!

Resume Summary Examples

Are you looking for more inspiration? Here are a few resume summary statement examples that you can use as a starting point.

Just remember, don’t use them verbatim. You want to tailor these statements to the needs of the company you are interviewing with, and you can’t do that if you use these word-for-word.

Still, these resume summary examples will get you moving in the right direction. Here are 15 examples of a professional summary for a resume, each aligned with different careers and various experience levels.

1. Newly-Minted Nursing Assistant

Certified nursing assistant with training in vital sign monitoring, patient examinations, wound dressing, patient records, and phlebotomy. Graduated at the top of the class, passing the exam with a score in the top 1%. Completed internship in a fast-paced, local clinic, offering exceptional patient care and consistently exceeding expectations.

2. Recent Engineering Graduate

Engineering Graduate with leadership training and experience with academic training at the University of Montana. Proven skills in project management, organization, and research with a background in office administration and organization. Able to provide employers with administrative support and professional communication skills.

3. Restaurant Shift Lead

Shift lead with 3+ years at a fast-paced, high-end dining restaurant with proven leadership capabilities. Experience overseeing teams of 12+ in a high-energy, customer-focused environment. Skilled at schedule management, conflict resolution, and adapting to ever-changing priorities.

4. Digital Marketing Professional

Digital marketing specialist with 2+ years of experience working at a high-volume firm focused on consumer food products. Skilled at creating content across several leading platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Helped launch TikTok for an emerging beverage brand, securing 10,000 followers in just three months. 

5. Administrative Office Manager

Current Administrative Office Manager. Versatile, reliable, and efficient with 8+ years of experience supporting managers and executives in high-paced environments. Diversified skills include client relations, human resources, recruiting, project management, and administrative support. Excellent phone and digital communication skills.

6. Call Center Representative

Call center representative with 4+ years of experience in a high-volume environment, handing upward of 100 contacts daily. Supported both sales and technical support departments, securing an average customer satisfaction rate of 92% across both areas.

7. IT Specialist Pivoting to New Field

Proven IT Specialist with experience in start-ups as well as established operations leveraging expertise in organization, computer networking, and problem-solving to provide exceptional user support and assistance in resolving conflict. Experience includes managing sensitive materials and providing after-hours support for clients.

8. Architectural Project Coordinator

Architectural Project Coordinator with over fifteen years of experience. Versatile, bilingual professional with management experience ranging in size from small private projects to full-scale multi-million-dollar high profile corporate construction projects. Ability to oversee and manage hundreds of individuals while ensuring timely completion of project deadlines, all while remaining on or under budget.

9. Recruiter

Recruiter with 8+ years of experience in a large industrial environment with fluctuating, seasonal needs. Organized and coordinated large-scale hiring events, securing 20 new hires for seasonal positions in just three days. Overall time-to-hire reduced by 56%, while new hire quality improved by 31%.

10. Sales Manager

Experienced sales manager in the retail industry with strengths in customer service, sales, and negotiations. Proven skills in marketing, advertising, product integration, and promotions. Successful in developing strategies that have resulted in an over 20% increase in new customers. Instrumental in developing an incentives rewards program with a repeat customer success rate of over 45%.

11. Warehouse Manager

Reliable warehouse manager with 12+ years of experience overseeing operations and supervising teams of 10 or more. Leadership, coaching, and delegation skills. Certified heavy equipment operator, including forklift and scissor lift.

12. Project Manager

Project Manager with 10+ years of experience specializing in web production, education publications, public outreach, and consumer packaging. Professional, creative, and flexible with proven analytical skills. Adept at researching and crafting award-winning marketing campaigns for a wide variety of clients and products.

13. Data Analyst

Data analyst with 6 years of experience providing data-driven insights, creating critical reports, and supporting strategic operational objectives. Adept at both written and verbal communication, including explaining complex technical information in a simplified manner. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics.

14. Social Worker

Bilingual licensed social worker with more than 9 years of experience focused on geriatric care, serving as an advocate while providing counseling, coordinating care, and supporting families. Managed average caseload of 32 clients, collaborating with a multi-discipline team to ensure positive outcomes and provide holistic care.

15. Sales Department Executive

Sales executive with 11+ years of leadership experience. Rejuvenated underperforming department, boosting sales by 82% within 12 months. Strategic-minded and action-oriented, adept at finding scalable solutions designed to promote revenue growth and reduce expenditures.

Putting It All Together

So, there you have it. Use the tips and resume summary examples above to create the perfect start to your application. Just remember that the most important thing for you to do is spend the time researching the company you are interviewing with and tailor your summary to the company. That way, you can stand out as an exceptional candidate.

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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40+ Resume Summary Writing Tips & Examples for 2024

A resume summary is an essential component of a job seeker’s resume. It is a brief and concise overview of an individual’s talents, skills, and experience that can entice the recruiter to read the entire resume. It is a crucial aspect of a resume because it is typically the first part that is read and serves as an introduction to the job seeker’s qualifications.

A compelling resume summary will highlight the most relevant and prominent skills and experience to the job posting. It should be concise, informative, and generate interest in the job seeker’s professional background.

What is a Resume Summary?

A resume summary is a brief summary of a job seeker’s qualifications presented at the top of the resume. Typically, this section is between 50-200 words and presents a quick overview of an individual’s relevant work experience, education, and key skills.

Common Structure and Characteristics of an Effective Resume Summary

An effective resume summary has several common structures and characteristics. First, it should be brief and impactful. It is crucial to keep the summary concise, as hiring managers often have to review several resumes in a limited time frame.

Second, the summary should be relevant to the job posting. A job seeker should tailor their summary to the requirements of the position they are applying for, highlighting the relevant skills and experience that match the job posting.

Third, the summary should be well-written and engaging. It should showcase the job seeker’s communication skills, use powerful language, and present their qualifications in a compelling manner.

Finally, an effective resume summary should demonstrate a job seeker’s value to the employer. It should highlight how the job seeker’s skills and experience will benefit the company and demonstrate a track record of success.

By following the above characteristics, a job seeker can create an effective resume summary that will capture the attention of hiring managers, highlight their qualifications, and increase their chances of landing an interview.

Understanding Your Target Job and Employer

If you want to create an effective resume summary that gets noticed by potential employers, you need to understand your target job and employer. This means conducting research and analyzing the job description and the company’s values to identify key competencies and qualifications that match your skills and experience.

A. Researching Your Target Job and Employer

To start, conduct thorough research on the position you are applying for and the company itself. This will help you tailor your resume summary to meet the specific needs and values of the employer. Look at the job posting and company website for information on the position’s duties and requirements, as well as the company’s mission statement and culture.

B. Identifying Key Competencies and Qualifications

The next step is to identify the key competencies and qualifications needed for the job. Look at the job posting and highlight important skills such as communication, organization, leadership, and any industry-specific requirements. Take note of your own relevant experience and qualifications that match these requirements.

C. Analyzing Job Descriptions and Employer Values

Another important aspect of understanding your target job and employer is analyzing the job description and the company’s values. Employers want to hire candidates who share their values and fit in with their culture. Look for clues in the job posting and company website about what the company values, such as innovation, teamwork, or customer service. Use this information to highlight how you embody these values in your resume summary.

D. Tailoring Your Summary to Match Your Target Job and Employers

Once you have identified the key competencies and qualifications and analyzed the job description and employer values, it’s time to tailor your resume summary to show how you are the perfect fit for the job. Use specific examples and achievements from your work history to demonstrate how you have the skills and experience needed for the position. Highlight your key competencies and qualifications and how they align with the company’s values.

By understanding your target job and employer, you can create a resume summary that sets you apart from other candidates and shows the employer that you are the perfect fit for the job. Remember, a resume summary should be concise, specific, and persuasive, so make sure to craft it carefully to showcase your strengths and value to the employer.

Writing an Attention-Grabbing Opening Line

When it comes to crafting your resume summary, there’s one element that can make a huge difference in capturing the attention of hiring managers: the opening line. Your opening line is the first thing they’ll read, so it needs to be compelling, unique, and memorable.

A. Importance of an Attention-Grabbing Opening Line

An attention-grabbing opening line can make or break your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression, stand out from the competition, and pique the reader’s interest in your experience and qualifications. Without a captivating opening line, your resume summary will likely go overlooked or easily forgotten amidst a sea of other applications.

B. Examples of Attention-Grabbing Opening Lines

Here are a few examples of attention-grabbing opening lines to inspire your own resume summary:

• “Innovative marketing strategist with a proven track record of increasing revenue by 30% in just six months.”
• “Dedicated project manager with over a decade of experience delivering complex IT solutions on time and under budget.”
• “Award-winning journalist with a passion for uncovering untold stories and bringing them to life in print and digital media.”

C. Tips for Writing an Effective Opening Line

Crafting an effective opening line can be challenging, but there are a few tips you can follow to make it easier:

• Be clear and concise: Your opening line should clearly communicate who you are and what you bring to the table without being too wordy.
• Highlight your unique selling points: Identify what sets you apart from other applicants and make sure to showcase those qualities in your opening line.
• Use active language: Use action verbs to create a sense of energy and momentum in your opening line.
• Tailor it to the job description: Make sure your opening line is relevant to the job you’re applying for and speaks to the specific requirements listed in the job description.
• Test it out: Share your opening line with friends, family, or colleagues to get feedback and ensure it’s compelling and memorable.

By following these tips and thinking creatively about your opening line, you can make a great first impression and set yourself apart from the competition.

Showcasing Key Skills and Achievements

One of the most important parts of your resume summary is showcasing your key skills and achievements. This section can help highlight your unique talents and experience, and demonstrate why you are the best fit for a particular role. Here are some tips for how to effectively highlight your skills and achievements:

A. Identifying Relevant Skills and Achievements

Before you can showcase your skills and achievements, it’s important to identify which ones are most relevant to your target job. Start by reviewing the job description and identifying the key skills and qualifications that are required or preferred for the position. Then, make a list of all the skills and achievements that you possess that match these requirements. This will help you focus on the most important aspects of your experience when crafting your resume summary.

B. How to Quantify Your Achievements

When highlighting your achievements, it’s important to quantify them whenever possible. This helps demonstrate the impact that you’ve had in previous roles and prove your value to potential employers. Use specific numbers, percentages, or other metrics to showcase your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Increased sales revenue,” try “Increased sales revenue by 25% in the first quarter of the year.”

C. Examples of Strong Skills and Achievements Statements

Here are a few examples of strong skills and achievements statements that you can use as inspiration when crafting your own:

• “Led a team of 10 sales representatives and exceeded monthly sales targets by an average of 15%”
• “Developed and implemented a new marketing strategy that increased website traffic by 40% and generated $1 million in new business”
• “Reduced customer complaints by 50% through improved customer service training and support”

D. Dos and Don’ts for Highlighting Your Skills and Achievements

When highlighting your skills and achievements, it’s important to follow these dos and don’ts:

• Do focus on the most relevant and impressive achievements
• Do quantify your achievements whenever possible
• Do use action verbs to describe your accomplishments (e.g. “Developed,” “Led,” “Improved”)

Don’ts:

• Don’t exaggerate or embellish your accomplishments
• Don’t include irrelevant or outdated achievements
• Don’t use passive language or weak verbs (e.g. “Assisted with,” “Participated in,” “Helped to”)

By following these tips, you can effectively showcase your key skills and achievements in your resume summary and stand out to potential employers.

Addressing Employment Gaps and Career Changes

In today’s job market, it’s not uncommon to encounter employment gaps and career changes on resumes. Whether it’s due to personal circumstances or a changing job market, it’s important to address these gaps and changes in a thoughtful and effective way.

A. Tips for Addressing Employment Gaps

• Be honest: Explain the reason for the employment gap in a truthful and concise manner.
• Focus on skills acquired: Highlight any skills or experiences gained during the gap period, such as volunteering, traveling, or taking courses.
• Connect the dots: Draw connections between the skills learned during the gap period and how they relate to the job you are applying for.
• Keep it brief: Avoid dwelling on the employment gap; insert the explanation between relevant work experience without spending too much time on it.

B. Strategies for Communicating Career Changes

• Highlight transferable skills: Focus on skills learned in previous jobs that can be transferred to the position you’re seeking.
• Rebrand yourself: Instead of focusing on the job title, market yourself based on skills and achievements.
• Emphasize the positive: Focus on the benefits of your career change rather than dwelling on why you left your previous career.
• Show your motivation: Explain why you made the career change and show your passion and commitment to the new field.

C. Examples of Effective Descriptions for Employment Gaps and Career Changes

Employment Gap Example:

• “Took a 2-year break from the workforce to care for an ill family member, during which time I developed my project management and communication skills by organizing appointments, managing medical schedules, and coordinating with healthcare professionals.”

Career Change Example:

• “After 10 years in finance, I transitioned to a career in marketing. My experience in data analysis and client management has helped me excel in developing targeted marketing campaigns and understanding consumer behavior.”

By addressing employment gaps and career changes in a positive and proactive manner, job seekers can demonstrate their resilience, adaptability, and value to potential employers.

Staying Relevant and Concise

When it comes to resume summary writing, it’s crucial to be both relevant and concise. A compelling summary that’s too long or filled with fluff won’t impress employers, and it may even cause them to toss your resume aside altogether.

To ensure your summary hits the mark, here are a few tips to help you stay relevant and concise:

A. The Importance of Conciseness in Resume Summary Writing

One of the most important things to remember when writing a resume summary is to keep it brief. Ideally, it should be no more than a few sentences long. Focus on the highlights of your career and the skills and experiences that make you stand out. Avoid going into too much detail or including irrelevant information.

Remember that recruiters and hiring managers are busy people who don’t have time to read through lengthy summaries. A concise summary gives them the information they need to decide whether to take a closer look at your resume.

B. Avoiding Generic Buzzwords and Clichés

Nothing turns off employers faster than a resume summary that’s filled with generic buzzwords and clichés. Phrases like “dynamic team player” and “results-oriented professional” may seem impressive at first glance, but they’ve been so overused that they no longer have any real meaning.

Instead of relying on tired old clichés, try to use more specific language that highlights your unique skills and achievements. Give concrete examples of how you’ve made a difference in your previous roles, and use words that showcase your personality and work style.

C. Choosing Strong Action Verbs

Another way to make your resume summary stand out is to use strong action verbs. These are words that show you taking initiative and getting things done. Examples include “managed,” “created,” “led,” and “implemented.”

When you use these verbs in your summary, you’re demonstrating that you’re a proactive, results-driven professional who can get things done. This can help you stand out from other candidates who may not have such a strong track record of achievement.

D. Tips for Staying Relevant and Concise

To wrap things up, here are a few additional tips for staying relevant and concise when writing your resume summary:

• Tailor your summary to the specific job you’re applying for.
• Highlight your most impressive skills and experiences, but only if they’re relevant to the position.
• Use numbers and statistics to back up your claims whenever possible.
• Be sure to include any relevant keywords that the employer may be looking for.
• Finally, proofread your summary carefully to ensure that it’s free of errors and typos.

Remember, your resume summary is your chance to make a great first impression with potential employers. By staying relevant and concise, you’ll increase your chances of landing an interview and ultimately, the job you want.

Formatting and Layout

One of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of resume writing is formatting and layout. The way your resume is organized and presented can have a huge impact on whether or not you land an interview. Here are some key tips to follow:

A. Choosing the Right Font and Font Size

When it comes to font choice, it’s important to go with something that is easy to read and professional-looking. Stick to standard fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Avoid using overly decorative or cursive fonts, as they can be difficult to read and may come across as unprofessional.

Keep in mind that font size plays a big role in resume readability as well. The recommended font size for body text is 10-12 points, while section headers can be slightly larger at 14-16 points.

B. Strategic Use of Bold and Italics

Bold and italics can be effective tools for emphasizing important information and making your resume more visually appealing. Use these formatting options sparingly, however, as too much emphasis can make your resume look cluttered and difficult to read.

Consider using bold for section headings and company names, and italics for job titles and key accomplishments. This will help draw the reader’s eye to the most important parts of your resume.

C. Incorporating Bullet Points

Bullet points are a great way to break up large blocks of text and make your resume more scannable. Use bullet points to list your job responsibilities and accomplishments in a concise, easy-to-read format.

Keep your bullet points short and sweet, using action verbs to highlight your achievements. This will help you stand out to potential employers and make a strong case for why you’re the right candidate for the job.

D. Tips for Formatting and Layout

In addition to the specific formatting tips listed above, it’s important to keep a few general principles in mind when crafting your resume.

First, make sure your resume is organized in a logical, easy-to-follow format. Your most recent work experience should be listed first, followed by earlier positions. Use clear section headings and subheadings to break up information into easily digestible chunks.

Second, be consistent in your formatting and layout choices. Use the same font and size throughout your resume, and make sure your margins are consistent as well.

Finally, make sure your resume is aesthetically pleasing and easy on the eyes. Avoid using overly bright or bold colors, and make sure there is sufficient white space on the page. Remember, a clean and professional-looking resume is more likely to catch the attention of a hiring manager than one that is cluttered and difficult to read.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a strong and effective resume that is sure to impress potential employers. Happy job hunting!

Writing for Applicant Tracking Systems

A. what are applicant tracking systems.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are computer software applications used by many employers to manage their recruitment process. These systems allow companies to collect, sort, and track resumes and applications electronically. Thus, they simplify and streamline the recruitment process, making it easier for the employer to find the right candidates for the job.

B. Optimizing your Summary for ATS

Your resume summary is crucial when it comes to getting noticed by hiring managers, recruiters and ATS. To optimize your summary for ATS, you need to make sure you use keywords relevant to the job description, include information about work experience and skills, and keep the language straightforward and easy to understand.

Here are some tips for optimizing your summary for ATS:

• Use relevant keywords in your summary to match the job description.
• Keep your summary short and to the point, ideally two to three sentences long.
• Highlight your experience and achievements that are most relevant to the job.
• Use strong action verbs to describe your past accomplishments.
• Avoid abbreviations or jargon that might confuse the ATS.

C. Tips for Writing for Applicant Tracking Systems

In addition to the tips above, there are a few additional things you can keep in mind to help ensure your resume gets noticed by an ATS:

• Use a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman and avoid using graphics, tables, or images in your resume.
• Save your resume in a compatible file format like a .docx, .pdf or .txt file.
• Avoid using complex formatting or templates that might confuse the ATS.
• Proofread your resume carefully to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
• Use bullet points to make your resume easy to scan.

Remember, the key to writing for ATS is to provide relevant information using clear and concise language. By optimizing your summary and formatting your resume correctly, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by an ATS and ultimately, landing your dream job.

Examples and Samples

Congratulations! After reading the previous sections, you now have a better understanding of what a resume summary is and how to write an effective one. However, it can be helpful to see examples of strong resume summaries to guide you further in crafting your own.

A. Examples of Strong Resume Summaries

Here are a few effective resume summary examples:

“Dynamic marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in creating and executing successful marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. Skilled in market research, project management, and team leadership.”

“Detail-oriented administrative assistant with 7+ years of experience managing schedules, coordinating travel arrangements, and maintaining accurate records. Proficient in MS Office and Google Suite.”

“Motivated software developer with 3+ years of experience designing and implementing innovative solutions for clients in the healthcare industry. Familiar with Agile development methodologies and proficient in multiple programming languages.”

Note that all of these summaries are specific and include quantifiable achievements or skills. They also demonstrate the applicant’s value to potential employers.

B. Different Sample Summary Statements for Different Industries

It is essential to tailor your resume summary to the industry you are applying for. Here are a few sample summary statements for different industries:

“Marketing professional with a strong track record of increasing brand awareness and driving sales. Expertise in social media strategy, content creation, and email marketing. Skilled in data analysis and measuring the effectiveness of campaigns.”

“Results-driven sales manager with 10+ years of experience exceeding quotas and building strong relationships with clients. Proven success in new business development and account management. Skilled in negotiating and closing deals.”

“Experienced IT specialist with a background in software development and system administration. Proficient in multiple programming languages and familiar with Agile methodologies. Skilled in troubleshooting and problem-solving in high-pressure situations.”

C. Dos and Don’ts for Using Samples and Examples

When using examples and samples to guide you in crafting your resume summary, keep these dos and don’ts in mind:

• Choose industry-specific examples that match your skills and experience.
• Use them as a guide but make sure your summary is unique and tailored to your accomplishments.
• Focus on specific achievements or skills that set you apart.
• Copy and paste examples without modification.
• Use generic, vague language that does not demonstrate your specific value.
• Rely solely on examples without putting in effort to make your summary stand out.

Remember, your resume summary is your first chance to make a strong impression on potential employers. Make sure it is specific, demonstrates your value, and tailored to the industry you are applying for. Happy job hunting!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A. common mistakes in resume summary writing.

A well-written resume summary can be the deciding factor in landing a job interview. Unfortunately, many job seekers make mistakes in their summary that can cost them the position. These common mistakes include:

• Using cliches: Phrases like “results-driven” or “team player” have been overused and don’t offer any unique insights about your skills.
• Focusing on job duties instead of achievements: Simply listing your job responsibilities doesn’t showcase your accomplishments and potential contribution to the company.
• Being too vague: A vague summary doesn’t provide any specific details about your skills or experiences, making it difficult for employers to determine if you’re a good fit for the job.
• Writing in the third person: Resume summaries should always be written in the first person to showcase your personal strengths and qualities.
• Including too much information: A summary should be concise and to the point, highlighting only the most important aspects of your career.

B. Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes, job seekers should keep these tips in mind when writing their resume summary:

• Use specific language to highlight your achievements and skills.
• Focus on how you can contribute to the company, rather than just listing your duties.
• Tailor your summary to the specific job you are applying for.
• Keep it concise and avoid using industry jargon.
• Use the first person and avoid talking about yourself in the third person.

C. Examples and Explanation of Common Mistakes in Resume Summary Writing

Here are a few examples of resume summary mistakes and how to correct them:

Mistake:  Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience to enhance the company’s success.

Explanation:  This statement is too vague and doesn’t provide any specific details about the job seeker’s skills or achievements.

Correction:  Experienced marketing professional with a proven track record of increasing lead generation and driving sales through targeted campaigns. Seeking a position where I can leverage my skills to drive growth for the company.

Mistake:  Responsible for managing a team and ensuring their success.

Explanation:  This statement only outlines job duties and doesn’t highlight any specific achievements.

Correction:  Dynamic leader with a successful track record of building and motivating high-performing teams. Led a team of 10 sales representatives to exceed monthly revenue targets by 25%.

By avoiding these common mistakes and following the tips outlined above, job seekers can craft a compelling resume summary that will help them stand out from the competition and land job interviews.

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More from ResumeHead

20 Resume Summary Examples to Make Writing Your Own Easier

If you still have an objective statement perched at the top of your resume, it’s time for some serious updating.

That formal (and, honestly, totally useless) blurb of the past has since made way for something way more helpful: a resume summary statement.

So…uhh…what exactly is a summary statement ? It’s a few short lines that go at the top of your document and make it easy for the hiring manager to quickly understand your experience and qualifications. Basically, it gives the highlights of what you bring to the table.

It sounds simple in theory. But when you sit down to actually pull one together, you’ll quickly realize that distilling your skills, experience, and ambitions into a few short sentence fragments is way easier said than done.

Fortunately, a little inspiration can get your creative juices flowing. These 20 resume summary examples (and expert tips) will help you get started—and hopefully keep you from staring at that menacing, blinking text cursor for a half hour.

5 tips for writing your own resume summary statement

Before we get into the actual resume summary examples, let’s set the scene with some more general advice for writing your own professional summary. Here are five tips to keep in mind as you work on this blurb for yourself.

1. Determine if you actually need one

There are certain things you absolutely have to include on your resume—like your name and your contact information. But a summary statement? It’s not necessarily a prerequisite.

Summary statements can be more impactful for certain types of candidates. For example, if you have years of professional history, several disparate experiences that need to be tied together, or an untraditional background that could warrant some explanation, a summary statement can help you set the scene.

If you’re stuck on whether or not to write one, ask yourself this: Is this adding value or is it simply restating things that are said elsewhere on your resume?

2. Say exactly what you do

Your summary statement is included directly at the top of the document, so don’t forget its primary purpose: to introduce you to the hiring manager.

To make a solid introduction , you need to plainly state what you do (without any vague terms or clever phrasing). Are you a software engineer? Say that. A customer support specialist? Use those exact words.

It might seem basic, but explicitly spelling out your job title gives some important context as the hiring manager reviews your history and other qualifications. Plus, it helps them more readily understand what position you’re applying for, just in case your resume gets bounced around or separated from your application.

3. Tailor your summary to the job description

We know you’ve heard the classic “ tailor your resume ” advice before, but it’s oft-repeated for a good reason: It’s important.

Your resume summary is one area that you should be prepared to tweak and rewrite with every single new job you apply for. Take a fine-tooth comb to the job description and pay close attention to certain skills or responsibilities the employer emphasizes.

Are they specifically looking for someone with Salesforce experience? Do they want someone with at least five years of work history under their belt? Incorporate those heavy-hitting qualifications into your summary so that the hiring manager sees them right away without any scrolling or searching.

4. Get specific

To make the most of your summary statement, you need to go beyond buzzwords and resume fluff and provide tangible, impressive qualifications and experiences.

That could mean quantifying your accomplishments where you can—whether that’s your years of experience or an aggressive target you met in a previous position.

Even if you can’t include numbers, skip the generalities and get specific with the value you have to offer. Have you worked with Fortune 500 companies? Are you a whiz with a certain type of industry software? Those could deserve a mention in your summary.

You might find it helpful to sit down and brainstorm a long list of your experiences and accomplishments before trying to write your summary. Whenever you apply for a new job, you can sort through your list and pull out the ones that are most relevant to that specific position. Plus, it’s a solid confidence booster.

5. Keep it short

Your resume summary statement should pack a punch without a lot of wordiness. Remember, it’s a statement and not a full-blown career memoir, so you need to keep it short.

Try to stay as close to three sentences as possible. Any longer than that and you’ll likely lose the interest of the hiring manager before they’ve even made it to your skills or professional history .

Now that you have the lay of the land with regard to summary statements, let’s look at 20 different resume summary statement examples sorted into several categories:

Resume summary examples based on experience level

Resume summary examples based on industry, miscellaneous resume summary examples.

The summary statement (not to mention the entire resume) of someone with 20 years of experience will inevitably look different from someone who’s looking for an entry-level or early-career role. Here are some helpful resume summary examples for all different experience levels.

1. Eager and enthusiastic digital marketing student working toward a BS in Business Administration at Boston University. Extensive coursework and project-based experience with social media content creation, keyword strategy, and GA4. Driven team player with a growth mindset and a can-do attitude.

Entry-level

2. Dedicated and detail-oriented finance graduate with internship experience in financial analysis with a Fortune 100 company. Skilled with financial modeling, data analysis, and Microsoft Excel, with a solid understanding of financial principles and investment strategies.

3. Experienced recruiter with four years of experience in successfully identifying and attracting top talent for diverse organizations. Proficient with full-cycle recruitment, from sourcing and screening candidates to conducting interviews and negotiating offers. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, combined with a data-driven approach to optimize recruitment processes and shorten time-to-hire by 20%.

Manager level

4. Accomplished software engineering manager with seven years of experience and a solid background in leading cross-functional teams at Deloitte and Capital One. Expert-level proficiency in database management as well as Python, Java, SQL, and C#. Proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget while nurturing the professional growth of engineering teams.

Senior level

5. Highly accomplished and strategic senior-level VP of Human Resources with a decade of progressive leadership in driving HR excellence within diverse organizations. Proven expertise in developing and implementing innovative talent acquisition, employee development, and workforce relations initiatives. Passionate about fostering a culture of inclusion, engagement, and organizational growth.

Executive or C-suite level

6. Results-driven Chief Financial Officer with an extensive, 16-year track record of successfully optimizing financial operations and driving profitability for both leading corporations and expansion-stage startups. Adept at strategic financial planning, risk management, and cost control measures, resulting in substantial revenue growth. Proven ability to lead high-performing finance teams and collaborate with executives to shape and execute long-term financial strategies.

Different industries value different qualifications. If you’re applying for a marketing position, you’ll emphasize your creativity. But if your career’s in finance, you’ll likely prioritize compliance and your attention to detail. Here are a few industry-specific resume summary examples to give you some more targeted direction and inspiration.

Engineering

7. Results-oriented mechanical engineer with eight years of experience in product design and development with Siemens. Proficient in designing and optimizing mechanical systems, with a track record of improving product efficiency and reliability. Eager to leverage technical expertise and leadership skills to manage and mentor engineering teams in achieving organizational goals.

8. Creative and inquisitive software developer with two years of experience in designing, developing, and debugging software applications. Proficient in Python, Java, and C++ and committed to writing clean, efficient code that meets client and project requirements. Quick learner, dedicated team player, and relentless problem solver.

9. Motivated and detail-oriented entry-level financial associate with one year of internship experience at BlackRock. Proficient in financial data analysis, portfolio management support, and client relationship building. Recognized by professors and internship managers for a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.

10. Accomplished financial controller with an impressive 22-year career in property and casualty insurance. Adept at overseeing financial operations, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance to ensure the financial stability and growth of organizations. Proven track record of implementing effective financial strategies, leading high-performing teams, and providing invaluable insights to drive informed decision-making within the insurance sector.

Human resources

11. Experienced HR manager with over a decade of experience overseeing HR operations, fostering a positive workplace culture, and driving organizational growth. Skilled at employee development and HR policy implementation, with a strong commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing.

12. Passionate HR assistant with one year of experience at Bombas and proficiency in Workday. Skilled at providing administrative support for all types of recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations activities. Conscientious communicator, empathetic listener, and driven problem solver.

13. Editorial-minded marketer and communications strategist transforming the way brands interact with audiences through content. With over seven years of experience at consumer startups, media companies, and an agency, brings a thoughtful perspective and blend of creative chops and digital data-savvy. Entrepreneurial at heart and a team player recognized for impassioned approach and colorful ideas.

14. Award-winning journalist and digital producer offering extensive experience in social media content curation, editing, and storytelling. Adept at transforming complex topics into innovative, engaging, and informative news stories.

15. High-achieving enterprise software account manager driven to increase sales in established accounts while reaching out to prospects. Help Fortune 500 companies gain a competitive edge and increase revenue by identifying customer needs, providing recommendations, and implementing technology products that solve problems and enhance capabilities.

16. Results-driven sales manager with four years of experience driving revenue growth for high-performing B2B software sales teams. Skilled at developing and executing strategic sales plans, nurturing client relationships, and achieving sales targets through effective leadership and collaboration .

17. Eager sales associate with a keen focus on new business development, leveraging strong interpersonal and communication skills to identify and pursue sales opportunities. Proven track record of expanding client bases, building lasting customer relationships, and exceeding sales targets by at least 10% every quarter.

Whether you’re making your comeback from a longer career break or are making a jump to an entirely new role or industry, there are certain situations that require a bit more explanation. Fortunately, your summary statement allows you to go beyond the confines of bullet points and add a little more color to your professional story . Here are a few examples to see that in action.

Returning from a career break

18. Experienced customer support specialist with five years of proven expertise in delivering exceptional service and resolving customer inquiries across industries. Returning to the workforce after a rewarding three-year break focused on family. Unwavering enthusiasm to contribute strong communication and organizational skills to a dynamic, customer-centric team.

Making a career change

19. Content marketing professional with three years of experience, now transitioning into the user experience field. Strong background in data-driven decision making, content strategy and design, and customer engagement. Dedicated to leveraging unique skills and non-traditional experiences to create user-centered digital experiences that drive business growth.

Making an internal move within your company

20. Over three years of experience as an administrative support specialist with Allstate. Eager to leverage organizational skills, attention to detail, and deep familiarity with company culture to transition into an HR assistant role.

Stop sweating over your resume summary statement

Your resume summary statement seems simple enough in theory. It’s just a few quick sentences, right? But that’s exactly what makes it so challenging. It feels impossible to condense all of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments into a couple of powerful and punchy sentence fragments.

The above resume summary examples will help you get your own wheels turning. And if you’re really struggling, ask yourself this: If you could only tell the hiring manager three to five things about yourself, what would they be? Those belong in your summary statement.

20+ Resume Summary Examples for 2024 [+How-to Guide]

• January 18, 2024
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

A professional resume summary introduces you and your value to the employer. This section allows you to cement your position as the ideal candidate by highlighting relevant skills and expertise. All in all, creating a strong professional summary is the most important thing you can do to improve your resume and make yourself stand out among a sea of applicants.

How to write a resume summary?

Your resume summary aims to highlight your expertise and qualifications. This brief paragraph (three to five sentences) should emphasize the value you can bring as an employee. It’s crucial to make it succinct and impactful because it’s one of the first things a reader will see. The key here is to avoid overuse, repetitive phrases, and dull language.

Instead, provide examples. Use numbers. Quantify your achievements as much as you can. Don’t say you exceeded target goals; specify by how much. Don’t claim your ad campaigns were successful; show how many new customers they attracted. The numbers in your resume are proof of your abilities, so don’t skimp on them. In the competitive job market , your success is based on proven results. And remember that once you use these specific examples in your summary, your work history section should expand on them.

What to include in a resume summary?

An effective summary should be concise yet compelling and impactful. So, to create a strong resume profile that highlights your most valuable expertise, consider these six factors:

• Job title and years of experience : Start with your current or desired job title and mention the number of years of experience you have in that role or industry.
• Key skills and expertise : Highlight your most relevant skills and areas of expertise that align with the job requirements. Focus on the skills that make you stand out as a strong candidate.
• Notable achievements : Mention specific accomplishments or achievements that demonstrate your impact and success in previous roles. Whenever possible, it’s important to quantify your achievements in order to provide concrete evidence of your abilities.
• Industry knowledge and qualifications : Showcase your understanding of the industry or market you work in. Mention any relevant certifications, licenses, or educational qualifications that enhance your credibility.
• Personal attributes : Include a few words about your personal qualities or work ethic that make you a valuable asset to employers. For example, you can mention your strong work ethic, attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, or ability to work well in a team.

Here’s an example of a professional resume summary:

Resume summary vs. resume objective

While a resume objective  summarizes your career goals, a summary focuses on your skills and expertise.  Which one should you use? It depends on many factors, including industry standards or your seniority level.

For entry-level applicants with limited work experience, a resume objective can be the most effective. But a professional summary is more suitable for those with accomplishments and skills worth highlighting.

Professional resume summary examples based on career stage

Crafting a resume summary that aligns with your career stage is crucial. Here, you’ll find resume summary examples tailored to various career stages to guide you:

Entry-level resume summary examples

No work experience resume summary example, college student resume summary, mid-level resume summary example, experienced candidate resume summary example, career change resume summary example, 10+ resume summary examples.

Below are some impactful resume summary examples tailored for candidates across various industries and experience levels:

Resume sumary examples for multiple jobs

Accountant resume summary example, case manager resume summary, cashier resume summary example, customer service resume summary example, financial analyst resume summary example, receptionist resume summary example, office manager resume summary example, entry-level marketing assistant resume summary example, marketing manager resume summary example, sales and marketing specialist resume summary example, tech-savvy teacher resume summary example.

Your resume summary plays a critical role in shaping the overall impression of your application. It is essential to customize it for each job you apply to, ensuring that it specifically showcases the skills and expertise required for the position.

An impactful summary that captivates the reader’s attention can significantly enhance your chances of securing an interview. Therefore, it is crucial to invest time and effort in creating a summary that leaves a lasting and positive impression.

Popular related posts:

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• Cover Letter Format: 6-Step Guide for 2023
• “The Most Effective Resume Format in 2021 [Pros and Cons]

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Resume Objective Examples With Tips and How-To Guide

What Is a Resume Objective?

Should i include a resume objective, are resume objectives helpful during a career change, should i use a resume objective to explain an employment gap, how to write a great resume objective, resume objective examples, resume objective examples by job title, frequently asked questions about resume objectives.

The opening section sets the tone for your resume. To generate interviews during the job search, it’s important to grab the hiring manager’s attention as quickly as possible. In the past, job seekers typically relied on a resume objective to introduce themselves to prospective employers. In recent years, however, the hiring process has evolved in a myriad of ways. This guide will explore the resume objective and assess its value within the contemporary job market.

A resume objective is a concise opening statement that explains your career goals and why you’re applying for a particular job. While resume objectives were widely used for many years, they’re now considered outdated by most resume writers and recruiters. In its place, job seekers in today’s market have adopted what is referred to as a professional summary, profile, or summary of qualifications.

The primary reason for this shift is that a resume objective focuses on the candidate’s goals, whereas a professional summary demonstrates why the candidate is qualified for the job they’re applying for. A resume’s main goal is to generate interviews, and the best way to make a positive impression on the hiring manager is to emphasize the potential value you can bring to their organization.

The short answer is no in most cases. Not only does the resume objective take the emphasis away from your qualifications, but it risks making you appear dated in the eyes of potential employers. Even when writing a resume for a grad school or internship application, you’ll be better served by simply building a strong summary that emphasizes your most impressive academic achievements and relevant skill sets.

At a cursory glance, one might think this is a situation where having a resume objective might be useful. It does present an opportunity to explain your desire to transition into a new field. However, once you look deeper, the same drawbacks continue to emerge.

The truth is hiring managers aren’t interested in learning about your long-term career goals when reviewing your resume. They understand that you’re interested in the job because you’ve applied for it. Rather than explaining your objectives, emphasize relevant experience and qualifications from your previous industry that will allow you to excel in the new position.

This is another unique circumstance where the idea of a resume objective appears more suitable. Employment gaps can be incredibly challenging to overcome in the competitive job market, and providing context for the hiring manager seems like a viable strategy. Unfortunately, this approach tends to make the gap even more glaring and diverts attention away from your qualifications. An employment gap is better addressed during the interview and, in some cases, even the cover letter. It should never be the first thing you draw attention to on your resume.

While we can’t recommend using a resume objective, if you do opt for this approach, there are ways to heighten its impact. Rather than only highlighting your career goals, create an objective that emphasizes how your unique background and skills can create value for potential employers. Also, mention something specific about the company and why you’re seeking this opportunity. This allows you to tell some of your story while also demonstrating how your qualifications align with the roles you’re targeting.

New graduate

A recent graduate with a degree in web design, specializing in user experience (UX) design, front-end development, and graphic design. Seeking a position with Pantheon Technologies to apply user-centered design principles in a forward-thinking work environment centered on innovation and real-world solutions.

A recent nursing graduate with entry-level work experience specializing in patient relations, post-anesthesia care, and process improvement. Seeking a registered nurse (RN) position with University of Pennsylvania Hospital to deliver exceptional patient-centered care and grow as a medical professional within one of the nation’s leading hospitals.

A recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in economics, specializing in finance, financial modeling, accounting principles, and risk assessment. Seeking an internship position at Vanguard to forecast long-term business outlooks and identify financial risks for clients at one of the world’s largest investment firms.

Career or industry change

A military veteran with over 10 years of experience in supply chain management, logistics, fleet management, and procurement. Seeking a position at Olsen Manufacturing to transition from a military career to the private sector. A proven track record of overseeing multi-million-dollar supply chains to support military operations.

A server with seven years of professional experience specializing in upselling, client relations, customer service, and communication. Seeking a sales representative position with Morgan Electronics to transition from the hospitality industry to a sales career at an industry-leading technology company.

An event manager with eight years of experience advertising, planning, and executing virtual events. Seeking a marketing coordinator position with Cadence Inc. to transition from the events space to a digital marketing career. Adept at developing impactful marketing strategies to drive customer engagement.

Seeking advancement

A software developer with seven years of experience specializing in Agile software development, back-end development, Python, and web development. A strong history of developing innovative application features and software solutions to enhance the UX. Seeking a technical project manager position with Aiden Corporation to advance into a leadership role.

A construction worker with eight years of experience supporting commercial and residential projects, including construction, home renovations, and landscaping. Adept at coordinating with diverse teams to execute complex projects on-time and under budget. Seeking a construction manager position with Ajax Construction Co. to further leadership growth.

A principal with nine years of professional experience specializing in policy development, program management, educational leadership, and school administration. Seeking a superintendent position with the Swarthmore School District to drive the success of students and teachers at one of the state’s highest-performing districts.

Administrative assistant

A results-driven medical administrative assistant with five years of experience specializing in office administration, calendar management, and patient relations. Seeking a position with St. Mark’s Medical Center to apply administrative expertise in a fast-paced clinical setting at one of the state’s finest hospitals.

Office manager

A dynamic office manager with eight years of experience supporting daily operations and managing calendars for C-level executives. A proven track record of identifying opportunities to enhance client communications and administrative functions. Seeking an office manager position with Allied Marketing Corp. to transition into a leadership role.

Sales representative

A sales representative with four years of experience specializing in cross-selling, cold calling, lead generation, and client relations. A strong history of developing customer relationships and identifying appropriate products based on client needs. Seeking a sales representative position with State Farm to continue career growth at one of the best insurance providers in the U.S.

Account manager

An account manager with six years of experience within the technology industry, specializing in business-to-business (B2B) sales and Software as a service (SaaS). A proven track record of exceeding sales quotas and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve the sales process. Seeking a position with Starlight Inc. to drive revenue growth in a fast-paced startup environment.

Software developer

A software developer with six years of experience specializing in Agile software development, back-end development, Python, and web development. A strong history of developing innovative application features to enhance the UX. Seeking a developer role with Cubix to provide valuable contributions to cutting-edge software solutions.

Software engineer

A lead software engineer with eight years of experience developing innovative software solutions for enterprise customers. A proven track record of executing multi-million-dollar technology projects. Seeking a software development manager position with Genetech Solutions to fuel leadership growth at one of the world’s best innovators in the technology space.

Digital marketing specialist

A digital marketing specialist with seven years of experience specializing in brand messaging, Google Analytics, and SEO strategy. A proven track record of executing digital campaigns to enhance user engagement and drive market penetration. Seeking a digital marketing manager position at Impossible Foods to drive brand awareness for a leading plant-based food company.

Marketing manager

An experienced leader and brand marketing professional with over 10 years in health care, specializing in content marketing, brand messaging, and ad campaigns. A strong history of guiding dynamic marketing teams to execute high-impact digital campaigns. Seeking a marketing manager position with Better Help to raise awareness of mental health resources.

A customer service manager with over 10 years of experience specializing in continuous improvement, client relations, and cross-functional leadership. A proven track record identifying opportunities to enhance the customer experience and improve satisfaction ratings. Seeking to advance into a customer service manager role with TD Bank.

Customer service representative

A customer service representative with six years of experience supporting sales teams and turning cancellations into satisfied customers. Seeking a customer service team lead position with Astound Broadband to enhance client retention for a premiere internet provider.

Registered nurse

A registered nurse (RN) with over seven years of clinical experience providing quality care to critically ill patients in intensive care unit (ICU), oncology, and surgical units. A strong history of identifying opportunities to drive patient-centered care and improve clinical operations. Seeking a position at Columbia University Hospital to grow as a health care professional at one of the nation’s leading hospitals.

Medical surgical nurse

A certified medical surgical nurse with eight years of experience specializing in surgical care and patient education. A strong background of collaborating with interdisciplinary health care teams to deliver patient-centered care within high-volume acute care environments. Seeking to advance into a nurse manager position at St. Mark’s Medical Center.

A senior immigration lawyer with seven years of experience managing and navigating complex immigration, citizenship, and asylum cases. A strong history of serving as a client advocate and consistently achieving high approval rates. Seeking a position with Rosenberg LLP to provide exceptional legal services to clients at a reputable immigration law firm.

An associate attorney with four years of experience specializing in regulatory compliance, court litigation, legal research, and environmental law. A proven track record of navigating complex legal landscapes to obtain favorable outcomes. Seeking a position at Nelson Legal Associates to manage high-value cases related to environmental regulatory violations.

Project manager

A construction project manager with eight years of experience overseeing large build-outs and commercial construction projects valued at up to $25 million. A strong history of leading diverse construction teams and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Seeking a superintendent position with Ranson Construction Inc. to advance at one of the state’s top firms.

Technical project manager

An information technology (IT) project manager with 10 years of professional experience managing and building cross-functional teams from the ground up to execute multimillion-dollar enterprise-level projects. Seeking an IT director position with Cadence Technologies to advance as an industry leader at a company centered on innovation and real-world solutions.

HR recruiter

A human resources (HR) recruiter with six years of experience specializing in talent acquisition, recruiting, sourcing strategies, and learning and development. A proven track record of running high-impact recruitment initiatives to drive the retention of top talent. Seeking an HR manager role at Deloitte to grow within one of the nation’s leading financial firms.

Human resources specialist

A results-driven HR specialist with eight years of experience coordinating and enhancing HR operations. A proven track record of developing HR programs to improve employee satisfaction and retention. Seeking an HR manager role at Accenture to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruiting initiatives at an enterprise-level company.

Graphic designer

A senior graphic designer with over 10 years of experience specializing in brand messaging, digital marketing, project management, and UX design. A proven track record of defining high-impact visual solutions to drive brand awareness and sales growth. Seeking to advance into a digital design manager position with Arkline Inc.

UX designer

A UX designer with six years of experience specializing in UX research, design systems, user interface (UI) prototyping, and user-centered design. A proven track record of managing UX teams to develop design solutions for an unparalleled UX. Seeking a UX manager position at Ascension Inc. to drive innovation at one of the nation’s best web solution providers.

Should I use a resume objective instead of a summary? -

In most cases, it’s best to avoid using a resume objective in today’s job market. Career objectives have been largely phased out in favor of professional summaries, as they divert the focus of your resume away from your relevant qualifications and skills.

Why are resume objectives considered outdated? -

Resume objectives are considered outdated because they aren’t an effective way to grab the hiring manager’s attention quickly. Discussing your career goals is a topic much better suited for the interview, as your top priority should be marketing your skills and experience to potential employers.

How can I write a great resume objective? -

While it’s not advisable to clutter your resume with unnecessary details about your long-term career objectives, if you choose to include one, explain why you’re interested in this particular company and how you can provide value to their team.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Web Developer Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to score a job as a Web Developer?

You're going to need an awesome cover letter. This guide is your one-stop-shop for writing a job-winning Web Developer cover letter using our proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples.

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Web Developer role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Web Developer Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On A Web Developer Cover Letter

How To Address A Web Developer Cover Letter

• 3 Web Developer Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Web Developer Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning web developer cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Web Developer Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring a Web Developer?

Companies love candidates with strong technical and problem-solving skills to build, optimize, and maintain websites and web applications. They also look for individuals with excellent attention to detail to ensure a seamless user experience.

Companies also appreciate candidates proficient in front-end and back-end development, as well as familiarity with the latest web technologies and frameworks. Lastly, a proactive approach and a strong portfolio of projects are essential for showcasing your skills.

Your cover letter should show the company that your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Web Developer cover letter:

• Properly address your letter: Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager or team. Don't forget to state the specific Web Developer job you are interested in!
• Express your understanding of the company: Clearly articulate that you are well-familiarized with the company's digital strategies and web development needs, and tie this up with your skills, demonstrating how they align with their needs.
• Highlight your skills: Showcase your most relevant skills for the role, such as Front-End Development, Back-End Development, and more.
• Tailor your cover letter for the job description: Emphasize your experience to meet the job requirements listed in the description.
• Be concise and clear: Your cover letter should be short and easy to read. Keep it to one page and focus on the good stuff!
• End with a call to action: Close with an effective call to action, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and inviting further discussion on how you can contribute to the company's success.
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App or Grammarly to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these, so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Web Developer Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role, and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Web Developer Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a Web Developer cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real Web Developer job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Development
• Communication
• Performance
• Problem-Solving
• Time Management
• Best Practices

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your updated Web Developer cover letter
• Open a copy of your target Web Developer job description
• In the widget below, paste the job description and hit scan!

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant to the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

If you're ready to check it out, grab your target job description and run your first scan here:

To start, paste your target job description (or multiple job descriptions) into the box below:

Scan to help you identify keywords and skills within your target job description.

Scanning...

If you're more of a visual learner, here's a video walking through this whole process so you can follow along:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Company]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying for a Web Developer role at XYZ Corp, you might start your cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Web Developer Cover Letter Examples For 2024

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds who are all applying for Web Developer roles:

Web Developer Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Web Developer Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from a different field to a Web Developer role. This cover letter demonstrates how the author identifies and communicates their transferable skills:

Web Developer Cover Letter Example #3: Freelance Web Developer

Our third example highlights a candidate who's only had experience freelancing. Here is what their cover letter might look like:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Web Developer cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your cover letter using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Free Job-Winning Cover Letter Templates, Have AI Write Yours in Less Than 2 Minutes .

Choose a cover letter template below to get started:.

Great Choice! Now, how do you want to write your cover letter?

Let AI write your unique cover letter using our proven templates.

Or use our templates to write your own from scratch.

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use CoverBuild.io To Write Your Cover Letter In <2 Minutes

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to CoverBuild.io
• Select the “2 Minutes” option to have AI write your cover letter
• Select a template for your cover letter, then follow the 3 step process for sharing info about your experience and the target job with CoverBuild's AI
• Click “Generate My Cover Letter” and watch the tool write a unique cover letter that's personalized to your experience and your target job!

To make it even easier, you can select a cover letter template from the widget below to get started:

If you'd like to see the process in action, here's a video walking through all of the steps above:

Note: I do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste any AI-generated content and submit your application. You should always review, revise, and personalize the content yourself before applying.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible for developing and maintaining web applications.”

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The increase in website performance and speed
• The reduction in website downtime
• The successful launch of web projects

These outcomes will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Web Developer cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each role you apply to
• Start your cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or team name
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like Hemingway App or Grammarly to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Web Developer interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taken care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Web Developer resume (with examples!).

Paula Martins

Paula is Cultivated Culture's amazing Editor and Content Manager. Her background is in journalism and she's transitioned from roles in education, to tech, to finance, and more. She blends her journalism background with her job search experience to share advice aimed at helping people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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• How to List Awards on Resume

Including an award on your resume can significantly boost your chances in a competitive job market. Awards provide tangible proof of your skills and excellence, helping you stand out from other candidates.

In this article, we’ll explore where to place awards on your resume, how to list them effectively, and which types of awards to include. We’ll also cover common mistakes to avoid and offer practical examples to help you showcase your achievements.

• Should I List Awards on my Resume

Yes, you should definitely list awards on your resume if they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Awards highlight your achievements and can make you stand out from other candidates. They demonstrate your excellence and commitment, which are qualities that employers value.

Including awards on your resume can showcase your skills, work ethic, and recognition by others in your field. Whether it's an academic honor, a professional award, or recognition for community involvement, these accolades can provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Now that you know awards are worth listing, the next question is where to place them on your resume for maximum impact. Let's explore that in the next section.

• Where Should I List Awards on Resume

You can list awards in several sections of your resume depending on their relevance and importance:

• Awards and Honors Section: Create a dedicated section titled "Awards and Honors" if you have multiple significant awards. This is ideal for academic or professional accolades that directly relate to your field.
• Education Section: If your awards are academic, such as scholarships or honors, list them under the "Education" section. This highlights your academic achievements alongside your educational background.
• Experience Section: If the award is related to a specific job or project, include it under the relevant job experience. This integrates your recognition with your professional accomplishments.
• Skills or Certifications Section: If an award directly correlates with a specific skill or certification, you can mention it in that section. This reinforces your proficiency in that area.

Now that you know where to place your awards, let's discuss the best practices for describing them on your resume.

To list awards on your resume, follow these tips:

• Use Clear Titles: Start by listing the exact title of the award. This ensures that the reader understands the recognition you’ve received. For example, "Employee of the Year" or "Dean’s List."
• Include the Date: Mention the date or year you received the award. This provides context and shows the timeline of your achievements.
• Briefly Describe the Award: Include a short description of the award, especially if it's not widely known. Explain why you received it and what it signifies about your skills or performance.
• Quantify When Possible: If the award is based on measurable achievements, include those metrics. For example, "Recognized for increasing sales by 20%."
• Be Selective: Only list awards that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Prioritize those that highlight your strengths and match the job description.
• Order by Relevance: List your most relevant or prestigious awards first. This ensures that the most impactful achievements are seen immediately by the employer.
• Use Bullet Points for Clarity: Format each award as a bullet point for easy readability. This makes your resume more visually appealing and easier to scan.
• Align with Job Requirements: Tailor the presentation of your awards to align with the job requirements. Highlight awards that showcase the skills or experiences most relevant to the position you’re seeking.

Now that you know how to effectively list your awards, let's explore some examples to see these strategies in action.

• Example of How to List Awards on Resume’s Education Section

When listing awards in the Education section, include academic achievements that highlight your dedication and excellence. Mention the award, the date, and a brief description if necessary.

Best Practices:

• Be Specific: Clearly name the award and its significance.
• Keep it Relevant: Only include awards that directly relate to your educational achievements.
• Provide Context: Briefly explain the criteria or significance of the award if it’s not widely known.
• Dean's List, University of XYZ – Spring 2022

By following these best practices, your educational awards will enhance your academic profile. Next, let’s explore how to list awards in your work experience section.

• Example of How to List Awards on Resume’s Work Experience Section

In the Work Experience section, awards should be linked to specific roles or projects where you excelled. This integration reinforces your accomplishments in the context of your job history.

• Tie the Award to Specific Roles: Mention the job or project that led to the award.
• Quantify Achievements: Include any metrics that quantify why you received the award.
• Highlight Relevance: Choose awards that demonstrate skills or achievements relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Employee of the Year, ABC Corporation – 2023 Awarded for leading a team that increased quarterly sales by 30%.

After positioning your awards within your work experience, the next step is to consider how to list them in a dedicated awards section.

• Example of How to List Awards on Resume’s Awards and Honors Section

Creating a dedicated Awards and Honors section is ideal when you have multiple awards that deserve their own spotlight. This section allows you to showcase significant achievements without crowding other parts of your resume.

• Organize by Importance: Start with the most prestigious awards.
• Be Concise: Provide a brief explanation or context, but keep descriptions short.
• Maintain Consistency: Use the same format for each award to ensure a clean, professional look.
• Best Innovator Award, XYZ Conference – 2022 Recognized for developing a groundbreaking app that streamlined customer service processes.

With this approach, your awards will stand out prominently. Next, let’s discuss what types of awards should be listed on your resume.

• Example of How to List Awards on Resume’s Skills Section

If your award is directly tied to a specific skill, listing it under the Skills section can help emphasize your expertise in that area. This is especially useful for certifications or technical awards.

• Link the Award to a Skill: Ensure the award clearly demonstrates proficiency in a particular skill.
• Provide a Brief Explanation: Include a short note on what the award signifies about your skill level.
• Prioritize Relevance: Only list awards that directly correlate with the skills listed.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Award, International Cybersecurity Competition – 2021 Awarded for excellence in ethical hacking and cybersecurity analysis.

Now that we’ve covered how to list awards in various sections of your resume, it’s time to focus on selecting the right types of awards to include.

• What Type of Awards Should be Listed on Resume

When deciding which awards to include on your resume, focus on those that best demonstrate your skills, achievements, and relevance to the job you're applying for. Here are some guidelines:

• Professional Awards: Include awards that recognize your contributions in your field, such as "Employee of the Month" or industry-specific honors. These demonstrate your professional excellence and reliability.
• Academic Awards: If you’ve received honors like "Dean’s List," "Valedictorian," or scholarships, these should be included, particularly if you’re a recent graduate or if the job is closely related to your academic field.
• Leadership and Service Awards: Recognitions like "Community Leader Award" or "Volunteer of the Year" show your leadership, dedication, and commitment to making an impact beyond your job responsibilities.
• Skills-Based Awards: Certifications or awards that highlight specific skills relevant to the job, such as coding competitions, technical certifications, or creative competitions, should definitely be listed.
• Team or Project Awards: If you were part of a team that received recognition, such as a "Project Excellence Award," include this to show your ability to collaborate and contribute to successful outcomes.
• Industry Recognition: Awards from professional organizations or associations that are well-regarded in your industry can add significant weight to your resume.
• Innovation Awards: If you’ve been recognized for innovation, such as "Most Innovative Employee" or awards for creative solutions, include these to highlight your ability to think outside the box.
• Sales or Performance Awards: Awards like "Top Salesperson" or "Best Performance in Customer Service" are powerful indicators of your ability to meet or exceed targets and deliver exceptional results.
• Company-Specific Awards: If you’ve received internal awards within a company, such as "Most Valuable Team Member," they can demonstrate your value to past employers and your ability to excel within a corporate culture.
• International or National Awards: If you’ve received recognition on a national or international level, these are particularly noteworthy and should be prominently listed to show your achievements on a larger scale.
• Artistic and Creative Awards: If your field involves creativity or artistry, awards in writing, design, or other artistic endeavors should be included to showcase your creative talents.

Including the right types of awards on your resume can set you apart from other candidates. Next, let’s look at common mistakes to avoid when listing awards on your resume.

• Common Mistakes to Avoid While Listing Awards on Resume

When listing awards on your resume, it's important to avoid common pitfalls that could undermine their impact. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:

Listing Irrelevant Awards: Including awards that have no connection to the job you're applying for can clutter your resume and distract from your qualifications. Focus on those that highlight relevant skills and achievements.

Overloading Your Resume: While it's tempting to list every award you've ever received, too many can overwhelm the reader. Prioritize the most prestigious and relevant awards to keep your resume focused and impactful.

Failing to Provide Context: Simply listing an award without explaining its significance can leave the employer wondering why it's important. Always provide a brief description if the award is not self-explanatory.

Including Outdated Awards: Awards from many years ago, especially those from early in your career or education, may no longer be relevant. Focus on recent achievements unless the older awards are particularly prestigious.

Incorrect Placement: Placing awards in the wrong section of your resume can reduce their impact. Ensure each award is listed in the appropriate section, whether it’s Education, Work Experience, or a dedicated Awards section.

Not Tailoring to the Job: Failing to customize the awards you list for each job application can make your resume less effective. Tailor your awards to emphasize the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific job.

Exaggerating Achievements: While it’s important to showcase your achievements, exaggerating the significance of an award can damage your credibility if discovered. Be honest and accurate in your descriptions.

Using Unclear or Vague Titles: Avoid using unclear titles for awards that may not be easily understood by the reader. Always use the official title of the award and, if necessary, add a brief explanation.

Omitting Dates: Leaving out the dates of your awards can make it difficult for employers to understand the timeline of your achievements. Always include the year or period when the award was received.

Listing Awards Without Verification: Ensure that all awards you list can be verified by your past employers or institutions. Including unverifiable awards can lead to complications if they are questioned during the hiring process.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your awards make a strong, positive impression on potential employers.

Should I list every award I've received on my resume?

No, it's best to list only the most relevant and significant awards that relate to the job you're applying for. Overloading your resume with too many awards can distract from your key qualifications.

• Where is the best place to list awards on a resume?

The best place depends on the type of award. You can create a dedicated "Awards and Honors" section, or include awards under relevant sections like Education or Work Experience.

• How should I describe an award on my resume?

Include the name of the award, the date you received it, and a brief description if necessary. If the award is not widely known, explain its significance in a concise way.

• Can I list team awards on my resume?

Yes, you can list team awards, especially if you played a key role in the achievement. Make sure to clarify your contribution within the team effort.

• What if I don’t have many awards to list on my resume?

If you don’t have many awards, focus on other achievements and recognitions that showcase your skills. Highlight any relevant experiences or certifications that demonstrate your qualifications.

• Should I include academic awards if I’m applying for a job unrelated to my degree?

If the academic award is significant and demonstrates skills or qualities relevant to the job, it’s worth including. However, prioritize awards that align more closely with the position.

• How far back should I go when listing awards on my resume?

Focus on recent awards unless an older award is particularly prestigious or relevant. Generally, awards from the last 5-10 years are most impactful.

• Is it okay to list awards from hobbies or volunteer work?

Yes, if the award demonstrates valuable skills or qualities that are relevant to the job, it can be a strong addition to your resume.

• Should I list awards in chronological order?

It's not necessary to list awards in strict chronological order. Instead, prioritize them by relevance or prestige, placing the most impactful awards first.

• How do I list an award that I won multiple times?

If you’ve won the same award multiple times, you can list it once and note the different years you received it, such as "Top Salesperson, 2019, 2020, 2021."

• Can I include nominations for awards on my resume?

Yes, if the nomination is prestigious and highlights your accomplishments, it can be worth mentioning. However, focus on awards you've won rather than just nominations.

• How do I list awards from competitions or contests?

List the name of the competition, the award title, and the date. If the competition is not well-known, include a brief description to provide context.

• Should I include awards from student organizations or clubs?

Yes, if the award is relevant to the job or demonstrates leadership, teamwork, or other valuable skills, it can be a strong addition, especially for recent graduates.

• How should I list international awards?

International awards should be clearly listed with the name, date, and a brief description if the award is not widely recognized in the region where you’re applying for a job.

• Can I include informal or company-specific awards?

Yes, as long as the award is meaningful and highlights your professional achievements. Make sure to describe its significance if it’s not a formal or widely recognized award.

• How do I handle outdated or irrelevant awards?

Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant awards that no longer reflect your current skills or career focus. Stick to recent and relevant achievements that align with the job you’re seeking.

Should I list awards on a resume if I'm changing career fields?

If the awards demonstrate transferable skills or qualities relevant to the new field, they should be included. Otherwise, focus on achievements more directly related to the new industry.

• How should I list awards that were part of a group or shared recognition?

If you were part of a group award, clarify your specific role in the achievement. For example, "Part of a team recognized for outstanding project management, led the design phase."

Listing awards on your resume is a powerful way to highlight your achievements and make a strong impression on potential employers. To do this effectively, carefully select relevant awards, place them strategically within your resume, and provide clear descriptions with context. This approach ensures that your skills and accomplishments are showcased in the best light.

Avoid common mistakes like listing irrelevant or outdated awards, overloading your resume, or failing to tailor your awards to the job. By presenting your awards clearly and concisely, you can enhance your resume and strengthen your candidacy.

• Should I list every award I've received on my resume?
• Should I list awards on a resume if I'm changing career fields?

Madison Norton

VP Marketing & Resume Expert

Madison is the VP Marketing and General Manager at VisualCV . He's a seasoned marketing leader, resume writing and career marketing expert and now helping people grow their own career marketing strategies to build a career they love.

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How To Write a Resume for Your First Job

Imagine yourself stumbling across your dream job listing. You’re reading through the responsibilities and job tasks and you find yourself getting more and more excited as the list goes on. Then, it’s time to apply. But you have no real-world job experience. You’re just a student! How will you ever write a resume for your first job when you haven’t had one yet?

Knowing how to write a resume for your first job does not come naturally. In fact, it feels like a daunting task. If you have little applicable experience yet, or you’re just entering the workforce, how can you prove you’re the right fit for the position? 

Resumes are an excellent way to tout your knowledge, training and (if applicable) skills in the field. You can create an attractive resume highlighting your candidacy without any direct experience or prior work history.

We’ll show you how to write a resume for your first job so you can kick off your work experience with preparedness and confidence.

• Do you need a resume?
• What should you put on a resume?

Crafting a resume with no experience

Finalizing your first job resume, quick guide: write your first resume in 6 steps, do you need a resume for your first job.

While a resume may not be required to apply for your first job, it is highly recommended that you do so, and it will undoubtedly set you apart from the other applicants. A resume reflects your professionalism and commitment to the job application process. It showcases your knowledge, skills, training and prior experience in an easy-to-digest and relatively standard format, making it easy for potential employers to decipher between candidates to choose the best person for the job.

Even for entry-level positions, when many applicants don’t have a prior work history, sharing a resume will give you a competitive edge when written persuasively.

The role of a resume in job applications

A resume plays an important role when applying for jobs. It serves as an introduction to potential employers and those in the company who will decide whether or not to move forward with your application. It also provides a summary of what you bring to the table for those who will be interviewing you during the application process.

The resume is essential for showcasing your skills. A well-crafted and persuasive resume can highlight your achievements and knowledge, even if you have limited work experience in the field you’re applying to. Because your resume is the first contact point between you and a potential employer, it’s crucial to understand how to write a resume for your first job – and how to write it well.

What should you put on a resume for your first job?

There are a few things every resume must include – and those are some of the most essential details.

Contact information

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the most important part of your resume – sharing your contact information. Start by listing your full name, phone number, email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Without your contact information, potential employers will have a hard time contacting you, which can prevent you from getting an interview.

Why share a link to your LinkedIn profile ? LinkedIn is now an essential part of the job search market. It serves as a shareable resume in addition to showcasing your network. Employers can see if you have any professionals in common from work or personal life, which may help build your credibility as a candidate.

Be sure to act professionally on LinkedIn. Share relevant news and insights to highlight your interest and knowledge of an industry, but be wary of getting too personal or engaging in inappropriate dialogue. Behave on LinkedIn as you would in an office setting with colleagues.

Educational background and achievements

Start by listing your educational information, such as schools attended, graduation dates and relevant academic achievements or awards. Include your major and minor, field of study and GPA. If you were enrolled in courses, projects or study abroad programs relevant to the job, include details to show your knowledge and interests.

Skills section

While you likely have some combination of hard and soft skills, a skills section will showcase the hard skills you’ve learned to prepare you for the job. Soft skills are best to be included in the bullet points to describe your accomplishments in your experience section.

• Hard skills include specific technical skills you’ve learned along the way. For example, computer proficiency, language skills, lab skills or specific training or certifications.
• Soft skills , or human skills, include job aspects that apply to many (if not all) job roles. These include communication, teamwork and problem-solving. If you’re particularly adept in any of these, showcase them and be prepared to share real examples of these skills in action.

Extracurricular activities and volunteer work

Employers look for candidates who go the extra mile to be involved in extracurricular activities. This demonstrates your commitment to becoming a well-rounded human being. Highlight clubs, sports or volunteer activities that you were involved in, especially emphasizing leadership roles or particular responsibilities you had in these activities. This extracurricular activity showcases your ability to multi-task, prioritize time and develop skills and interests.

Example Resume & Writing Guide

See a real-life example of a strong resume, including tips for gathering your own persuasive experience and skills using our Resume Writing Guide !

As a young adult or new graduate, you may wonder how to write a resume for your first job with no real-world experience. Don’t fear – there have been many in your shoes before you!

What does a resume look like for a first job?

Your resume should be straightforward with a clean and concise design. It should be easy to read with a simple flow highlighting information from most important to nice-to-have details. Do not go overboard with design details, fonts or graphics. 

Furman recommends that you use Microsoft Word to build your resume as it can be easier to make changes to a Word document than it is to change a template. However, you can use free resume builder tools online to build your resume in standard formats.

• Myperfectresume.com
• Resumenerd.com

Using strong action words and job-specific keywords in your resume for your first job will significantly impact you. Describe experiences and achievements using strong action verbs, such as:

• Collaborated
• Volunteered

What to put on a resume with no experience?

You can learn how to write a resume for your first job that impresses potential employers, even without relevant work experience, by emphasizing relevant coursework. Doing this demonstrates skills learned in a classroom or group project setting. Highlight personal or academic projects showcasing your abilities, such as experiences where you took the lead as a group or team leader.

Before submitting your first job resume, review and edit the document for mistakes or improvements.

Proofreading and editing

Attention to detail is critical to potential employers. Check your resume for typos and grammatical errors. Mistakes on your resume may eliminate you as a candidate, especially if grammatical adeptness or attention to detail is essential to the job.

Similarly, ensure a consistent design throughout your resume. Stick to one format, using one legible font and minimal design details. A professional resume appearance can set you apart from other applicants’ resumes that may appear messy or disorganized.

Seeking feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from friends, mentors or even career services at schools or community centers. A peer review from your fellow students, teachers or mentors can provide invaluable input on skills you may be forgetting, plus the extra set of eyes can help detect errors and typos.

Career services at your school or library also serve as an excellent third-party validation and review resource. Furman’s Malone Center for Career Engagement offers in-depth career preparation services for students, such as resume and cover letter assistance , career fairs and networking , personalized advice from advisors and interview prep – just to name a few.

Webinar: Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch

Watch the free Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch webinar for an in-depth look at creating your resume and preparing a pitch to potential employers straight from a Furman career advisor.

Now, do you feel ready and excited to write a resume for your first job? We hope you jotted down notes specific to your experience as you read through the post, but in case you didn’t, writing your resume can be simplified to these simple steps.

• Start with your contact information , including full name, phone number and email address. Consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile.
• List your education experience , including relevant projects, courses and extracurricular activities.
• List both hard skills and soft skills relevant to the job.
• Explain your roles and responsibilities in your projects and extracurricular activities, especially those where you acted in a leadership capacity, using strong action verbs.
• Proofread and gather feedback.

If this is your first time writing a resume for your first job, approach the process with confidence and positivity. Your attitude will shine through the resume, so stay positive!

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

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• 7 Best Excel Skills for Your...

7 Best Excel Skills for Your Resume + Examples

11 min read · Updated on August 13, 2024

Here are the top Excel skills on a resume that stand out to employers.

As you navigate your job-seeking journey, it's essential you submit a resume that highlights your strongest skills to show prospective employers you're a viable candidate. One skill that continually stands out across various industries is Microsoft Excel, an indispensable asset in today's data-driven world.

Regardless of your Excel skill level, it's a smart move to highlight such skills on your resume. In this post, we cover:

Why including Excel skills on your resume is vital

Why employers value Excel skills

Excel skills explained.

Top 7 Excel skills for a resume

How to describe Excel skills on your resume

Where to include Excel skills on a resume with examples

Tips to improve your Excel skills

Why it's vital to include excel skills on your resume.

Employers across industries increasingly require digital competence, and Excel is a tool that can boost your job prospects as a result. 

The National Skills Coalition (NSC) and Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Closing the Digital Skill Divide 2023 report found that 92% of jobs analyzed required digital skills. Prior research from the NSC also showed that 33% of workers don't possess “the foundational digital skills necessary to enter and thrive in today's jobs.” These reports indicate that there is a digital skills gap among candidates that hinder them from meeting the needs of employers. 

It's also important to note that the above-mentioned report indicates there is a high demand for digital skills across all industries – not just the tech industry. Almost all occupations and experience levels require these skills. Further, workers can earn an average of 23% more in jobs requiring just one digital skill compared to those requiring no digital skills. 

The above data collectively indicates that there's a great opportunity for those who have Excel skills to take advantage of effectively highlighting them on their resumes. 

In today's digital world, Excel proficiency has become a highly sought-after hard skill across various industries. Excel has been around since 1982 , evolving with workplace needs and emerging as one of the most essential tools for businesses across industries. 

Over time, it has grown from a simple spreadsheet software to an intricate system capable of complex calculations and data analysis. It's a powerful analytical tool that helps businesses make sense of vast amounts of information, allowing them to make informed decisions. Excel also provides the ability to analyze and visualize data to provide a competitive edge. 

Employers appreciate Excel skills because they are applicable to many job roles, whether entry-level positions or executive management roles – virtually all positions can benefit from Excel. From financial analysts who use pivot tables to dissect budgets, marketing managers utilizing conditional formatting to track campaign responses, or HR professionals using the VLOOKUP function for employee databases – it's common for employees to need Excel's capabilities at some point in their careers.

As part of the Microsoft Office Suite of tools, Excel is software that allows you to input, store, analyze, and manipulate data in worksheets that are part of larger workbooks. A single worksheet can hold large quantities of data broken out by columns and rows. 

Roles that typically required advanced Excel skills include:

Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

Project Manager

Marketing Analyst

Administrative Assistant

However, as previously mentioned, virtually all roles at all levels can benefit from applying Excel in their day-to-day work activities. Excel worksheets are used for business tasks like:

Managing an editorial calendar

Creating departmental budgets

Developing business balance sheets

Managing projects, including items like schedules, tasks, due dates, milestones, and progress

Tracking expense reports

Excel skill levels

There are three levels of Excel skills: basic, intermediate, and advanced. 

Basic Excel skills on a resume

At the basic level, you're able to handle beginner worksheet functions, like:

Inputting raw data

Understanding basic cell formatting options

Using simple mathematical functions like SUM or AVERAGE

Creating basic charts

Designing templates

These functions are the key building blocks to handling more complex calculations.

Intermediate Excel skills on a resume

Being at the intermediate level means you'll have the skills to manipulate data for a desired goal more easily. At the intermediate level, you'll be able to handle tasks like:

Creating charts and graphs, like bar graphs

Creating drop-down lists

Applying conditional formatting

Removing duplicate records

Advanced Excel skills on a resume

An Advanced Excel user will be able to manipulate data to their liking and apply Excel to the max for necessary and vital business tasks. As an advanced user, some operations you might be able to complete include:

Creating and using Pivot Tables to sort and analyze data

Automating tasks using VBA macros

Applying functions like VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and SUMIFS

Designing advanced Excel dashboards 

7 in-demand Excel skills to include on your resume

Now that we're clear Excel skills on a resume are sought-after, let's take a look at seven Excel skills that can help your resume stand out to hiring managers and recruiters. 

1. Capturing and recording important data

The first step to creating any Excel worksheet is data entry or capturing and recording necessary data for whatever task you're attempting to complete. Data for input can be in the form of anything from words and dollar amounts to numerical values and dates. 

2. Data manipulation

Excel is known for its ability to manipulate data to better understand and analyze it. This includes sorting and filtering data, which are often used in organizing large datasets and pinpointing specific information quickly.

3. Using shortcuts and formula functions

Shortcuts and formula functions help to more easily analyze and manipulate data, leading to increased speed and efficiency. AVERAGE, SUM, IF, MIN, and MAX are basic functions you first learn when using Excel. Functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, SUMIF, COUNTIF, INDEX, and MATCH are advanced functions for dealing with large datasets. 

4. Data visualization by creating charts and graphs

Data visualization is an essential skill in today's data-centric world since it aids in understanding complex data and effectively communicating insights. Being able to present complex data visually through charts or graphs enhances communication and aids understanding for both technical and non-technical audiences.

5. Pivot Tables

Pivot Tables provide a way to summarize and analyze large datasets quickly by creating summary reports. This reorganization and summarizing of selected columns and rows of data allows you to see connections that weren't previously evident. This skill alone could save hundreds of hours per year for employees and their employers compared to manually sifting through raw data sets, looking for trends or outliers.

6. VBA (Visual Basic Application) Macros programming

Using the Visual Basic Application, VBA Macros are applied to automate processes through the creation of custom user-generated functions. While not always necessary for every role, knowledge of macros can automate repetitive tasks and save time, increasing efficiency. 

7. Conditional Formatting

This feature allows you to highlight or format cells based on certain conditions. Conditional formatting comes in handy when analyzing trends or patterns in data.

The tips below highlight how to describe Excel skills on a resume best, tying into the next section about where to highlight them. 

Provide specific details about each Excel skill you possess. This includes proficiency level, skill type, and number of years of proficiency.

List Excel experience using specific examples. Include how you used Excel and the results achieved with data when possible.

Include Excel training and certifications. In the appropriate sections, include your Excel training and certifications to highlight your skill level and willingness to learn. 

Where to highlight Excel Skills on a resume with examples

You have a few options in terms of where to highlight Excel skills on your resume, including your:

Resume Summary section

Core Competencies or Skill sections

Work Experience section

Certifications section

Excel skills on a resume: Resume Summary section

You might opt to include something about your Excel skills in your Resume Summary section at the top of your resume. However, you want it to be a valuable Excel skill or key achievement using Excel that's related to the job. If you were applying for a job as a Data Analyst, Marketer, or Customer Service Representative, you might include something like: 

Specialize in designing detailed consumer data reports in Excel, providing valuable insights regarding consumer behavior and retention assessment to improve marketing efforts. 

The following example could be used by any number of professionals, including HR, Data Analysts, Accountants, and more. 

Certified Microsoft Excel Expert (MEE), providing advanced techniques to create robust dashboards, utilize macros, apply Pivot Tables, and incorporate other advanced functions to enhance data analysis, reduce errors, and improve business strategies and revenue based on areas of focus.

Excel skills on a resume: Work Experience section

Another area where you could choose to incorporate your Excel skills is in the Work Experience section of your resume. Here, include standout achievements in the bullet point list related to each position you include. 

Where possible, use results and quantifiable data vs. simply listing what you did. Below are a few examples you might find in a Work Experience section, broken down by Excel skill. 

Data Manipulation

Analyzed data, interpreting large advanced datasets to provide guidance for improved business strategy

Automated manual administrative tasks applying Excel Macros, boosting productivity by 13%

Automated data entry processes using Excel macros, improving data integrity and cutting manual labor hours by 24%

Template design

Designed over 50 editorial calendar templates uniquely designed for each client within MS Excel

Pivot Tables

Utilized pivot tables in Excel to categorize previous budget reports for easier interpretation and more efficient quarterly budgeting

Dashboard Development 

Designed dynamic Excel dashboard to track key performance indicators (KPIs) for sales team, resulting in 19% quarterly revenue increase

Created a complex Excel dashboard to optimize supply chain inventory management, reducing stockouts by 17% per month

Data Visualization

Developed and presented 8 monthly executive reports focused on operational effectiveness, utilizing Excel graphs and charts for enhanced understanding of datasets 

Excel skills on a resume: Core Competencies or Skills sections

Maybe the most obvious place to incorporate your Excel skills on your resume is in a Core Competencies or Skills section. Generally, it's best to include a list of the types of skills you're proficient at when using Excel. For example: 

Microsoft Excel - 4 years proficiency using Pivot Tables, Advanced Dashboard Creation, Shortcuts, & Data Visualization

Certifications 

If you have Microsoft Excel certifications, you can list those in your core competencies or skills section mentioned above. Alternatively, if you choose to include a Certifications section on your resume, you can list them there instead. 

To learn, improve, or master your Excel skills, consider the following empowering tips:

Search for online tutorials and courses. Websites like ExcelJet or Udemy offer free courses at basic and advanced levels. Some courses are offered by a specific Excel skill, while others focus on using Excel as a whole.

Practice. As they say, practice makes perfect - or better, at least. Open an Excel spreadsheet and play around by creating your own spreadsheets or manipulating current datasets. Instead of using templates, you can also attempt to create projects or reports from scratch.

Ask for projects at work . You can improve your Excel skills by asking for projects at work that require them. This not only improves your Excel skills, but also shows initiative. 

Join forums. Learn skills from others by joining forums like MrExcel . You can work together to solve problems and ask for advice or guidance from others. 

Obtain a certification . Take a course that allows you to get certified in Excel. Some options include a Microsoft Fundamentals Certification, Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, and Microsoft Excel Expert Certification. You can also search for a Data Analyst certification that incorporates Excel training, as well. 

Excel on a resume = high value in the digital age

Excel skills on a resume are highly valued, as employers continually seek employees who are well-versed in Excel in today's digital and data-driven world. Use the tips above to incorporate Excel skills into your resume effectively. And, if you have some areas to improve so you're confident about adding Excel skills to your resume, you also have some great tips to support you in learning and honing your skills!

Are you confident that your resume effectively represents your Excel skills? If you're still unsure, why not take advantage of our free resume review ? Our experts are here to help you showcase your Excel skills to their full potential.

Recommended reading:

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How to Check if My Resume Is ATS-Friendly for Free

Seven Key Resume Sections and How to Organize Them

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How to Prepare Resume for Freshers: Tips and Templates

Quick Summary

• The process of learning how to prepare resumes for freshers can start by writing a professional summary highlighting your education and skills. Then, you can list your education, internships, and projects. Finally, you can add relevant tools, languages, and achievements to complete your resume tailored to your dream job.
• Highlight your achievements and showcase your interests by mentioning relevant hobbies or activities that demonstrate your skills.
• By tailoring the job description and quantifying achievements to showcase impact, we can create resume for freshers. Integrate relevant keywords to pass ATS screenings and start with a compelling summary that highlights credentials and career goals.

Table of Contents

How to prepare resumes for freshers:  aiming for success.

As a fresher, crafting a standout resume for freshers is vital to landing your dream job. If you are wondering “How to prepare resume for freshers”, then be assured that you have come to the right place. Writing a resume with no formal work experience means emphasising other aspects of your life that’ll showcase your skills and passions, like your education and involvement in activities like extracurriculars or volunteering.

A professional summary, education, skills, work experience, and extracurricular activities are included in the resume for freshers. Tailor each section to the job you’re applying for to make a strong impression.

If you follow the tips, you’ll increase your chances of moving on to the interview stage of the hiring process and landing the job of your dreams. The resume is a very subjective thing and it can be changed according to the user’s needs.

But one thing you need to keep in mind is the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) system. Most companies or industries pass your resume through the ATS scanner, where most resumes get rejected. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to create a resume for freshers that grabs the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

How to prepare resumes for freshers

Making your fresher resume stand out is essential when you’re just starting your career and may not have much work experience. Here are the steps for how to write resume for fresher:

Steps to create a resume from scratch

Here are some steps to help you create an impressive fresher resume, including contact information, Objective, Education, Experience, Skills, Achievements, Interests, and Declaration.

• Choose the Right Resume Format: Consider using a combination or functional resume format instead of a traditional chronological one. This allows you to highlight your skills, education, and relevant coursework at the forefront. Use a simple, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and a consistent formatting style throughout.
• Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile to ensure recruiters can easily reach you.
• Strong Resume Objective: Begin your resume with a well-crafted objective or summary statement. Mention your career goals, key skills, and what you bring to the table.
• Highlight Education: Emphasize your educational qualifications, including your degree, university, GPA (if it’s strong), and any relevant coursework or academic achievements.
• Include Relevant Projects and Internships: If you have completed internships, projects, or part-time jobs related to your field, highlight them in a separate section. Describe your responsibilities, accomplishments, and the skills you gained.
• Showcase Relevant Skills: List skills that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. This could include technical skills, language proficiency, or soft skills like communication and teamwork.
• Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, use quantifiable data to showcase your accomplishments. For example, “Increased website traffic by 30% through social media marketing.
• Include Relevant Certifications: If you have earned any relevant certifications or completed online courses, list them in a dedicated section.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Eliminate typos, grammar errors, and formatting issues. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review your resume as well.
• Declaration: A statement declaring the authenticity of the information provided, followed by your signature and date, to reinforce your credibility and honesty.

Tips for organizing and formatting the resume

• Add a Personal Touch: Mention any hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job or reflect your personality positively. This can help humanise your resume.
• Keep it Concise: A one-page resume is typically sufficient for most entry-level positions. Be concise and focus on the most relevant information.
• Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs to make your accomplishments more dynamic. Words like “achieved,” “implemented,” “managed,” and “designed” can be effective.
• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Carefully read the job description and align your skills and experiences with the requirements of the position.

Fresher Resume Format for Job Interview

• Best formats for fresher resumes

The ideal fresher resume format for job interview is a chronological resume. This format gives hiring managers a clear overview of their educational background and relevant experience by listing each position, starting with their most recently held positions at the top.

Follow this simple format when you create a resume for freshers:

• Contact information
• Resume Introduction
• Relevant experience
• Additional resume sections (projects, hobbies, interests, extracurricular activities, etc.)
• Chronological vs. Functional vs. Hybrid Formats

Here are the popular resume formatting styles – chronological, functional, and hybrid – and discover when each is the most appropriate choice.

• The Chronological Resume: The chronological resume is your go-to format if you have a consistent work history with clear career progression. It’s ideal for those who want to highlight their stability and steady climb up the career ladder. Your work history is listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. T
• The Functional Resume: Opt for the functional format when you want to emphasize your skills and qualifications over your work history. This format is perfect if you have employment gaps, are changing careers, or have diverse skills.
• The Hybrid Resume: When to Use: The hybrid (or combination) resume combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. It’s an excellent choice if you want to showcase your skills while providing a clear work history (ex, a recent graduate whose coursework and extracurriculars are related to your desired career path but not work history).
• Tips for choosing the right format for specific job types.

Consider your unique circumstances, career goals, and the job you’re applying for when choosing the format that best suits your needs. Whether you opt for the clarity of the chronological format, the skill-focused functional format, or the balanced approach of the hybrid format, remember that your resume is your professional story choose the format that tells it best.

Resume Heading and Summary for Fresher

Examples of effective resume headings.

A good resume heading and summary for fresher, helps to build a positive impression of the candidate and increases your chances of getting your resume profile noticed by the recruiter. Here are some examples that may help one write a resume title for freshers.

• Dynamic and Motivated Graduate in Electrical Engineering Seeking Entry-Level Job Position
• Results-Driven Recent Civil Engineering Graduate Seeking to Make a Career in the Construction Industry.
• Eager and Enthusiastic Fresher Seeking to Kickstart Career in Customer Service.
• Passionate and Detail-Oriented Entry-Level Professional with BTech in Chemical Engineering
• Ambitious and Dedicated Fresh Graduate with Strong Communication and Analytical Skills
• Self-motivated and Fast-Learning Graduate Seeking a Challenging Position
• Creative and Innovative Graduate Ready to Make an Impact in Digital Marketing
• How to Write a Compelling Summary Statement

A summary statement is your first chance to tell the recruiter why you’re the best fit for the job. It summarises your top achievements and skills relevant to the target job.

• Use resume summary examples for inspiration and guidance when crafting your own.
• Keep your professional summary for a resume short. It should never be longer than five sentences.
• Tailor each resume summary statement to your target job by using keywords and phrases from the job description.
• A professional summary should follow this formula: [Descriptive word] [your job title] [Experience level] [Work experience] [Skills] [Achievement].

Example : Recent computer science graduate with a solid foundation in software development and a passion for problem-solving. Experienced in Python, Java, and web technologies. Seeking an entry-level software engineering position to leverage technical skills and contribute to innovative projects. Highly motivated, quick learner, and eager to work in a collaborative environment to develop cutting-edge solutions.

Professional Summary In Resume for Freshers

Importance of a professional summary.

You want to grab the recruiter’s attention from the get-go. You’ll make their life a bit easier by immediately telling them who you are. The thing is, recruiters are busy people. They go through dozens, sometimes hundreds, of resumes before they can find a few qualified candidates. At first, recruiters will skim resumes in search of specific keywords and phrases that align with what the company is searching for.

That’s why you want to include the best resume summary you can come up with because a good summary section consists of nothing but these juicy bite-size phrases and keywords that a recruiter can spot at a glance. In short, a professional summary in resume for freshersallows you to turn a recruiter’s time limitation into an advantage.

• How to write an effective summary

A good professional summary should compel an employer to read the next section of your resume.  If it manages to do that, then it has accomplished its purpose. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to craft an impressive resume summary.

• In the first bullet point, write your professional title.
• Pick the 3-4 most impressive parts of your resume and reword them into snappy bullet points.
• Translate each achievement into numbers. Each bullet point should contain at least one piece of quantifiable data. Use percentages, numbers, or impressive sales figures.
• Sum up what you have to offer. Instead of saying what you want, keep in mind what they want. Make clear what values you can bring to the company. Look for common threads in your work history and skills that most apply to the job.

Example summaries for different fields.

• Profile summary for Marketing freshers: Seeking an entry-level position in Marketing where I can utilize my superior understanding of the domain gained during the Master’s.
• Profile Summary for Data Analyst Resume Fresher:  A highly skilled, competent, and diligent individual is seeking an opportunity to establish a career as a Data Analyst. Certified with a Diploma in Data Analytics from ABC University.
• Profile summary for Banking freshers: Looking to secure an entry-level position in a progressive financial organization providing ample opportunities to freshers.
• Resume Summary Example for Sales Freshers: A dedicated and reliable individual seeking an opportunity for a Sales Executive.

Achievements in Resume for Fresher

What to include in the achievements section..

Crafting a compelling resume involves more than just listing achievements; it requires effective communication skills and presentation. Follow these steps to write achievements in resume for fresherthat stand out:

• Academic Excellence
• Internship Contributions
• Extracurricular Achievements
• Skill Development
• Volunteer Experience
• Coding Competitions

Examples of Achievements for Freshers

For freshers entering the job market, showcasing achievements can be challenging but not impossible. While you may lack extensive work experience, there are still numerous ways to highlight your skills and accomplishments.

Consider including achievements such as:

Tips for quantifying achievements

• Use Action Verbs: Begin each Achievement in resume for fresher with a strong action verb to convey a sense of accomplishment. For example, “Implemented,” “Led,” “Achieved,” or “Improved.”
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with specific numbers or percentages. This adds credibility and provides a clear understanding of your impact.
• Be Specific and Concise: Clearly articulate what you accomplished concisely. Avoid vague statements and focus on the key details that highlight your contribution.
• Use the STAR Method: Structure your achievements using the STAR method to provide context and showcase your problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Interests in Resume for Freshers

How to list interests related to the job:.

When listinginterest in resume for freshers, choose ones that exhibit talents or attributes relevant to the job you’re looking for. Tailor your hobbies to demonstrate affinity with the company’s culture or the job’s needs.

Examples of Interests That Can Increase Value

• Tech Jobs: Tech jobs include coding personal projects, participating in hackathons, and contributing to open-source software.
• Marketing Roles: Marketing roles include blogging about industry trends, graphic design, and social media management.
• Finance Positions: Finance positions include stock market analysis, financial modelling, and reading financial news.

Tips to Make the Interests Section Stand Out

• Be specific: Instead of using broad terms like “reading,” use “reading financial blogs” or “reading technology journals.
• Show Involvement: Highlight any active participation, such as “organizing community tech meetups” or “volunteering as a financial literacy coach.
• Connect to Skills: Choose interests that reinforce skills mentioned in your resume, showing a well-rounded and passionate candidate.

Skills in Resume for Freshers

When crafting your skills section as a fresher, focus on highlighting key abilities that align with the job description and demonstrate your readiness for the role. Carefully review the job posting and identify the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Tailor your skills section to reflect these requirements, emphasising your strongest capabilities. Incorporate industry-specific keywords and buzzwords from the job description. For example, if the role requires proficiency in Python programming or customer relationship management (CRM), make sure these keywords are prominently featured. 

Include Measurable Achievements to Showcase Skill Proficiency. Where possible, quantify your skills with measurable achievements. For instance, mention completing a project that improved efficiency by a certain percentage or receiving recognition for outstanding teamwork. Organize your skills in a clear and structured manner. Consider categorizing them into technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork). This makes it easier for recruiters to assess your qualifications quickly.

• Technical Skills: Proficient in Python, Java, and SQL. Familiar with HTML/CSS for web development.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication skills demonstrated through leadership roles in student organizations. Proven ability to work effectively in teams, as evidenced by successful group projects.

Declaration for Resume for Freshers

Purpose of the declaration section.

The declaration section serves the purpose of confirming the veracity of the data you submitted on your resume. It supports your candidacy’s honesty and integrity.

Examples of Standard Declarations

Here are the examples of declaration for resume for freshers :

• “I hereby declare that all of the information furnished above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
• “I certify that the details provided in this resume are accurate and complete.”

When and How to Include a Declaration on a Resume

Place the declaration just before your signature at the very end of your resume. It should be succinct and direct, highlighting your dedication to integrity and openness.

Mastering Your First Resume: A Fresh Graduate’s Guide to Standing Out

Students who want to stand out in the job market must learn how to prepare resumes for freshers . By creating a resume for freshers, you can significantly improve your chances of standing out from the competition by tailoring your resume to the job description, showcasing pertinent skills and experiences, highlighting academic successes and extracurricular activities, optimising for keywords and ATS, and using an eye-catching design. With these tactics, you’ll have no trouble being hired as a fresher for your ideal career.

This blog post has provided you with valuable tips and strategies for creating a winning resume that sets you apart from other candidates. From crafting a compelling summary to showcasing relevant skills and experiences, we have covered everything you need to know about preparing a resume for freshers to create an impressive resume that increases your chances of landing your dream job.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What should a fresher include in their resume.

The resume of a fresher should include contact details, a career objective or summary statement, education details, pertinent courses or projects, skills, internships or part-time work, achievements (such as academic awards or certifications), and optional extracurricular activities that highlight relevant skills or personal traits.

How can I make my fresher resume stand out?

Display your education prominently to emphasis your readiness for the job. On resumes with no experience, especially student resumes with no experience, highlight relevant coursework, academic awards, honors, scholarships, or participation in study abroad programs in this section.

Are there any free resume templates available for freshers?

Yes, there are plenty of resume designs to choose from, like simple resume templates and modern resume templates. Each resume template is fully customizable in Microsoft Word, so you can personalize each design element and add your text.

What is the best format for a fresher resume?

The chronological CV format is the most common and widely accepted. It lists your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job or internship. This format is suitable for freshers who have relevant work experience to showcase.

How important is a declaration in a fresher’s resume?

Declaration in the Resume is necessary to confirm that the provided information given by the candidate is correct and accurate. Here are the reasons why a declaration is required in a resume: It works as a catalyst to prove and verify the authenticity of the information given in a resume, thus preventing misconception, confusion, and fraud in the recruitment process. This is important for your referral as it gives your reference a chance to prove that all the details mentioned on your resume are entirely true.

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