Career Sidekick

24 Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

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:

Social Media Specialist Job posting

“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!

Biron Clark

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.

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  • 27 Great Resume Summary...

27 Great Resume Summary Examples to Get Hired

20 min read · Updated on June 03, 2024

Marsha Hebert

Your resume summary is the first impression you make on potential employers, so it's crucial to get it right

When it comes to job applications, your resume is often the first point of contact with prospective employers. It's essential to make a good impression right from the start and that's where your resume summary comes in. Your summary is a brief statement at the top of your resume that highlights your skills , experiences , and achievements , making it a key part of your job application.

In this article, you'll learn how to write the ultimate resume summary that will grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. You'll discover what makes a good summary and what to avoid, as well as how to sell yourself effectively to potential employers.

You may be wondering: what exactly is a resume summary and how do I write one? We'll answer these questions and provide examples of professional summaries for various industries.

By the end of this article, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to create a standout resume summary that will help you to land your dream job.

What is a resume summary?

To understand a resume summary, it's important to understand the challenge that good summaries are designed to overcome. Employers who are looking for new hires often need to compare many dozens or even hundreds of resumes to find the best candidates for the job. Few hiring personnel have the time needed to thoroughly examine every single resume that they receive.

Instead, employers typically spend no more than five or six seconds scanning any given resume. If a resume manages to capture their interest in those few seconds, they'll take the time to read it in greater detail. 

However, if your resume doesn't grab their attention, it's likely to be rejected without any further examination. So, the challenge is to find a way to quickly earn the reader's interest and inspire them to read the rest of the document.

That's where your resume summary comes into play. As you'll see from our resume summary examples, a good summary is the resume equivalent of a salesperson's elevator pitch. 

This brief statement should highlight your experience and job title, one or two key skills, and a couple of your most prominent achievements. When your summary is crafted well, it will provide the employer with a quick overview of your potential value as a new hire.

Once you've written your summary, you should place it right after your contact information and resume headline , so that it's the first thing employers see. If you've done your job properly, that summary will be compelling enough to make the reader want to learn more about the type of value you can bring to the job.

How should you start a resume summary?

After your headline, you should include a brief opening statement that summarizes who you are. This statement should be concise and compelling, and it should clearly communicate your unique value proposition. Here are some examples of strong opening statements:

Innovative Marketing Manager with over five years of experience in developing and executing successful campaigns for Fortune 500 companies

Results-driven Sales Executive with a proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and building strong client relationships

Skilled Customer Service Representative with expertise in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication

Tips for writing a resume summary

To make sure you get your summary spot on, follow our top tips:

Be specific

When writing a resume summary, it's essential to be specific and quantify your achievements wherever possible. Instead of saying, "Experienced marketing professional," try saying, "Experienced marketing professional with expertise in managing successful social media campaigns, resulting in increases of up to 30% in website traffic."

This provides concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrates your value to potential employers.

Reflect on your career

When it comes to writing a strong resume summary, you should engage in some self-reflection. Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), take some time to think about your key skills, experiences, and achievements. This will help you to identify the most important information to include in your summary. Review your past roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments, and think about how they relate to the job you're applying for. Ask yourself:

What have I achieved in my career?

What skills have I developed?

What makes me stand out from other applicants?

Identify your key skills

One of the most important things to include in your resume summary is your key skills. These are the abilities that set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Begin by making a list of your top skills, then prioritize them based on relevance to the job you're applying for.

Highlight your relevant experiences

Next, think about relevant experiences that you can include in your summary. This includes any previous jobs or internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that have given you valuable experience. Consider what you've learned and achieved in each role and how that relates to the job you're applying for.

You should focus on what is most relevant to your target job. Here are some examples:

Proven ability to increase sales revenue by 20% year on year

Expertise in project management and team leadership

Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365

Confident working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders

Keep it concise

Remember, your resume summary should be concise and to the point. Stick to the most important information and avoid filler words or irrelevant details. A good rule of thumb is to keep your summary to 3-5 sentences.

Use action verbs

When describing your experiences and achievements, use strong action verbs and adverbs to convey a sense of accomplishment and momentum. For example, instead of saying, "Responsible for managing social media accounts," say, "Successfully manages social media accounts."

Quantify your achievements

Wherever possible, use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements. This provides concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrates your value to potential employers. For example, instead of saying, "Helped to increase sales," say, "Helped to increase sales by 20% in the first year."

Tailor it to the job

Make sure your resume summary is tailored to the job you're applying for. This means highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role. Look at the job description and identify the key requirements, and then make sure your summary addresses these points.

Professional resume summary examples

Since there's nothing quite like seeing an example of a great summary, we've compiled twenty-seven great resume summary examples that you can use as inspirational templates for your own perfect resume . Below, you'll find summary examples for a variety of different job roles, including:

Customer Service Representative

Sales Representative

Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Software Developer

Human Resources Manager

Graphic Designer

Registered Nurse

Financial Analyst

Administrative Assistant

Data Entry Clerk 

Business Analyst

Operations Manager 

Mental Health Counselor

High School Teacher

Event Manager

Digital Marketing Manager

Content Marketer

SEO Specialist

Bank Teller

Software Support Specialist

Data Scientist

Dental Assistant

1.     Customer Service Representative resume summary example

"Highly motivated Customer Service Representative with 5 years of experience in delivering service excellence. Skilled in conflict resolution and problem-solving, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rate. Proven ability to multitask in fast-paced environments while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's experience and skills while also showcasing their relevant achievements in ensuring customer satisfaction. It mentions how much experience they have and calls out a measurable success.

2.     Sales Representative resume summary example

"Dynamic Sales Representative with a track record of exceeding sales quotas by 20%+. Proficient in consultative sales techniques and relationship building. Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to close deals."

Why it works : This summary provides a quantifiable achievement to show the candidate's success in their previous sales roles while also highlighting their key skills in relationship building and communication.

3.     Marketing Manager resume summary example

"Strategic Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns across multiple channels. Skilled in market research and analysis, campaign optimization, and team leadership. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and increasing brand awareness."

Why it works : This summary emphasizes the candidate's experience and leadership skills while also showcasing their ability to drive results through successful marketing campaigns. The candidate has also demonstrated their ability to grow revenues and raise brand awareness.

4.     Project Manager resume summary example

"Accomplished Project Manager, with confidence in leading cross-functional teams and managing project timelines, budgets, and resources. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders. Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's extensive project management experience and emphasizes their ability to successfully deliver projects while working with multiple stakeholders.

5.     Software Developer resume summary example

"Innovative Software Developer with 5+ years of experience in designing, developing, and implementing complex software applications. Skilled in programming languages including Java, Python, and C++. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in Agile environments to deliver high-quality code on time."

Why it works : This job seeker has taken the time to highlight some of the technical skills they possess, while emphasizing their ability to work in Agile environments. They also call attention to the fact that they can take a software development project from design to implementation.

6.     Human Resources Manager resume summary example

"Experienced Human Resources Manager specializing in talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management. Skilled in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures that align with business objectives and values. Proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's experience in various HR functions and emphasizes their ability to build and manage teams. It also shows that they can perform managerial functions like developing policies and procedures.

7.     Graphic Designer resume summary example

"Creative Graphic Designer with particular expertise in developing and executing visually stunning designs for print and digital media. Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, with a focus on typography and layout. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously."

Why it works : This summary works well because it showcases their technical skills and experience while also emphasizing creativity and an ability to work collaboratively.

8.     Registered Nurse resume summary example

"Compassionate Registered Nurse with over 10 years' experience in providing high-quality patient care. Skilled at patient assessment, medication administration, and treatment plan development. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with patients and their families."

Why it works : This summary emphasizes the candidate's clinical and patient care experience and highlights their key nursing and interpersonal skills.

9.     Financial Analyst resume summary example

“Detail-oriented Financial Analyst with a strong background in financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting. Combines advanced Excel skills with the ability to create and manage financial reports. Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.”

Why it works : This summary showcases the applicant's specific skills and experience in financial analysis and highlights their proficiency in Excel, a crucial tool for the role.

10.  Administrative Assistant resume summary example

“Skilled Administrative Assistant with 8 years of experience in administrative support and office administration. Resilient, detail-oriented, and able to work under extreme pressure in a team environment. Excellent interpersonal, client management, and interdepartmental liaison skills. Committed to successful management of multiple simultaneous projects, strict adherence to deadline requirements, and accurate maintenance of schedules, meeting obligations, and records.”

Why it works : An Administrative Assistant wears many hats and experiences many challenges. This resume summary covers a lot of ground to demonstrate that the candidate understands those obstacles and knows how to overcome them.

11.  Data Entry Clerk resume summary example

“Task-driven and results-oriented professional with more than 10 years of experience in data entry, project coordination, and customer service. Uses interpersonal skills including effective communication to build rapport and positive relations with customers, gather vital information, and ensure rapid and accurate entry of data into designated software programs.”

Why it works : This resume summary is effective because it gets right to the heart of the job: dealing with customers and entering data into databases. The candidate also emphasizes their results-focused mindset, project skills, and key soft skills.

12.  Business Analyst resume summary example

“Results-driven Business Analyst with a proven record in expanding profitability by 55% in the retail industry.  Confident carrying out data-focused analysis that provides key insights and recommendations for growth strategies. Strong interpersonal and team building skills, innovative approach to problem-solving , and resolute commitment to efficiency and productivity.”

Why it works : Business analysis is all about using data and research to deliver key insights that result in improved operations and greater business success. This summary hits all the right notes as it focuses on key skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, and notable achievements that reflect real value for employers.

13.  Operations Manager resume summary example

“Results-oriented Operations Manager with more than 10 years of supervisory experience in high-level operational environments. Adept at coordinating both large and small teams, outside consultants, and mid-level management personnel. Successfully introduced Lean manufacturing principles that reduced costs by 32% via waste elimination and process revitalization.”

Why it works : This candidate's summary emphasizes key skills that the employer wants to see in any managerial candidate, while also showcasing their knowledge of best operational practices and a commitment to cost reduction.

14.  Mental Health Counselor resume summary example

“Compassionate Mental Health Counselor with more than a decade of experience addressing mental health issues and behavioral concerns. Proven success in both individual and group counseling environments, assisting clients in gaining insight and understanding of their unique conditions. Specialized focus on working with young adults and families, with an emphasis on addressing substance abuse root causes and other social factors involved in mental health.”

Why it works : This resume summary is notable for citing important skills like empathy and compassion. It also focuses attention on the candidate's experience in dealing with common mental health concerns and hints at their preferred approach to assisting patients.

15.  High School Teacher resume summary example

“Dynamic high school teacher with 12 years of experience developing approved curricula for more than 500 students in grades 9-12. Proven track record of helping students to achieve a 98% passing rate in both Western Civilization and World History instruction. Actively engaged in every aspect of education, at the district, local, and parent-teacher level.”

Why it works : This candidate's resume summary highlights their vast experience, while illustrating their success in ensuring that their students learn what they need to know to pass the class. They also demonstrate their commitment to the educational process by highlighting their involvement in every area of education.

16.  Accountant resume summary example

“Diligent and detail-oriented CPA with seven years of experience in accounting, process improvement, and problem-solving. Skilled at identifying inefficiencies and using reporting to offer insights that can guide employers to better practices and greater profitability. At XYZ Corp., identified labor usage inefficiency that motivated management to introduce new scheduling that eliminated $300,000 in labor waste.”

Why it works : In addition to highlighting a wide range of valuable skills, this candidate also focused on a quantifiable achievement that illustrates real value. This type of summary would certainly capture a hiring manager's attention and make them want to read more!

17.  Event Manager resume summary example

“Resilient and creative Event Manager with 6 years of corporate experience. Detail-oriented perfectionist with experience in project management, team leadership, and customer relations. Successfully organized and executed more than 40 major business conferences, hosting thousands of guests. Major clients have included three Fortune 500 firms with multi-million-dollar event budgets.

Why it works : As Event Managers go, this one has certainly made the rounds. That summary of achievements highlights their ability to manage even large-scale events, dealing with every aspect of the project. How could a serious hiring manager not want to learn more about this candidate?

18.  IT Manager resume summary example

“Dedicated IT Manager with significant experience in an innovative and growing tech firm. Skilled leader with experience in systems analysis, database architecture, problem-solving, and troubleshooting. Superior client satisfaction rate of more than 99%. Created and implemented IT troubleshooting process that reduced internal client service time by 30%.”

Why it works : This IT professional focuses attention on their key leadership skills , while also mentioning the hard skills that any hiring manager is likely to be looking for. There's also a nice nod to their history of satisfying clients, as well as a notable and measurable achievement.

19.  Product Designer resume summary example

“Innovative Design Engineer with 5 years of experience in the development of products and packages. Skilled in market research, brand development and alignment, and design elements. Led team of seventeen Designers in the creation of industrial products that yielded $20 million in sales in the first month after launch.”

Why it works : This resume summary uses some important keywords, action verbs, and descriptive language to describe the candidate's key skills and experiences. It also cites an impressive product design achievement, along with real numbers that showcase value.

20.  Content Marketer resume summary example

“Creative marketing professional with 7 years' experience as a Content Marketer. Skilled writer who understands how written communication empowers business growth and expansion. Expertise in development of compelling content that drives activities across multiple media channels. Adaptable , detail-oriented, and focused on a brand-building approach to content strategy that drives real results. Developed a cross-platform content strategy that boosted sales conversion rates by 37%.

Why it works : This Content Marketer focuses on their key skills and keen insights into how content impacts business profitability. They even included a measurable result that demonstrates their focus on adding value to their employer's bottom line.

21.  SEO Specialist resume summary example

“Results-focused SEO expert with 6 years of experience in keyword mastery, the promotion of sustainable content, and growing organic website search engine rankings. Proven track record of SEO success, using content development and link outreach to expand website traffic activity from 10,000 daily visitors to more than 2,000,000 per year.”

Why it works : Many hiring managers may not fully understand SEO, but they will understand the need to get more eyes on their digital content. This candidate speaks to that need by focusing on website rankings, content, and overall web traffic - while including a quantifiable achievement that demonstrates their ability to make things happen.

22.  Copywriter resume summary example

“Website Copywriter with 5 years of experience in developing content that creates real conversions. Cross-channel expertise including website content, advertising, newsletters, press releases, email, and podcast / video scripts. Proven track record of increasing social traffic by 36% and driving a 22% boost in landing page conversions.”

Why it works : This candidate's summary is focused not only on the type of things they write, but how those content pieces directly contribute to the company's online presence and sales conversion rate. This illustrates the writer's understanding of how their work aligns with their employer's business needs and goals.

23.  Bank Teller resume summary example

“Empathetic and personable Bank Teller with more than 4 years of experience in client interactions at First Bank. Detail-oriented customer management approach, focused on superior customer experiences and client retention. Strict adherence to bank policy, including safety deposit guidelines, customer account security, and due diligence. Efficiently and effectively processed more than 200 client account interactions each day.”

Why it works : For a Bank Teller, much of the role's value lies in the employee's ability to serve as the face of the branch. This summary is effective because it showcases the Teller's knowledge of bank procedures, while also highlighting their commitment to creating an excellent customer experience.

24.  Software Support Specialist resume summary example

“Problem-solving Software Support Specialist with 8 years of experience in customer-facing user assistance. Provided key problem resolution services for hundreds of customers, with a focus on maximizing their satisfaction with the company to increase loyalty and retention. Experienced in both customer and B2B interactions, with a specialized talent for explaining technical problems in language that is easily understood by the average layperson.”

Why it works : This resume summary focuses not only on the candidate's specialized skills in solving computer issues, but also highlights their ability to simplify their explanations to customers.

25.  Data Scientist resume summary example

“Committed Data Scientist focused on analytical insights that can drive company growth and development. More than eight years of experience providing data-driven analysis to Fortune 500 executives, based on comprehensive statistical models and detailed historical data patterns. Successfully provided insights and recommendations used to increase company profits by 32% over a two-year period.”

Why it works : Data science may not seem like the most exciting field, but hiring managers are always on the hunt for candidates who understand why data matters. This candidate's focus on providing insights that can translate into real value for the employer is something that is likely to earn a hiring manager's interest.

26.  Dental Assistant resume summary example

“Dental Assistant with 5 years of experience with patient preparation, processing, and administrative support. Keen attention to detail and a commitment to dental health and aesthetics. Skilled in dental impressions, hands-on assistance during procedures, x-rays, and record maintenance. Fully committed to developing rapport with patients that creates a welcoming environment and a joyful experience.”

Why it works : This candidate's resume summary not only highlights key Dental Assistant requirements, but also conveys their personal approach to teamwork and patient care.

27.  Architect resume summary example

“Creative Architect experienced in high-end architectural design and development oversight. Ten years of proven success in creating sustainable designs that earn rave reviews and commendations from clients. Skilled in adapting to new challenges and working under pressure to achieve every client's vision. Consistently produces designs and project plans that come in on time and under budget, at 10%-30% less cost than industry competitors.”

Why it works : In this summary, the candidate highlights key skills that employers will want to see, while also emphasizing quantifiable results that demonstrate competitive value for the employer. They also showcase their ability to not only design architectural structures but to do so with a conscious awareness of critical factors like budgetary concerns, deadlines, sustainability and market competition.

Bonus: how to write a resume summary if you have no experience

Of course, it's also important to know how to write a resume summary if you have no experience. Here's a quick resume summary example that you can adapt if you are just entering the job market:

“Recent Marketing graduate, seeking an entry-level position to kickstart a career in the field. Demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork skills gained through involvement in various extracurricular activities, including volunteering at local events and leading group projects. Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud. Passionate about using marketing strategies to create engaging content and drive brand awareness.”

Why it works: This summary works because it highlights the candidate's relevant hard and soft skills and qualifications, even though they don't have direct career experience. The use of action words such as "demonstrated" and "proficient" shows the candidate's confidence in their abilities, which can be attractive to potential employers, showcasing the candidate's potential for success in an entry-level marketing role.

Key takeaways

A well-written resume summary can make a significant impact on a job application. A good summary should highlight relevant skills and experiences, use clear and concise language, and avoid unnecessary information. Feel free to customize any of the resume summary examples we've provided to help ensure that your resume captures the attention of potential employers.

We know it can be difficult to condense a whole career full of skills and achievements into a paragraph of only a few sentences. If you're unsure about the document you've crafted, why not send it for a free resume review by our team of expert resume writers? 

Recommended reading:

Ask Amanda: How Are a Resume Objective and a Resume Summary Different?

How to Write a Standout Career Summary

Business Acumen: What It Is and How You Can Showcase It On Your Resume

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

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

Background Image

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.

resume summary

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%.” )

resume summary tips

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:

how to tailor the resume summary

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:

resume summary with action verbs and power 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.

resume summary formula

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

Stephen Greet

  • 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

Truck driver resume example with 10 years experience

What is a Summary on a Resume?

Young man in front of his laptop reading his 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

Young lady sitting at her laptop writing her resume

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

A PC monitor and laptop showing well written resumes

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:

Programmer resume summary

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

Young man sitting behind his computer screen happily typing away

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Customer service representative 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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Human resources manager 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 :

Registered nurse 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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Sales representative 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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Teacher resume summary example

  • 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

Server resume summary example

22. Nanny resume summary

Nanny resume summary example

23. Data Entry resume summary

Data entry resume summary example

24. Marketing resume summary

Marketing resume summary example

25. Teacher Assistant resume summary

Teacher assistant resume summary example

26. Caregiver resume summary

Caregiver resume summary example

27. Social Worker resume summary

Social worker resume summary example

28. Dental Assistant resume summary

Dental assistant resume summary example

29. Front-End Developer resume summary

Front-end developer resume summary example

30. Web Developer resume summary

Web developer resume summary example

Resume Summary Recap & Your Next Steps

Young lady going over notes on a blackboard

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

Senior financial analyst resume template with 10 years of experience

what should the summary on my resume say

How to write a resume summary (30 examples)

Craft a compelling resume summary that highlights your strengths and impresses hiring managers.

If you're applying for a job, your resume is often the first chance you have to make a good impression on a potential employer. A resume summary is an essential part of your resume that allows you to highlight your skills, experience, and achievements in just a few sentences. In this article, we'll show you how to write a compelling resume summary that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Identify your key skills and experience

Before you begin writing your resume summary, take a few minutes to identify your key skills and experience. Look through your work history, education, and any relevant certifications to identify the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Make a list of these skills and experience so you can refer to them as you write your summary.

Focus on the job you're applying for

Your resume summary should be tailored to the job you're applying for. Take a close look at the job description and identify the key skills and experience that the employer is looking for. Then, make sure that your resume summary highlights your experience in these areas.

Keep it concise

Your resume summary should be no longer than three to four sentences. This means you need to be concise and to the point. Avoid using vague or generic statements that don't add any value to your summary.

Use active language

When writing your resume summary, use active language to describe your skills and experience. This means using verbs that show action and accomplishment. For example, instead of saying "I have experience in sales," say "I have successfully increased sales by 20% in my previous role." More examples of active language:

  • Increased sales revenue by 25% through implementing a new sales strategy
  • Streamlined project management processes, resulting in a 20% reduction in project timelines
  • Led a cross-functional team to launch a new product, resulting in a 30% increase in market share
  • Developed and implemented a customer retention program, resulting in a 15% increase in customer loyalty

Show your value

Your resume summary should showcase your value as a candidate. This means highlighting your achievements and the impact you've had in your previous roles. For example, you could say "I increased customer satisfaction by 25% by implementing a new customer service process."

Proofread and edit

Once you've written your resume summary, proofread and edit it carefully. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your language is clear and concise. You may also want to ask a friend or family member to review your resume summary to get a second opinion.

Resume Summary examples by job role

1. administrative assistant.

Detail-oriented and organized administrative assistant with 3+ years of experience in managing daily office operations, scheduling appointments, and providing excellent customer service. Proven ability to coordinate complex projects, streamline processes, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. Seeking an administrative assistant role to utilize my skills and contribute to a dynamic team.

2. Sales Representative

Experienced sales representative with a track record of exceeding sales targets and building strong customer relationships. Skilled in prospecting, cold-calling, and negotiating contracts. Proficient in CRM software and able to analyze sales data to identify trends and opportunities. Seeking a sales representative position in a competitive industry where I can utilize my skills and experience to drive revenue growth.

3. Web Developer

Highly skilled web developer with 5+ years of experience designing and developing responsive websites and applications. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and multiple web development frameworks. Strong knowledge of UI/UX design principles and experience working with cross-functional teams. Seeking a web developer position to leverage my expertise and contribute to the development of innovative web solutions.

4. Marketing Manager

Results-driven marketing manager with 7+ years of experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns. Skilled in market research, strategic planning, and digital marketing channels. Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and collaborate with external agencies. Seeking a marketing manager role in a dynamic and fast-paced environment where I can apply my skills and experience to drive business growth.

5. Registered Nurse

Compassionate and dedicated registered nurse with 3+ years of experience in providing exceptional patient care in various healthcare settings. Proficient in patient assessment, medication administration, and patient education. Skilled in managing patient care plans, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and using electronic health record systems. Seeking a registered nurse position in a healthcare facility where I can utilize my skills and expertise to make a positive impact on patient outcomes.

6. Graphic Designer

Creative and detail-oriented graphic designer with 4+ years of experience in designing marketing collateral, branding materials, and user interfaces. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and skilled in visual communication and typography. Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Seeking a graphic designer role in a dynamic and innovative organization.

7. Human Resources Generalist

Experienced human resources generalist with 6+ years of experience in talent acquisition, onboarding, and employee relations. Skilled in managing HR processes, policies, and compliance. Proven ability to provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively with stakeholders. Seeking a human resources generalist position in a mission-driven organization where I can contribute to the development of a strong and diverse workforce.

8. Financial Analyst

Detail-oriented and analytical financial analyst with 3+ years of experience in financial modeling, forecasting, and analysis. Skilled in Excel and other financial software tools. Proficient in financial statement analysis and financial reporting. Able to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Seeking a financial analyst position in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

9. Social Media Manager

Innovative and creative social media manager with 5+ years of experience in developing and executing successful social media campaigns. Skilled in social media marketing, content creation, and community management. Proficient in social media analytics and able to identify trends and insights. Seeking a social media manager position in a fast-paced and growing organization.Software Engineer: Highly skilled software engineer with 8+ years of experience in software development and engineering. Proficient in multiple programming languages, including Java, Python, and C++. Skilled in developing and deploying scalable and efficient software applications. Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Seeking a software engineer position in a dynamic and innovative organization.

10. Project Manager

Seasoned project manager with 8+ years of experience managing cross-functional teams to deliver successful projects. Skilled in project planning, risk management, and budgeting. Proficient in project management software tools and able to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Seeking a project manager position in a dynamic and fast-paced environment where I can utilize my skills and experience to drive project success.

11. Executive Assistant

Organized and detail-oriented executive assistant with 5+ years of experience supporting C-level executives. Skilled in managing calendars, scheduling appointments, and coordinating travel arrangements. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and able to maintain confidentiality and discretion. Seeking an executive assistant position in a reputable organization where I can leverage my skills and provide reliable administrative support.

12. Data Analyst

Analytical and detail-oriented data analyst with 3+ years of experience in data modeling, data visualization, and data analysis. Proficient in SQL and other data analytics tools. Skilled in interpreting complex data sets and presenting data insights to stakeholders. Seeking a data analyst position in a data-driven organization where I can leverage my analytical skills to drive data insights and business growth.

13. Customer Service Representative

Customer-focused and proactive customer service representative with 4+ years of experience in handling customer inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Skilled in managing high call volumes and proficient in customer service software tools. Able to maintain composure under pressure and provide personalized customer service. Seeking a customer service representative position in a customer-centric organization where I can utilize my skills and contribute to customer success.

14. Software Product Manager

Strategic and customer-focused software product manager with 6+ years of experience in product development, market research, and competitive analysis. Skilled in using Agile methodologies and proficient in product management software tools. Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and prioritize product roadmap. Seeking a software product manager position in a fast-paced and innovative organization where I can leverage my skills to deliver high-quality software solutions.

15. Financial Advisor

Experienced financial advisor with 7+ years of experience in financial planning, investment management, and retirement planning. Skilled in analyzing market trends and providing tailored financial advice to clients. Proficient in financial software tools and able to communicate complex financial information to clients. Seeking a financial advisor position in a reputable financial institution where I can utilize my skills to help clients achieve their financial goals.

16. Content Writer

Creative and detail-oriented content writer with 4+ years of experience in creating engaging and SEO-friendly content for various industries. Proficient in SEO optimization, keyword research, and content editing. Skilled in creating compelling copy for website content, blogs, and social media posts. Seeking a content writer position in a dynamic and fast-paced organization where I can leverage my skills to deliver high-quality content.

17. IT Project Manager

Experienced IT project manager with 8+ years of experience in managing complex IT projects, implementing new systems, and improving IT processes. Skilled in project management methodologies and proficient in project management software tools. Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with external vendors. Seeking an IT project manager position in a technology-driven organization where I can utilize my skills to drive IT project success.

18. Human Resources Manager

Strategic and results-driven human resources manager with 6+ years of experience in developing HR policies, managing employee relations, and driving talent acquisition initiatives. Skilled in HR analytics, diversity and inclusion programs, and leadership development. Proficient in HR software tools and able to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Seeking a human resources manager position in a mission-driven organization where I can contribute to a strong and diverse workforce.

19. Physical Therapist

Compassionate and dedicated physical therapist with 4+ years of experience in providing personalized patient care, developing customized treatment plans, and delivering exceptional patient outcomes. Skilled in patient education, manual therapy techniques, and rehabilitation exercises. Proficient in electronic health record systems and able to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Seeking a physical therapist position in a reputable healthcare facility where I can utilize my skills to make a positive impact on patient outcomes.

20. Social Worker

Empathetic and experienced social worker with 5+ years of experience in working with underserved populations, providing counseling services, and advocating for social justice issues. Skilled in case management, crisis intervention, and community outreach. Proficient in electronic case management systems and able to communicate effectively with diverse populations. Seeking a social worker position in a mission-driven organization where I can contribute to a better society.

Marketing Coordinator

Organized and proactive marketing coordinator with 3+ years of experience in coordinating marketing campaigns, conducting market research, and executing events. Proficient in marketing software tools and able to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Seeking a marketing coordinator position in a dynamic and innovative organization where I can utilize my skills to drive business growth.

Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Detail-oriented and experienced software quality assurance engineer with 5+ years of experience in developing test plans, executing test cases, and reporting defects. Skilled in using manual and automated testing tools and able to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Seeking a software quality assurance engineer position in a technology-driven organization where I can utilize my skills to ensure product quality.

Experienced accountant with 7+ years of experience in financial analysis, financial reporting, and tax preparation. Proficient in accounting software tools and skilled in analyzing complex financial data. Able to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Seeking an accountant position in a reputable accounting firm where I can utilize my skills to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Human Resources Assistant

Detail-oriented and organized human resources assistant with 2+ years of experience in managing employee records, processing payroll, and coordinating benefits enrollment. Skilled in HR compliance, confidentiality, and customer service. Proficient in HR software tools and able to maintain composure under pressure. Seeking a human resources assistant position in a reputable organization where I can provide reliable administrative support.

UX Designer

Creative and innovative UX designer with 4+ years of experience in designing user interfaces, conducting user research, and creating wireframes. Skilled in using design software tools and proficient in design thinking methodologies. Able to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate design concepts to stakeholders. Seeking a UX designer position in a dynamic and fast-paced organization where I can utilize my skills to deliver exceptional user experiences.

Business Analyst

Analytical and detail-oriented business analyst with 6+ years of experience in analyzing business requirements, developing use cases, and conducting feasibility studies. Skilled in using business analysis software tools and able to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Seeking a business analyst position in a dynamic and innovative organization where I can utilize my skills to drive business growth.

Sales Manager

Motivated and results-driven sales manager with 10+ years of experience in managing sales teams, developing sales strategies, and exceeding revenue targets. Skilled in sales forecasting, market analysis, and competitive intelligence. Proficient in CRM software tools and able to communicate effectively with clients. Seeking a sales manager position in a reputable organization where I can utilize my skills to drive business success.

Mechanical Engineer

Experienced mechanical engineer with 5+ years of experience in designing mechanical systems, conducting performance testing, and analyzing data. Skilled in CAD software tools and proficient in manufacturing processes. Able to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Seeking a mechanical engineer position in a technology-driven organization where I can utilize my skills to drive product innovation.

Customer Success Manager

Customer-focused and proactive customer success manager with 3+ years of experience in managing customer relationships, developing account plans, and providing exceptional customer support. Skilled in using customer success software tools and proficient in customer feedback analysis. Able to maintain composure under pressure and provide personalized customer service. Seeking a customer success manager position in a customer-centric organization where I can leverage my skills to drive customer satisfaction and retention.

Supply Chain Manager

Strategic and data-driven supply chain manager with 8+ years of experience in optimizing supply chain operations, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Skilled in supply chain analytics, inventory management, and logistics. Proficient in supply chain software tools and able to communicate effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Seeking a supply chain manager position in a reputable organization where I can utilize my skills to drive operational excellence.

In conclusion, a well-written resume summary can make all the difference when it comes to landing your dream job. By following these tips, you can create a compelling summary that showcases your skills, experience, and value as a candidate. Remember to tailor your summary to the job you're applying for, and to keep it concise and to the point. With a strong resume summary, you'll be one step closer to landing your next job.

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Resume summary: What it is, why it matters and how to write it

Karl Kahler

Yet here you have the golden opportunity to summarize your greatest professional qualities in your own words — as if creating a self-portrait in writing. If done well, your resume summary can start off your CV with a bang, catching hiring managers’ attention immediately. But if done poorly, it can be an instant turnoff.

In this guide we’ll explore the answers to the following questions, with actual resume summary examples:

What is a resume summary?

  • What is the objective of the professional summary?

Should you have a summary on your CV?

  • How do you write a profile summary?

The resume summary is also known as a resume profile, and sometimes as a personal statement or job objective. The resume summary serves to summarize your experience, skills and other qualifications for any job you’re seeking. 

Unlike the rest of the resume, the summary is not in the form of a list, but is written in your own words in the order you choose. This means the summary is a unique opportunity to highlight your most impressive qualifications right up front, and also to showcase your personality, passion and drive. 

Every resume should have at least five elements : 

  • Header with contact info
  • Resume summary
  • Employment history

Notice that other than the resume summary, all of these are lists: lists of the ways to contact you, of your past jobs, of your past schools and of your skills . There’s not a lot of freedom for creative expression in these sections — you’re mostly just putting facts on the page.

But the professional resume summary is a blank canvas for you to introduce yourself and boast a little about what makes you a great candidate for the job you want. So you need to choose your words very carefully.

What is a GOOD resume summary?

Now you know what a resume summary is, but what is a truly great summary. First, expand your notion of “summary” to include “profile.” You aren’t really summarizing your career here, you’re revealing a bit about who you are as a worker and what you can do for your new employer, so profile summary is a better name.

What is a good summary for your resume? Simple. It’s one that answers the questions: “What will you bring to the company?” and “Why should I hire you?” The bottom line: You want the interview, and your profile summary is a great place to explain why you should get it.

A resume summary should generally be about four or five lines across the top of your resume, a total of three or four sentences. But note that you don’t even need complete sentences, as the word “I” is not really necessary. Below is a professional summary example.

Passionate and experienced art director with a proven track record of successfully managing illustration and graphics assignments and delivering consistent client satisfaction. Adept in overseeing all aspects of project management, offering innovative solutions and mentoring artists. Known for strong leadership skills and the creativity and organization to effectively oversee all development and design processes. 

How to write a resume headline with 25+ examples

A resume headline can be your ticket to the interview you desire. But what exactly is a resume headline and how do you best take advantage of it? This blog will show you everything you need to know.

What is the objective of a profile / summary on your resume?

The objective of a resume summary is to provide a “quick read” synopsis that allows a job recruiter to rapidly scan what you consider your top qualifications for employment. 

Hiring managers may or may not have time to read every word of your resume, ponder all your bullet points and process all your self-described skills. But the resume summary at the top of the page should showcase the most relevant and impressive points to consider from the entire resume.

If the resume summary doesn’t make a positive impression, the rest of the resume probably won’t either. But if the professional summary makes recruiters say, “Wow, this sounds great,” then they’re likely to scrutinize the rest of your resume closely — which, in turn, increases the chances of a positive response to your job application.

What happened to the job objective?

A professional summary for a resume is sometimes called a job objective because it may be used to clarify exactly what type of job you are seeking. However, this is not always necessary. 

If your resume summary focuses, for example, on your experience as an accountant , your education as an accounting major, your accountant certification and your accounting skills, it should be pretty obvious what type of job you’re seeking. But if any clarification is needed about a specific position you’re looking for, you can also clarify this in your cover letter.

The answer to “should you include a summary / profile on your CV?” is a resounding “yes!”. Note that outside the U.S. and Canada, resumes are generally called CVs (curriculum vitae). But whether you call it a resume summary or a CV summary, it’s basically the same element, governed by the same goals.

IIs a summary necessary on a resume? Without a doubt, it is absolutely essential. 

No. 1, any job recruiter would find it odd if you left this out, since it’s one of the basic elements of every resume. And No. 2, without a summary you’d be forfeiting a unique opportunity to describe in your own words all the reasons you’re a great job candidate. 

If you’re tempted to skip the CV summary, perhaps to save space, don’t even think about it. It’s arguably the most important section of the entire resume.

How to write an entry-level resume objective (with examples)

A resume objective, or summary, is a valuable tool when it comes to showcasing your qualifications and unique selling points. This blog will show you how to write an entry-level resume objective that lands the interview.

How do you write a resume summary?

Resume summary writing is probably the most challenging aspect of your job application. Don’t rush it. When you sit down to write your resume summary, take some time to think about your greatest strengths , along with the life experiences that best demonstrate your competence for the job you’re seeking. Consider these tips to guide your resume summary writing:

  • Brainstorm a master list of what you might include.

Brainstorming is a process in which you write down ALL ideas, as if no idea is a bad one — even if the list ends up being way too long . This kind of uncensored thinking will inevitably result in a lot of stuff you’ll have to throw out. But it can also produce some unexpected gems that you wouldn’t have considered if you were trying to edit the list in your mind before writing anything down.

  • Consider all your qualifications, not just the obvious.

If you have years of experience in your field, an advanced degree and every certification under the sun, these are all clearly points to consider in writing your resume summary.

But try to look beyond your experience, education and skills toward less obvious aspects of your candidacy. These might include your innate drive, passion, creativity and resourcefulness. 

How do you write a short summary of yourself?

This question is too broad. Narrow your thinking down just a bit and breathe a sigh of relief. You’re not writing a short summary of yourself, you’re writing an enticing elevator pitch for your candidacy.

Here’s one method of breaking down your resume summary writing task:

Quickly introduce your professional self, highlight your biggest career success (making sure it illustrates what you can do for your new company) and tell a short story that shows off your work style. End with a description of your highest-level skills.

  • Use powerful, provocative language.

Avoid flabby, weak, vague language. Search your vocabulary for strong action verbs , descriptive adjectives and compelling, original ways of expressing yourself. Your writing needs to be free of clichés and “fluff,” which is language that sounds fancy but says nothing.

  • Don’t repeat yourself.

Try to avoid repeating any major word in your professional summary. For example, don’t describe yourself as “an experienced educator” and then say you have 10 years of “experience teaching in public schools.” Don’t say you are “a passionate graphic designer” and then say you have a “passion for effective design.” This kind of repetitive writing is indicative of lazy and unimaginative thinking. 

  • Strive for a variety of sentence constructions with an ear-pleasing “flow.”

“Flow” is a writing skill in which sentences are structured so that one transitions naturally to the next. It involves changing up the way you write each sentence, providing variety in your approach, and making sure the end result is not choppy or jarring. One way to check for good flow is to reread your resume summary out loud to make sure it just “sounds right” when you read the whole thing from beginning to end.

  • Customize your resume summary for ATS software.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software programs that employers use to filter resumes according to whether they contain critical keywords . For example, if a top law firm is specifically seeking an attorney with experience in mergers and acquisitions, it’s likely to program its ATS to search resumes for that precise term — “mergers and acquisitions.” If the law firm receives 500 resumes and 100 of them don’t have that crucial phrase, the ATS is likely to route those to a reject pile. Then the human being responsible for this hire can focus on the 400 resumes that do. 

The best way to pass the ATS test is to scrutinize each job listing for the precise qualifications the employer is seeking, and to include those words in your resume. The professional summary can be an excellent place to do this.

A related issue: Resumes should be adaptable documents that are customized for each job application . Resumes can be presented in various formats, but stone is not one of them. Be prepared to revise your resume to target each potential employer.

  • Proofread carefully.

Reread your resume relentlessly, and your resume summary in particular, to make sure it contains no typos, misspellings, bad grammar or strange punctuation. In a one-page document, even one writing error can sink your ship.

  • Choose your language carefully; be bold and access a thesaurus if you’re stuck
  • Highlight soft skills that distinguish you from other candidates
  • Let your voice shine through
  • Craft 3-4 sentences that have a natural rhythm
  • Repeat your employment history or other sections of your resume
  • Write just one resume summary; customize for each position
  • Use stilted language or too much jargon
  • Forget to proofread, spell check and grammar check

Resume summary examples

There’s nothing like practical material for inspiration. Below are some resume summary examples that hit the right notes in various professions. Review these resume summary samples to plan how to better write your own:

Seasoned trial attorney with a passion for justice and a dedication to ethical practices. Expertise in case law, skilled at public speaking, widely recognized as a formidable litigator. Broad experience with pretrial motions, courtroom arguments, appeals and all aspects of case management. 

Experienced and motivated human resources manager with five years of experience overseeing the HR department for a major tech company, implementing new strategies to improve hiring practices, training and retention. Knowledgeable about employment law and effective organizational planning. Highly competent communicator, skilled in developing initiatives to improve profitability and growth. 

Reliable, experienced truck driver with a solid history of safe practices, timely deliveries and respect for the road. Adept at problem solving and scrupulous about following all company guidelines and protocols. Proven track record of cultivating positive relationships with clients, delivering shipments successfully and properly maintaining vehicles at all times. 

Experienced Web Developer adept in all stages of advanced web development. Knowledgeable in user interface, testing, and debugging processes. Bringing forth expertise in design, installation, testing and maintenance of web systems. Equipped with a diverse and promising skill set. Proficient in an assortment of technologies, including Java, ASP.NET, C#, IIS, Tomcat, and Microsoft SQL Server. Able to effectively self-manage during independent projects, as well as collaborate in a team setting.

Experienced and dedicated Senior Accountant, bringing forth several years of valuable industry experience and a commitment to providing a variety of financial and analytical review services to company departments and clients. Adept in ensuring compliance with accounting principles and federal and state regulations.

A seasoned industry veteran with 12 years of experience in digital marketing strategies, bringing new brands to foreign markets, coordinating media buying, PR campaigns, disruption marketing and traditional support-based methods for strong ROI. With a dedicated focus on performance analytics and pragmatic KPIs, I would welcome the opportunity to lead and manage a team of creatives and digital specialists to deliver powerful results for the company and brand(s).

A creative specialist with more than a decade of experience at the avantgarde of the advertising and short-film industry. With eight Red Dot awards and several dozen national-level creative campaigns under my belt, I would love to bring my expertise, artistic and creative vision to new projects and teams, pushing the boundaries of big-brand advertising in a new corporate family and culture.

Use these resume summary examples for inspiration, and follow our tips to craft a summary of your own that will impress recruiters. 

Resume.io is a leading provider of resume templates and occupation-specific writing guides , and our builder tool makes it easy to prepare your own. Best of luck, and happy job hunting!

Resume header: Examples, instructions and tips to getting the top of your CV right

How to write a resumé summary (with examples)

When applying for jobs, you’ll want to take every chance you have to stand out from the crowd. Adding a resumé summary to the top of your resumé can help interviewers get a quick snapshot of who you are and why you’d be great in their team. But what if you’re not sure how to write a resumé summary? 

In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide of what to include, what to leave out and how to nail your resumé summary so it lands you an interview.

What is a summary for a resumé?

A resumé summary is a short statement at the top of a resumé that outlines key experiences, roles and achievements. Its purpose is to highlight at a glance why you’re the ideal person for a specific job and what you bring to the table. 

It can often be confused with a career objective . What’s the difference between a career objective and a resumé summary? A career objective outlines the future you’re hoping to achieve, while a resumé summary is an overview of your career so far. 

Understanding your target audience

Before writing your resumé summary, you should first identify your target audience, i.e. who will be reading and vetting applications. Think about what role they’re likely in, such as team leader or HR manager . Then consider what they may be looking for and what would stand out to them. Then, tailor your resumé summary to suit. 

For example, if a job ad implies the application will be going to a manager of a team or department, they will likely be looking for skills and experience, in addition to teamwork and communication skills . Meanwhile a HR manager or recruitment agent might have a checklist of technical skills that directly relate to the job. 

Key elements of a professional summary for resumé

With your target audience in mind, it’s time to move onto the main elements of your resumé summary. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

  • The length.  Keep your professional summary short, clear and concise, ideally one to three sentences. 
  • The tone and style. The tone and style of your professional summary should be consistent and align with the rest of your application documents. 
  • The use of keywords.  Your professional resumé summary should include keywords of the skills and experience you have that match those in the job ad. You can bold them to make them really stand out to the interviewer.
  • The structure.  A resumé summary is typically one to three sentences outlining your key skills, experience and qualifications that align with the job ad. 

How to write a resumé summary

Here are some practical tips on how to write a resumé summary that will highlight your skills and catch the interviewer’s eye. 

  • Start with a hook – a relevant qualification or unique skill – to capture the reader’s attention.
  • Highlight your key skills and achievements, matching them to the job description.
  • Include metrics or data-driven evidence of your accomplishments, such as percentage increases in performance, sales figures or the number of people you managed.
  • Showcase your unique value proposition – what you believe you can offer that no one else can.
  • Ensure you have proofread your summary so it’s free of spelling and grammatical errors.

Quick tip:  Write your resumé summary in the first person ( “I led a team of five” rather than “[Your name] led a team of five”.) In the rest of your resumé, omit pronouns altogether ( “Led a team of five” . “Increased sales by 23%” .)

Writing a resumé summary with no experience

If you’re writing a resumé summary with no professional experience, you should focus on your soft skills and technical skills. You may have more than you think! 

Research the job you’re applying for and see what additional skills may help you, outside of what’s mentioned in the job ad. This could include things like computer proficiency, basic coding, customer service skills and more. Even if you’re still in school, you’ll likely still have teamwork and other soft skills you can mention. 

Resumé summary examples

To get you started, here are some resumé summary examples. Take note of the format: lead with the strongest statement, use specific data (where possible), include your most relevant skills, and be sure to personalise your summary before sending it to a potential employer.

Entry-level resumé summary ideal for a first job

I am a proactive and confident person looking for a casual customer- service position in Darwin. Through my studies I have developed strong communication and interpersonal skills. I am a people-person and eager to be in a role that allows me to help people every day.

Resumé summary for recent graduates

Data-focused computer science and business graduate with experience in app development and marketing. My first project app surpassed 2,000 downloads in 30 days, and I’m excited to build off this achievement and further develop my skills with a business that prioritises agile development and app innovation. 

Resumé summary for experienced applicant 

Accomplished in-house  marketing director with a proven track record of executing successful results-driven campaign strategies. Have led multiple regional and global campaigns in my 12 years in the automotive industry. 

Tailoring your resumé summary to different industries

Resumé summaries can easily be adapted to suit any industry or job. It’s all about focusing on your key skills and what you can bring to the role. You can use these personal summary resumé examples as ideas for your own, swapping out the titles and experiences as you need.

Resumé summary for a teacher

Dedicated and passionate educator with over 5 years in early-years development, focused on fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Proven expertise in curriculum development and pioneering new teaching methods for students with learning challenges. 

Career summary for a tradesperson 

Multi-skilled tradesperson with 12 years of experience in carpentry, project management and commercial fit outs. I have completed more than 120 projects on time and on budget, have mentored several apprentices and have supervised teams on multiple job sites. 

Professional summary for a customer service person

I am a results-oriented customer service professional with more than three years in big box retail. Over the past year, I have been awarded staff member of the month twice, and have more than 20 mentions in Google reviews for providing outstanding customer support.

Tips for optimising your resumé summary for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Some organisations will use an ATS (or Applicant Tracking System) to help them manage the hiring process more efficiently. ATS software collects information from applications and filters them for the most relevant applicants. From there, employers will often take the filtered piles and begin their own screening. 

As a job applicant, you can optimise your resumé for ATS. Some tops ways to optimise your application include:

  • Use standard fonts (such as Arial) to ensure your resumé is easy for the software to read.
  • Use clean formatting with no charts, tables or graphics, as this may impair the ATS from properly reading your application.
  • Use an ATS-friendly template.
  • Include keywords in your resumé that match the job ad.
  • Stick to standard heading names, like Work Experience, Education and Skills to ensure your information is read correctly.
  • Proofread your resumé, as ATS may not be able to read typos, missing crucial information.

A business likely uses an ATS if its careers page has you fill out a series of forms, the job application has a long URL or it is a very large corporation. 

The dos and don'ts of resumé summary writing

By now, you should know the basics of writing your career summary, but these quick dos and don'ts of resumé writing can help make sure you get every detail right.

Best practices for writing a resumé summary

Writing a good resumé summary helps capture the attention of employers. Here are some best practices to keep in mind.

  • Keep it clear and concise. Only include your key skills, qualifications and experience.
  • Start with a strong statement. Your opening sentence should hook the reader by showing how you’re a good match for the role.
  • Quantify achievements.  Use specific data, examples of how you have used your skills and knowledge, and what results you achieved.
  • Include keywords.  The skills and experience in your career summary should reflect those mentioned in the job ad.

Most importantly, don’t overthink it. If you had to sum up your entire career in a sentence or two, what would you say? How would you highlight your skills and achievements? That should give you a good idea of what to write. 

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a resumé summary

Some top mistakes to avoid when writing a career summary for your resumé include:

  • Being too general.  Your summary should be specific to your skills and how you’ve used them in the past.
  • Being too long. Remember: a resumé summary should only be one to three sentences long. It’s a summary, not a cover letter.
  • Lack of personalisation. Every resumé summary should be personalised to the job ad and industry.
  • Using exaggerated language. Avoid exaggerating your skills and accomplishments – you may need to qualify your skills in a job interview (and eventually in the job role).
  • Not proofreading. Mistakes in your resumé are the biggest giveaway that you lack attention to detail, so proof, proof and proof again!

Remember: your resumé summary is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so it's crucial to make it impactful and tailored to the specific job you're applying for. With employers and hiring managers filtering through multiple resumés, a well-written resumé summary is the thing that could make you stand out.

The most effective resumé summaries should somewhat mirror the job ad, while highlighting specific career achievements and data that reinforce why you’re the perfect fit. It should also be free of errors, clearly formatted and optimised for ATS. If you’ve aligned your summary with the job ad, you’ve given yourself an even better chance of getting a callback.

What is the ideal length of a resumé summary?

The ideal resumé summary should be one to three sentences. It’s a snapshot of who you are and what you have to offer. Make sure to keep it concise, with only relevant information, enticing the employer to read your full application. 

Should I include my career objective in my resumé summary?

Adding a career objective to your resumé is a personal preference and is not required. But using an objective statement can help immediately draw attention to specific skills, experience or other credentials that will help you stand out from the crowd. It can also be beneficial if you need to address a career change, location change or gaps in your resumé .

How do I tailor my resumé summary to different job postings?

To tailor a resumé summary to different job postings, read the job ad carefully and review your resumé to ensure you are highlighting the desired skills and experience. These skills, qualifications and expertise should be front and centre, and quick to absorb for the reader. 

Can I use the same resumé summary for different job applications?

You should ideally have a different resumé summary for different job applications. Read the job ad carefully and align your skills and experience with the qualities they are looking for, to help you come across as the perfect candidate.

How do I make my resumé summary stand out from the competition?

Some top ways to help your resumé summary stand out from the competition include:

  • Personalise your summary to the job ad
  • Include impressive data
  • Match your skills and experience closely to those mentioned in the job description
  • Keep it concise – less than three sentences
  • Ensuring it is free of errors

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How to Write a Beginner Resume Summary with No Experience [Examples]

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When you’re diving into the job market with limited experience, writing a strong resume is key to landing your dream job. A well-written resume starts with a resume summary —the elevator pitch that shows the reader your greatest accomplishments, skills, and passions. A beginner summary for your resume is the starting point to wow-ing the hiring team and proving you’re the best candidate for the job.

An entry-level or beginner resume isn’t about listing everything you’ve accomplished or can do. Instead, it’s a strategic dance of weaving together your enthusiasm, soft skills, and unique experience. Then, you connect it to the job description and what the hiring manager is looking for.

  • What a resume summary is.
  • The critical components of a resume summary.
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to write an entry-level or beginner summary for resumes.
  • Examples and templates of successful resume summaries.

Understanding the resume summary for beginners

Your resume summary is a snapshot of your professional life—only 3 to 5 sentences—curated with each job description in mind. Job seekers include their professional title, years of experience, skills , and measurable achievements to entice the recruiter to read the rest of the resume.

As you navigate the job search, you’ll see how your resume summary is one of the most valuable sections of your resume.

What is an entry-level resume summary?

When you’re an entry-level applicant, the snapshot summary likely isn’t full of accolades, impactful accomplishments, or advanced skills. Rather, an effective resume summary for a beginning job seeker highlights an eagerness to learn, adaptability, and growth potential.

For entry-level applicants, “It’s not just about bullet points and job titles; it’s about weaving together the threads of your journey, painting a picture of resilience, ambition, and growth,” says Harleny Vasquez , a visionary Career Coach and CEO of yourEVOLVEDmind. “It’s a chance to showcase not just what you’ve done, but who you are and where you’re headed. Each section is a story, each accomplishment a milestone on the path you’ve forged with passion and purpose.”

The purpose of an entry-level summary

A professional summary is the attention-grabbing highlight reel. A successful summary keeps the hiring team reading your resume to learn more about you. In a hot job market where standing out is critical, resume summaries can be a positive differentiator.

Resume summaries provide key context to your resume. It helps the hiring manager frame your candidacy in their mind—they learn why you’re applying, how your skill set translates to the job, and key accomplishments that show you off in the best light. Many other applicants are jumping from the resume headline into the work experience, losing out on the opportunity to capture the hiring team right away.

Want to see examples of resume summaries for any stage of your career? Read 86+ Resume Summary Examples to Inspire You

Resume summary vs. objective

Resume summary and resume objective are often used interchangeably, but the two are very different. They serve different purposes and are used to convey different types of information.

Resume objective

A resume objective states your career goals and the type of position you are seeking. It is forward-looking and focuses on what you want to achieve in your career.

Primarily, it includes your career aspirations and what you aim to contribute to the employer.

For example, a resume objective could say something like:

Seeking a position as a Marketing Coordinator to utilize my skills in digital marketing and content creation in a dynamic, growth-oriented company.

Recruiters and career coaches argue against the resume objective because it’s more focused on the applicant, rather than the company you’re applying to.

Kelli Hrivnak , Founder of the boutique recruitment firm, Knack Digital shares, “I never like to see a resume objective on a resume. An employer is seeking an employee who will solve their problem, as opposed to prioritizing the wants and needs of the applicant.”

Jazlyn Unbedacht , Resume Writer and LinkedIn Optimizer argues we should just get rid of resume objectives altogether. “I’m not sure why they ever were a thing to begin with. Harness expertise from other experiences in your life, like education, volunteer work, hobby pursuits, and more and use that to create a short summary of what you can bring to the table as an employee.”

Resume summary

A resume summary provides a brief overview of your professional background, highlighting your key achievements and skills. It is backward-looking, summarizing what you have already accomplished in your career.

The short paragraph includes your key qualifications, experience, and major achievements. A summary is designed to quickly give employers an idea of your expertise and the value you can bring to their organization.

Resume summary

Many entry-level applicants and those writing beginner summaries for their resumes tend to default to objectives. They worry they have nothing impressive to highlight in their summary.

But Kelli Hrivnak urges you to think outside the box. “For job seekers who don’t have relevant work experience, can you include other experience or skills acquired in your project work instead?”

For example, Kelli suggests writing something like:

Google-certified Marketing graduate with 4 months of experience as an Audience Development intern at a nationally recognized publication firm. Grew audience engagement on Facebook by 30% by developing social strategy and initiatives.

Key pieces of a beginner resume summary

Think of your resume summary like a formula. Just like a math equation has values that you need to solve the problem, your resume summary has critical components that make it impactful to the hiring team.

Follow the formula below to write a standout summary:

Versatile [Your Professional Title] with over [X Years] of experience in [Field/Role]. Skilled in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3]. Proven success in [Measurable Accomplishment 1] and [Measurable Accomplishment 2].

Tailor your resume summary

You can’t write your resume summary once and use it for every application. Your resume—including the summary—should be tailored to each job description.

To tailor your resume summary, you should read the job description closely and pick out keywords and skills to integrate into your resume. This process can take a few hours per job posting, but you can do it quickly with Jobscan’s resume optimization tools.

If you don’t have a resume and are starting from scratch, the Resume Builder tool can help you create a base resume, then you can move directly into Power Edit to tailor your resume to the job description.

tips on how to write a job description section on a resume that's tailored for a job

Quantify your achievements

Numbers and percentages showing time or money saved, revenue generated, or team members managed can show the hiring team how you help an organization thrive, rather than telling them what you’ve done.

For example, you can write:

Boosted sales by 30% through innovative product displays and promotions, and successfully managed inventory turnover, reducing excess stock by 20%.

Use Power Words and Action Verbs

Boring word choices make it easy for the hiring team to gloss over your resume. Inspire emotion and paint a picture with the words you use. Ditch common resume words and use more powerful words instead.

Discover the best power words and action verbs to integrate into your resume: 500 Action Verbs to Use on Your Resume Today

Step-by-step guide to writing an entry-level resume summary

Even if you know the resume summary formula, how can you ensure you’re making a successful impact on the hiring team? There are a handful of steps you can follow to knock your resume summary out of the park every time.

Step 1: Do a self-assessment

Before you write your resume summary, you first have to have a firm understanding of your strengths, skill set, and achievements. Take time to think about a few dimensions of your professional journey.

Using education in your resume summary

Consider your degrees or certifications and any projects and coursework. If you’re short on hands-on experience, using experience from school or other learning can show off your experience and professional growth.

Draw on untraditional experience for your resume summary

When you’re writing a beginner summary for your resume, your experience is limited. But you can draw on volunteer work, part-time jobs, clubs, or even hobbies to link to skills the hiring manager is looking for.

Highlight your transferable skills in your summary

At the start of your career, highlight your transferable skills —or soft skills . These skills are interpersonal skills or behavioral traits you bring to every workplace. Unlike hard skills —job-specific technical skills—transferable skills are difficult to measure, but they’re still incredibly valuable at work.

Add metrics to your resume summary

Numbers and figures show concrete impact and quantify your contributions to an organization. You can use time-based metrics, efficiency metrics, growth comparisons, and more. If you’re a new grad or entering employment for the first time, draw on your other experiences of clubs, school, or volunteering to make an impact.

Increased readership by 15% during tenure as Editor-in-Chief of university magazine.

For more insights about adding metrics to your resume, read 67 Resume Accomplishments Examples to Show Your Value

Step 2: Conduct your research

To create an effectively optimized resume, you need to conduct research about the role, company, and industry.

  • Dive deep into the job description : The job description always has insights into the responsibilities and qualities of the role. Often, there are details about the company’s values.
  • Add the right keywords: By integrating keywords in your resume summary tailored to the company’s mission and values, you can make a powerful impression on the hiring team.
  • Familiarize yourself with industry keywords, skills, and tools : Stay up to date on evolving trends and tools in your field to position yourself as the strongest candidate.

Power Edit features AI technology that not only scans your resume for keywords and skills, but provides ideas you can use to integrate them into your resume seamlessly.

Step 3: Draft your entry-level resume summary

Writing your beginner resume summary for an entry-level role can feel daunting, but you have more to offer an employer beyond traditional work experience. Think beyond your past roles and draw on other experiences to show off your value as a candidate.

Remember, you can use the following template to guide your writing:

Start with a strong introduction sentence

The first sentence needs to capture attention, so choose strong power verbs and open with the information you need the hiring manager to know.

Some examples of powerful resume summary openers include:

Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from XYZ University, where I maintained a 3.8 GPA. Proven leadership skills as the President of the Business Club, organizing events attended by over 200 students. Passionate about project management, I completed a capstone project that improved campus event efficiency by 25%. Seeking an entry-level role in business operations.

Enthusiastic computer science graduate with hands-on experience in developing mobile apps as a hobby, resulting in over 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store. Skilled in Java, Python, and Swift, with a keen interest in UI/UX design. Looking to leverage my self-taught programming skills and creativity in an entry-level software development position.

Dedicated environmental science graduate with a strong background in community service, having volunteered over 300 hours with the Green Earth Initiative. Led a tree-planting campaign that resulted in 1,000 new trees being planted in urban areas. Highly organized and committed to sustainability, seeking to start a career in environmental consulting.

Diligent Marketing graduate with over two years of part-time retail experience at ABC Store, where I consistently exceeded sales targets by 15%. Recognized for excellent customer service and awarded ‘Employee of the Month’ twice. Eager to apply my sales and marketing skills in an entry-level marketing role.

Versatile communications graduate with a strong foundation in public speaking and writing, honed through coursework and as a volunteer tutor at the local literacy center. Part-time experience as a social media coordinator, where I increased engagement by 40% across platforms. Adept at content creation and community engagement, seeking a role in public relations.

Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology, combining academic excellence with leadership as the captain of the university soccer team. Coordinated training schedules and team-building activities, leading to a 30% improvement in team performance. Passionate about health and fitness, aiming to start a career in sports management.

Ambitious psychology graduate with hands-on research experience, having assisted in a faculty-led study on cognitive behavior that was published in a peer-reviewed journal. Strong analytical and statistical skills, with proficiency in SPSS. Seeking an entry-level research assistant role to further develop my expertise in psychological research.

Integrate keywords from the job description

A keyword-rich resume summary boosts your chances of showing up in ATS search results. The ATS , or applicant tracking system, houses every submitted resume for a job listing. When the hiring team looks for candidates to interview, the ATS helps them rank applicants based on keywords and skills from the job description.

“A professional summary is an amazing resource to optimize your resume with keywords and catch an employer’s attention,” claims Professional Resume Writer, Jazlyn Unbedacht .

Jobscan’s Power Edit can find keywords in the job description and help you find places to naturally integrate keywords. Below you can find an example of a keyword-rich resume summary example for inspiration.

Creative marketing graduate with strong skills in social media management and content creation . Successfully managed a university campaign that boosted social media engagement by 30%. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and familiar with SEO strategies . Seeking an entry-level marketing position to leverage creativity and analytical skills to support brand growth.

Avoid keyword stuffing. Adding keywords for the sake of having them can have a negative impact. If your summary isn’t authentic or personal and feels forced, your summary can be difficult to read. Strike a balance by finding other resume sections to integrate keywords.

Highlight your strengths

Your resume summary is the ideal place to humbly brag about your accomplishments . Stay honest and avoid embellishing, but put your best foot forward to make it impossible for the hiring manager not to invite you for an interview.

For example, include projects, assignments, or internships to make your beginner resume summary shine.

Natural leader and recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Management, achieving a 3.8 GPA. Led a student project team to complete a market analysis that was presented to local businesses, resulting in increased partnerships. Proficient in project management and team coordination. Seeking an entry-level management position to apply leadership and strategic planning skills to contribute to organizational success.

Use a resume summary generator

Include a resume summary, even when you have writer’s block. The resume summary generator in premium Power Edit can write the perfect resume summary, using content from your resume and keywords from the job description.

Here’s how it works.

If you don’t have a resume summary, you can go into the Editor and click “Generate Summary.” Using AI, the tool will write a customized resume summary highlighting all your key skills and accomplishments for the job. The AI draws on your education, skills, work experience, and certifications to create a tailored resume summary in seconds.

screenshot of the resume summary generator tool in Jobscan's Power Edit

You can use the generated summary, or rephrase the summary until you find the variation you like best.

screenshot of resume summary generator in jobscan's Power Edit

By the end, you’ll have an optimized resume to impress the hiring team and boost your chances of getting an interview invite.

Generate your resume summary in seconds with Power Edit and create a perfectly tailored resume for each job application.

Beginner summary for resume: Examples

Resume summary based on education

Recent high school graduate with a 3.8 GPA and a passion for technology. Completed a capstone project in computer science, developing an app that improved classroom attendance tracking by 20%. Seeking to apply technical skills and problem-solving abilities in a software development role.

Resume summaries based on volunteering

Enthusiastic volunteer with over 150 hours dedicated to community service at local food banks and shelters. Organized weekly meal distributions, aiding over 500 families. Passionate about social work and eager to contribute to a supportive team environment.

Multilingual individual fluent in English, Spanish, and French, with experience volunteering as a translator at community events. Assisted over 100 individuals in accessing services. Seeking to leverage language skills in a customer service or administrative role.

Community-focused graduate with a 3.9 GPA and extensive volunteer experience at local non-profits. Organized community clean-up events, improving local park conditions by 15%. Eager to bring organizational and community engagement skills to a professional setting.

Resume summaries based on certifications

Certified in Basic First Aid and CPR, with hands-on experience from part-time babysitting jobs. Known for reliability and excellent communication with parents. Managed schedules and provided educational activities for children, seeking to bring caregiving skills to a full-time position.

Certified in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through online courses. Developed a personal website showcasing photography projects, increasing online portfolio traffic by 40%. Seeking to apply web development skills in a tech-related role.

Resume summary focused on extracurricular activities

Team-oriented individual with leadership experience as captain of the high school soccer team. Led the team to two state championships and organized weekly training sessions. Seeking to leverage leadership and teamwork skills in a dynamic work environment.

Learn how to incorporate extracurricular activities into your resume and read: Top Extracurricular Activities to Add to Your Resume (Samples)

Resume summary based on a mix of experience

Motivated recent graduate with a 4.0 GPA and a strong foundation in customer service from part-time work at a retail store. Volunteered at local animal shelter, managing 2 adoption events per month, increasing adoption rate by 15%. Eager to apply multitasking abilities and customer service skills to a professional role.

Resume summaries based on creative projects

Creative content creator with experience in managing a personal blog, growing its readership to 1,000 monthly visitors. Developed strong writing and content creation skills. Seeking to bring creativity and attention to detail to a marketing or content creation role.

Artistic graduate with experience in graphic design, having completed online courses in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Designed promotional materials for school events, increasing attendance by 25%. Excited to bring artistic skills to a design or marketing team.

Resume summary based on sports activities

Dedicated and disciplined athlete with experience in competitive swimming. Managed rigorous training schedules while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Developed time management and resilience, aiming to apply these skills in a professional setting.

Resume summaries based on academics

Recent graduate with honors in Mathematics, achieving top marks in advanced calculus and statistics courses. Participated in math competitions, placing in the top 10 regionally. Seeking to apply analytical and quantitative skills in a data analysis role.

STEM enthusiast with a strong academic background in physics and chemistry. Completed a science fair project on renewable energy, earning first place at the district level. Seeking to apply analytical and research skills in a scientific or engineering role.

Resume summary based on part-time work

Passionate about fitness and health, with part-time experience as a gym assistant. Assisted with client schedules and maintained equipment, enhancing customer satisfaction survey results to a 4.7 star average rating. Looking to bring organizational skills and passion for health to a fitness-related role.

Resume summary based on leadership in clubs

Active member of the debate club with strong public speaking and research skills. Led the team to win regional championships and mentored new members. Looking to utilize leadership and communication skills in a challenging work environment.

A summary statement for a resume is a brief introduction that highlights your key skills, experiences, and what you aim to achieve in your career. For a beginner, this statement should focus on your education, any relevant skills, internships, volunteer work, and a clear career goal. It provides a snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly see your potential. Example: “Recent Marketing graduate with a strong foundation in social media management, content creation, and data analysis. Proven ability to increase engagement and brand visibility through innovative strategies, increasing social media followers by 30% in six months. Seeking to leverage skills and knowledge to contribute to a dynamic marketing team.”

The beginning of your resume summary should immediately grab the reader’s attention. Start with a strong descriptor followed by your job title, relevant experience, or education. Mention a few key skills or achievements that align with the job you’re applying for. Example: “Highly motivated and results-oriented Computer Science graduate with hands-on experience in software development and database management. Skilled in Java, Python, and SQL, with a passion for developing efficient and scalable solutions. Developed a web application that improved process efficiency by 25%.”

A good resume profile summary is concise, focused, and tailored to the job description. It should clearly state your professional identity, highlight your key strengths and achievements, and convey your career aspirations. Use action words and quantify achievements whenever possible to make a stronger impact. Example: “Certified Project Manager with over 5 years of experience in leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and within budget. Expert in Agile methodologies, risk management, and process optimization. Successfully managed a project portfolio worth $2 million, achieving a 95% on-time delivery rate.”

Introducing yourself in a resume summary involves providing a brief yet comprehensive overview of who you are professionally. Start with your current role or recent educational achievement, followed by your most relevant skills and a statement of your career goals. Example: “Enthusiastic and creative Graphic Designer with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and 2 years of experience in creating visually compelling digital and print media. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, with a keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work. Designed marketing materials that boosted client sales by 15%. Looking to contribute my design expertise to a forward-thinking company.”

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Kelsey is a Content Writer with a background in content creation, bouncing between industries to educate readers everywhere.

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How to Write a Resume Summary Statement

This is a step-by-step resume writing article will walk you through how to write a resume summary. This article is intended for new job seekers, teens, students, and recent graduates.

Knowing how show off your skills and abilities in a professional summary is an advantage that will help you get hired faster.

This article will cover:

  • Where a resume summary belongs in a resume?
  • How long your professional summary should be
  • What job seekers should list in a summary
  • Resume summary FAQ

Where Does A Resume Summary Go In A Resume?

Your resume summary should be the first thing hiring managers read when looking at your resume.

To make your resume summary the center of attention, it needs to be placed directly below your name and contact information.

Try using the true red resume template which has a clearly defined resume summary section already in place.

How Long Should A Resume Summary Be?

There is no hard and fast rule for resume summary length. But most HR experts agree that it should be between one to four sentences.

What To List In A Professional Summary

Now that we know how long your resume summary should be and where to place it, let’s discuss the content your resume summary should contain.

If you need more summary inspiration, check out this list of 30 realistic resume summary examples if you have no experience or limited work experience here!

Sentence #1

The first sentence of your resume summary will include a strong adjective to describe yourself, the position you are applying for, and your level of education. Let’s check out these examples:

Personable entry-level restaurant hostess currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in biology from EdgeWater University.
Passionate entry-level cashier possessing an associate of arts degree from EdgeWater Community College.
Hardworking entry-level landscaper who recently obtained a GED certification.

Sentence #2

The second sentence of your resume summary will dive into the hard and soft skills you possess. Here are some examples:

Strong verbal and written communication skills combined with a hardworking attitude.
Strong computer skills, including experience with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Adobe Creative Suite.
Strong time management and organization skills.

Sentences #3 & #4

After describing your skills, the next one or two sentences will focus on your achievements, volunteer work, certifications, or interests. Check out these examples:

Previous experience volunteering in local homeless shelters practicing food service and customer service.
Possesses a CPR and first aid certification.
Passionate about aeronautics, technology and science.

Resume Summary FAQ

Let’s answer the most common resume summary questions that job seekers ask.

Q: What is a resume summary?

A: A resume summary, also known as a professional summary, is the section of your resume that gives the hiring manager a brief overview of who you are professionally, what you have done in the past, and what your relevant skills are.

Q: How long should a resume summary be?

A: A resume summary is written in paragraph form and should be 1 to 4 sentences in length.

Q: Where does a resume summary go on a resume?

A: The resume summary should come directly after your name and contact information.

Q: Should a resume summary be written in first or third person?

A: Your entire resume, including the resume summary, should always be written in third person. Avoid writing ‘I’, ‘My’ or ‘We’.

Q: What should you include in your resume summary?

A: Your resume summary should include a descriptive adjective, your desired job title, and your level of education. Your achievements, certifications, and interests are also optional.

Q: Should you always use the same resume summary?

A: No! A resume summary should be tailored for each job application.

Q: Can I include my personal hobbies in my resume summary?

A: Avoid writing your personal hobbies in your resume summary unless they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

In most cases, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know that you love riding your bicycle or that you love playing video games…. unless you are applying for a video game tester or to the circus, of course.

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Don’t miss our related article on what to list on your resume when you have no work experience or limited work experience here !

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How To Write A Resume Summary That Works In 2024 (8+ Examples)

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Here's a scary fact – your resume summary can make or break your chances of winning a job interview.

Because your resume summary is the very first thing employers read to see if you're qualified for the role or not.

But there's some good news too…

Most job seekers do a  terrible  job of leveraging their resume summary. They use outdated methods which don't work in today's market.

That creates an opportunity for you!

While they're all stuck using old school tactics, you're here reading this article which is going to teach you a brand new approach to the resume summary that's crazy effective in today's job market.

Here's what we're going to cover:

Why Most Resume Summary Advice Doesn't Work Anymore

  • A New, Highly Effective Resume Summary Format Called The Highlight Reel
  • 8+ Examples of Highlight Reel Resume Summaries For Different Jobs, Industries, and Levels of Experience

By the end of this post, you're going to know exactly how to blow the competition out of the water and start landing more job interviews.

If you go looking for resume advice these days, you'll typically see people advocate for two types of introductions: Resume Summaries and Resume Objectives.

Each camp will tell you why their method is best, along with why the other method is outdated and doesn't work. But here's the real truth.

Both traditional resume summaries and traditional resume objectives don't work for today's job market.

Let's break down why neither work very well.

The Problem With Traditional Resume Summaries

A traditional resume summary is when the candidate writes a paragraph-style statement about their experience and skills. It will typically look something like this:

Traditional Resume Summary Example Results-oriented account management professional with 4+ years of experience building relationships with clients in order to help them achieve their goals.

Problem #1: Paragraph-style anything on a resume is the fastest way to losing your reader.

Recruiters are scanning resumes super fast (the typical figure is a six second scan per resume !). They don't have time to read through an entire paragraph.

Problem #2:  Traditional resume summaries typically include fluffy buzzwords and jargon, but no real results.

According to a recent study we performed on 125,000 resumes , over half of candidates didn't include a meaningful amount of measurable metrics / results on their resumes.

When no one's including the outcomes of their work, everyone's simply summarizing their actions. Anyone can perform actions, but hiring managers want to see results!

The Problem With Traditional Resume Objectives

The second popular option is the traditional resume objective . Historically, resume objectives are a statement about your goals for employment. It might look something like this:

Traditional Resume Objective Example Seeking a position at [Company] where I can bring my 10+ years of SaaS sales experience to a growing, fast paced team in the healthcare technology space.

Unfortunately, this is even worse than the summary example I shared above. Why?

Problem #1: Traditional objective statements are only focused on you.

Here's some tough love. Companies don't  really  care about your background. They care about what you can do for them in terms of value, and your background is just one way for them to try and gauge that.

When you only focus your resume on yourself, you're going to lose out to candidates who show the company that they understand their needs / goals and have a plan to help.

Problem #2:  Resume objectives don't illustrate any real value to the hiring team.

Because these objectives are statements about what  you  want, what type of job  you're  looking for, there's no real room to showcase real world results or value.

The truth is, the hiring team doesn't care nearly as much about the job you're interested in compared to the value you'll bring to the table for them.

At this point, it'd be natural if you're saying,  “Well, if a resume summary and a resume objective don't work, what the heck am I supposed to do? Isn't this an article on resume summaries?”

That's exactly why I want to introduce you to a brand new way of thinking about your resume summary:

Introducing A New, Highly Effective Resume Summary

If we want to win in today's job market, we need to take a modern approach to our materials — including our resume.

What most job seekers don't understand is that their resume is a marketing document.

It's a piece of collateral aimed at selling somebody (the employer) on the value and services that you bring to the table!

If we want to write a job-winning resume , we need to do four things:

  • We need to give the reader the information they're looking for as quickly as possible
  • We need to make that information as compelling as it can possibly be
  • We need to make that information as easy as possible to consume
  • We want the reader to feel like the information was hand crafted just for them

Neither the traditional resume summary nor the traditional resume objective cover these bases, which is why I invented a brand new way to start your resume.

“Highlight Reels” Are The New Resume Summary

I discovered this new form of resume summary after sending in hundreds of applications with the traditional stuff and getting rejected from all of them.

When I tested this new “Highlight Reel” resume summary, everything changed. My interview rate skyrocketed and I was actually able to get in the door for jobs I was excited about!

Highlight Reel Resume Summary Example

The Highlight Reel is exactly what it sounds like.

It's a section at the top of your resume that allows you to pick and choose the best and most relevant experience to feature right at the top of your resume.

It's essentially a highlight reel of your career as it relates to this specific role! I like to think about it as the SportsCenter Top 10 of your resume.

The Highlight Reel resume summary consists of 4 parts:

  • A relevant section title that ties your experience to the role
  • An introductory bullet that summarizes your experience and high level value
  • A few supporting “Case Study” bullets that illustrate specific results, projects, and relevant experience
  • A closing “Extracurricular” bullet to round out your candidacy
  • Let's break down each one.

Part #1: A Relevant Section Title

The first part of the Highlight Reel resume summary is the section title.

This is going to be the title of this section, similar to how you've titled your experience section something like “Work Experience” and your education section “Education.”

But we're going to make things personal…

Resume Summary Section Title

Instead of using some boring title, we're going to show the reader that we are the  exact  candidate they are looking for!

By weaving the job title for our target role into the title of our resume summary section! We'll do that using the following formula:

[Job Title] Summary

For example, if your target role is Business Development, your resume summary section should be titled  Business Development Summary.

If your target role is in graphic design, your resume summary section should be titled  Graphic Design Summary.

If your target role is in software engineering, your resume summary section should be titled  Software Engineering Summary.

You get the point.

Now, when that recruiter or hiring manager looks at your resume, the very first thing they'll see is the job title they're hiring for.

That's an immediate check in the qualifications box!

Part #2: An Introductory Bullet That Summarizes Your Experience And Value

Now that we've hooked the reader with our section title, it's time to give them a summary of who we are and what we bring to the table.

Example of Introductory Bullet For Resume Summary

The very first bullet in your Resume Summary should tell your reader:

  • Your area of expertise / background (i.e. Sales Leader, UX Designer, Customer Success Manager)
  • Your total years of experience in the field
  • A value-driven pitch that tells them the type of value that you've brought to previous companies and clients

Your Area of Expertise

In the first part of this bullet, you want to show the reader that you are who they're hoping you are. In other words, if they're looking for a Software Engineer, you want to tell them you're a Software Engineer.

If they're looking for a Results-Oriented Sales Leader, you want to tell them that you're a Results-Oriented Sales Leader.

The best place to find this information is by looking in the job description and mimicking the language they use. For example, check out this job posting from Google:

Example of Job Description Language To Use In Resume Summary

We'd want to include “Sales Manager” in our bullet, then we'd also way to pay attention to supporting language like “customer retention,” “customer relationship management,” etc. for our value-driven pitch too.

Your Total Years of Experience

Next, you want to summarize your experience in a field.

Most jobs have a number listed on the job description (e.g. 8+ years of experience in ______.). If you show the reader you meet that criteria right off the bat, you appear more qualified and have a better chance of hooking them in to read more.

Your Value-Driven Pitch

Finally, you want to sell your reader on the value you bring to the table.

The best way to do this is by telling them how you've helped previous companies in the past (and doing it in a way that resonates with their goals).

Let's use the above Google Sales Manager job description as an example. It says that the ideal candidate, “[knows] how to craft a compelling case for sticking with Google products” and that they “work with companies of various types–local and international, big and small.”

If you have a track record of great retention with those types of companies, your value-driven pitch might be,  “driving award-winning retention for cloud products with clients ranging from SMBs to F500s.”

This is your chance to show the company you have experience delivering the exact results they're looking for — and you have the data to back it up!

Pro Tip: Your introductory bullet, including the value-driven pitch, should act as the 10,000 foot view of your experience. You want to sell people on the overarching value you've delivered with big, impressive results — then you can break down the details in your Case Study bullets.

Part #3: Supporting “Case Study” Bullets

Now that we've introduced the reader to our overarching value, it's time to get to the details.

Case Study bullets let you flesh out the experience that you summarized in your introductory bullet. You want to aim to have 2-3 of them in your resume summary.

Example of Case Study Bullets in Resume Summary

In the example above, my introductory bullet talks about driving eight-figure growth for technology companies in the Ad Tech space.

That means my Case Study bullets should provide two or three specific examples of eight figure growth in that space!

How To Write A Great Case Study Bullet

Case Study bullets are the meat of your resume summary. They're the specific value that's going to help you stand out from the competition…If you write them correctly.

See, most people make the mistake of summarizing their experience with their bullets. They talk about the actions they took, but they don't focus on the results that stemmed from those actions.

If you want to win out, you need to know how to write a killer Case Study bullet!

The good news is, we've created a free tool called ResyBullet.io to help remove the guesswork and make writing bullets easy. Here's how it works:

  • Copy a bullet from your Resume Summary
  • Go to ResyBullet.io and paste your bullet into the text field
  • Analyze your bullet to see your initial score (out of 100)
  • Rework your bullet to match the feedback from the tool

ResyBullet.io - Resume Bullet Analyzer Tool by Cultivated Culture

Now all you have to do is rinse and repeat for all of the Case Study bullets in your resume summary!

Part #4: A Closing “Extracurriculars” Bullet

The last bullet in your resume summary is your opportunity to include anything else that might be valuable, but wasn't included in your bullets above.

Here are some good examples of things you can include:

  • Awards you've won
  • Languages you speak (if you speak multiple languages)
  • Non-role related teams you lead (volunteering, culture, etc)
  • Side projects that relate / add value to your target role
  • Skill building you're working on

The goal of the Extracurricular bullet is to add additional value that helps round out your experience as a candidate.

In my resume summary example, I mentioned two awards that I'd won in my last bullet:

Example of Extracurricular Bullet for Resume Summary

That sums up the four major parts of a job-winning Highlight Reel. Now let's take a look at some examples of this resume summary style for different roles.

Highlight Reel Resume Summary Examples

Here are 3 examples of resume summaries to help you visualize what this style of summary looks like for different roles and different goals:

Example #1: Partnerships Manager Resume Summary

In this example, we have a Partnerships Manager with 3 years of experience managing partnerships in the ad tech space. Here's what their summary might look like:

Partnership Management Summary

  • Partner Manager with 3+ years of experience driving eight-figure growth for ad tech companies like Microsoft, Google, & Hubspot
  • Manage $20M+ book of partners, including two largest revenue generating partners in global book of business at Microsoft
  • Prospected, negotiated, and closed 8 new partnerships worth $15.2M in ARR for Google
  • Maintained average quota attainment of 120% across 2 years at Microsoft

Example of Partnership Management Resume Summary

Example #2: Graphic Design Resume Summary

In this example, we have a Graphic Designer with a decade of experience creating visuals for companies in the fashion industry. Here's what their summary might look like:

Graphic Design Summary

  • Graphic Designer with 10+ years experience creating results-driven graphics and promotional materials for clients like Chanel, Gucci, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, & more
  • Managed a team of 15 designers to produce entire portfolio for 2018 Victoria's Secret fashion show
  • Spearheaded GDUSA award-winning image campaign for Zara
  • Co-Founder of  Girls Who Design,  a community that aims to empower women in design to share their stories and support one another

Example of Resume Summary for Graphic Designer

Example #3: Data Science Resume Summary

In this example, we have a Data Scientist with 6 years of experience in the eCommerce industry. Here's what their resume summary might look like:

Data Science Summary

  • Data Scientist with 6+ years experience using Big Data to drive a better customer experience and higher sell thru rates for eCommerce sites
  • Spearheaded cost-per-lead analysis modeling, resulting in predictive resource allocation system that led to 67% increase in revenue with a 23% decrease in cost-per-lead
  • Generated audience analysis for digital ad campaigns, resulting in hyper-focused targeting that reduced cost-per-acquisition by 44% for eCommerce platform

Tools & Languages: Python, SQL, R, Tableau, & Power BI

Example #4: Career Changer Resume Summary (For A Transition Into UX Design)

In this example we have someone who is trying to make a total career change! They're aiming to transition from a consulting role into User Experience Design with no prior experience. Here's what their resume summary might look like:

UX Design Summary

  • UX Designer with a background of 5+ years in management consulting, working with clients like GE, Cisco, and IBM
  • Developed case study for AirBnB highlighting 3 search functionality changes that could increase bookings by a projected 17% ( Link Here )
  • Developed case study for Harry's Razors highlighting 4 UX changes that would improve checkout flow and increase conversion rates by a project 27% ( Link Here )
  • Currently enrolled in General Assembly's User Experience Immersive Bootcamp (Graduating April 2023)

Example of Resume Summary of User Experience Designer

Key Resume Summary Takeaways

Whew! We covered a LOT of information in this article. I hope you feel like you have a better sense of how to structure your resume summary for the modern job market.

In summary, here are the key points we talked about:

  • Old school resume summaries and objectives don't work anymore
  • The Highlight Reel is the modern approach that works in today's market because it allows you to fully personalize your resume
  • The Highlight Reel consists of a title, an introductory bullet, 2-3 case study bullets, and a closing extracurricular bullet
  • Writing compelling, value-driven bullets is the way to hook your reader from the get go

Now that your resume summary is taken care of, you can upgrade the rest of your resume with this guide on writing a job winning resume !

what should the summary on my resume say

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Austin Belcak

Austin is the founder of Cultivated Culture where he helps people land jobs without connections, without traditional experience, and without applying online. His strategies have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, & Fast Company and has helped people just like you land jobs at Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, & more.

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You need a summary. How to write effective, compelling summaries at any career level.

"You need a summary." More often than not, this is how I've begun my critiques on this subreddit for over 4 years now. But this advice is easy to give and hard to follow. After all, most people would love a great summary in their resume -- they simply don't know how to write it.

This isn't a blog from our website or some piece of content I paid for someone to write. I just decided to write this specifically for the r/resumes sub because I give the advice out in bits and pieces, and I thought it might be nice to have a point of reference.

Reasons why summaries are good:

They provide an anchor or frame for the reader. Persuasion exists everywhere, and your resume can be a persuasive document that plants seeds in the summary and reinforces those points later in your bullets. Unless you trust a recruiter to get a perfect overview of you in their patented "six second scan", the summary is your best chance of saying "in a few seconds, this is who I am as a professional"

They are pretty much your only opportunity to write narrative in a resume. Most of the content after this will be bulleted lists, short phrases, etc. If you're a strong written communicator, this is your chance to show it off.

Summaries provide high-value content at the top of the page. I cringe a little when I see resumes that start with a skills section and mention something like HTML, data entry, or Microsoft Word. These are incredibly weak lead-ins, and this happens because applicants rarely think about how their resume looks top to bottom and what first impression they're making. A summary lets you control how you look right out of the gates!

Reasons why people don't write summaries:

They heard somewhere that summaries don't matter and never get read. I'll say this: If your summary is 8 lines long, it's probably getting skipped. And bad summaries don't help you. So there's some truth to this if your summary is too long or poorly written. But short, pointed summaries are very effective and have a high read rate.

They get confused with objective statements, which are out of date and, quite frankly, were always bad.

They don't know how to write one. We're going to fix this now.

How to write a summary:

The best summaries are 3-5 lines in length, depending on how much experience you bring. They focus on a few important aspects of your candidacy: The best skills you have to offer, what kind of markets or industries you've worked in, and the types of projects or general areas of work you've been involved with. I'm being vague here because you will lean on different parts of this based on the nature of your work. For example, software developers will focus on programming languages, types of teams, and types of applications developed. Project managers will probably focus on the type of teams they work in and around, methodologies they use, and sectors (technical project managers, software development lifecycle, construction/building/buying, etc). Regardless of your position, the summary needs to give people a substantive background that lets them quickly decide "should I keep reading?"

Another big tip for writing summaries: BE SPECIFIC! Many people feel a summary should be this birds-eye view that zooms out and speaks in general terms. They use words like "critical thinker" or "visionary". No kidding, I see new college grads talk about their unique problem solving abilities and other skills that are confusing and don't root themselves in the moment. A summary should still be filled with data points. It's not an overview of who you are as a person, it's a quick statement about what you bring to the table right here, right now.

Let's look at a few examples of good summaries and some commonalities. I'm taking some of these from actual resumes we've written (with our clients' permission) as well as a few that were just made up.

Project Manager: Technical project manager with over seven years of experience managing both agile and waterfall projects for large technology organizations. Key strengths include budget management, contract and vendor relations, client-facing communications, stakeholder awareness, and cross-functional team management. Excellent leadership, organization, and communication skills, with special experience bridging large teams and providing process in the face of ambiguity.

In addition to being an all around great client to work with, this summary really showed her skills before we even read details. In fact, the summary stands alone as a big reason to bring this person in for an interview. I think many hiring managers would agree: If the resume that follows can reinforce the points we've made in the summary, she's probably going to come in for an interview. We mention the kind of teams she's worked on, the types of project workflow, and since there's many different ways to be a project manager, we made sure to be clear about the typical duties and responsibilities she's had (purchasing, contractor management, client-facing, etc). She also describes herself as a leader, clearly communicates well, and you already see that she's worked for large tech companies and seems to have experience working in between teams (not always an easy feat).

Enterprise account executive with a strong background in hardware infrastructure, server/storage virtualization, and emerging cloud technologies. Typically manage quotas in excess of $10MM annually, with a history of exceeding sales targets, leading acquisition efforts, and creating innovative selling approaches in conjunction with in-house marketing as well as extensive partner networks. Experience managing small inside teams including inside sales representatives, customer success agents, and implementation teams. Strong hunter mentality with a relentless drive for setting and exceeding personal goals fore excellence.

Sales jobs are plentiful, and most sales managers want to quickly understand what type of sales experience you have. They want to see what kind of numbers you deal with, what kind of products you sell, who your typical clients are, and what strategies you claim as specialties. This is why I like to mention quotas, industries, and a little insight into how some of the previous roles have been structured. This quickly lets recruiters and managers know how well this person might fit into their current structure. Nobody wants to be pigeonholed into a type, but that's exactly what hiring parties are trying to do, so we might as well lean into it and give them exactly what they want. And because I know sales guys love a little edge and a little hunger in their resumes, we take a more aggressive stance. Trust me, sales directors and VP's hear "hunter mentality" and their mouths start watering! This is obviously not the same tone we'd take with say, a finance professional.

Finance Professional: (See what I did there?)

Professional finance client executive with over 15 years of experience in business development, relationship management, and portfolio and investment analysis. Skilled at educating clients and strategic partners on matters of portfolio optimization, securing and managing new business opportunities, and negotiating strategic partnerships. Excellent consultative approach with clients and stakeholders, and experience managing small teams, delivering quarterly earnings presentations, and collaborating cross-region with global finance organization.

As you can see, we take a fairly dry tone here to match what's expected in the world of finance. Still, we focus on hard-hitting experience points that provide a clear map and overview of skills. This person was at the director level (though in finance, everyone's title is V.P.), and yet we're still not taking the general/zoomed out approach so many people lean on. This is proof that you can be specific no matter how experienced you are in your career. There is always room for details!

This is a long post, but enough people have asked me how to write summaries that I thought it might be a useful read. So I'll give a few points to re-cap and help boil this down to something easy to remember.

Be specific. Use details about skills and experience and don't worry that you aren't telling the full story.

Avoid generalizations. If you're too vague, what you say will get ignored.

Keep it brief. 3-5 lines depending on experience. This means if you're a new college graduate, 3 lines is what you're shooting for. Writing more when you could write less hurts you.

Reinforce what you say here in the rest of your resume! If you're gonna say it in the summary, back it up when it's time to talk about specific jobs. These callbacks WILL get noticed.

Happy hunting!

Owner of Executive Drafts

Guy who likes resumes a lot.

30+ Resume Objective Examples (Plus, Tips on How to Write Yours)

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Resume objectives are a bit controversial. Some career experts see them as outdated, while others believe job seekers can still use them to their advantage. Although resume objective statements have slowly been replaced by resume summaries, they remain useful in certain situations—and that's why you should know how to write one, just in case.

For instance, if you're changing careers and your previous work experience doesn't quite match the new role you're after, an objective statement could help communicate your professional goals to the hiring manager. Likewise, if you're a recent graduate or looking to relocate, you could use this section of your resume to highlight these intentions.

We've gathered 32 resume objective examples—plus, some tips on how to craft one that grabs the hiring manager's attention.

What is a resume objective

A resume objective is a brief statement outlining your short-term career goals, usually one to two sentences long. It should be tailored to the specific job or industry you're pursuing and is placed at the top of your resume, just below the header.

What is a good objective for a resume, and when are they welcomed? That's what we'll show you in a moment.

When you should use a resume objective

Resume objectives aren't quite the norm these days, so they should be only used when you need to clarify why you're applying for that particular role or company. Here are three situations where using an objective statement is a good idea:

  • If you're doing a career pivot: A resume objective can guide recruiters on your career goals and prevent you from being disqualified when transitioning to a new field.
  • If you're changing locations: Applying for jobs outside your current state or city can leave recruiters uncertain about your location; a resume objective can clearly express your willingness to relocate.
  • If you're a recent graduate: Since you likely have little to no work experience to show, a resume objective can give a glimpse into who you are and what you aim to achieve.
  • If you've worked in a variety of roles: When your work history is all over the place, a resume objective statement can be a helpful tool to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and what you're looking for in your next role .

Resume objective vs. resume summary

A resume objective outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in a position, while a resume summary focuses on skills, accomplishments, education, and relevant experiences for the role.

“Think of the resume objective as your career aspiration and the summary as your professional snapshot,” says Angela Tait, People Operations Specialist and Founder of Tait Consulting . “The objective sets your sights forward, while the summary looks at your past and present achievements.”

How to write a resume objective

If you decide to write a resume objective, it'll be the first thing recruiters see on your resume, right after your name and contact information. This means their first impression will be based on how well-written your objective statement is. Here are key tips to do it right:

1. Mention your area of expertise

“Start by mentioning your area of expertise and the role you are applying for,” Tait says. This way, you let the employer know right away about your background and what you want to achieve professionally.

2. Show how you can add value to the company

Your objective statement—and your whole resume, actually—should be tailored to each job opening. “Personalize your resume objective by stating how you can add value to the company you're applying to,” Tait says. “For instance, ‘ Seeking to leverage my expertise in digital marketing to drive brand growth and engagement at XYZ Corp.’”

3. Highlight skills relevant to the role

Once again, to write an effective resume objective, keep in mind the role you're going for. “Focus on how your skills and interests align with that specific job opportunity,” says Conor Hughes, certified in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Consultant at SMB Guide .

For example, for a software developer, skills in programming with languages like Java, C++, and Python are pretty important. Meanwhile, a graphic designer should highlight technical skills in creating and editing visual projects using tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma.

4. Optimize your statement for ATS machines

These days, most resumes get scanned by an ATS robot before reaching human recruiters. So, it's crucial to optimize your objective statement for these ATS machines. How? “Use keywords from the job description to show you have the relevant abilities they're looking for,” Hughes says.

If a job posting specifies “experience in copywriting” and “SEO optimization” as requirements, you should incorporate these exact keywords in your objective statement—and wherever else they fit on your resume. Using just “SEO” or only “copywriting” might not be enough; precision is key.

Need some help? Here's how to read the job description the right way —so you can stop sending resumes into the void.

5. Make it as concise as possible

Recruiters go through resumes really fast—that's one of the reasons two-page resumes aren't usually recommended. When writing your resume objective, keep it concise. “To one or two sentences max,” Hughes says. Remember, the goal is to give enough information about why you're applying for that role, not to share your whole life history.

32 resume objective examples to guide you

Now that we've covered the basics, here are 32 good examples of objectives for resumes categorized by job title and different professional situations, like career pivoting and entry-level positions. Use these examples as a guide, and don't forget to inject your own personality and core information.

General resume objectives examples

1. career change.

Copywriter with five years of experience, now transitioning into the UX Writing field, looking to leverage my writing and content creation skills to create digital experiences that drive business growth. Strong background in content strategy and data-driven decision making.

Find UX writer jobs on The Muse »

2. Relocation

Experienced customer service representative relocating to New York in July, seeking employment with an established customer support agency. I bring my strong communication skills , conflict resolution and customer retention ability developed in seven years working in the industry.

Find customer service jobs on The Muse »

3. Entry-level

Creative marketing graduate seeking a social media assistant entry-level position at a fast-growing marketing agency. My goal is to apply my strong storytelling and creative writing skills to create impactful content for clients and foster professional development.

Find marketing jobs on The Muse »

Compassionate and enthusiastic elementary school teacher with four years of experience teaching young students. Seeking to leverage my creative ideas, multitasking and organizational skills to create a safe and stimulating environment where children can play and learn.

Find teacher jobs on The Muse »

Registered nurse with three years of experience in patient care , currently specializing in pediatric nursing. Seeking to join the Grey Hospital nursing team and bring my knowledge of patient care and my critical thinking skills to foster a safe and empathic environment for patients.

Find registered nurse jobs on The Muse »

6. Journalist

Seasoned journalist seeking a News Reporter position at the USPN channel. I bring my five years of experience working on live television, interviewing sources, gathering and reporting information in fast-paced environments.

Find journalist jobs on The Muse »

Seeking a litigation paralegal position at The Law Group. I bring my three years of experience in conducting legal research, processing legal documents, and witness preparation for deposition and trial.

Find lawyer jobs on The Muse »

8. Architect

Experienced architect relocating to Houston, Texas in August. In my 10 years of experience in the architecture industry I was able to work both in industrial and residential projects, holding high proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop.

Find architect jobs on The Muse »

9. Real estate specialist

Passionate and proactive real estate specialist with solid experience in lease negotiation and facility management. Looking for a similar role to manage a real estate portfolio, implementing strategies to improve profitability and cost effectiveness.

Find real estate jobs on The Muse »

10. Waiter/Waitress

Seeking a waitress position at a local, family-led restaurant where my two years of experience in customer service and hospitality industry would contribute to create an exceptional experience to customers, guests, and clients.

Find waiter/waitress jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for tech professionals

11. software engineer.

Software engineer with 5 years of experience in the banking industry, pivoting to the customer service industry to foster professional growth. Deep knowledge of object oriented programming, experienced with Java, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and relational database schema design.

Find software engineer jobs on The Muse »

12. Software developer

Computer science graduate seeking an entry-level position as software developer. I bring my experience with Git, Java, and Python, as well as strong documentation abilities and communication skills .

Find software developer jobs on The Muse »

13. Data scientist

Experienced data scientist, seeking a senior position in the e-commerce industry. My goal is to leverage my ability to write complex and efficient SQL queries to extract data and translate business needs into analytical frameworks.

Find data scientist jobs on The Muse »

14. SEO analyst

SEO analyst, passionate about SEO and digital audience growth. 7 years of experience with site migrations, SEO analytics tools (Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Google Analytics, and SEMRush), reporting and sharing data insights, and making data-driven decisions.

Find SEO analyst jobs on The Muse »

15. UI/UX Designer

Mid level UI/UX Designer, seeking employment in a fast-growing tech startup. Solid experience with user-centered design principles, knowledge of responsive design, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

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Examples of resume objectives for creative jobs

16. content writer.

Results-driven content writer with two years of experience writing for blogs and websites. Skilled in SEO, creative copywriting, and storytelling, looking forward to applying my skills and creative ideas to help XYZ build an engaged audience.

Find content writer jobs on The Muse »

17. Graphic designer

Creative graphic designer seeking an entry level-position in the education industry. Proficient with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, and After Effects, quick learner with strong time management skills.

Find graphic designer jobs on The Muse »

18. Video editor

Outcome-oriented video editor, proficient with Final Cut, After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop. Seeking employment in the entertainment industry where I intend to apply my extensive experience in storytelling and project management to create engaging stories.

Find video editor jobs on The Muse »

19. Social media manager

Experienced social media professional, seeking a manager position at a high-growth company. I bring my in-depth knowledge of social media strategy and five years of agency experience creating content that is engaging and exciting to the community.

Find social media manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for administrative roles

20. front desk.

Highly energetic tourism and hospitality graduate, looking for a front desk clerk position. 1.5 years of experience in customer service. Strong time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to learn quick and adapt in fast paced environments.

Find front desk jobs on The Muse »

21. Receptionist

Looking for a receptionist position in the real estate industry. Three years experience in customer-facing roles, communication and leadership skills, ability to work with tight deadlines focusing on all aspects of a task or project.

Find receptionist jobs on The Muse »

22. Administrative assistant

Seeking an administrative assistant role in the healthcare industry. I bring five years of experience in customer service, advanced Excel skills, and ability to multitask to perform my duties in a timely and efficient manner.

Find administrative assistant jobs on The Muse »

23. Human resources

Human resources graduate, looking for an entry level human resources generalist position with ABC company to apply my strong verbal and written communication skills , analytical abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft applications to provide hands-on assistance to the HR team.

Find human resources jobs on The Muse »

24. Logistics

Logistics supervisor seeking a manager position at AABB company. I bring my extensive experience in global logistics operations and project management to enhance supply chain and logistics efficiency and achieve cost-effectiveness.

Find logistics jobs on The Muse »

25. Executive assistant

Seeking an executive assistant role at XYZ company. I'm an experienced professional with strong interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, and attention to detail to provide timely and high quality administrative office support to senior level leaders.

Find executive assistant jobs on The Muse »

26. Office manager

Experienced administrative assistant seeking an office manager position in a fast-paced work environment to apply my written communication skills, time management, prioritization, and planning abilities and provide exceptional service and foster professional growth.

Find office manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for sales jobs

27. sales assistant.

Problem solver and team player sales professional, seeking a sales assistant position in a challenging work environment. I bring my experience supporting high acquisition organizations, willingness to learn, and winning team spirit to support sales teams.

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28. Sales manager

Dynamic sales manager seeking employment in the pharmaceutical industry to develop strategic sales plans and achieve revenue and market share objectives. Two years of experience in pharmaceutical sales plus three years of experience in general sales, excellent communication and leadership skills.

Find sales manager jobs on The Muse »

29. Cashier

Recent high school graduate looking for a cashier position at a company with a culture of recognition and excellence. One year of experience in retail sales, strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to represent the company in a professional manner.

Find cashier jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for finance careers

30. banking.

Seasoned relationship banker looking to secure an investment banking analyst position at Bank of America. 15 years of experience in the banking industry, advanced knowledge of banking transactions, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to develop and expand relationships with stakeholders.

Find banking jobs on The Muse »

31. Accounting

B.S. graduate in accounting seeking an entry-level accounting associate position to use my growth mindset, desire to learn, and organizational skills to ensure financial goals are achieved and foster professional development.

Find accounting jobs on The Muse »

32. Financial analyst

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) looking to secure a senior position in a competitive and results-driven work environment. 10 years of experience in financial analysis in banking and technology industries, advanced Excel and SQL skills, and ability to articulate analysis outcomes and relevant insights.

Find financial analyst jobs on The Muse »

Key takeaways

Resume objectives aren't the favorite of most recruiters, but they still serve a purpose. If you're career pivoting, relocating, applying for your first job, or have a diverse professional background, an objective statement can help the hiring manager understand your career goals and how they align with the job opportunity.

However, in other circumstances, using a resume summary might be more appropriate. (Here are 20 resume summary examples to make writing your own easier .)

what should the summary on my resume say

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Resume Writing Guide

A resume is typically an employer’s first introduction to you. First impressions are crucial to establish yourself as professional, capable, and motivated. A strong resume demonstrates your transferrable skills, communication abilities, and achievements. A consistent, detailed, and concise resume can help your resume get noticed by recruiters. By formatting your resume professionally, you increase your chances of earning the interview.

Resume Components

Contact information, phone number.

Use a phone number you can answer readily, such as your cell phone. If you have a voice mail set-up, make sure it sounds professional with your name and the best times to contact you.

Your e-mail address should be professional. While you are enrolled at UMass Amherst, your UMass e-mail will work well. After graduation, consider creating a new e-mail address that contains your name. 

Always include phone and email, but consider if listing your address is helpful or harmful. Employers may give preference to people who are closer geographically - if you are applying from far away, they may be unsure whether you are serious about moving.

Additionally, while your city and state are helpful to list, you do not necessarily need to include your street address. Employers will need it to hire you, but it is not required to provide during the job application process.

Objective/Summary

This section is most useful when you hand your paper resume out at a career or networking event - unless you have something specific to highlight, consider leaving it off your resume. A cover letter will do a better job conveying your why, as well as your key abilities. When you submit electronically, many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will often skip the summary section and look for those key words to be in the body of your document instead.

For currently enrolled students, you will list your current degree first, and then work backwards in reverse chronological order. During your first few years of college, consider including your high school until you run out of space.

In addition to your college education, you may also highlight   study abroad or domestic exchange programs . When discussing these programs, think about including the following experiences to highlight your transferable skills: 

Class projects

Volunteering/internships/research applicable to your field

Independent travel

Learning to work with a more diverse group of people than you had previously been exposed to

Resolving conflicts based on misunderstandings of cultural differences

Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills

Education Section Example 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Fall 2024 - Present)

Bachelor of Arts, Major: English

GPA (if over 3.0 and you feel comfortable sharing)

Relevant Coursework: 3-5 courses max

Awards (when including awards, include the reason for receiving it. Example: "21st Century Leadership Award for high academic achievement in first year")

Senior Project: (optional)

Portfolio of work (optional)

There are many types of experiences: volunteer, paid, unpaid, work study. If the experience is relevant and taught you transferrable skills, find a way to include it.

  • For each experience, include name of organization, your title or role, location, and dates
  • Action verbs (samples below) to help you write accomplishment statements, which prove you have the skills you say by leaning into outcomes and successes
  • Consider using multiple experience headings, such as: research experience, industry experience, or relevant experience. This can be a good way to move more relevant experiences up higher on your resume, even if they happened further in the past.
  • Quantifying your work can demonstrate your aptitude. Answering questions such as "How many?",   "How much?", and "How often?" will help recruiters understand the extent of your skills.  
  • Avoid “responsibilities included" and writing in a passive voice - using action verbs will make this easier.

Experience Example

Leverage, Incorporated: Boston, MA (September 2025 - Present)

Computer Science Intern

  • Developed an algorithm that identified patterns in white collar crime in the financial industries across the United States. Implementation of this program reduced company losses by 17% compared to the previous quarter.
  • Collaborated with supply chain division to design new packaging based on reduction of carbon footprint, leading to increased production distribution while reducing energy usage.
  • Established a training program to help connect interns with mentors at the organization and was awarded the Innovative Intern of Quarter for these efforts

This section is typically for "hard" skills, which are skills that can easily be measured. Soft skills (such as interpersonal skills) are better described in bullet points of your experience section so they can have the context they require. For a skills section, depending on your targeted field, you may add computer, language, laboratory skills, or performances. For languages, put your level of fluency (e.g., proficient, advanced, fluent, native).

Skills Example

Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), Data Analysis (R-Studio, SPSS)

Resume Formatting and Layout

The average reading only spends 20 seconds reading a resume. Before that, an applicant tracking system may be utilized to select which resumes get reviewed by a human being.  Make sure your resume is easy to read and stands out. 

No single format works for everyone: the only rule is that you need to be honest, factual, and relevant

One page is ideal (especially for internships) and for students ages 18-25

Keep a longer master resume for future opportunities

List everything in reserve chronological order; start with your most recent experience work backwards

Use a legible sans serif  font size, keep it readable, 11 is a good place to start

1 column is better than 2; when you have two columns the reader may jump around and miss key information

No icons or images as they cannot be read by applicant tracking software

How Many Resume Versions Do I Need?

There is a big difference between customizing your resume for a specific position/industry versus creating different documents for each application.

  • If you are applying to jobs in drastically different industries, you will want to customize resumes for each industry. For example, a psychology major applying to jobs in Human Services as well as Human Resources will want to highlight different experiences and skills for each, and potentially format their resumes different as a business setting holds different expectations for job criteria compared to a mental health setting.
  • If you're pursuing a few different roles, but they're all related to one discipline or field, then you will not need multiple versions of your resume. However, you will still want to tweak each resume you send out based on the specific job description. 

Specialized Resumes/Sections

While resumes may follow the same general format, depending on your experience and industry, there may be other considerations to help your resume stand out.

Design Resumes

Design resumes can differ from traditional resumes in several tangible ways, reflecting the unique skills and creative nature of design professions.

Your document is an indication of your style aesthetic and may not need to conform to the same rules and standards as other professions.

Visual Layout

Design resumes often incorporate creative layouts that display the designer's skills in typography, layout, and visual communication.

  • Infographics: Use of icons, graphs, and other visual elements can represent skills, experience, and achievements.
  • Color and Typography: Thoughtful use of color and font choices creates an aesthetically pleasing document that aligns with your personal brand.

Content Presentation and Customization

Direct links to online portfolios or examples of work, are often included as part of the resume. Incorporation of personal logos, custom icons, and other branding elements that reflect a designer's style may be added here.

File Format and Compatibility

Designers create their resumes in online spaces varying from Latec to Adobe to Canva. While many resumes are shared as PDFs, design resumes especially should be shared in this format to preserve visual integrity across different devices.

Unique Layouts

Non-traditional formats such as infographics, timelines, or modular layouts may be acceptable.

Interactivity

For digital resumes, elements of interactivity can be incorporated, such as clickable links, hover effects, and embedded multimedia.

The most important rules still apply to ALL resumes; clean neat formatting, with consistency in where the reader will access key information continues to be your driving force.

Designers should contact their career centers to discuss what resume style might best suit their professional goals.

Digital Resumes

A digital resume is an electronic version of a traditional resume that highlights an individual's professional experience, skills, and achievements using digital formats.

Either shared as a PDF or hosted on a personal website, this format allows for enhanced interactivity and multimedia integration. Digital resumes often feature creative layouts, embedded links to portfolios, and interactive elements such as hover effects or animations.

They enable candidates to visually demonstrate their technical and design skills, making them particularly popular in creative and tech industries. The goal of a digital resume is to highlight qualifications, but also provide a dynamic and engaging avenue for potential employers to assess a candidate’s capabilities.

Student Athletes

As a UMass athlete, you learn incredible transferable skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. You also spend more time at your activity than most, so make sure they see all your greatness in action.

“Effectively managed communications between 24 team members, served as liaison connecting team and coaching staff, and effectively resolved intra-group conflicts.”

“Excellent time management skills. Balanced a 30+ hour practice, training, competition, and travel schedule while balancing full academic course load.

what should the summary on my resume say

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A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces. A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces. A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces.

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COMMENTS

  1. How To Write an Effective Resume Summary (With Examples)

    Look for keywords and consistent themes. Rank the themes in accordance to your strengths and the requirements of the job. Then draft your summary and revise until it resonates with you. Strive to create a feeling of pride when read your summary, and ask others who know you for confirmation. — Carolynn Bruce, SHRM-SCP.

  2. 24 Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

    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.

  3. 27 Great Resume Summary Examples to Get Hired

    Why it works: This summary emphasizes the candidate's clinical and patient care experience and highlights their key nursing and interpersonal skills. 9. Financial Analyst resume summary example. "Detail-oriented Financial Analyst with a strong background in financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting.

  4. 77+ Resume Summary Examples [& How-to Guide for 2024]

    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.

  5. 30 Resume Summary Examples + How to Write One in 2024

    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.

  6. Resume Summary: 45+ Professional Examples & How to Write

    Mid-level resume summary example. Customer Service Representative with 4+ years of experience working on a call-center team. Personally handled 90+ sales, tech support, and customer care calls daily, receiving a 95% customer satisfaction rating to date. 100 WPM typist with a Salesforce CRM certification.

  7. How to Write a Resume Summary with Examples

    Follow these steps to write a resume summary: 1. First, start by explaining who you are. The first sentence or bullet point of your resume summary should clearly state who you are as a candidate. Make this a powerful statement that summarizes your experience and why you are a good fit for the job. Examples:

  8. 40 Resume Summary Examples to Help You Write Yours

    Step 6: Customize for Each Application. Align your resume summary with the job's key requirements. Highlight the aspects of your experience and skills most relevant to the position. For example, if the job emphasizes leadership skills, ensure your summary showcases your experience leading teams or managing projects.

  9. Effective Resume Summary Examples & Writing Tips

    This is a good resume summary example because it: Shows how many years of experience the job candidate has. Tells hiring managers what the candidate did for previous organizations. Creates impact with power words like "ambitiously" and "diligently" and action verbs like "excelled at collaborating.".

  10. 5 Resume Summary Examples: How-To Guide [Video + Transcript]

    Tip 2: Consider the length of your resume summary. A well-written resume summary, which is also called a professional summary, is brief—between two to three sentences. It should include your years of professional experience, top skills, strengths and what you're looking for in your next role.

  11. 20 Best Resume Summary Examples + Tips in 2023

    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.

  12. 86+ Resume Summary Examples To Inspire You

    7. Office assistant resume summary. 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.

  13. How to write a resume summary (30 examples)

    Use active language. When writing your resume summary, use active language to describe your skills and experience. This means using verbs that show action and accomplishment. For example, instead of saying "I have experience in sales," say "I have successfully increased sales by 20% in my previous role."

  14. 47+ Effective Resume Summary Examples & Writing Guide

    A resume summary should be short - 2 to 5 sentences (at most). You should write a resume summary when you have relevant skills and experience to talk about, and a resume objective when you don't. A resume summary consists of three key elements: professional title, general experience, and top skills and achievements.

  15. Resume summary: What it is, why it matters and how to write it

    The resume summary is also known as a resume profile, and sometimes as a personal statement or job objective. The resume summary serves to summarize your experience, skills and other qualifications for any job you're seeking. Unlike the rest of the resume, the summary is not in the form of a list, but is written in your own words in the order ...

  16. How to write a resume summary (with examples)

    Ensure you have proofread your summary so it's free of spelling and grammatical errors. Quick tip: Write your resumé summary in the first person ( "I led a team of five" rather than " [Your name] led a team of five".) In the rest of your resumé, omit pronouns altogether ( "Led a team of five". "Increased sales by 23%" .)

  17. How to Write a Resume Summary (2024 Examples)

    3. Write your summary. You should now be ready to write your summary. Put together a one-to-two-sentence summary. Because the resume summary is a brief introduction to your resume, it's important to keep it concise. Showcase the skills that the employer is looking for and mention your most valuable attributes. Name specific accomplishments.

  18. How To Write a Resume Summary (With 30 Examples)

    1. Mention your professional title and experience. The first sentence of a summary statement should always describe your professional title and years of experience. It helps in conveying your professional identity to the employer. Try to start the summary by using adjectives for yourself. Words like "accomplished", "trained", "result-oriented ...

  19. How to Write a Beginner Summary for Resume

    Understanding the resume summary for beginners. Your resume summary is a snapshot of your professional life—only 3 to 5 sentences—curated with each job description in mind. Job seekers include their professional title, years of experience, skills, and measurable achievements to entice the recruiter to read the rest of the resume.

  20. How to Write a Resume Summary Statement

    Sentence #2. The second sentence of your resume summary will dive into the hard and soft skills you possess. Here are some examples: Strong verbal and written communication skills combined with a hardworking attitude. Strong computer skills, including experience with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Adobe Creative Suite.

  21. What to Know About a Resume Summary Statement

    Step 1: Figure Out Where You're Going. Since you need to be concise, it's important to figure out what you want in your next position, so you know exactly what skills and experiences to highlight. If you are not absolutely clear about what you want, envision an ideal position that will value you for the main characteristics and experiences ...

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    The Highlight Reel resume summary consists of 4 parts: 1 A relevant section title that ties your experience to the role. 2 An introductory bullet that summarizes your experience and high level value. 3 A few supporting "Case Study" bullets that illustrate specific results, projects, and relevant experience.

  23. You need a summary. How to write effective, compelling ...

    We're going to fix this now. How to write a summary: The best summaries are 3-5 lines in length, depending on how much experience you bring. They focus on a few important aspects of your candidacy: The best skills you have to offer, what kind of markets or industries you've worked in, and the types of projects or general areas of work you've ...

  24. How To Write a Resume Opening Statement (+10 Examples)

    Avoid using too much jargon, and instead, focus on words that emphasize your strengths and skills. Include relevant keywords that match the job posting. This will help you stand out to the hiring manager and demonstrate that you are a great fit for the position. Tailor your opening statement to each job you apply for.

  25. 30+ Resume Objective Examples for Multiple Jobs

    Your objective statement—and your whole resume, actually—should be tailored to each job opening. "Personalize your resume objective by stating how you can add value to the company you're applying to," Tait says. "For instance, 'Seeking to leverage my expertise in digital marketing to drive brand growth and engagement at XYZ Corp ...

  26. Resume Writing Guide : Career Development ...

    A resume is typically an employer's first introduction to you. First impressions are crucial to establish yourself as professional, capable, and motivated. A strong resume demonstrates your transferrable skills, communication abilities, and achievements. A consistent, detailed, and concise resume can help your resume get noticed by recruiters.

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