A Knockout Resume Summary is Key
September 16, 2008 
9 Comments
Does Your Resume Need A Summary?
Yes, absolutely! Don’t skip this section, even though you may receive advice saying it’s not necessary.
A strong, compelling resume Summary is perhaps the most important part of your resume because it’s the one section that is likely to be read in its entirety. Use concise statements that showcase your most important achievements, qualities and skills. Be sure to match your statements to those qualities that are most desired by the hiring manager for that position.
The resume Summary is your one chance to grab the reader’s attention and keep the prospective employer reading, so take your time and do a good job.
Research the position, the company and the field. What are the qualities that the ideal candidate for that position would possess? Why are you the perfect person for the job? Demonstrate in your resume Summary why you are the person who has what is most important to the prospective employer.
The hiring manager will receive a lot of resumes that take a shotgun approach. Wow them by using strong statements in your resume Summary that say: “I want this job, I recognize the qualities you’re looking for, and therefore I’m a superior candidate because I understand that and have exactly what you need.”
The ingredients of a successful resume Summary include:
A short statement describing your profession
Follow that with a statement about your expertise
Then add two or three statements that address:
- Your unique combination of skills
- The depth or breadth of your skills
- The range of experience you have, and in what environments
- A well-documented or special achievement
- A history of promotions, commendations, or performance awards
One or more professional characteristics
A statement about a professional objective of yours
You probably wouldn’t include everything on that list in one short resume Summary – and you wouldn’t use the same Summary for every position you apply for. Choose those things that showcase you to best advantage for the specific position you’re applying for.
If you are young and with little experience, focus your Summary on your abilities. When making a career change, focus on what you have achieved in the past that prepared you for your new career. Above all, choose things to highlight that match what is important to the employer.
Follow Resumebear on Twitter @onlineresume @ResumeBear
Related Posts
Customize Your Resume Objectives and Summary to the Job OpeningWell-Done Resume Objectives Show You Are a Good Match
Number One Resume Mistake – No Cover Letter
How to Post Your Resume on Craigslist
Sample Cover Letter Format
Categories: Resume & Cover Letter Tips
Tags:
The points given in resume creation tips are very useful and there is every chance of your resume getting into the special attention of your potential employer.
This is great information!!!!
jimmy
Thanks for the great tips. I think this is the hardest part of the resume to do well. I rarely use it for student resumes unless they have years of full-time experience. It would be nice to see a couple of your best examples…
Agreed, Sharon. I think the Summary can make quite and impact *if* it includes some truly impressive info. If it isn’t going to jump off the page and grab the interviewer’s attention, you might skip it. Accomplishments don’t necessarily have to be job related, though. If you’ve done anything extraordinary that illustrates important characteristics (goal setting, ambition, determination…) highlight them for sure.
Hiring managers and human resource directors are busy people, often looking through dozens of resumes a day. Creating an effective summary gives employers a quick snapshot of your background and skills, enabling them to easily mark your resume for more detailed review.
David Burke recently posted..Rules for Fools
So…you need a cover letter, a resume AND a resume summary. If so, its getting towards superfluous, and taxing a hiring managers’ time.