Writing a strong resume summary is a manageable task if you know the rules. Here are some key recommendations for writing a resume summary statement on your own.
Review the job posting.
Start by identifying key qualifications, skills, and experiences the job description specifically asks for. Highlight the specific skills and must-have qualifications to incorporate them in your summary statement and other sections in your resume.
The next step is adapting your existing resume summary to the target job. If you are a highly skilled professional, no need to pack all your strengths in a summary. Focus on details that make you a perfect fit for this particular job.
Use numbers and percentages.
Adding numbers will make your resume more appealing to employers. Numbers draw the reader's attention naturally. Moreover, they highlight the impact you've made in your previous jobs and what you achieved. They showcase your dedication to delivering results and exceeding expectations, and these qualities are highly valued by all employers.
For example, instead of writing that you have organizational skills, you may write "Implemented a centralized system for client records, reducing retrieval time by 35% and improving data security". Such a statement will surely capture the recruiter's attention!
Incorporate the effective structure.
There are no hard rules, but here are some recommendations for structuring your summary:
- Your job title and years of experience. Use the structure Descriptive word + Job Title + Years of Experience + Details.
Example: Meticulous Software Developer with 4+ years of experience developing web applications for the finance and banking sector. - Areas of expertise and key achievements. Feel free to brag about your professional strengths and accomplishments in your professional summary! If you exceeded sales targets, improved processes, increased client satisfaction, or won a company or industry award, include them here.
- Details that can affect your resume score. If you've worked for a worldwide-known brand name, are bilingual, or have an important license or certification, add them here as well, as these details can impact the success of your job hunt.
Keep it short and focused.
Ideally, you should keep the summary between 2 and 4 sentences. Your goal is to keep it informative and relevant to the job you're applying for, but not overwhelm the reader with extra details.
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Resume summary examples
Wondering what successful career summaries look like? Here are some examples generated with our resume builder:
Software Developer Professional Summary Example
Detail-driven Software Developer with 5+ years of experience in the fintech industry, developing secure payment processing systems. Led the development and implementation of a fraud detection algorithm to reduce fraudulent transactions by 18%. Proficient in Python, PostgreSQL, Docker, and AWS, with a strong understanding of PCI compliance standards.
Marketing Manager Summary Example
Results-driven Digital Marketing Manager with 8+ years of experience leading successful digital campaigns for agency clients. Expert at developing data-driven strategies across SEO, social media, and content marketing, managing annual marketing budgets of $150,000 and achieving a 25% lead generation for clients on average.
Registered Nurse Summary Example
Highly skilled Registered Nurse with 4+ years of experience in high-volume hospital settings. Specializes in Cardiac Care, including interpretation, medication administration including vasoactive drips, and post-operative cardiac patient management. Independently managed complex patient cases, resulting in a 12% reduction in patient readmission within 30 days and a 96% patient satisfaction rate.
Resume summary mistakes to avoid
When writing a professional summary, make sure to avoid these common mistakes and setbacks:
- Avoid cliches and buzzwords. Overusing words like "go-getter", "self-started", and "team player" instantly weakens your professional summary. These words don't say anything specific to hiring managers and are seen as cliches. Replace them with specific skills and achievements.
- Making it too long. To help your resume stand out, your summary should be short and specific. Don't write long sentences or, worse yet, multiple paragraphs here! 3-4 sentences will suffice to quickly introduce your professional background.
- Focusing on your needs, not the company's. Statements like "Looking for a high-paying opportunity with an international company where I can utilize my potential" won't help you succeed in your job search. In your summary, you should focus on what you can bring to the table and how your skills will help the company succeed. You can talk about your needs and expectations during the interview.
- Not proofreading before sending. 49% of recruiters reject resumes with errors. Proofread your professional summary so that it's free from any mistakes and makes a strong first impression.
- Adding salary requirements. You shouldn't add the desired salary anywhere on your resume. Hiring managers may reject such resumes and you'll lose your chance for an interview.
Our AI resume summary generator helps create a summary that meets the recruiter's expectations and avoid common errors. Generate the summary for your job title, adjust it a little so that it accurately reflects your experience, and apply for jobs with confidence!