Resume Summary Statements
What are they and how to write them?
To write a winning resume for your perfect job, you need to master the skill of writing an unforgettable resume summary statement that promotes your candidacy.
As another optional introduction to a resume, the summary statement, fairly similar to a qualifications summary, is a short paragraph made up of 3-4 sentences that helps candidates grab the attention of a hiring manager by highlighting their most relevant professional qualities including qualifications and experience.
Other names given to the summary statement are resume profile, professional profile or career summary. Whatever you choose to call it, this brief but concise introduction is an excellent opening to a professional job application, and knowing how to write an effective summary statement for a resume could be just the trick to earn you the interview you’ve been waiting for.
The following guide will give you the tips you need to write an outstanding resume summary statement. It will help to understand what to include, what to avoid and how to market your resume from the very beginning of your search for your ideal job.
Start your resume with confidence. Our AI resume builder’s summary generator examines your qualifications and experience to create an engaging synopsis that establishes the tone for the remainder of your application.
How to write a resume summary statement
Just below the contact information on a resume, all aspiring candidates should start by including a short but detailed introduction which is tailored to fit the position offered and emphasizes the applicant’s unique core competencies.
One way to ensure that you customize the resume summary statement for your specific vacancy is by researching not only the company but also the competition and their job advertisements to find suitable keywords and qualifications that the position requires or would be desirable. Mentioning your experience with these aspects will demonstrate your preparedness for the role.
When learning how to write a summary statement for your resume, remember that you must keep the text focused by asking yourself the question, “why am I the right candidate for this role?” in just a few short sentences, you must answer this question by producing your best career achievements and stressing your extensive experience and knowledge.
Tips for writing a summary statement
Need a little help writing a summary statement for a resume? Don’t fret, we have just what you need with these expert tips on creating a winning resume summary statement.
- Your resume summary statement will be null and void if you do not take advantage of the opportunity to include keywords taken from the job description to pass any ATS tests and correctly tailor your resume to the job on offer.
- Give yourself a title such as ‘Graphic Designer’ or ‘Purchase Manager’ to begin your summary statement.
- Write the resume summary using impersonal phrases avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘me’ and write in the present tense, unless using specific examples: This will encourage the reader to envision you as part of their team.
- Remember to focus your summary statement on the company in question and emphasize the aspects of your professional profile that they require and characteristics that will be profitable to the business.
- If you can add a quantifiable aspect to your summary statement, you will increase your memorability factor with the reader; Try including your years of experience or a percentage increase that you have influenced.
- If you’re struggling for skills or qualifications to focus on, or examples of accomplishments, take a look at professional profiles of people in your field to get inspired.
- Careful with name dropping, it is essentially a useful marketing tool that attests to authority but needs to be used correctly and never abused by mentioning confidential clients.
Do not list responsibilities or tasks in your summary statement that you have done in previous positions if you do not want to do them again or did not like them!
This will only convince recruiters that these duties are part of your specialized area and you promote yourself as being passionate about them.
With these tips and an online resume builder, you’ll have all you need to create a winning resume with a captivating summary statement to help you land the perfect job for your profile.
Difference between a Resume Objective and a Summary Statement
Jobseekers often confuse resume summary statements with resume objectives, so we wrote a guide to tell the difference between the two possible introductions.
There are two key differences between a resume objective and a summary statement which are vital to consider if you’re debating which introduction to give your resume:
- Although both possible resume introductions are short paragraphs of 3-4 lines describing aspects of the candidate, you will find that the focus of these sentences is not the same. That is to say, the content of a resume objective emphasizes the interests and aims of a jobseeker, indicating the skills and goals that define that particular candidate.
- Whereas, a summary statement highlights an applicant’s experience, qualifications and demonstrates to prospective employers what he or she can bring to the role.
The resume objective is no longer preferred by resume experts and generally candidates are advised to use one of the other possible resume introductions to best showcase their professional profile and attract the attention of hiring managers.
A good summary statement can make a big difference to the reader and done right can help you stand out in the application process.
However if you feel it would be more suitable for your application, do not hesitate to check out our guide to how to write a resume objective for tips and professional advice.
Neither the summary statement nor the resume objective is the appropriate place to mention any career gaps whether due to unemployment or personal circumstances. These situations can be explained later either in a professional cover letter or during a job interview.
When should you use a Resume Summary Statement?
Who should use a summary statement on a resume? Where should a summary statement be on a resume? Find the answer to these questions to create a winning resume.
A summary statement on a resume is one of the best ways to demonstrate to a potential employer that you are the perfect candidate for the position and the company you’re applying to, by including specific examples of your contributions and how you have helped develop or transform businesses in previous jobs.
This eye-catching statement should therefore be placed at the top of a resume in the so-called ‘prime real estate’ area just after the contact information.
A resume summary statement is the best choice for professional jobseekers who have some or extensive experience in their industry.
On the other hand, a resume objective tends to be more beneficial to first-job applicants, students or candidates who are just leaving school, graduates and for entry-level positions.
The type of jobseeker who is expected to write an effective summary statement to entice the hiring manager is an executive-level or upper level employee such as managers, senior positions, directors and candidates who demonstrate a steady career progression in one field or area of expertise.
If you have any specific achievement which you think should be mentioned on your job application, you should include it in your resume under the summary statement heading as a point of interest as part of your unique professional profile.
- Have you managed famous client accounts or landed an exceptional number of new customers?
- Did you implement any new programs or renovate working practices?
- Have your ideas or activities saved the company money or improved profits?
Finally, when writing a summary statement for your resume, it is essential to customize it every time you send a new job application. This means researching each company and position well and including the achievements, experience and qualifications which are relevant to each one.
If you do not know how to start your resume summary statement you can choose a resume template or work from an online resume creator to find examples and suggestions to write an effective resume introduction.
Resume Summary Statement Examples
Here you’ll see a few examples of summary statements for different professional profiles which demonstrate how you should go about writing your resume summary statement to impress a potential employer and convince them to call you in for an interview.
The aim is to get to the point as clearly and professionally as possible, using brief sentences detailing the main reasons you would be the perfect fit for the vacancy, thus demonstrating why the company should hire you.
Human Resource Manager Summary Statement Example
Enthusiastic human resource manager with 8 years experience using HR metrics, organization charts and coordinating recruitment, employee relations and various company events. Strong organizational and strategic planning skills with a confidential profile who uses initiative to resolve employee issues and creates an agreeable working environment. Managed team of 10 HR assistants in large multinational.
Customer Service Representative Summary Statement Example
Motivated bilingual customer service representative with 15+ years of experience and exceptional client relations, interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral in Spanish and English. Efficient team player dedicated to problem solving and specializing in offering services and products, addressing consumer needs. Proficient with CRM systems and highly organized to ensure constant accurate record keeping. Expert in client retention and growth having increased customer accounts by 40% in a year.
Accountant Summary Statement Example
Accurate and versatile accountant with 10 years experience and MBA in Accounting & Finance with expertise in payroll, financial analysis, budgeting, taxation and auditing legislation with Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification. Excellent attention to detail and organization skills to ensure error-free, well-documented records, ledgers and forecasts. Employs most up-to-date software and technology to control and analyze accounts and expenses.
Another surefire way to build a winning resume is to use an online resume maker which will give you professional resume advice for each step. Improve your chances of landing a job interview by reading more on ResumeCoach about how to write each resume section.
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