The summary for a resume describes your main credentials for your target job. Appearing at the top of the document, it’s the first section hiring managers read and strongly influences whether they call you for an interview.
You may feel lost when developing your profile, especially if you’re just starting your resume. But it’s best to work on the profile after you’ve already drafted your professional experience, education, training, and other relevant areas. Then, you can develop your profile with a broader understanding of your career so far.
Professional Resume Summary vs. Objective Statement
For a long time, creating a brief overview in a resume meant writing an objective statement that would appear above or in place of the summary. Rather than describing an applicant’s key qualifications, the objective would state their end goal for their job search.
In recent years, the objective has fallen out of favor since it speaks to the job seeker’s needs rather than the hiring manager’s. Unless you’re starting with zero work experience, avoid using an objective and instead begin your resume with a summary of what you offer.
Let’s review how the summary example below clearly provides a value proposition for potential employers while the objective is more applicant-focused.
Professional Resume Summary Example:
A marketing manager with six years of experience specializing in go-to-market strategy, public relations, social media, and Google Analytics. A proven track record of executing high-impact marketing campaigns and rebranding initiatives to expand reach across target audiences. Adept at building and leading diverse teams.
Objective Statement Example:
Seeking a challenging position as a marketing manager to utilize skills in digital marketing and further develop leadership abilities.
The Five Steps to a Resume Summary
It can be hard to know where to start when writing a professional summary for a resume, so we’ve broken the process down into five easy-to-follow steps. With a clear strategy, you’ll be equipped to create a powerful snapshot of your value as a professional.
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of our step-by-step process:
1. Write a simple statement of your job title and years of experience
2. Pinpoint and develop a common theme
3. Avoid clichés by way of action verbs
4. Cite a specific achievement
5. Plug in other key credentials
Step 1: Write a simple statement of your job title and years of experience
Begin your resume summary with a concise and impactful statement to immediately capture the essence of your professional identity. Clearly state your job title (or desired title) and level of experience. While this opening line is about you and your unique background, it should be tailored to align with the job you’re applying for.
Let’s look at a few resume examples of a professional summary for a resume with strong openers.
Entry-Level Resume Summary Example:
A social media marketing coordinator with three years of experience specializing in brand messaging, content writing, data analytics, and HootSuite. A proven track record of developing marketing strategies and executing social media campaigns to drive brand exposure across target audiences.
Mid-Career Resume Summary Example:
Motivated sales associate with over five years of experience in retail environments, working both at Bloomingdales and Yves Saint Laurent. Recognized for providing excellent customer service, boosting sales, and strengthening brand loyalty. Seeking to transfer my high energy and passion for the retail industry to a leading luxury retailer.
Senior-Level Resume Summary Example:
A senior data scientist with over 10 years of experience using machine learning, Big Data, and deep learning to deliver data-driven solutions for enterprise organizations. A proven track record of creating dynamic machine learning algorithms to enhance data visualization and drive positive business outcomes.
Step 2: Pinpoint and develop a common theme
Look over all your other resume sections and select three to five details that strike you as especially impressive or relevant. Then, review them all together. Does a common theme or strength emerge? The next one to two sentences in your summary should focus on that theme.
For instance, if your highlights point to expertise in engaging and collaborating with clients, that’s a great area to write about further. Or maybe you’ve consistently beaten sales goals and contributed to past employers’ revenue growth. Communicate the unique value you can bring to the position you’re applying for.
Here are some examples of how even a brief overview in a resume can have a clear theme:
Architect Resume Summary Example:
Versatile and creative architect with over 15 years of experience designing commercial and residential buildings in a variety of sizes and styles. Record of unique and sustainable design that exceeds LEED standards.
Law Clerk Resume Summary Example:
A law clerk with two years of legal experience specializing in federal law, legal research, pretrial motions, and data analysis. A proven history of delivering valuable legal support to lawyers and judges during civil suits and trial cases.
Recruiter Resume Summary Example:
A senior recruiter with seven years of experience leading high-impact recruitment initiatives to secure top talent and drive organizational development. A strong history of developing dynamic human resources (HR) programs to enhance employee engagement and improve retention.
Step 3: Avoid clichés by way of action verbs
At this stage, you may run into the problem of profile clichés. For example, you might describe a collaborative streak as “Excellent communication and collaboration skills.” But terms like this are overused and won’t add much value to your summary.
To avoid clichés and liven up your language, use complete sentences with action verbs. Think about what you actually do at work – the actions (or verbs) you take to generate results. This approach can turn a static word like “collaboration” into a specific, verb-powered phrase like “Collaborate with clients to find win-win product solutions.”
The following examples will give you a good idea of how to utilize action verbs in a professional summary for a resume:
Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Summary Example:
Entry-level accounts payable specialist with strong recent academic and work experience. Focused on helping automate systems to improve financial transaction accuracy and transparency. Fast learner who quickly gains and applies expertise in new systems and software.
Artist Resume Summary Example:
A freelance artist and painter with three years of experience creating stylized watercolor paintings and charcoal drawings using unorthodox conceptual approaches. Achieved recognition in various art exhibitions, including the Pioneer Works Gallery in New York.
Data Analyst Resume Summary Example:
Systematic data analyst with strong recent experience in inventory control and warehouse fulfillment processes. Efficiently extract sales and inventory data, generating usable reports and processes to avoid back-ordering. Career highlights include boosting on-time fulfillment rates by 26%. Power-user of Excel, Tableau, SAS Enterprise Miner, SQL, and SharePoint. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Step 4: Cite a specific achievement
To strengthen your summary, you can add a concrete, quantified achievement from your work history. This makes the description more compelling and specific to you. Hiring managers will clearly see the value of your contributions, especially when you use numbers to quantify past success.
Say one of your career highlights from the professional experience section is, “Surpassed quota by 10% in 2013, 18% in 2014, 20% in 2015, and 22% in 2016 and 2017.” Consider adapting it for the summary with a phrase like, “Surpassed quotas by over 18% on average for five consecutive years.”
Competing in a pool of well-qualified applicants requires a little something special to catch the eye of hiring managers. The examples below will give you a better idea of how to do this.
Account Manager Resume Summary Example:
A results-driven account manager with three years of professional experience specializing in consultative selling, client relations, strategic planning, and communication. A proven track record of securing and developing new accounts generating over $2 million in annual revenue.
Copywriter Resume Summary Example:
A dynamic copywriter with three years of experience developing and refining content to support digital marketing campaigns. A proven track record of using A/B testing and SEO marketing strategies to improve conversion rates by up to 70%. Adept at collaborating with marketing teams to develop high-performing ads.
Law Enforcement Resume Summary Example:
Community-oriented police officer with over five years of advancement and experience. Calm and decisive in high-pressure situations; as a patrolman, resolved conflicts on the street 15% more often than the department average.
Step 5: Plug in other key credentials
Finally, round out your profile with one or two more statements on your other top qualifications. If one of your other highlights is an advanced degree or certification, that can give your summary a strong outro.
Most resumes already have education and certification sections, so there’s no need to list everything here. Focus on credentials most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Also, note that foreign language ability is often viewed as a key asset by employers, so if you have it, feature it in your profile.
Explore the following examples to see how you can write a brief overview in a resume that goes beyond the basics and emphasizes your extra strengths.
Art Educator Resume Summary Example:
Art educator with strong recent work, volunteer, and academic experience. Passionate about engaging students in art theory and practice and helping young people explore their creative potential. Skilled at adapting instructional methods to each student’s learning style. Master of Arts in Teaching.
Dental Hygienist Resume Summary Example:
Reliable licensed dental hygiene professional with over six years of experience in innovative, modern dental practice. Expertise working with diverse populations, including adolescents, medically compromised, and geriatrics. Experience in soft tissue management, whitening procedures, periodontal charting, sonic and ultrasonic instrumentation. Certified in Basic Life Support and nitrous oxide monitoring.
Social Worker Resume Summary Example:
Social worker with over 10 years of experience supporting clients and patients in hospital and home-care settings. Demonstrated success advocating for people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Draw on strong listening skills to determine each client’s needs and recommend helpful resources. Master’s degree in social work. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Tying It All Together
After following these five steps, you should have all the necessary components to write a professional summary for a resume. It’s time to bring these elements together to build a cohesive, impactful statement that accurately presents your professional value. Keep the following tips in mind as you write:
- Maintain a logical flow: Think of the steps above as a formula for success. Start with a strong opening line, communicate a common theme, and incorporate relevant achievements and/or credentials.
- Keep it relevant: As you review and refine your summary, focus on strengths that align with the position. With each job you apply for, adjust this section to optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and show you’re a good fit for that specific role.
- Be concise: Sticking to the most pertinent information will help you create a concise resume summary. This paragraph’s purpose is to immediately capture the attention of hiring managers, so it should only be a few sentences long.
Before you finish, consider: Are you missing anything important? Have you left out a work highlight or skill area that’s key to your next job? If yes, add a sentence or two on those missing areas and take heart that you’re gaining an ear for the type of information a winning profile calls for.
20 Effective Resume Summary Examples
Looking for more examples? Check out the resume summaries below for extra inspiration.
Resume summary examples by experience level
From entry-level to senior-level, a professional summary for a resume should communicate your most relevant experience and achievements. Each of these examples demonstrates how to provide a brief overview in a resume regardless of your level of experience.
Entry-Level Resume Summary Examples:
- A customer service associate with two years of experience specializing in cash handling, point-of-sale (POS) systems, communication, and inventory management. Adept at providing quality service to a diverse range of customers and supporting daily store operations.
- An inside sales representative with entry-level experience specializing in prospecting, cold calling, customer service, and upselling techniques. Adept at building rapport with sales prospects and delivering engaging product demonstrations to drive sales and close deals.
- Engineering graduate with strong knowledge base centered on robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Passionate about streamlining work processes and finding novel solutions to complex problems. Quickly adapt to new work challenges and conditions.
Mid-Level Resume Summary Examples:
- Police sergeant with over seven years of advancement and experience. Draw on strong knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and community police policies. Natural collaborator who builds productive relationships with various departments and organization levels. Equally effective in a leadership or hands-on role.
- Friendly, organized receptionist with significant experience in fast-paced health care environments. Provide dedicated customer service and effective administrative support while embracing new challenges and skills.
- A certified dance Instructor with five years of experience, specializing in Latin dance, Salsa, Mambo, Bolero, and American Rhythm. A proven track record of developing innovative lesson plans for a broad range of dance styles. Adept at balancing constructive criticism with positive reinforcement to drive personal and professional growth.
Senior-Level Resume Summary Examples:
- A senior civil engineer with over 10 years of experience in the planning and construction of buildings, roads, dams, roads, and underground systems. A proven track record of leading high-performance construction teams to execute multi-million-dollar projects. Adept at identifying opportunities to mitigate safety risks and enhance project delivery.
- Nanny with over 10 years of experience. Skilled at working with parents to set clear weekly schedules and build a safe, positive home environment. Committed to supporting parents’ educational and disciplinary goals for each child. Offer live-in or live-out flexibility.
- A network security analyst with over eight years of experience identifying threats and identifying innovative solutions. A proven track record of mitigating cybersecurity threats and providing technical support to military personnel and civilians.
Resume summary examples for top jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has ranked the following occupations as some of the fastest-growing jobs. If you’re applying for in-demand roles, your summary should immediately establish your competence within the field. The following summaries demonstrate how to do this effectively.
Home Health Aide:
A Certified Home Health Aide with over 12 years of experience delivering compassionate care to elderly, palliative, and bed-bound patients. A strong history of building positive relationships with clients and identifying opportunities for enrichment and social interactions.
Software Developer:
A lead software developer with over 10 years of experience developing innovative software solutions and applications for enterprise customers. A proven track record of building and leading diverse development teams throughout all phases of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Adept at coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders to execute multi-million-dollar technology projects.
Cook:
Dedicated prep cook with over three years of experience in a fast-paced commercial kitchen. Use precise trimming and chopping techniques to minimize food waste. Collaborate with other kitchen staff to quickly prepare high-quality food orders for customers. Draw on deep knowledge of seafood dishes and cooking methods.
Registered Nurse:
A registered nurse (RN) with over 12 years of clinical experience providing quality care to critically ill patients in ICU, oncology, and surgical units. A strong history of identifying opportunities to drive patient-centered care and improve clinical operations.
Material Handler:
Efficient material handler with over five years of experience in large-scale manufacturing. Highly collaborative and focused on new process solutions. Recent achievements include ranking No. 4 on a 40-person team for overall productivity.
General Manager:
A general manager with eight years of experience within the restaurant industry, specializing in operations management, logistics, vendor management, and profit and loss (P&L). A strong history of developing innovative business strategies to improve gross margins. Adept at recruiting, training, and building teams to deliver an unparalleled dining experience.
Operations Manager:
Experienced operations manager with a background in finance. Certified project management professional with a broad skillset including leadership, collaboration, budgeting, and cost reduction. Master of Business Administration.
Nurse Practitioner:
A nurse practitioner with over 10 years of experience delivering mental health treatments for patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. A proven track record of diagnosing disorders and identifying ideal medications to improve quality of life.
Marketing Specialist:
A dynamic digital marketing specialist with five years of experience specializing in paid search, SEO, lead generation, and product marketing. A proven track record of developing innovative strategies to grow web presence and organic traffic for client websites. Expertise in leveraging analytics to refine data-driven decision-making for digital initiatives.
Medical Assistant:
A Certified Medical Assistant with two years of experience delivering excellent patient care in acute care environments. Adept at collaborating with RNs, physicians, and administrative teams to improve clinical operations and efficiency.
Heavy Truck Driver:
Proactive, dependable heavy truck driver with zero safety incidents over seven years of experience. Offer advanced knowledge of local routes, safety guidelines, and navigation systems. Motivated to deliver superior client service with every interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Writing a Professional Resume Summary
Is a resume summary necessary?-
Yes. Virtually any job seeker can improve their application by providing a brief overview in a resume. A strong profile section catches a hiring manager’s attention by giving the key reasons you’ll thrive at their organization. In seconds, it assures the reader that you’re a strong candidate whose application is worth a closer look.
How long should a resume summary be?-
Many resume experts give strict parameters for profile length: three or four lines of text are the standard order. But profiles are more flexible than that. Don’t worry if your own profile comes in shorter or longer, given you’ve followed this process. And never add fancy language to your summary for its own sake.
What should you not put in a resume summary?-
Personal information like your age or marital status, salary expectations, and weaknesses don’t need to be mentioned here. Focus on positive aspects of your career and what you offer employers on a professional level. Also, avoid overexaggeration within your summary. Although some may turn to fibbing to land a job, honesty is always the best policy.
Should you say “I” in a resume summary?-
Personal pronouns aren’t necessary anywhere within a resume. It’s already implied that the resume is a document all about you, so removing words like “I” or “my” will keep your writing concise and professional. While it seems like a summary could be a place to use pronouns, sticking with the third-person here will maintain consistency overall.
Can you have a resume without a summary?-
While there’s no strict rule about writing a summary, it’s best to include one. Most hiring managers and recruiters might find it unusual if they come across a resume without a summary. This is a traditional element present in virtually all templates. Beyond that, you would be losing out on an opportunity to showcase all of your top qualifications and strengths in one cohesive snapshot.
Craft your perfect resume in minutes
Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!
