Resume
How to write a resume summary
A resume summary is two to four sentences at the top of your resume, under your contact details. Start with your job title and years of experience, name two or three strengths the job posting asks for, add one result with a number, and end with what you'd bring to this employer. Write it last, and change it for each job.
What is a resume summary?
A short paragraph at the top of your resume that tells the reader who you are, what you're best at, and why that fits this job. Indeed puts it right after your contact information, at two to four sentences. The University of Arizona says two or three lines; if yours runs longer, turn it into a bulleted “Summary of Qualifications.”
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What to call it
Duke's Career Hub lists Professional Summary, Summary of Qualifications, Key Skills and Key Qualifiers. It says to avoid the word “objective.”
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What it isn't
A second copy of your contact details or a list of every job. The University of Arizona says not to repeat basic information.
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Who reads it
The recruiter, first, and often an applicant tracking system. Indeed says to use keywords from the posting so both find them.
How do you write a resume summary?
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Write it last
Indeed suggests finishing the rest of your resume first. Then you pick from results that are already on the page.
- 2
Pick three or four things to say
The University of Arizona's brainstorm: the skills you most want them to see, how your past leads to this job, skills that carry over, and the words the job descriptions keep repeating.
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Open with your title and experience
For example, “Customer support lead with six years in software.” Indeed says a recent graduate can lead with the degree instead.
- 4
Name two or three strengths from the posting
Mix hard skills, such as a tool or a license, with soft skills, such as training people. Use the posting's own words.
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Add one result with a number
Indeed's example is “increased sales by 20% in one quarter.” Use your real number, from your own bullets.
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End with what you'd bring
One line on the value you offer this employer, not what you hope to gain. Duke calls summaries about what you want “self-focused.”
Resume summary examples
Made for this page, with brackets for your own facts. Each one follows the steps above. Never fill a bracket with a number you can't explain in the interview.
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Experienced, same field
Example“Customer support lead with [six] years in software, skilled in [tool] and in training new agents. Cut average response time [35%] in [one year] by [what you changed]. Brings a calm, data-led approach to growing a support team.”
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Changing careers
Example“Former [teacher] moving into [instructional design], with [eight] years of planning lessons for [120] students a term. Completed [a certificate] and built [two] e-learning modules in [tool]. Brings a classroom view of how adults actually learn.”
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Recent graduate
Example“[Degree] graduate from [school] with [internship or project] experience in [field]. Skilled in [two skills from the posting]; [one result, such as a project grade, users or money raised]. Ready to bring [strength] to an entry-level [role].”
What should you avoid in a resume summary?
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“I” and “my”
Write it without first-person pronouns, and start lines with action words. Indeed and the University of Arizona both say so.
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Lines anyone could write
“Hard-working team player” tells them nothing. Duke warns against generic and vague summaries; name the skill and the result.
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What you want from them
“Seeking a role where I can grow” is about you. Say what you'd do for them.
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Too long
Indeed says no more than three to four sentences or lines. If you need more, use bullets.
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One version for every job
Duke, Indeed and the University of Arizona all say to tailor it. Swap in the strengths and keywords of each posting.
Do you need a resume summary, or an objective?
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Use a summary when
You have experience to sum up. Duke adds three more reasons: to explain a career change or connect different jobs, to show a mix of skills, and to show the value you'd bring.
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An objective, maybe, when
You have little experience. Indeed says objectives suit that case, though Duke says to avoid the word “objective” itself.
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Skip it when
Duke's list: you're an undergraduate, the job is highly technical, or you've worked in the same field for a while and your experience speaks for itself.
Changing fields? How to change careers →
Your summary is also your interview opener
“Tell me about yourself” asks for the same thing out loud: who you are now, one result, and why this job is next. Write the summary first, then practice saying it in about a minute.
Check the whole resume, not just the summary
Paste your resume and the job you want. The free grade scores it out of 100 and quotes the biggest problems from your own lines.
Your free mocks show the score. The Interview-Ready plan shows you how to raise it.
- As many scored mocks as you want, in every round
- Why you lost points on each skill
- Your weakest answers rewritten, with why the new version scores higher
$49 a month. 14-day refund from your account. See the plan
More in resume
- Resume grader Your resume scored out of 100 for the job you want, with the 3 biggest problems quoted from your own lines.
- Resume rewriter What a resume writer costs, when one is worth it, and a worked before and after to rewrite it yourself.
- Resume bullet points A four-part formula, a bullet builder, and 28 before and after examples for 14 jobs.
- Tell me about yourself Your resume in about a minute: now, one highlight, and why this job is next.