How to write a summary for a resume: a step-by-step guide

When looking for a job, your resume is your “calling card.” It lets the hiring manager know why you’re the best person for the job. However, you have to be strategic and lay out your qualifications in a way that encourages the hiring manager to keep reading. To accomplish this, you need a professional summary. Not to be confused with the outdated  “resume objective”, a professional summary is used to “hook” the reader by giving the highlights of your career journey, phrased to be persuasive, easy to absorb, and tailored to the position. 

What is a professional resume summary?

A professional summary, also called a resume summary, summary of qualifications, or a summary statement, is a three to five-sentence “snapshot” of your skills, relevant experience, and achievements and is placed at the top of your resume as an introduction to who you are as a candidate. Since it’s usually the first thing a recruiter sees, it can be considered an “elevator pitch,” sharing your career highlights and encouraging the reader to keep going (and not toss it into the trash bin!). Rather than just listing your achievements, a good resume summary tells a very brief story outlining why you’re qualified and what you can do for your potential new employer.

There’s one caveat, however. Professional summaries are generally best for people who have a few years of experience under their proverbial belts, as they can create a brief professional “brand” by creating a brief narrative of their relevant experience and achievements. If you're a fresh grad or looking for an entry-level job, it’s still important to know how to write a good summary for future use, but at this point, you’re better off utilizing your resume "real estate" with more details about your work history, education, or volunteer experience.

What is the difference between a resume objective and a resume summary?

Before learning how to write a resume summary, it’s important to know how it differs from a resume objective in both style and purpose. 

• A resume objective is simply a statement of your goals, and, like a summary, is generally tailored to the job being applied for.

“To obtain a senior-level management position in the advertising industry.” 

• A resume summary, on the other hand, is a brief statement at the top of the resume that gives an overview of the applicant’s top skills and experience and how they’ve used those things to achieve results. 

"Energetic and results-oriented Account Manager with 10 years of experience in advertising and marketing. Proven capabilities in negotiation, project management, and leadership. Adept at increasing brand awareness, with a track record of increasing in-house sales by 20%, and client revenue by 35%.

The resume objective is considered outdated and unnecessary, because it declares the obvious: you want a job. 

A resume summary is much more effective and engaging. It says to the hiring manager, “Hey, I’m the person you’re looking for!” 

What should you write in a summary of a resume?

It may sound intimidating to write a compelling resume summary highlighting your key skills and experience in only three to five sentences, but it’s easier than you think (and if you need more inspiration, check out career.io’s library of Resume Examples to help you create a top-notch resume quickly and easily). Before you get started, however, there’s a bit of homework you’ll need to complete first.

Decide what you want out of your next position

If you don't know what you're looking for, you're not likely to find it. Take some time to determine what you want so that you can decide what skills and experience to put front and center in your summary. Think about what skills you most enjoy using on the job, what your values are, what matters to you, and the things you've accomplished in your career that best show off your talents and abilities.

Do a “deep dive” into your field or industry

Make sure you know your industry inside and out, researching companies, current trends, news, and job descriptions. See if you can identify any commonalities and align your background, skills, and accomplishments appropriately. Remember, it’s all about letting a recruiter know what you can do for them and the value you’d bring to the role, so it’s important to know what companies are actually looking for.

Refine your professional brand

Determine how your skills and talents align with your target industry, distilling it down to three to five dynamic sentences that clearly illustrate why you’re the best candidate for the job. To do this, consider the following:

• Your most efficacious skills and talents

• How those skills and talents would solve any problems a company has

• What you bring to the table that other candidates do not

When writing your summary, avoid jargon or industry buzzwords but include specific and substantial notable skills and experience. Incorporate quantifiable data when possible into your achievements. Don’t forget job description keywords! And remember, while you want to stand out, this is not the time to get "creative." Make sure the tone and style of your summary are consistent with your resume and cover letter. 

How to write a resume summary in five steps

Once you’ve gathered your relevant information (skills, achievements, keywords, and experience) it’s time to put it all together. This isn’t the place to write your life story, so remember to keep it concise, pertinent, and dynamic. Here are five easy steps to create an impactful resume summary:

1. Grab the reader’s attention. Get to the point and reel them in.

2. Align your top skills and achievements to the job description, utilizing important keywords and adjectives.

3. Include quantifiable data to support your accomplishments, such as sales numbers, performance percentages, or awards you’ve won.

4. Be specific as to the value you bring.

5. Proofread your final document. Typos will undercut your professional message and give the impression that you don’t pay attention to the small details.

10 Examples of a summary statement for a resume

So what does this all look like when it’s put together? Here are some examples of professional resume summaries to help you craft your own and take your resume to the next level.

1. Summary for a shipping and logistics manager

“Dedicated, outcome-oriented logistics and transportation leader offering more than 15 years of success overseeing supply chain, distribution, and aviation operations. Customer service-focused professional adept at handling customer issues and internal communications and reducing client complaints by 15%, ensuring the company meets or exceeds standards for costs, deliverables, and performance.”

2. Summary for a graphic designer

“Committed, results-focused graphic design professional offering more than 15 years of success creating top-tier visual design materials and marketing strategies in multiple industries. Creative problem-solver adept at developing inspired advertising solutions utilizing applications such as social media, logo design, and infographics. Influential and engaging with excellent communication skills, able to serve as a trusted collaborator with team members, senior leaders, and direct reports. High-level proficiency in Adobe Suite and other design software.”

3. Summary for an office manager

“Energetic and efficient office administrator, offering more than ten years’ success directing non-profit workplace operations with a focus on team building, strategic initiatives, and customer service. Adept at increasing efficiency and streamlining employee communications, including the facilitation of the transfer to a VoIP Phone System, yielding $2K in savings per month. Influential and engaging with excellent communication skills, able to serve as a trusted partner to senior leaders and direct reports. High-level proficiency in ClickUp, Basecamp, and SmartTask.”

4. Summary for an accountant

“Experienced Certified Public accountant with seven years of proven expertise in forensic accounting, financial analysis, and auditing. Developed and implemented new, streamlined accounting procedures that resulted in a 20% efficiency increase and a 30% reduction in errors. Skilled at managing budgets over $1M, leading teams, and managing successful corporate mergers that increased profits and reduced overall expenses by 12%”

5. Summary for Senior IT support specialist

“Dedicated IT support specialist with 8+ years of experience offering computer support to customers, directing user accounts, and recruiting and mentoring entry-level IT support representatives. Solid track record of developing customer relationships with 25+ B2B clients. Skilled at creating creative and strategic solutions, and translating complex issues into concise, easy-to-understand directions that have improved quality control and reduced customer service complaints by 25%.”

6. Summary for a retail manager

“Retail Manager with 10+ years of experience managing mid-sized retail stores and outlets. Boosted store revenue by 20% through efficient team management, scheduling, and streamlined inventory strategies. Highly skilled in customer service, financial management, and marketing.” 

7. Summary for restaurant manager

“Dynamic restaurant manager with a proven track record in providing the uppermost standards of customer service and premier-level dining satisfaction. Increased restaurant revenue by 20% through advertising lunch menu and word-of-mouth strategies while reducing staff turnover by 10%. Skilled at upselling, maintaining food safety, and inventory management.”

8. Summary for a human resources specialist 

“Dedicated, proactive Human Resources Specialist with 8 years of experience cultivating and executing programs focusing on positive work environments, performance management, and conflict resolution. Realized and implemented employee engagement programs that decreased turnover rates by 20%. Skilled in talent management, recruitment, and benefits management. Committed to continuously developing and maintaining a culture of employee development, diversity and inclusion, and a safe working environment.”

9. Summary for a project manager

“Experienced and detail-oriented project manager with a proven track record of managing diverse projects from initiation to completion, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes that utilized agile and waterfall methodologies and reduced overall project timelines by 15%. High-level expertise with risk mitigation, leadership, and stakeholder communication. Highly adept with JIRA, Confluence, Trello, MS Project, and Asana.

10. Summary for a medical assistant

“Dedicated, energetic Certified Medical Assistant with 15 years of experience providing administrative and clinical support to physicians and nursing staff in fast-paced outpatient clinics and offices. Adept at managing confidential and sensitive medical records, dispensing medication, and providing top-notch patient care. Skilled in inventory management, quality control, and telemedicine programs. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through inventive solutions and a patient-first philosophy of care.”

Need some help writing your resume? Check out career.io’s Resume Builder, which will provide you with 25+ expertly designed and professionally vetted resume formats to help you stand out from the competition.

Key takeaways

1. A professional summary is a three to five-sentence "snapshot" of your skills, relevant experience, and achievements placed at the top of your resume as an introduction to who you are as a candidate.

2. A resume objective is simply a statement of your main goals and is considered outdated by many hiring managers.

3. Before writing your summary, determine your goals, research your industry, and refine your professional brand.

4. Your professional summary should grab the reader’s attention, align your top skills and achievements with the job description, include quantifiable data to support your accomplishments, and specify the value you bring to the table.