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

When you’re 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. But you can’t just throw a wall of information at them. You have to be strategic and lay out your qualifications in a way that encourages the hiring manager to keep reading. 

An important feature of your resume is a professional summary. Not to be confused with an Objective, which is an outdated feature, a professional summary is used to “hook” the reader by giving them up front the highlights of your career journey, phrased to be persuasive, easy to absorb, and tailored to the position. If it sounds daunting, don’t worry. We'll show you exactly how to write a summary for a resume that gets you noticed.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What is a professional resume summary?

• Should you tailor your resume summary to the job?

• What should I write in a summary of a resume?

• How to write a resume summary in five steps

• Three examples of a summary statement for a resume

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, you might want to better utilize your resume "real estate" with more details about your work history, education, or volunteer experience.

What to write in the 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. 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. You have a limited amount of resume space—get to the point and reel them in.

2. Align your top skills and achievements to the job description, utilizing important keywords (but don’t go overboard).

3. Include quantifiable data to support your accomplishments, such as sales numbers, performance or productivity 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.

3 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.”

Why is this an effective summary?

• Provides the candidate’s job experience level in the first sentence

• Highlights specific skills by demonstrating how they were used on the job

• Provides quantifiable accomplishments

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.”

Why is this an effective summary?

• Uses active words to communicate the job applicant’s abilities and skills

• Showcases relevant tech skills, such as “proficiency in Adobe Suite and other design software”

• Specifies what types of projects the candidate has successfully completed

• Clarifies that the candidate can collaborate with colleagues at all levels

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.”

Why is this an effective summary?

• Provides the candidate's level of experience in the first sentence

• Gives examples of who they support in the company

• Presents a relevant example of their accomplishments

• Highlights relevant skills and how they were used in their role, including specific technical proficiencies

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Key takeaways

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

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

3. 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.