Why Every Resume Needs a Summary Statement & Examples

A resume summary statement is a brief paragraph at the top of your resume highlighting your skills, experience, and qualifications. It's a great way to make a solid first impression on hiring managers and recruiters, and it can help you stand out from the competition. This article discusses why your resume should have a summary statement and a step-by-step guide on how to write one.

Reasons why you need a resume summary statement

As mentioned, summary statements are a great way to stand out and find employment. Here are some examples of reasons your resume should have a summary statement:

It gives hiring managers a quick overview of your skills and experience.
It helps you tailor your resume to specific job openings.
It shows that you’re a proactive and motivated candidate.
It can help you get your foot in the door for an interview.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do a resume summary:

Start by brainstorming a list of your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Think about the specific job you’re applying for, and identify the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
Write a brief paragraph that highlights your most relevant skills and experience.
Use strong action verbs and specific examples to quantify your accomplishments.
Proofread your summary statement carefully to make sure it’s free of errors.

Resume summary statement example:

Experienced administrative professional with a proven track record in efficiently managing office operations. Skilled in coordinating schedules, organising documents, and providing excellent customer service. Dedicated and detail-oriented with strong communication and problem-solving abilities. Committed to supporting team productivity and ensuring smooth workflow. Seeking an administrative role where I can contribute my expertise and contribute to the success of the organisation.

How to write a summary statement on a resume

Writing a resume summary can be tricky at first, but now you know what to do, you can have a go. But, when writing a summer statement, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:

Keep it brief
Be specific
Use strong and active language
Proofread carefully

1. Keep it brief

Aim for your resume summary to be about 10-15% of the original content’s length. For instance, for a 1000-word document, aim for a 100-150 word summary. Identify the core ideas or arguments. Exclude examples, detailed descriptions, or supporting data unless they are crucial to understanding the main point.

2. Be specific

Use concrete and precise language. For instance, instead of saying “many people,” specify an approximate number if known. Only include details that contribute directly to the main point. Avoid side points or tangential information.

3. Use strong and active language

Prefer active voice over passive. For example, “The team achieved the goals” is better than “The goals were achieved by the team.”

Use assertive language. Avoid qualifiers like “might” or “could” unless they are essential to the accuracy of the statement.

4. Use strong and active language

Double-check for factual correctness. Misrepresenting data or the argument can change the meaning of the summary.

Ensure that tense, person, and number are consistent throughout. After checking for errors, read the summary to ensure it’s easy to understand. It should be coherent and flow logically.

A well-written resume summary statement is a valuable asset to any job seeker. These tips will assist you in writing a summary statement to help you stand out from the competition and land your dream job. Check out some other great tips on how to make your RESUME jump.