The Summary section of your resume is extremely important, as this may be the only part of your resume that’s read all the way through. Make it strong, compelling and convincing. A well-written Summary will entice the prospective employer to read through the rest of your resume.
Use concise statements in your resume Summary that focus attention on the most important abilities, qualities and achievements that you have to offer – AND, be sure those match what is most important to the prospective employer. Make compelling assertions in your Summary that convey why they should hire you instead of someone else. Include characteristics that may help you win an interview (a natural teacher, very energetic, exceptional communication skills, etc.).
The Summary section of your resume is your best chance to grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep them reading, so take your time and get this right.
Go back to your research and focus on what the prospective employer needs for this particular job. What are the qualities that the ideal candidate would possess? How do those match up with what you have to offer? Jot down a few well-thought-out notes about why you’re the perfect person for the job. Demonstrate why you are the person who has what is most important to the prospective employer by including examples of measurable results that ‘prove’ you have the experience to do what they need. Draw on these notes to craft the Summary section of your resume.
The prospective employer will receive a lot of resumes that take a shotgun approach. Wow them by using laser-like precision that says: “I want this job, I recognize the qualities you’re looking for, and therefore I’m a superior candidate because I understand that and have exactly what you need.”
Common ingredients in a resume Summary include:
1. A short statement describing your profession
2. A statement of your expertise
3. Two or three statements that address the strongest of the following:
- your unique combination of skills
- the depth or breadth of your skills
- the range of experience you have, and in which environments
- a well-documented or special achievement
- a history of promotions, commendations, or performance awards
- one or more professional characteristics
- a statement about a professional objective of yours
You probably wouldn’t include everything on that list in one short resume Summary. Choose those things that highlight you the best. If you’re young and with little experience, focus your Summary on your abilities. When making a career change, focus on what you have achieved in the past that prepared you for your new career. Above all, choose things to highlight in your resume Summary that match what is important to the employer.
Here are a few examples to get you started:
- Restaurant Server with more than ten years experience providing exceptional service in family restaurant environments. A skill for upselling menu items and drink orders. Energetic, friendly and detail-oriented, with a knack for developing repeat customers. Awarded the ‘Most Valuable Service Employee Award’ for 2008 and 2006.
- Health Care Professional experienced in management, program development and policy making in both the U.S. and Central America. Expertise in emergency medical services. A talent for analyzing problems, developing and simplifying procedures, and finding innovative solutions. Fluent in both English and Spanish. Skilled at merging American-style health systems with Latino cultures. Proven ability to motivate and work effectively with persons from all cultures and walks of life.
- Sales Representative with an outstanding record of securing new Business-to-Business accounts. Skilled at identifying new prospects, one-call closes and achieving year-to-year sales increases among existing accounts. Expertise in developing streamlined closing procedures to facilitate fulfillment. Consistently among the top five sales leaders in multiple regions for the past three years.
A strong and convincing Summary can garner strong interest in the rest of your resume. Be sure to include additional ‘proof’ in other sections of your resume to back up the assertions made in your Summary. When done well, your Summary and resume will prompt the prospective employer to pick up the phone and schedule an interview so they can learn more.
via Optimize Your Resume – Write a Convincing Summary | Resumebear Online Resume.
Optimize Your Resume - Write a Convincing Summary
