sample resume in experience

• Side Hustles
• Power Players
• Young Success
• Save and Invest
• Become Debt-Free
• Land the Job
• Closing the Gap
• Science of Success
• Pop Culture and Media
• Psychology and Relationships
• Health and Wellness
• Real Estate
• Most Popular

Related Stories

• Land the Job 3 resume red flags recruiters look   out for and how to avoid them
• Science of Success The No. 1 personality trait   employers always look for
• Success We’ve coached 25,000 of the world’s top performers from Olympic athletes   to Google employees—the No. 1 thing they all do to succeed
• Land the Job Don't use these 3 types of phrases in your   resume, says ex-Google recruiter
• Work The best jobs for introverts, according to   new research—some pay over $100,000

I've been interviewing for 20 years—and these are the 3 best resume examples, based on experience level

There is no one-size-fits-all template for a resume that will guarantee a job interview or offer. But there is one major message that every resume should illustrate : "This is how I made things better for my employers."

The secret to making that point as clear and compelling as possible depends on how many years you've been working. Here are solid resumes examples from candidates across three common experience levels: Mid-level, junior and recently graduated:

* Note : These are hypothetical examples; the people, experiences and companies are not real. Numbers and percentages represented by "X" are meant to show style and format.

1. The 'mid-level professional' resume

(Click here to enlarge.)

Mid-level professionals typically have a strong background in managing teams or directing departments. Since they have anywhere from seven to 15 years of experience, their resumes can be longer than one page.

Essential tips:

• Make the first section your professional summary. For a highly experienced candidate like Jonathan, adding a professional summary at the very top is a quick way to concisely convey his core competencies.
• Highlight relevant skills. Notice how Jonathan uses strong keywords and phrases like " strategic planning," "cost management" and "financial planning & analysis" — as noted in the job description. Whether it's being scanned by a human or by a machine, this is what gets a resume noticed.
• Make your recent position the most comprehensive. The professional experience is the bulk every resume, and details from your most recent (or current) position should account for about 75% of this section. Also, you do not need to include your first job.
• Include company descriptions . I consider this a universal rule: If you worked at a company that isn't a household name, adding notable details about the organization (i.e., what it does, number of employees, annual revenue) will save the hiring manager time from having to look it up.
• Numbers, numbers, numbers . If your marketing plan contributed to a 35% increase in sales, make it loud and clear! No need to explain  how you did it; the hiring manager will ask for more details during the interview .
• Emphasize select achievements. Limit your job responsibility descriptions to just two or four of the most important points. By keeping things brief, you can dedicate more space to your proudest and most relevant achievements . This is a more powerful way to showcase what you can contribute to the next employer.

2. The 'junior-level professional' resume

(Click here to enlarge.)

Junior-level candidates usually have two or less years of work experience and tend to require close supervision, especially for complex tasks. These resumes should be one page, tops.

• Showcase strong teamwork skills. One of the most important skills hiring managers look for in junior-level candidates is the ability to work well in teams, large or small. Contrary to popular belief, using words like "we" or "our team" doesn't dilute your achievements; rather, it strengthens your impact. And it's far more effective than saying, "I'm a team player."
• Only include relevant work and internship experience.  Listing each and every internship or job you've held only weakens the resume, mostly because it distracts the hiring manager from focusing on how qualified you are for a specific job.
• Leave out the professional summary.  Unlike those with seven or more years of experience, junior-level professionals don't have enough relevant work to warrant a summary. Instead, their resumes should immediately focus on initial jobs, key accomplishments, education and extracurricular activities.
• Leave out the objective.  What you don't see in Grace's resume (or any other resume here) is an objective. What so many candidates fail to realize is that  objectives are pointless . Even if you truly are "seeking a challenging team leadership position," saying so still reveals nothing about what you can do for a prospective employer.

3. The 'recent college graduate' resume

• Put your education in the first section. Resumes of recent college graduates or workforce entrants should start with the college or university attended, degrees obtained, GPA and any academic honors.
• Keep details about your internships short.  Let's be honest: You were an intern — and there's no way you held as many relevant responsibilities as a non-graduate with years of experience. Going on and on about all the tiny things you did will just make the hiring manager think you're exaggerating or being dishonest. Focus only on the tasks that are important to your field.
• Use extracurricular activities to tell a story.  Be thoughtful about what extracurricular activities you include. It can be something as big as being president of a club or something as small as a weekend of volunteer work — as long as it's interesting enough to tell a story about your hobbies, accomplishments and who you are as a person.
• Keep it to just one page.  Fight the urge to oversell. Prospective employers know that you just graduated, so don't try to make yourself look like something you're not. Otherwise, you'll lose credibility.
• Make your resume pleasing to the eye with lots of white space. Hiring managers don't expect college graduate resumes to be jam-packed with a ton of details. Keep it clean, clear and presentable; use bullet points and strong actions verbs. It's assumed that you have references, so no need to list any or say they're "available upon request."

Gary Burnison has been in the business of hiring and interviewing for more than 20 years. Currently, he is the CEO of Korn Ferry , the world's largest executive recruiting firm. Gary is also the author of "Advance: The Ultimate How-To Guide f or Your Career" and the New York Times best-seller "Lose the Resume, Land the Job." Follow him on LinkedIn here .

Don't miss:

• This is the most impressive resume I've ever seen—based on my 20 years of hiring and interviewing
• Here's an example of the perfect cover letter, according to Harvard career experts
• After 20 years of hiring, I refuse to look at resumes that have this common yet outdated section

Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube!

Work Experience on a Resume - How to List It Right

Imagine you’re a hiring manager who goes through countless resumes on the daily.

What’s the first thing you look at?

If your guess was work experience, then you’re right.

And if you spot a few relevant keywords in their work experience section, then you’re more likely to continue reading about their background, contact information, and so on.

The most important thing hiring managers want to know is whether you can do the job you’re applying for, and that’s where the work experience section of your resume comes in.

So how do you make your work experience do the heavy lifting?

Don’t worry! Our article is here to help.

We’re going to cover:

• What Information Your Work Experience Section Needs

How to Format Work Experience on Your Resume

• 11 Real-Life Examples of Work Experience on a Resume

Let’s get started.

What to Include in Your Work Experience Section

The work experience section is the most important part of your resume.

This is the section that gives hiring managers a look at your professional journey so far, including your skills and achievements, and it’s the section they base their hiring decisions on the most.

Your work history can show how likely you are to excel at the job, how committed you are to career growth , and what industry know-how you ought to have.

This section is going to look different depending on your career level, how recent your work experience is, and what the job you're applying for is.

Let’s look at what information employers expect from your work experience section:

• Job Title/Position . Add this at the top of each work experience entry. You want the hiring manager to know at a glance that you have relevant work experience for the job, so use the actual job title instead of any buzzwords.
• Company Name. Include the name of the employer. Sometimes, if the employer isn’t well-known, you might want to describe the company in a sentence or two to give the hiring manager context.
• Location. The general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked, is more than enough information.
• Employment Dates. Write down the approximate timeframe of your employment. There’s no need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Responsibilities and Achievements. The core of each work experience entry is what you achieved while you were there. List your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points instead of paragraphs to make them easier to read. Use 5-6 bullet points for newer job entries and 2-3 for older ones.

Here’s an example of a work experience section that includes all of the above:

Want to know more about other resume sections? Learn how to write a resume with our detailed guide!

You know what to include in your work experience section, so let’s talk about how to include it.

First things first - your work experience section should always follow a reverse chronological order . Add your latest work experience at the very top, and work your way backward.

Hiring managers aren’t interested in what you did ten years ago. Instead, they’d rather know what you’ve been up to right before applying for this specific job.

That being said, if you have a lot of experience, you shouldn’t include every single job you’ve ever had.

Your resume is supposed to be one page long , so feel free to omit any summer gigs or part-time jobs to free up space. It’s also extremely important that your work experience is easy to find and that the information is well-structured and readable.

Here’s an example of how to format your work experience section:

Making Your Work Experience Stand Out

Now that you know how to list your work experience, you need to describe it in a way that makes you stand out from other candidates.

We’ve divided this process into several steps, starting with:

#1. List Achievements Instead of Responsibilities

Too many resumes focus on the day-to-day tasks in the work experience section.

The thing is, hiring managers already know what those responsibilities are. They’re the ones who write the job ads, so you won’t impress them by telling them you did just what they would expect you to do.

For example, if you’re a QA engineer, your responsibilities could include:

• Identifying software bugs.
• Ensuring test coverage for all features.
• Making detailed reports on product quality.

These same responsibilities show up in 99% of QA engineer resumes out there.

So, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you want to focus on your most impressive achievements instead. Show the hiring manager how you helped your previous employer and the difference you made while you were there.

Let’s compare how the same work experience entry looks like when we use achievements and when we use responsibilities:

• Increased test coverage by 25% by implementing new automated test suites.
• Reported and triaged over 100 high-priority defects ahead of major releases.
• Executed manual test cases across web and mobile applications.
• Logged defects into bug-tracking systems as they were encountered.

But there are some fields where there aren’t that many achievements you can mention in your resume. For example, if you’re a server , serving 120+ patrons a night, or earning a lot of tips aren’t achievements that look good on your resume.

Your daily tasks probably include:

• Taking orders, serving food and beverages, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Preparing tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
• Assisting in opening and closing the restaurant, including cleaning duties and setting up for the next service.

In this case, it’s okay to focus on responsibilities instead. You can still distinguish yourself by following the rest of our tips on how to make your work experience shine.

#2. Tailor Your Work Experience to the Job

If you want your resume to go from “okay” to "outstanding," what you need to do is tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for. 

The hiring manager doesn’t need to know details about every job you’ve had or about the skills you gained in a different field. 

So, your work experience should reflect what the job requirements are. This way, you’re more likely to really catch the hiring manager’s attention and land a job interview .

Here’s an example of a well-tailored job ad:

As you can see from the picture, it’s easy to figure out what the most important requirements for the role are. 

So, to tailor your resume to this ad, you need to show how you meet every one of these job requirements.

Let’s look at an example of how the same work experience would be tailored differently according to different job ads.

Say, you were an advertising intern.

Here’s what your work experience would look like when you’re applying for a position as a social media assistant:

INTERNSHIPS

Marketing Intern

Full Picture Company

New York, NY

09/2023 - 12/2023

• Analyzed various social media platforms for trending content.
• Managed company social media accounts.
• Posted interesting content on the company's Facebook page, increasing engagement by 25%.

Pretty easy, right? Now, let’s look at what the same work experience entry would look like for a job as a content writer .

• Assisted the Marketing Manager in writing press releases and new blog posts, which increased web traffic by 25%.
• Created engaging content for email marketing campaigns and boosted newsletter subscriptions.
• Revitalized old blog posts with updated information and SEO optimization, improving organic search rankings by 30%.

The internship is still the same but this way, the experience you’re focusing on is tailored to the job you’re applying for. The hiring manager can immediately see your most important skills for the job and the value you could bring to their team.

#3. Add the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve had a lot of jobs so far, you might be wondering if they all belong on your resume.

The answer is usually no. Your full, detailed work history belongs on your CV instead of your resume .

The hiring manager only wants the most recent and relevant information, not your full life story.

So, the amount of work information your resume should include depends entirely on your level of experience.

Let’s break it down:

• No Experience. If you’re currently looking for your very first job , you simply won’t have any jobs to fill in your work experience section. In that case, we recommend skipping this section and instead focusing on any experience gained in clubs, extracurricular activities , volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-Level. When you’re applying for an entry-level job, you can list most of your work experience so far. Likely, some of it won’t be relevant, but it still shows the hiring manager that you have some work experience, and that’s better than none.
• Mid-Level. At this level, you should only mention relevant work experience. Don’t waste precious space listing old internships or jobs you had as a teenager .
• Senior-Level. You only need to list up to 15 years of relevant work experience. You might even need a two-page resume to apply for an executive position at this stage, but only if you have too much relevant work experience to fit onto a single page.

#4. Optimize for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Before the hiring manager reads your resume, it has to make it to them.

The fact is that 70% of resumes get discarded before the hiring manager even reads them.

That’s because most companies use specialized Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to go through hundreds of resumes and automatically filter out ones that don’t have what the hiring manager is looking for.

Unfortunately, this means that if a resume is missing a specific skill or isn’t formatted in a way that the ATS can process , it gets rejected immediately.

So, how can your work experience make the cut?

Here are a few tips:

• Don’t go over one page. The ATS can have a limit on how long a resume is allowed to be, so we recommend always sticking to a single-page resume.
• Format everything carefully. Don’t give your resume sections quirky names. Your work experience section should be titled “Work Experience,” not “The Journey So Far.” If you try being too creative, the ATS might not recognize what that section is and reject you.
• Tailor carefully to the job ad. If you want to beat the ATS, you need your resume to be as tailored to the job ad as possible. Include as many relevant keywords as you can in your work experience section. Just make sure they’re all used in a logical context since the hiring manager is supposed to read them, too.
• Keep everything in an active voice. Describe your previous jobs with clear and specific language. (E.g.: Instead of “A team of ten people was managed by me,” say “Managed a team of ten people” ).
• Use power words and action verbs. Hiring managers don’t want to hear how you “were responsible” for this or “helped with” that. Make your work experience pop by using impactful language like “spearheaded,” “designed,” “conceptualized,” and more.

Choose one of our ATS-friendly resume templates to make sure your resume passes the test.

Where to Place Work Experience on Your Resume

The work experience section should always be one of the first sections on your resume, along with the skills section.

Typically, it comes just after your resume header , so that the hiring manager can read it immediately after your resume headline .

If you are using the reverse-chronological resume format, work experience should go at the top of your resume. This way, hiring managers can quickly evaluate your qualifications based on your most recent roles.

However, if you’re using a different resume format, such as functional or combination resume formats, you can make an exception. These resume formats emphasize skills over work history, so you could move your work experience further down, towards the middle of your resume.

Recent graduates are another exception to this rule

Suppose you’re a student with minimal professional experience. In that case, you can put your education section on top instead of your work experience section to emphasize your academic achievements and show that you’re ready to put your knowledge to good use.

Want to learn about the other popular resume formats ? Check out this article to see which one is right for you.

Complimentary Resume Sections

While your work experience might be the single most important section of your resume, at the end of the day, it works in sync with the rest of it.

Other resume sections , like your resume summary or certifications, can show the hiring manager how experienced you are and how much industry know-how you bring to the table.

So, here are a few other resume sections that come into play if you want to back up your work experience and increase your chances of getting an interview:

#1. Resume Summary

A resume summary is a short section at the top of your resume that highlights your most relevant skills and achievements related to the job.

In 2-3 simple sentences, a good resume summary tells the hiring manager:

• Your years of experience in that type of role.
• Your top qualifications or impressive accomplishments.
• What kind of responsibilities you’re familiar with.
• What your motivation for the position is.

By summarizing the core of your work experience upfront, your resume summary lets the hiring manager know what they can expect from the rest of your resume. So, when done well, an eye-catching resume summary can make you stand out from the crowd.

Here’s an example of a resume summary:

Another important section is devoted to your most important skills.

The skills section lets you list abilities that supplement your work experience, and it should be divided into two categories:

• Hard Skills. These include technical skills, tools, and specific knowledge that’s directly applicable to the role.
• Soft Skills. These can be personality traits or interpersonal skills that demonstrate how you work with others and how well you’d fit into the company’s team.

Along with your work history, the skills section helps employers quickly evaluate your credentials and relevant expertise for the position. While your work experience highlights skills in context, the skills section provides an easy-to-reference summary.

Make sure the skills you list on your resume align with what the employer is looking for. Use the job description as a reference to pinpoint the keywords you should add to your resume .

Here’s an example of a skills section on a resume:

#3. Certificates

Professional certificates and coursework can show your commitment to continuous learning and honing your skills.

Listing certificates on your resume allows you to showcase specialized knowledge and skills that might not be evident from your work experience.

For example, say you’re applying for a position as an SEO content marketer.

If you’re experienced in digital marketing but don’t have formal work experience with SEO, that could be a problem. However, listing a certificate from an SEO course can tell the hiring manager that you have the necessary knowledge to take on the role.

Relevant certificates can provide evidence of your advanced skills, industry expertise, or any other necessary qualifications for the role. They can back up your skills and distinguish you from other candidates with similar work experience.

Depending on the context, any certificates you have can either be listed in the education section or a dedicated resume section.

If the certificates are more recent and different from your formal education, we recommend listing them separately. Here’s an example:

#4. Personal Projects

One of the best ways to show your passion and dedication is through your projects.

Hiring managers love candidates who do cool stuff in their spare time.

If any personal passion project you’ve been working on is relevant to the role you’re applying for, make sure to add it to your resume. It can back up the skills and experience on your resume, and help you stand out from other applicants.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an animator , any published flash animation videos on YouTube are a great addition to your resume.

However, personal projects should only be listed if they’re relevant. If you’re looking for a job as an architect , your incredible cosplay sewing abilities just won’t cut it.

Here’s an example of a personal projects section:

11 Real-Life Examples

Not sure how to list work experience for your field?

Check out the practical work experience in these resume examples for different professions:

#1. Marketing Executive Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a marketing executive resume here.

#2. Teacher Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a teacher resume here.

#3. Cashier Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a cashier resume here.

#4. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#5. Career Change Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a career change resume here.

#6. Illustrator Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an illustrator resume here.

#7. Esthetician Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an esthetician resume here.

#8. Stay-at-Home Parent Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a stay-at-home parent resume here.

#9. University Graduate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a university graduate resume here.

#10. University Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a university student resume here.

#11. High School Graduate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school graduate resume here.

Work Experience Section FAQs

Are you still wondering about something related to your resume’s work experience? Check out the answers to these popular questions about listing work experience on a resume:

#1. What If I Don’t Have Any Work Experience?

If you don’t have any work experience, there are two things you should consider: first, hiring managers don’t expect candidates for entry-level roles to have a ton of experience, so you don’t have to worry too much.

And second - there are plenty of ways to make an impressive resume even without any professional experience .

For example, if you're a recent graduate, you can focus on highlighting your education, relevant coursework or extracurricular activities.

Include any internships, volunteer roles, or student organizations that show you have the skills necessary for the job.

You can also highlight universal skills like communication , teamwork, problem-solving, and computer skills . If you use a strategic approach, your lack of work experience won’t hold you back from writing a great resume.

#2. Can I List an Internship Instead of Work Experience?

Yes, you can list internship experience on your resume instead of work experience.

Internships provide valuable on-the-job training and give you exposure to a professional work environment, so they’re always a great thing to add to your resume.

Like work experience, internships allow you to gain important skills, learn about a particular industry or role, and build accomplishments you can use to show potential future employers. 

Internships can be a vital resume section for candidates with less experience, such as students, career changers, or stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce, since they show hiring managers you have enough relevant hands-on experience to succeed at the job.

#3. How Can I Explain an Employment Gap on My Resume?

The key to managing a gap in your work experience section is to address it briefly and positively on your resume or cover letter .

In a line or two, explain what happened and move on without dwelling on it, since employment gaps are relatively common and can happen for different reasons.

For example, if you had to take a year off to recover from a medical issue, just say so in your resume without going into details. The important thing is that you’re now better, ready to resume work, and the hiring manager knows it won’t be a problem.

If you have a short employment gap, you can probably skip the explanations. Simply list the start and end dates for each role without explaining the time in between. A couple of months between jobs is perfectly normal, and hiring managers aren’t likely to ask about it.

#4. What If My Work Experience Isn’t Relevant?

If you're applying for a job and none of your work experience is relevant, it’s a bit more complicated.

As a general rule, any work experience is better than no work experience. Most soft skills are applicable across industries, so you can focus on them in your resume.

If you’re an entry-level candidate, you might want to leverage other areas to show the hiring manager that you’re a good fit for the role.

For example, if you want to be a graphic designer but only have experience in customer service , emphasize your art education, portfolio work, and personal projects instead. If you’ve taken any more recent courses related to the field, you can list them before your work experience.

However, if you’re an experienced professional looking to change careers , things are a little different.

For a career change, you need to articulate your transferable skills and show how your previous experience can help you in this new role.

Let's say you're a sales professional interested in marketing. You could highlight skills like communication, market analysis, client relationship-building, and goal-oriented achievements that show your valuable marketing skills.

Key Takeaways

You’ve made it to the end!

Now, you’re all set to write a flawless work experience section.

But before you go, let’s recap what we talked about:

• Always list your work experience reverse-chronologically so the hiring manager can see what your most recent achievements and experiences are.
• If possible, focus on work achievements over day-to-day tasks. This way, you can immediately show the hiring manager what you’ve done for your previous team and what the value of hiring you would be.
• Carefully format your work experience so it passes the ATS and so that the hiring manager can easily read it.
• Instead of paragraphs, use bullet points to describe your previous jobs. For newer experiences, 5-6 bullets are good, but for older ones, 2-3 bullet points are enough.
• If you don’t have work experience, use this section to list your internship, volunteer experience, personal projects, or extracurricular activities. Treat them the same way you would treat work experience, and list your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points.
• Make sure the other sections in your resume complement your work experience for a flawless job application.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

70 resume experience examples (Copy and Paste)

When asked to provide past work experience on a resume, it’s best to present experiences that demonstrate your fit for the job.

This means presenting resume experiences that can tell a story about your job-ready skills, including:

• Soft Skills : The interpersonal and relational skills you’ve developed in your past experiences, like leadership and conflict resolution.
• Transferrable Skills: The skills that you can bring from one experience to another, like decision-making and project management.
• Hard Skills: The technical skills specific for doing the job, such as copywriting, food preparation, digital marketing, and statistical analysis.

From the below list, scan through the various types of experiences, sorted for a range of different situations (e.g. students, graduates, managers, etc.) and copy and paste the experiences that resonate with you. Don’t forget to edit them to suit your own personal background.

Resume Experience Examples

Resume experiences for high school students.

1. Volunteering at a Hospital

As a volunteer, responsibilities included greeting patients, assisting staff with administrative tasks, and providing comfort to patients. Worked under hospital protocols and maintained patient confidentiality. Developed skills in communication and empathy. Highlighted ability to follow instructions and adapt quickly in challenging environments.

2. Part-Time Job at a Bookstore

Assisting customers in locating books and managing inventory were the key responsibilities. Also handled cash registers and kept track of sales. Showcased customer service and organizational skills . Earned experience in sales and inventory management.

3. Tutoring Middle School Students

Taught math and science to middle school students. This job tested capabilities like patience, clarity in communication, and planning. It also demonstrated an understanding of young children’s educational needs. Presented superior proficiency in these subjects.

4. Captain of the School Soccer Team

Led a team of 15 players and developed teamwork and leadership skills . Responsible for strategizing game plans and collaborating with coaches. Enhanced communication, strategic thinking , and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated a real passion for sports.

5. Participation in a School Play

Took part in a school play, showcasing acting and team cooperation skills. Assisted in scriptwriting and stage setup. Improved public speaking and creativity. Displayed commitment and dedication to collective goals.

6. Interning at a Local Business

Worked in various departments, gaining knowledge of business operations. Assisted staff in daily tasks and learned about responsibility and professionalism. Advanced understanding of office etiquette and business ethics. Demonstrated quick learning capabilities.

Read Also: Strongest Attributes to List on your Resume

7. Participating in a Coding Boot Camp

Completed a coding boot camp and created a simple application. Showcased abilities in problem-solving, patience, and analytical thinking . The experience reflected technological prowess and innovative tendencies. Developed a fascination with computer programming.

8. Assisting in a Bakery

Assisted in baking and decorating cakes and pastries, exploring creativity and precision. Displayed culinary skills and client service by ensuring food display looked appealing to customers. Demonstrated ability to handle pressure during busy hours. Gained valuable experience in culinary arts.

9. School Newspaper Editor

Oversaw the production of the school newspaper by coordinating with a team of writers and illustrators. Edited and proofread articles before they were published. The role reflected leadership abilities and attention to detail. Showcased advanced written communication skills and journalistic ethics.

10. Relaying in a Charity Run

Completed a 5K charity run and helped raise funds for a local nonprofit. Showed dedication, stamina, and community engagement. Conveyed determination and willpower. Demonstrated a sense of social responsibility.

Resume Experiences for Entry-Level Jobs

11. Volunteer at a Local Library

Volunteered at the local library, assisting in administrative tasks and facilitating reading programs. Acquired organization, communication, and administrative skills. Showcased love for literature and community service. Demonstrated responsibility and punctuality.

12. Resident Assistant in University Dormitory

Acted as a resident assistant in a university dormitory, helping in conflict resolution and enforcing housing policies. Developed leadership, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. Managed event programming and emergency protocols. Encouraged a sense of responsibility and community building.

13. College Newspaper Reporter

Worked as a reporter for the college newspaper, covering campus events and writing feature stories. Honed research, writing, and interviewing skills. Showcased commitment to accurate and impactful journalism. Fostered teamwork and met strict reporting deadlines.

14. Student Government Participant

Served on the student government council, creating and implementing student initiatives. Developed abilities in leadership, public speaking, and team collaboration. Showcased problem-solving and dedication to improving student life. Encouraged participation in democratic processes and representation.

15. Retail Internship

Completed an internship in a retail setting, gaining customer service experience and understanding store operations. Developed skills in sales, inventory management, and cashier duties. Showcased strong communication, organization, and customer service skills. Nurtured a resilient work ethic and adaptability in fast-paced environments.

16. Teaching Assistant for a University Course

Assisted a professor with a university course, grading assignments and coordinating class activities. Gained experience in mentorship, academic integrity, and administrative tasks. Demonstrated knowledge in subject area. Developed clear communication and organizational skills.

17. Part-Time Job in Food Service

Worked a part-time position at a restaurant or café, providing customer service and assisting with food preparation. Acquired skills in multitasking, teamwork, and time management. Fostered an understanding of food service operations and customer satisfaction. Demonstrated attention to detail and a strong work ethic.

18. University Club Leadership Role

Held a leadership role in a university club, organizing events, and leading meetings. Acquired skills in teamwork, organization, and delegation. Showcased ability to inspire others and champion causes. Cultivated a sense of community and pride within the club.

19. Summer Camp Counselor

Worked as a counselor at a summer camp, leading group activities and ensuring camper safety. Developed skills in leadership, problem-solving, and communication. Showcased responsibility and creativity. Encouraged interpersonal skills and nurtured the ability to manage groups effectively.

20. Work-Study Job in University Office

Handled a work-study job at a university office, performing administrative tasks and offering student assistance. Sharpened abilities in data entry, customer service, and administrative support. Demonstrated responsibility and professionalism. Managed time effectively between work and academic responsibilities.

Resume Experiences for New Graduates

21. Graduate Research Assistant

Assisted leading professors in academic research, contributing to data collection, analysis, and presentations. Built understanding of research methodologies and academic writing. Sharpened analytical and critical thinking skills . Showcased commitment to understanding and contributing to their field of study.

22. University Tutor

Worked as a university tutor, supporting undergraduate students with coursework. Developed strong communication, mentorship, and presentation skills. Displayed expertise in the subject area. Built patience and adaptability while dealing with diverse learners.

23. Study Abroad Participant

Participated in a semester-long study abroad program, experiencing cultural immersion and globalized education. Improved language and communication skills. Fostered adaptability and a strong sense of resilience. Showcased an open mind and demonstrated interest in international affairs.

24. University Club President

Led a university club, managing activities, budget, and team members. Developed leadership skills, event management, and fundraising abilities. Showcased a capacity for organizational and planning tasks. Demonstrated commitment to extracurricular development and enhancing university life with peer engagement.

25. Campus Newspaper Editor

Managed content development, editing, and publishing for the university’s newspaper. Enhanced skills in reporting, editing, and time management. Established an understanding of journalistic integrity and process. Created solid groundwork for future communication or editorial roles.

26. Student Government Member

Joined the campus student government, representing the student body and working on policy modifications. Developed networks, negotiation skills, and a strong understanding of governance. Showcased leadership qualities , public speaking skills, and diplomacy. Indicated active involvement in university life and civic engagement.

27. Capstone Project Participant

Developed and implemented a capstone project related to chosen field of study. Gained practical experience in project management and teamwork. Generated solutions for real-world industry problems. Exhibited understanding of field-specific knowledge, practical application, and research skills.

28. Volunteer at Local Organizations

Served at local organizations, supporting community development and service activities. Cultivated interpersonal skills, problem-solving capabilities and a sense of social responsibility. Demonstrated commitment to giving back to the community. Indicated the adaptability to work in diverse team environments.

29. Lab Assistant

Worked in a university lab setting, assisting in experiments and maintaining lab equipment. Gained hands-on experience with protocols and technical processes. Developed attention to detail, adherence to safety measures, and understanding of scientific procedure. Provided practical exposure to the rigors of the scientific process.

30. Student Mentor

Acted as a mentor for first-year students, providing advice and guidance. Cultivated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated empathy and effective problem-solving abilities. Created foundations for roles requiring mentorship or counseling.

Resume Experiences for Managers

31. Project Management Role

Led a team on various projects, managing timelines, resources, and maintaining effective communication. Significant experience in managing diverse teams, coordinating with all stakeholders. Demonstrated abilities in setting realistic goals, planning ahead, and delivering results. Further honed leadership skills and strategic planning abilities.

32. Department Supervisor

Supervised a department in a retail environment, overseeing employee scheduling, task allocation, and customer service. Developed a substantial understanding of retail operations, staff management, and customer relationship management. Showcased strong leadership and decision-making skills. Effectively managed conflict and enhanced team cooperation.

33. Marketing Campaign Lead

Oversaw the implementation of a successful marketing campaign from inception to completion. Nurtured abilities in strategic thinking, creativity, and team management. Showed capacity to meet project deadlines, tracking progress and making necessary changes. Demonstrated a blend of leadership and marketing acumen.

34. Non-Profit Co-Founder

Co-founded a non-profit organization, taking on the responsibility of managing fund-raising, community outreach, and volunteer coordination. Proved abilities in budgeting, networking, and social advocacy. Demonstrated strong leadership qualities and a commitment to the mission and vision of the organization. Valuable experience gained in entrepreneurship and social impact.

35. Member of Executive Committee

Served on an executive committee, making significant decisions impacting an organization’s direction. Gained invaluable experience in corporate governance, strategic planning, and conflict resolution. Showcased diplomatic skills and ethical leadership. Amplified understanding of large scale decision-making processes.

36. Product Manager

Managed the lifecycle of a product line, enhancing market reach and customer satisfaction. Proved skills in managing cross-functional teams, market research, and product development. Focused on customer needs and market trends. Ensured profitability and longevity of the product line.

37. Human Resources Manager

Led the human resources department of a company, managing recruitment, employee training, labor relations, and benefit programs. Developed in-depth knowledge of HR policies, compliance, and employee management. Showcased skills in negotiation, empathy, and decision-making. Built a fair, productive, and engaging work environment.

38. Operations Manager in a Manufacturing Plant

Managed the day-to-day operations of a manufacturing plant, ensuring safety protocols, efficiency, and quality production. Proved abilities in logistics, budgeting, and inventory management. Demonstrated leadership by maintaining productive teams, handling crisis situations, and meeting production goals. Fostered a professional understanding of the production industry.

39. Branch Manager for a Bank

Oversaw operations of a bank branch, including customer service, employee management, and meeting sales targets. Demonstrated proficiency in finance management, risk assessment, and business development. Showcased strong leadership, customer service, and decision-making abilities. Ensured the branch’s financial success and reputation.

40. Team Lead in a Tech Company

Led a team of developers in a tech company, managing software development projects and innovation initiatives. Fostered technical knowledge, project management, and leadership skills. Maintained high team morale and encouraged creativity. Delivered projects on time, to specification, and within budget.

Resume Experience for Leadership Positions

41. Team Leader at a Retail Store

Managed a small team at a retail store, overseeing customer interactions, cash handling, and inventory. Developed leadership skills, conflict management, and team cooperation. Showcased ability to drive sales targets and enhance customer satisfaction. Demonstrated capabilities in multitasking and staff scheduling.

42. University Club President

Served as the president of a university club, leading the team to organize events and initiatives. Enhanced leadership abilities, public speaking skills, and event management. Showcased ability to motivate team members and execute successful events. Imbibed a strong sense of responsibility and promotion of club values.

43. Research Group Leader

Led a team for a university research project, coordinating roles, setting meeting schedules, and managing project timelines. Developed leadership, liaison, and project management skills. Showcased ability to work within deadlines and foster team collaboration. Demonstrated a profound understanding of research methodologies and academic collaboration.

44. Lead Tutor in a Learning Center

Managed a team of tutors at a university learning center, coordinating schedules, conducting tutor training, and handling student queries. Cultivated leadership skills, patience, and organizational abilities. Showcased excellent subject knowledge, guidance, and mentorship abilities. Showed commitment to student success and effective teaching methodologies.

45. Shift Supervisor at a Café

Served as a shift supervisor in a busy café, overseeing staff, managing inventory, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Gained leadership, customer service, and problem-solving skills. Showcased strong organizational skills and an ability to work under pressure. Ensured smooth operations and team coordination during each shift.

46. Student Group Project Leader

Led a group project in university, setting goals, assigning tasks, and managing deliverables. Fostered team collaboration, strategic planning, and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and encourage team input. Motivated the team to meet project objectives and adhere to deadlines.

47. Chair of a Volunteer Committee

Chaired a committee for a community volunteer program, coordinating volunteer activities, and fundraising. Demonstrated leadership, budgeting, and organizational skills. Showcased dedication to public service and event management. Produced successful community events and volunteer engagement.

48. Internship Coordinator

As an internship coordinator, matched interns with internal teams, supervised intern assignments, and handled program logistics. Enhanced leadership, HR policy understanding, and team pairing skills. Facilitated intern onboarding and performance assessments. Introduced students to professional environments and offered career guidance.

49. Assistant Manager at a Fitness Center

Worked as an assistant manager at a fitness center, overseeing membership sales, staff training, and facility maintenance. Demonstrated leadership skills, customer relations, and attention to detail. Fostered an understanding of health and fitness. Delivered quality customer service while maintaining a safe fitness environment.

50. Student Council Representative

Acted as a representative on the student council, voicing student concerns, and implementing policy changes. Developed leadership, negotiation, and diplomacy skills. Showcased a strong sense of ethics and a commitment to student welfare. Participated actively in improving university life and initiating positive changes.

Resume Experience for Customer Service

51. Retail Store Sales Associate

Worked as a sales associate at a retail store, helping customers with product inquiries, assisting in purchases and managing returns. Gained solid experience in dealing with customer queries, handling cash transactions, and showcasing products. Fostered strong communication skills and a customer-oriented approach. Prioritized maintaining high customer satisfaction levels.

52. Call Center Representative

Handled calls at a call center, answering customer questions, and resolving issues. Proved skills in active listening , problem-solving, and stress management. Developed a strong understanding of company policies and products. Ensured every customer interaction ended positively, reinforcing the company’s reputation.

53. Hospitality Staff Member

Worked as a staff member in the hospitality industry, providing information, coordinating services, and ensuring guest satisfaction. Demonstrated excellent customer service abilities, adaptability, and quick thinking. Showcased knowledge about facilities and the local area. Strived to provide high-quality service at every interaction.

54. Product Demonstrator

Operated as a product demonstrator at trade shows and events, showcasing products, explaining features, and answering customer queries. Developed strong product knowledge, presentation skills, and selling strategies. Ensured potential customers understood the product value. Promoted the product and boosted event sales.

55. Technical Support Representative

Provided technical support, troubleshooting hardware and software issues for customers. Acquired expertise in product troubleshooting, tech solutions, and customer communication. Maintained patience in handling customer frustrations. Managed to transform complex technical language into understandable terms for customers.

56. Front Desk Clerk at a Hotel

Operated as a front desk clerk in a hotel, handling check-in, customer queries, and problem resolution. Showcased skills in multitasking, organization, and patience. Demonstrated a strong understanding of hotel procedures, services, and reservation systems. Prioritized delivering an outstanding guest experience.

57. E-commerce Customer Service Representative

Handled customer service duties for an e-commerce company, resolving problems, processing refunds, and answering order inquiries. Showcased abilities in complaint handling, data management, and quickly grasping e-commerce processes. Focused on enhancing customer satisfaction and improving online shopping experiences. Turned disgruntled customers into satisfied ones.

58. Food Server at a Restaurant

Served as a food server at a restaurant, taking orders, serving food, and addressing customer complaints. Advanced people skills , multitasking, and a thorough understanding of the menu. Delivered top-rated customer service and ensured a satisfactory dining experience. Kept calm and efficient during peak hours.

59. Bank Customer Service Representative

Acted as a customer service representative in a bank, aiding customers with account inquiries, troubleshooting accounts issues, and explaining bank services. Cultivated skills in financial product knowledge, problem-solving, and customer communication. Upheld confidentiality and followed banking regulations diligently. Turned complex banking procedures into simple customer interaction.

60. Receptionist at a corporate office

Served as a receptionist in a corporate office, managing front desk duties, handling incoming calls, and greeting visitors. Enhanced administrative skills, telephone etiquette, and customer service abilities. Fostered an understanding of the business, directed visitors appropriately, and managed administrative tasks. Gave visitors and callers their first positive impression of the company.

Resume Experience for Teachers

61. Student Teacher during University Coursework

Undertook a student teaching assignment during university coursework, planning lessons and teaching under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Developed skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and student assessment. Showcased adaptability and pedagogical knowledge. Maintained a positive and stimulating learning environment.

62. Tutor at a University Learning Center

Worked as a tutor at the university Learning Center, assisting students with coursework and study strategies. Enhanced abilities in subject knowledge, explaining complex concepts, and providing constructive feedback. Demonstrated patience and dedication to student success. Fostered a deeper understanding of effective teaching methodologies.

63. Volunteer English Teacher Abroad

Volunteered as an English teacher abroad, teaching English to non-native English speakers. Developed cross-cultural communication skills, lesson planning, and language teaching strategies . Showcased commitment and resilience in new environments. Fostered language learning and cultural exchange.

64. Preschool Assistant Teacher

Worked as an assistant teacher in a preschool, maintaining a safe learning environment and facilitating classroom activities. Enhanced understanding of early childhood development, classroom management, and patience. Collaborated with main teacher in teaching basic skills. Progressed development of young learners and nurtured their curiosity.

65. After-School Program Coordinator

Coordinated an after-school program at a community center, organizing educational activities and tutoring sessions. Developed skills in lesson planning, educational program development, and community relations. Showcased a strong commitment to youth educational needs outside classroom hours. Encouraged inclusive learning and extracurricular engagement.

66. Camp Counselor at an Arts Camp

Served as a counselor at a summer arts camp, teaching various artistic techniques and facilitating group projects. Showcased skills in arts education, leadership, and creativity. Fostered a positive, educational, and safe environment for campers. Inspired and nurtured children’s artistic abilities.

67. Volunteer Tutor for Underprivileged Students

Volunteered as a tutor for underprivileged students, helping them with homework and providing academic support. Proved teaching abilities, patience, and dedication to service. Cultivated a motivational environment to inspire students. Demonstrated a commitment to educational equality.

68. Special Education Aid in a Primary School

Worked as a special education aid in a primary school, providing individualized attention and support to children with special needs. Gained experience in special education principles, compassion, and conflict resolution. Showcased specialized teaching skills and empathy. Fostered an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

69. Mentor for First-Year University Students

Acted as a mentor for first-year university students, providing guidance, organizational skills seminars, and academic advice. Cultivated leadership, advisory, and communication skills. Showcased ability to inspire and guide younger students. Contributed to improving students’ academic performances and university experiences.

70. Math Coach for a High School Math Team

Coached a high school math team, preparing them for competitions and improving their problem-solving skills. Demonstrated skills in mathematics education, strategic thinking, and competitive spirit. Motivated students to achieve their best. Enhanced students’ passion for mathematics and problem-solving techniques.

When discussing relevant experience on your resume, it’s paramount to draw a clear connection between the skills developed in the past role and the qualifications required for the prospective job.

Frame your experience in a way that clearly communicates your competencies and accomplishments, using precise language and action verbs. As a bonus, quantitative evidence of your successes (e.g., “increased sales by 15%”) can concretely demonstrate your impact and potential.

Don’t forget to customize your resume for each specific job application rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. And lastly, proofread meticulously and review each detail to ensure accuracy and professionalism; these steps will help establish a strong first impression to potential employers.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

24 Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

A resume summary statement usually comes right after a job seeker’s contact info and before other resume sections such as skills and work experience. It provides employers with a brief overview of a candidate’s career accomplishments and qualifications before they read further. Because of how early it appears on the document, your resume summary statement (or your CV “profile” in the UK) is one of the first places recruiters and employers look. And without the right information, they’ll doubt that you’re qualified and may move to another resume.

So I got in touch with a select group of professional resume writers, coaches and career experts to get their best resume summary examples you can use and adapt to write a resume summary that stands out and gets interviews.

As a former recruiter myself, I’ll also share my best tips to write your resume summary effectively.

Why the Resume/CV Summary is Important

You may have heard that recruiters only spend 8-10 seconds looking at your resume. The truth is: they spend that long deciding whether to read more. They do glance that quickly at first and may move on if your background doesn’t look like a fit. However, if you grab their attention, they’ll read far more. Recruiters aren’t deciding to interview you in 8-10 seconds, but they are ruling people out in 8-10 seconds. And this is why your resume summary is so crucial. It appears high up on your resume (usually right after your header/contact info) and is one of the first sections employers see. So it’s part of what they’ll see in the first 8-10 seconds.

Your resume summary statement is one of your first (and one of very few) chances to get the employer to stop skimming through their pile of resumes and focus on YOU.

Watch: Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

10 resume summary examples:.

These career summary examples will help you at any experience level – whether you’re writing a professional summary after a long executive career, or writing your first resume summary without any experience! After you finish this article you’re NEVER going to have to send out a limp, weak resume summary statement again (and you’ll get far more interviews  because of it).

1. Healthcare Sales Executive Resume Summary Example:

Turnaround & Ground Up Leadership – Concept-to-execution strategies for untapped products, markets + solutions that yield 110% revenue growth – Negotiates partnerships with leading distributors + hospitals—Medline to Centara + Novant Health to Mayo Clinic –  Revitalizes underperforming sales organizations via scalable, sustainable infrastructures emulated as best practice –  C-Level networks of clinical + supply chain leadership acquired during tenures with XXX, XXX and XXX

Why this resume summary is good:

This resumes summary example’s strength lies in the detailed, unique information that has been included. By including revenue stats, names of past employers and partners, the reader right away sees that this person will bring to the role a strong networking ability with key players in his industry, and more importantly can build, grow and revitalize a sales organization, market or product.

By:  Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

2. 15+ Year Business Owner Resume Summary Statement:

Dynamic and motivated marketing professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations, and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Why this is a good summary section:

This is a resume summary statement that was for  a candidate returning to work after having her own business for 15+ years. Because of this, we needed to emphasize her soft skills and what she can bring to this potential position. In addition, we highlighted the skills she has honed as a business owner so that she can utilize these qualifications as a sales professional, account manager , and someone knowledgeable about nutrition, medicine, and the overall sales process.

By: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish. MBA, Ph.D., CPRW, and Founder of Feather Communications

3. Human Resources Generalist Resume Summary Example:

Human Resources Generalist with progressive experience managing employee benefits & compliance, employee hiring & onboarding, performance management processes, licensure tracking and HR records. Dependable and organized team player with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Skilled at building relationships with employees across all levels of an organization. Proficient with HRIS, applicant tracking and benefits management.

Why this is a good resume summary:

The applicant highlights their experience across a wide range of HR functions from the very first sentence, and continues this pattern throughout the rest of the summary. They then use easily digestible langue to showcase their hard skills (in the first & fourth sentences) and soft skills (in the second & third sentences). They also integrate a variety of keywords to get past automated job application systems , without sounding spammy or without overdoing it.

By: Kyle Elliott, MPA/CHES,  Career Coach and Consultant

4. Social Media Marketing CV Profile Example (UK):

Social media expert with successes in the creation and management of social media strategies and campaigns for global retail organisations. Extensive experience in the commercial utilisation of multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; I build successful social strategies that increase brand awareness, promote customer engagement and ultimately drive web traffic and conversions.

Why this summary is good:

This summary is well-written, short, sharp, and gives recruiters a high-level explanation of the candidate’s core offerings in a persuasive and punchy style. A quick scan of this profile tells you the exact type of social media platforms the candidate is an expert in, as well as the campaigns they have experience running and types of organizations they have worked for. Most importantly, the summary is rounded off by showing the results that this person achieves for their employers, such as increased web traffic and conversions.

Editor’s note: This CV profile summary was written for the UK market… this is a great one to use/copy, but make sure you put it through a spell-checker if you’re applying for jobs in the US (utilisation vs. utilization, etc.)

By: Andrew Fennell, Director at StandOut CV , contributor for The Guardian and Business Insider

5. Marketing Manager Professional Summary Example:

Marketing Manager with over eight years of experience. Proven success in running email marketing campaigns and implementing marketing strategies that have pulled in a 20% increase in qualified leads. Proficient in content, social media and inbound marketing strategies. Skilled, creative and innovative.

This resume summary stands out because it gets straight to the point. By immediately introducing the number of years of experience the candidate has, the HR manager doesn’t need to spend time adding up years. The candidate also jumps right into his or her strongest skill, provides a statistic , then gives additional skills.

By: Sarah Landrum, career expert and contributor at Entrepreneur.com and Forbes

6. Warehouse Supervisor Resume Summary Example:

Warehouse Supervisor with Management, Customer Service, & Forklift Experience –  Dependable manager with 15+ years of experience in warehouse management and employee supervision. –  Skilled at managing inventory control, shipping & receiving, customer relations and safety & compliance. –  Certified Power Equipment Trainer, Forklift Operator and Reach Operator skilled at coaching other staff. –  Promoted to positions of increased responsibility given strong people and project management skills.

The applicant was applying for a warehouse supervisor position that required them to have demonstrated management, customer service and forklift experience. As such, the applicant showcased their experience in these areas with a few keywords in the title, followed by additional details in the accompanying bullet points. Their final bullet shows a record of promotions, while reinforcing the applicant’s customer service and project management skills.

7. IT Project Manager Resume Summary Example:

Experienced Project Manager with vast IT experience. Skills include computer networking, analytical thinking and creative problem solving. Able to apply customer service concepts to IT to improve user experience for clients, employees and administration.

Because this candidate is switching career paths, it’s important he or she take skills used for previous positions and apply those skills to the new job listing. This is a great example because the candidate makes it clear that his or her experience is not in the new field, but that they are still able to bring relevant experience to the table. When writing your resume summary, keep these tips in mind: Use writing that is straight to the point, clear and concise, you’ll have a higher chance of getting noticed by the hiring manager.

8. Career-Changer Resume Summary Example:

Earn trust, uncover key business drivers and find common ground as chief negotiator and identifier of revenue opportunities in sales, leadership and account management roles spanning e-Commerce, air travel and high-tech retail. Navigate cultural challenges while jumping time zones, lead international airline crews and manage corporate accounts to deliver an exceptional customer experience. A self-taught techie sought after as a go-to for complex billing systems and SaaS platforms alike—bridging the divide between technology and plain-speak. – Tenacious Quest for Success + Learning . Earned MBA and BS in just 3 years while working full-time – gaining hands-on experience in research- and data-driven product roadmap development, pricing and positioning. – Results-Driven Leadership. Whether leading Baby Boomers, Gen X or Millennials—figures out what makes teams tick, trains and transforms individuals into top-performers. – Challenger of Conventional Wisdom. Always ask the WHY. Improve the user experience through smart, strategic thinking that anticipates outcomes. Present cases that influence, and lead change that drives efficiency and profitability.

This client was eager for a career change and had moved from role to role and industry to industry. After completing her Master’s degree, she was eager to tie her skills together to land a role – which she did – as a Senior Technology Account Strategist for a global travel company. Although a bit longer than a traditional summary, its strength lies in the details. Without ever getting to the experience section, the reader gets a clear idea of the scope of responsibility, and hard and soft skills the candidate brings to the table.

By: Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

9. Project Management Executive Professional Summary Example:

15+ years of initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change for Fortune 500 firms across a wide range of industries including enterprise software, digital marketing, advertising technology, e-commerce and government. Major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability – both as a leader and expert consultant.

Why this resume summary is good:

“Project Manager” is one of those job titles that’s REALLY broad. You can find project managers earning $50K, and others earning $250K. The client I wrote this for was at the Director level, and had worked for some of the biggest and best tech companies in her city. So this resume profile section shows her level and experience, and the wide array of areas she has responsibility for in her current work. You can borrow or use some of the phrasing here to show that you’ve been responsible for many important areas in your past work.

By: Biron Clark, Founder of  CareerSidekick.com.

10. Startup And Finance Management Consultant Career Summary Example:

Experienced strategist, entrepreneur and startup enthusiast with a passion for building businesses and challenging the status quo. 8+ year track record of defining new business strategies, launching new ventures, and delivering operational impact, both as a co-founder and management consultant. 

Why this resume summary example is good:

This summary was for a highly-talented management consultant looking to break out of finance, and into trendier tech companies like Uber . His track record and educational background were great, so the goal of this summary section was to stand out and show he’s more than just the typical consultant with a finance background. So we emphasized his passion for startups, and his ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. That’s something that companies like Uber and other “disruptive” tech companies look for.

14 Resume Summary Examples for Various Industries

Compassionate and effective 5th-grade teacher with experience overseeing the classroom and preparing lessons. Extensive experience encouraging students through positive reinforcement and motivational techniques. Collaborate well with school administration and other members of the teaching team. Ensure all students meet learning requirements, including literacy, social, and arithmetic skills.

2. Teacher’s Assistant

Goal-oriented teacher’s assistant with ten years of experience working with elementary school children. Aid teachers with lesson planning, classroom settings, and group instruction. Model positive behavior and maintain order in the classroom. Willingness to take on additional responsibilities to meet learning objectives.

Tech Industry

3. computer programmer.

Innovative computer programmer with a proven track record of writing high-quality code and supporting team needs with subject matter expertise. Adept in multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++. Ability to troubleshoot complex programming issues with inventive solutions. 

4. Cybersecurity Analyst

Dedicated cybersecurity analyst with ten years of experience in online security research, execution, planning, and maintenance. Proven track record of identifying business risks and proactively resolving them. Experience designing and instituting layered network security for large-scale organizations. Train users and other staff members on IT safety procedures and preventive techniques.

Skilled healthcare professional with ten years of experience in patient care, diagnosis, and providing appropriate treatments and medical services. Manage medical staff and resolve complex medical cases with maximum efficiency. Communicate the patient’s condition and treatment plan in easily understood terminology. Remain current with the latest advancements in medicine and research to ensure patients receive proper care.

6. Registered Nurse

Seasoned registered nurse offering comprehensive patient care in emergency room settings. Experience handling diverse patient populations and caring for various conditions. Proven leadership managing nursing teams and other staff. Focus on enhancing patient care and satisfaction through empathetic communication and excellent customer service. 

7. Digital Marketing Manager

Forward-thinking digital marketing manager experienced in all facets of digital marketing, including social media management, PPC advertising, SEO, and email marketing. Proven experience creating comprehensive marketing plans that improve lead prospecting and enhance brand awareness. Up to date with the newest tools available for digital marketing campaigns.

8. Marketing Analyst

Industrious marketing analyst well-versed in analyzing marketing campaign analytics and making recommendations to improve performance. Collaborate with account managers and use KPI metrics to explain the results of marketing initiatives. Meticulous with a strong work ethic and robust communication skills.

Food and Service Industry

Experienced wait staff member capable of managing orders, processing payments, and upselling menu items. Ensure restaurant guests feel welcome with attentive service catered to their needs. Remain current on updates to the menu and assist guests with selecting orders to meet their dietary requirements. Maintain a positive attitude and focus during busy restaurant periods.

10. Hotel Receptionist

Friendly hotel receptionist with extensive experience handling guest check-ins, check-out, and payments. Facilitate a positive guest experience with polished customer service skills and a readiness to address common inquiries and complaints. Collaborate well with other hotel team members, including executive administration and on-site restaurant staff.

Business/Office Jobs

11. financial analyst.

Highly motivated financial analyst with a proven track record of recommending appropriate financial plans based on financial monitoring, data collection, and business strategizing. Experienced in qualitative and quantitative analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling. Excellent communication skills for building and fostering long-term business relationships across the organization.

12. Tax Accountant

Experienced tax accountant with ten years of experience preparing federal and state tax returns for corporations and partnerships. Monitor changes in laws to ensure the organization properly complies with reporting requirements. Assist with tax audits, ensuring the team receives proper supporting evidence for tax positions. Analyze and resolve complex tax issues. Look for available tax savings opportunities for corporations with an aggregate savings of $500K last year. Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Sales and Customer Service

13. sales representative.

Enthusiastic sales representative with expertise in identifying prospects and converting qualified leads to paying customers. Provide quality customer service and contribute to team sales success. Offer exceptional communication skills and seek to understand client needs before making the appropriate product recommendations. Continually meet and exceed sales goals. Leverage extensive knowledge of available products to provide appropriate client solutions and enhance customer loyalty and retention.

14. Customer Service Associate

Knowledgeable customer service professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry. Known as a team player with a friendly demeanor and proven ability to develop positive rapport with clients. Maintain ongoing customer satisfaction that contributes to overall company success. Highly articulate, with a results-oriented approach that addresses client inquiries and issues while maintaining strong partnerships. Collaborate well with the customer service team while also engaging independent decision-making skills.

Now you have 24 professional resume summary statements and some explanations of why they’re effective. Next, I’ll share tips for how to write your own in case you’re still unsure how to begin based on these examples above.

How to Write a Resume Summary: Steps and Hints

We’ve looked at 10 great resume summary examples above. As you begin writing a resume summary for yourself, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Read the employer’s job description. Your career summary shouldn’t be a long list of everything you’ve done; it should be a refined list of skills and experiences that demonstrate you’re a fit for their job.
• Mention your current job title if relevant. One common way to begin your resume summary is to state your current job title.
• Explain how you can help employers achieve their goals or solve their problems.
• Consider using bold text to emphasize one or two key phrases.
• Include any relevant metrics and data like dollar amounts, years of experience, size of teams led, etc. This helps your resume stand out.
• Focus on making the employer want to read more. The goal of your resume summary isn’t to show everything you can do, but to grab their attention and show enough that they continue reading.

Creating a Customized Resume Summary

While general summaries are appropriate when applying for jobs requiring similar skills and experience, a customized resume summary can enhance your chances of moving on to the next step in the hiring process. 

That’s because most companies use automated tracking systems (ATS) to review submitted resumes for content directly related to the job posting. If you use keywords and natural language phrases in your summary that interlink to the job description, you’ll have a much higher chance of passing the ATS review.

Let’s look at an example of a resume summary that is customized for the specific job description below:

“Highly motivated social media specialist with strong project management skills. Creative marketer skilled in crafting innovative social media campaigns that resonate with a target audience. Regularly develop compelling copy and social media content to enhance lead generation and brand awareness. Detail-oriented with extensive project management skills that ensure proper prioritization of tasks and projects. Work with various social media management and analytics tools to examine results and make adjustments as necessary.”

This summary directly addresses the key points in the job description but rewrites them so the customization is natural and flows well. It’s personalized for the open role and uses similar terms with a few strategically placed keywords, such as “social media content” and “project management.”  

How Long Should a Resume Summary Be?

As you read the resume summaries above, you probably noticed there are some short single-paragraph resume summary examples and much longer career summaries that are two to three paragraphs plus bullet points. So how long should YOUR professional summary be? If you have relevant work experience, keep your summary to one or two paragraphs. The piece you really want the hiring manager to read is your most recent work experience (and you should make sure you tailored that info to fit the job description). The resume summary is just a “bridge” to get the hiring manager into your experience.

If I were writing my own career summary right now, I’d likely use one single paragraph packed with skills, accomplishments, and exactly why I’m ready to step into the job I’ve applied for and be successful!

Even for a manager resume summary, I recommend a very short length. However, if you’re changing careers, or you’re looking for jobs without any work experience , the summary section needs to stand on its own, and should be longer. That’s why some examples above are a bit longer.

Formatting Your Resume/CV Career Summary

You may have noticed a variety of different formats in the career summary examples above. There isn’t one “right” way to format this section on your resume or CV. However, I recommend either using one or two brief paragraphs, or combining a short sentence or paragraph with bullets. Avoid writing three or four long paragraphs with no special formatting like bullet points. That’s simply too much text for your summary section and will cause recruiters and hiring managers to skip over it in some cases.

Should You Include a Resume Objective?

You do not need to include an objective on your resume, and doing so can make your resume appear outdated. Use a resume summary instead of an objective. Follow the resume summary examples above and focus on discussing your skills, qualifications, and achievements, rather than stating your objective. Employers know that your objective is to obtain the position you’ve applied for, and the resume objective has no place on a modern resume/CV in today’s job market.

Examples of Bad Resume Summaries

Now that we’ve seen a few exemplary resume summaries, let’s look at some that you should avoid at all cost.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

“Experienced cashier who knows how to run the register cash. Responsible with the money and can talk with the customer. Knows when to stoc up the invenory and checks it all the time. Can count change and run credit card tranactions. Get the customer happy by good service. I am always cheerful and organized.”

Why this resume summary is bad:

If you read the summary carefully, you’ll notice several spelling errors. The words “stock,” “inventory,” and “transactions” are all spelled wrong. Grammatical errors make the summary choppy and difficult to follow (“Get the customer happy by good service”).  A summary like this probably won’t fly with a company looking for a detail-oriented cashier responsible for managing in-person sales.

2. Lacks Relevant Keywords

“Talented worker with experience managing a team of staff. Creative and responsible with knowledge of organizational processes. Can keep up with the busiest of environments. Stays focused when at work, ensuring prompt task completion. Dependable and willing to collaborate with a team to get things done.”  

In this example, the chef doesn’t use keywords relevant to cooking, restaurants, or kitchens. The summary is very generic and can apply to nearly any job. A manager who receives the application isn’t likely to understand what value the candidate can bring to the restaurant.  To fix the summary, the applicant must rewrite it to include relevant keywords and phrases. 

3. No Numbers to Quantify Achievements

“An experienced and hardworking manager ready to align procedures for maximum revenue and profits. Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in higher sales and better customer satisfaction. Collaborate well with sales team members, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge to support customer purchases and inquiries. Develop strong rapport with clients and maintain ongoing relationships.”

This isn’t a terrible summary for a sales manager, but it has room for improvement. For one, the first two sentences essentially duplicate each other, mentioning an aptitude for improving processes with the objective of higher sales. The other issue is a lack of quantifying achievements. 

The applicant mentions they have a proven record of increasing sales, but they could strengthen the summary by quantifying their results. For example, they might say, “Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in a 25% increase in sales over the past year.” The quantifier provides additional credibility. 

4. Not Targeting the Specific Job

“Looking for work in a role that requires great customer service, project management, and communication skills. Able to collaborate with people from diverse and varying backgrounds. Highly organized and reliable worker with a strong work ethic. Responsible and reliable worker you can count on.”

While the candidate lists various skills they have, including customer service and project management, there’s no indication of prior roles held or what position they’re applying for. The summary could apply to numerous positions in a variety of industries. To improve the resume summary, the applicant must specify the job they’re applying for and indicate their prior experience in a similar role, if they have any.

After You Start Getting Interviews, Make Sure to Take Advantage…

If you follow the advice above, you’ll have a great professional resume summary to make your qualifications stand out to employers. But landing the interview is only half the battle… So make sure you go into every interview ready to convince employers that they should hire you, too! If you write a great resume summary example that gets employers excited to interview you, they’re going to ask you questions like, “tell me about yourself” early in the interview to learn more about your background. So make sure you’re prepared with an answer.

I also recommend you review the top 20 interview questions and answers here.

Your resume caught their interest, so naturally, they’re going to follow up with a variety of questions to learn more about your professional background.

The bottom line is: A strong professional resume summary, followed up by other well-written resume sections will get you the interview, but your interview performance is what determines whether you get the job offer!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), how to beat applicant tracking systems with your resume, what do recruiters look for in a resume, what happens when you lie on your resume 10 risks, don’t say you’re a quick learner on your resume, guide to resume sections, titles, and headings, 12 resume formatting tips from a professional, how artificial intelligence (ai) is changing resume writing, 22 resume bullet point examples that get interviews, are resume writers worth it, 41 thoughts on “24 resume summary examples that get interviews”.

I would recommend to customise the skills section of your resume, and ensure that it matches the job posting. The higher the number of phrases within the resume matching the job requirements the more are the chances that the recruiter will pick you for the job.

I just wanted to say, “thank you!”. This was very helpful. Instead of jumping from one website to the next there’s so much useful, relevant information right here.

Hi, I have been having trouble creating a resume as My old one is so long, I’ve worked for a government agency for the past 14 years and held multiple positions doing many different duties for each and now I have to relocate to another area where they do not have an agency like mine in my new area within a 3 hour drive, how can I squeeze all my experience and duties on one page and where do I even start, I’m so nervous, it’s been so long since I’ve attempted the job hunt. So I’m wondering, I do not want to cut anything out that may hurt my chances and I can’t afford to have my resume rewritten by a professional. Can you guide me as to where you think would be a good place to start, I’ve been staring at this laptop for weeks trying to decide on a resume template, there are so many. I thank you for your time and any input will help.

Hi, I am a new graduate and do not have any experience in my field which is Nursing. I want to apply for the jobs but I have no idea about what to mention in my resume.

Hi, this article should help with the resume summary, at least: https://careersidekick.com/summary-for-resume-no-experience/

Other than that, you need to put your academic experience. And internships/part-time jobs if you’ve had any.

Dear Biron,, Thanks for sharing the 10 examples of professional summaries in your article, and especially the reasons why they were considered to be good. However, as a HR professional, I would most likely skip over most of them and would not read much past the first or second sentence. The summaries were mostly too wordy and boring, and did not demonstrate ‘oomph’ at first cursory reading. Simply indicating certain skills or behaviors does not give an idea of the level of expertise, and could simply be wishful thinking on the part of the resume writer.

Just goes to show that there are many ways to see what makes a good summary.

I am a chemical engineer and project management professional with 15+years experience. My experience is between process engineering and project management . How can I marry the two in my profile summary?

It’s not about showing everything you’ve done. It’s about showing employers evidence you’ll succeed in their job. You can show a bit of both but focus heavily on what’s most relevant for the jobs you’re applying for right now. 80/20.

This was absolutely helpful and amazing! Thank you very much!

Hello, I am an active job seeker. I hold a law degree from a foreign country and currently in college for an associate degree. My question is, how do I blend both my foreign job experience with that of the United States in my resume. Thank you.

I’d put your work history in chronological order, starting with the most recent up top. That’s what I’d recommend for 95% of people actually. Then it doesn’t matter where you held each job.

And then in your Education section, I’d include your foreign degree and the current degree you’re pursuing in the US, too (for the US degree, you can say “in progress” or “graduating May 2019” for example).

I am 40 years old & B.A degree holder I have experience in many fields.I would like to join any one fields

I am a fresh graduate, who has five years teaching experience and some months customer service representative experience. Pls kindly assist me to put the resume summary together

I’m an active duty service member and finding in a little difficult creating a good transitional summary from 20 year profession in tactical communications to a drug and alcohol counselor. Do you have any recommendations how I should approach this? Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

Great piece

How to write the CAREER ABSTRACT in resume for ware super visor retail business?

Just wanted to say thank you.Your advise and information was clear and easy to understand , sometimes there is nothing pertaining to what im looking fot in particular, buy you have sermed to cover everything I n a short quick easy to understand method.It will help tremendously.

Thanks! Glad to hear it helped :)

Very informational

What if you have work experience, but the job your going for(teachingeducation) has nothing to do with warehouse work? How should I build my resume?

In the summary, describe yourself and then say, “…looking to transition into ___” (the type of work you want to be doing now).

This is a bit like a resume “Objective”. I normally don’t recommend an Objective section (and I recommend a Summary section instead), however the one time an Objective does make sense is when you’re trying to change industries or make a big change in the type of role you have.

So that’s why my advice here might seem like I’m telling you to combine an Objective with your resume Summary.

Then “tailor” your previous work to be as relevant as possible. Even if you worked in a different industry you can still show things like leadership, accountability, progress/improvement, hard work, achieving goals, strong teamwork skills, etc. You can do all of that in your resume bullets and work history.

Don’t u have Resume Summary of legal secretary/legal assistant?

No, sorry about that. There are hundreds of different professions/job titles, and we aren’t able to include an example for every scenario out there. These resume summary examples are designed to give you a general idea of how to write yours.

The summaries listed are excellent example and have helped me develop a stand out summary for a new position.

Hello, I been trying to land the job of my dreams. I need help with my resume if i want the recruiters in airlines to notice me. I’ve applied before but haven’t had complete success to making it to a face-to Face Interview. It is a career change – yet i feel i am a great candidate bc i have had many customer service and I even attended an academy for that specific position. Can you please tell me what I am doing wrong on my resume ?

what if i never had a job experience?

Great question. If you don’t have any work experience, take one of the formats/examples above and put your accomplishments and qualifications from your academic studies.

Your headline could say: “Motivated Bio-Sciences Graduate With Expertise in ____”.

And then you might talk about accomplishments in school, group projects you worked on or led, etc.

Basically, when you have no work experience, your school/studies BECOMES your recent work. You should talk about that like it’s a job, because that’s the experience you do have.

really amazing article and too useful , thanks

Hi Mr. Clark, I have been out of the work force for about 18+years and I have been a small business owner for the same number of years. However, I want to go back to the work force. But my problem is that, I don’t know how to prepare my resume or resume summary statement. I had a degree in Communication,Arts and Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Public Administration. I’m a bit confused as to how to incorporate all these experiences into my resume. Please can you help?

Hi Dorothy, I can recommend a professional resume writer if you want. But they’re typically not cheap, so it’s something you’d have to be willing to invest in. If not, there’s a lot of free info online about how to “tailor” your resume for specific jobs. I can’t help one-on-one unfortunately, but I’d recommend thinking about which type of jobs you want, and think of what experience you have that is most relevant. that’s what to put on your resume. Your resume isn’t only about you, it’s about them – what do they want/need? (if you want to get a ton of interviews, that’s how to do it :) ).

Can I have a professional resume writer?

I use a similar format when writing my opening statement for my coverletter. How do you recommend differentiating the two? Or is it ok to use largely the same language?

I think it’s okay to use something similar. I might be more brief in the cover letter… it needs to be about them just as much as it’s about you. Whereas the resume is all about you, at least in the summary section. (The later sections should still be tailored to THEIR needs..)

Struggling to write a Summary Statement for a Secretary/Administrative Assistant position. I have 15 years government experience but have been away from the government since 9/1993 and have spent 15 years as a Substitute Teacher after taking off for 10 years to raise my children.

Hiya! I am a mother of three attempting to return to the workforce. I have been a stay at mom for about 13 years, so I have a (large) gap in my employment history; which doesn’t look great. I have a college education and have obtained a few certifications whilst not employed, plus many volunteer hours. I know that I should probably use a functional resume format. Would love some advice on what I should include in my summary statement.

Hi Juniper,

I rarely like functional resumes, but it might be worth trying. I’d “split-test” it (a marketing term). Create two resume styles, send out 50% one way, 50% the other way, and track results for a week.

I’d treat the resume summary statement just like any other resume. Highlight your skills and past wins/accomplishments.

how do i explain long term gaps in employment? leave them out?

Hi Paulette,

Don’t mention them on a resume summary. But do mention the gaps on a cover letter or lower down on the resume. Here’s an article on how to explain gaps in employment:

https://careersidekick.com/explaining-gaps-in-employment/

I am student in civil engineering field. Have 1.5 yrs of work ex. How should i structure my resume. Thanks.

Hello My name is Shataka and I’m a current job seeker trying to land my dream job as a Counselor. I have Master degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. My experience lies in many different fields. I’m currently a Substance Abuse Counselor, with a teaching background and over 5 years of social service experience. I guess my question is how would I sum up all my experience to help me find a job as a Counselor.

Comments are closed.

More From Forbes

New research reveals resumes with black names experience bias in the hiring process.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Name bias is still a pervasive issue in the hiring process.

A groundbreaking new study by economists Kline, Rose, and Walters reveals what many have known for decades—name bias is still a pervasive issue in the hiring process. The researchers sent out a series of identical resumes to analyze whether race and gender impacted callback rates of job applications at 97 U.S. employers. The study analyzed distinctly “Black” names and “white” names as well as male and female names, among other demographic differences. The results revealed that white and female names received the most callbacks followed by white male names. Black male names and Black female names were called back the least, respectively.

When assessing gender differences, the researchers did not find prominent differences in callback rates between male and female applicants overall—racial differences were more pronounced. Results did vary by industry and firm, with the automobile industry having more pronounced racial differences in callback rates than other industries. The research also revealed that the smallest estimated racial bias was within food stores. The study mirrored many of the same findings of previous studies on name bias and discrimination in hiring.

In a study from over two decades ago, researchers Bertrand and Mullainathan analyzed the callback rates for identical resumes sent out with either Black names or white names in Boston and Chicago. The results of their study provided evidence of pervasive racial discrimination against Black-sounding names during the hiring process. Name bias isn’t just a United States phenomenon. A Swedish study from 2007 found that job applicants with Swedish-sounding names received more callbacks than job applications with Arabic or African-sounding names across different occupations.

It is imperative for hiring professionals to not only be aware of these trends but to actively integrate safeguards to mitigate bias in the hiring process. Currently, there is a movement to defund and dismantle DEI , with DEI detractors getting louder and louder each day. DEI propaganda propels the myth that DEI is used primarily as a means to grant unearned privileges to marginalized groups. The aforementioned studies provide evidence to the contrary; despite the DEI disdain, biases in the workplace persist. DEI can be an effective tool to address these disparities.

What specific DEI strategies can be utilized to address name bias in hiring, particularly when it comes to Black-sounding names, which experience some of the most severe penalties during the hiring process? The first step is awareness. As mentioned, hiring professionals must be educated about name bias to create systems to overcome this type of bias. Offering DEI training and education specifically for hiring professionals, and continuing to share research, articles , and anecdotes about name bias in the hiring process can be helpful. We should be less worried about completely eradicating our unconscious biases (which is not realistic) and instead, focus on developing systems to make our hiring process more equitable.

JPMorgan Joins Goldman Sachs In Serious Bitcoin Halving Price Warning

Google makes a major new sale offer to pixel 8 buyers, drugs like ozempic and mounjaro could treat other conditions here s what scientists are looking at.

There is some evidence that suggests that in some circumstances, anonymizing the resume by removing demographic information like a name, college graduation year or hobbies can address some of these initial biases in hiring. Organizations and institutions should consider integrating this strategy into their hiring process, especially within industries more susceptible to racial and other types of biases. In addition to anonymizing resumes, ensuring that there is an objective process to evaluate job candidates is vital. Utilizing a scorecard or a rubric and also interrogating and operationally defining your criteria for job candidate culture fit can be effective methods to ensure that equity is baked into the hiring process.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Trump's historic hush money trial seats 12 jurors, plus an alternate: 'We have our jury'

A full 12-person jury was selected Thursday for Donald Trump 's hush money trial in New York City after both sides had questioned close to 200 potential jurors about whether they can be fair and impartial when it comes to the polarizing former president and the criminal charges against him.

"We have our jury," state Judge Juan Merchan said after the 12th juror was selected. One alternate was also selected, and five more still need to be picked. "I am hopeful we will finish tomorrow," the judge said before he swore the jury in.

If that happens, opening statements in the first criminal trial involving a former president could begin as early as Monday.

The panel is made up of seven men and five women. Among the new additions sworn in Thursday were a retired wealth manager, a speech therapist, a product development manager and a physical therapist. Those sworn in Tuesday included a lawyer, a salesman, a teacher and a software engineer.

After the day's court proceedings, Trump called the case against him "ridiculous."

"I’m supposed to be a lot of different places campaigning. But I’ve been here all day on a trial that really is a very unfair trial," the presumptive Republican nominee for president said.

"And I’m sitting here for days now from morning till night. In that freezing room freezing. Everybody was freezing," he added.

The jury was seated after a rocky start to the day. Two of the seven jurors who'd already been sworn in this week were dismissed in the morning.

The first was let go after she told the judge she now had concerns that she could not be impartial after friends, colleagues and family members asked her whether she was a juror on the case. The juror, a nurse, said she did not believe she could "let the outside influences not affect my decision-making in the courtroom.” 

After she was dismissed, Merchan chided the media for reporting on some of the details of jurors' appearances and places of work and ordered the media not to report on physical descriptions of the prospective jurors or their answers about where they currently work and used to work.

“We just lost” what "probably would have been a very good juror for this case" because of such reporting, the judge said.

Merchan, who had ordered that the jury be kept anonymous because of safety concerns, said Thursday, “It kinds of defeats the purpose of an anonymous jury” if people can be easily identified.

The second juror was released after having been brought in for further questioning following concerns from prosecutors that one of his answers during questioning was not accurate.

The man, who had been sworn in as juror number 4, had said that neither he nor a family member had been accused of a crime, but Joshua Steinglass of the Manhattan district attorney's office discovered that somebody with the same name had been arrested in the 1990s for tearing down political posters and that his wife appeared to have been involved in a corruption inquiry by the DA's office in the same period.

Merchan said that during the additional questioning, which was conducted at the bench with the lawyers, the juror "expressed annoyance about how much information was out there about him in the public."

After he conferred with the lawyers, Merchan said, “I’m directing that juror number 4 be excused.”

After the two dismissed jurors were dealt with, attention turned once more to the process of selecting additional jurors from a pool of 96 people, the same size pool that was used Monday and yielded the jurors who have already been sworn in.

By the end of the day, Merchan had managed to replace the two dismissed panelists with two others and added five more to get a full jury, plus an alternate.

As it did with the earlier group, the process got off to a slow start. Asked as a group whether they thought they could not be fair or impartial, 48 people raised their hands and were dismissed — a slightly smaller number than the 50-plus who were excused Monday. Nine more were excused for undisclosed different issues before those remaining began individually answering questions from the judge's 42-question questionnaire.

One juror in the initial group, who said he was born and raised in Italy, was dismissed immediately after he compared Trump to Silvio Berlusconi , the late media tycoon and former prime minister of Italy who had been involved in numerous sex and corruption scandals.

“The Italian media have had a very strong association with Mr. Trump and Silvio Berlusconi,” the man said, adding, “It would be a little hard for me to retain my impartiality and fairness.”

Trump stared intently at the individual jurors as Steinglass, the prosecutor, began to question them. Trump appeared to smile after Steinglass said some witnesses “have what you might consider to be some baggage" and mentioned that one key witness, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, had pleaded guilty to lying to Congress.

He continued watching the jurors as his attorney Susan Necheles questioned them. A female potential juror told her that "I don’t have strong opinions" about Trump but that "I don’t like his persona. I don’t like some of my co-workers, either.” When Necheles pressed her to elaborate, she said, “He seems very selfish and self-serving, and I don’t really appreciate that in a public servant.”

Trump did not appear to appreciate the response; he crossed his arms and muttered something to Emil Bove, another of his attorneys.

The next potential juror, a man who owns a construction-related firm, was more of a fan and said he was impressed by Trump’s rise as a businessman and politician. “He was our president. Pretty amazing," the man said.

Another juror addressed the elephant in the room, noting that it was pretty difficult not to have had strong feelings or conversations about Trump during his presidency.

The days of questioning have also served as a reminder that long before he was omnipresent nationally, he was a pervasive force in New York City. One potential juror who worked in real estate had friends who had worked with Trump, another recalled seeing Trump and his then-wife, Marla Maples, "shopping for baby things" in the 1990s, and another, who described himself as a "wannabe hockey player," said he was grateful to Trump for the work he had done on Wollman Rink in Central Park.

There were connections to Trump world, as well: Another potential juror said that her husband was a lawyer and that they had stayed together at Necheles' house about 15 years previously. Necheles moved to have the woman removed for cause, a request Merchan rejected. Necheles then used one of her limited peremptory challenges to have her stricken. All 10 had been used by the end of the day. Prosecutors had one left by the time the jury was chosen.

While both sides could make an unlimited number of challenges for cause, it is up to the judge to decide whether to grant those challenges and strike those jurors. Merchan dismissed two jurors for cause Tuesday and two on Thursday. One of those the judge dismissed was a woman who had posted on social media in 2016 that Trump is "anathema to anything I was taught about faith." She apologized for the post and said, "I do not hold those positions today." She added that she thinks Trump's politics are "spicy."

Earlier Thursday, the DA's office complained that Trump had continued to violate the gag order barring him from trashing potential jurors and witnesses with a series of posts on his social media platform, Truth Social.

"Since you signed the last order that we handed up on Monday, the defendant has violated the order seven more times,” Chris Conroy of the DA's office told the judge, adding: “It’s ridiculous. It has to stop.”

Bove, the Trump attorney, said that some of the posts were responses to accusations by Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, and that others were simply reposting items by other people and news outlets, which Bove maintained is not prohibited by the gag order.

Merchan has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday on the DA's motion to hold Trump in contempt.

At the end of court Thursday, Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked Steinglass who the DA's first three witnesses would be, and Steinglass refused to say. He said it was a courtesy he would normally extend, but "Mr. Trump has been tweeting about the witnesses. We're not telling them who the witnesses are."

Merchan said that "he can't blame" prosecutors for taking that position and that he would not order them to disclose the identities of the first witnesses. Blanche then offered "to commit to the court ... that President Trump will not Truth about any witness."

"I don't think you can make that representation," the judge replied.

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty . He faces up to four years in prison if he is convicted.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office alleges that Trump falsified business records to hide money he was paying Cohen to reimburse him for $130,000 he paid adult film actor Stormy Daniels near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels has claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. Trump has denied that he slept with Daniels, but he has acknowledged repaying Cohen.

The DA's office also alleges that American Media Inc. paid $150,000 to model and actor Karen McDougal, who appeared in Playboy magazine and claimed that she had a nine-month affair with Trump before he was elected president, “in exchange for her agreement not to speak out about the alleged sexual relationship.”

Trump has also denied having a sexual relationship with McDougal.

Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.

Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.