one page summary resume sample

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

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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.

One Page Resume Templates

No matter what level of experience you have, you can easily craft a one-page resume using one of our pre-made templates below. Just click on your favorite, and replace the info with your own.

Double Column

Single page resume template. Bold heading fonts point the recruiter straight to what’s important in your resume.

1-page resume template. Perfect for experienced candidates who can fit more experience without compromising length.

Single Column

One-page resume template. For job-seekers who prefer a classic one-column layout.

Two-column resume template. Organize your information into two columns for a well-structured and easy-to-follow format.

Space-saving resume template. Optimize the space on your resume to maximize the impact of your information with a space-saving design.

Text-focused resume template. Convey your information in a clear and straightforward manner with a text-focused design that is simple and easy to read.

What is a one-page resume template?

The one-page resume template has a layout designed to present the most relevant information about the applicant. It contains summarized text that is easy to read and scan.

This type of resume is born out of understanding the two key principles of application processing. The first one is that the most important information is expected to be in the first one-third of the document. The second principle is that the HR officer only has a few seconds to decide if your resume goes in the bin or not.

A well-prepared single-page resume demonstrates that you are a very organized person who knows how to prioritize and who values the time of the recruiter. It also demonstrates that vanity is not one of your disadvantages.

When to use a one-page resume template?

• Position: The single-page resume template is suitable for any position. It is very important to use this template if you are a candidate for an entry position with less experience. Often, for such jobs, there are more candidates. This means that a lot of resumes need to pass through the recruiter’s desk. Your chance is better if you avoid fluff. If you have more experience, and you are a candidate for a senior position, you might consider making your resume two pages or more.

Tips for building the best one-page resume template

Using infographics, icons, and bullet points on one-page resumes can help present information compactly. Still, you need to have a rather minimalist approach to make sure the document is easy to read.

Narrower space between sections and reduced resume margins are tricks that will allow you to fit more content on one page. Nevertheless, keep enough white space so that the document looks organized.

With a one-page resume, the best background is white. If you have two columns, infographics, icons, bullet points, and a lot of information presented in a smaller font do not add more complexity.

We recommend minimalist and compact fonts such as Oswald , Bitter , and Volkhov . With these fonts, you will be able to fit more information on a single page.

With one-page resumes, you need to adopt a minimalist approach regarding colors. You can use one color to highlight your sections’ headings. Use the same color for your bullet points and icons. If you have infographics such as pie charts they will add a few more colors, but this is acceptable.

According to statistics, your resume will be processed by a recruiter in 6–10 seconds. Then he or she will decide if the resume lands in the bin or not. This is why the layout is as important as the information itself.

The layout needs to present as much information as possible on the first one-third of the page. The challenge is that the information also has to be easy to read and understand.

This is why The Header is very important. This is the place for your contact details such as name, phone, and email. You may also add your city and state. Do not add an exact address such as street, floor, and apartment number. This information is not relevant. With a one-page resume, you can also decide not to include your picture, but you can add a link to LinkedIn for more information. The recruiter will be able to see your picture there if he or she decides.

The header is also the place where you can add your headline . Be short. Think of something catchy that will represent you, just with one phrase.

Next comes the Summary section. In 2–3 sentences you must highlight your greatest achievements, skills, education, and work experience. This is the place where you need to shine and basically demonstrate to the recruiters why hiring you would be a good idea.

The Job (Work) Experience section is placed under the Summary section , aligned left. Use bullet points and list out your positions in reverse chronological order. If the position is irrelevant at the moment, do not go into details. If the position is relevant to your current application, you can explain using 1–2 sentences what your duties were. Try to use action verbs and be short.

Next comes the Education section . It is also left-aligned. With a one-page resume, you do not have a lot of space, so you must only list your most recent degree. Of course, if your previous degrees are relevant or required, you will also need to include them.

A two-column format will allow you to utilize the available space on the page more effectively. In case you decide to choose it, you can position your Achievements and Skills sections aligned right just opposite the Job Experience and the Education Sections. This is very important because the information in both sections is presented only by keywords or phrases. It needs to be supported with more details in the Job Experience and Education sections.

With a one-page resume, the space for Additional sections is limited. In case it is relevant, you can also add Languages , Hobbies , Projects , or Interests sections. If you have to decide what to include and what not, make sure you leave sections that would help you make an impression as a suitable job candidate.

Number of pages

One-page resumes are much more appreciated by HR officers for practical reasons. However, as per industry standards, you can feel free to add another page for every ten years of job experience you have

One-page resume template pros and cons

• The one-page resume is preferred by recruiters because it is easier and faster to work with.
• Sometimes if the resume is printed out or even reviewed on a computer screen, the recruiter could forget to look at the second page. With a one-page resume, there is no such risk
• A one-page resume is much easier to improve, correct and redact. All the information is on one screen, and you can control it better.
• A one-page resume is not the best choice for creative personalities and positions.
• If you have 20-30 years of Job Experience, it will be very hard to fit all the information into one page
• With a one-page resume, you risk missing important information in case you do not prioritize what to include properly.

Frequently asked questions about one-page resume templates

Should my resume be one page, when is it okay to make a two-page resume, can a resume be 1.5 pages.

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Click here to directly go to the complete one page resume sample.

Should a resume be one page?

One page resume is easy for hiring managers to scan over quickly.

It is not overwhelming, and with the right guidance, can contain a lot of valuable information.

Are you looking for crisp one page resume examples that get you those shortlists for interviews?

Read on to know the perfect one page resume template for your job profile . Look out for some special tips and tricks here and there!

Table of Contents

• What is a One Page Resume?
• Who Should Have a Two Page Resume?
• How Do You Write a One Page Resume?
• How Do You Format a One Page Resume?

What Are Called One Page Resume Templates?

Most of the time, a short and crisp resume is the best choice .

Your resume does not need to contain lots of depth about your past jobs and abilities. A resume and a cover letter are just a quick snapshot that opens the door for further discussions; hence one page resume is the best option. In your interview, the employer may ask for more details from a job seeker.

Only send a longer document if it’s mentioned in the job description (like a C.V. for academic jobs).

Also Read: How to write a resume?

One Page vs. Two Page Resume Templates

If you wonder how to make one page resume template or should a resume be one page, then fret not! We got you covered.

Make a one page resume if:

• Your job profile is in a conservative field
• You have less than ten years of job experience

A two-page resume isn't ideal for applying to any job unless there is a requirement.

Make a two page resume if:

• You have a significant amount of relevant work experience
• You are making a senior-level resume (10+ years of professional experience)
• The JD asks for your entire work history

Sample One Page Resume Templates

Here are some of the one page resume examples for your reference.

Material Color one page resume template

• Marketing Manager & Senior Sales Professional

Simple Black One Page Resume Template

Traditional Maroon One Page Resume Template

Round Timeline One Page Resume Template

Signature Timeline One Page Resume Template

Boxed Navy One Page Resume Template

Orange Twist One Page Resume Template

Gradient Green One Page Resume Template

Trendy One Page Resume Template

Modern Teal One Page Resume Template

Uniform Brown One Page Resume Template

Global Citizen Red One Page Resume Template

Professional Blue One Page Resume Template

California One Page Resume Template

New York One Page Resume Template

Royal Blue One Page Resume Template

Diamond Timeline One Page Resume Template

Global Citizen Green One Page Resume Template

Professional Black One Page Resume Template

Do Read: How long should a resume be?

How to Make a Resume One Page?

Students and professionals both have a lot of qualifications to add to resumes today. They have awards, certifications, projects, skills, etc.

But with this massive amount of experience, it’s difficult to write everything in a one page resume.

But here are some tips to answer your question “how to make resume one page.”

Shorten Resume Margin

The first thing you should do to fit your resume into one page is reduced resume margin. Ideally, the resume margin should be 1 inch on all sides. But if needed, you can reduce the resume margin to 0.5 inches on all sides. But not less than that.

Use Different Resume Formats

You can use double-column resume format to include more information on one page.

Use Smaller Fonts

Another easy way to create a one page resume is by using a smaller font.

Most resumes are written in 12 point font. But you can use a 10 point resume font which is perfectly acceptable in a professional setting. It also reduces the size of the resume.

Avoid Adding Unnecessary Information

Do not include unnecessary information in your resume, such as your hobbies, references, date of birth, irrelevant professional experience, etc.

Use Bullet Points

Do not write the resume in paragraphs. Instead, use short bullet points. It significantly reduces the resume size and helps you fit your experience into one page.

Also Read: Best way to email a resume to recruiter

One Page Resume Template Format

Here's how we should go about a one page resume template:

Summary/Objective : This should be the top section of your resume. Go for an objective instead of a summary only if you are a fresher.

Key Skills : Club all your key skills in this section as per your profile and the job posting of the role you are applying for.

Professional Experience : Jot down all your relevant work experiences. Make sure to list down your latest and relevant experiences only, to save space for other information.

Projects : If you've worked on projects which highlight your professional accomplishments, do mention them.

Internship : If you are applying for an entry-level role or are a fresher, you can mention your relevant internship experiences too.

Certifications/Training : Must leave some space at the end to jot down relevant certifications and training experiences.

Education : Ideally, this should be the last section of your one page resume template and you should list all your relevant qualifications here.

Does a resume need to be one page? Absolutely! Recruiters only give 7 seconds to review a resume. So, you need to make sure your resume is conscious enough so that recruiters don’t have to spend more time on it to get everything.

If you want to squeeze your experiences into one page, you can totally do it. You just have to get selective on the information you are adding to the resume.

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

You can also write to us at [email protected] and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.

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One Page Resume Templates

These single-page resume templates are the ideal way to show off your career at-a-glance for busy hiring managers and recruiters.

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How to Write a One-Page Resume

How to Write a One Page Resume

• What Employers Want

Benefits of a One Page Resume

When to use a multi-page resume, how to cut and trim a resume, sample one page resume, provide additional information online.

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Should your resume be longer than one page or should you try to condense it to keep it on a page? There isn't really a yes or no answer. The length of your resume  depends on the type of candidate you are and your level of experience.

In general, most employers want a concise resume without a lot of extraneous information. They only spend seconds reviewing it, so the more compact it is, the easier it will be for the hiring manager or recruiter to review. In addition, many employers use software to screen job application materials, so making sure your resume is focused on the job you're applying for will help you get chosen for an interview.

In some cases, a longer resume might be in order . For example, graphic designers or visual artists might benefit from creating an illustrated resume, and academics, researchers, or long-time executives may need more than one page to capture the breadth of their experience. But, in general, it's best to avoid overburdening busy recruiters with a resume that drags on and on.

How Long Employers Want Resume to Be

Here are the details on what companies prefer, based on a Saddleback College Resume Survey:

• One-Page Resume - 47.7%
• Two-Page Resume - 11.4%
• Depends on the level of the position - 34.1%
• No preference - 6.8%

Especially if you're applying to a large company, there's a high likelihood that your resume will be printed out to be reviewed by multiple people, or at least shared electronically. Having a short and concise resume makes it easier on the hiring manager and also increases your own chances of standing out.

Unless you are explicitly asked to submit a specific type of resume, sticking to a simple, single page is a surefire way to make sure that it will be able to be downloaded - or printed out - and reviewed by anyone who needs to look at it. It's much easier to read a single page resume than it is to review a multi-page document.

According to the survey above, most employers want a one-page resume unless the position requires experience. If a job wants an employee with extensive experience, you can and should include all of your applicable experience on your resume (although most employers do not want applicants to include more than 10-15 years of experience ).

There are also certain professions that are exceptions to the one-page resume. For example, in academia, medicine, and international jobs, a curriculum vitae is often much longer than one page. Graphic designers or visual artists might also create an illustrated or graphic resume, which might exceed one page. However, these professions are the exception to the general rule that a one-page resume is best.

Make sure everything you include in your resume is relevant to the position, down to your word choice. Because many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen job application materials, try to use keywords from the application in your resume. This will increase your chances of making it past the first round of resume reviews.

• Create an inventory . If you're struggling to pare down your resume to one page, start by creating an inventory of your accomplishments and work activities. List your responsibilities and your achievements in great detail. Your inventory document might span as many as three or four pages. Try to include a diverse spectrum of skills that have led to successes in each role.
• Match your qualifications to the job . Analyze each job that you are considering and circle the statements that correspond most closely to the requirements for that particular position. Piece together the most relevant statements into a shorter, targeted version of your resume.
• Start long and cut back . The first draft might be longer than one page. If so, try to eliminate statements that provide less significant evidence regarding how you would add value to the role, until you get down to one page. Try to be as specific as possible with the information you list and be as concise as you can in your writing.
• Use a bulleted list and keep your job descriptions concise. Focus on your accomplishments, not your daily responsibilities.
• Cut out any extra years . Even if you are an experienced candidate, you should include no more than 10 or 15 years of experience on your resume.
• Trim the education section . You don't need to include high school education or continuing education classes unless it enhances your candidacy.
• Skip the references . It's not necessary to say "references available upon request" on your resume. It's understood that you will provide  references , if required, as part of the job application process.

This is an example of a one page resume. Download the one page resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample One Page Resume (Text Version)

Anna Page, BSN, RN 1234 Dogwood Avenue • Johnson City, TN 37601 • (123) 456-7890 • anna.page@email.com

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Energetic and deeply dedicated Registered Nurse offering 8 years’ hospital healthcare experience.

• Nursing : Deliver quality nursing care in high-stress ER settings, deftly performing patient assessments, taking vital signs, administering medications, setting up IV pumps, and providing wound and ostomy care.
• Regulatory Compliance : Ensure strict compliance with all JCAHO and HIPAA standards.
• Communications : Communicate effectively in English and Spanish to educate patients and families in treatment plans and medical statuses.
• Key Strengths : Proven leadership and collaborative talents, easily motivating and guiding nursing staff in daily shift tasks and responsibilities. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

JOHNSON CITY MEDICAL CENTER, Johnson City, TN Registered Nurse (09/2014-Present) Skillfully provided nursing care at Level I trauma center to patients suffering cardiac arrest, multiple traumas, strokes, overdoses, and assaults. Performed defibrillations, intubations, auto transfusions, Medlock insertions, and other medical interventions.

• Served as preceptor for new nursing students.
• Supervised ~40 RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and medical technicians in provision of quality medical care.

LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Greeneville, TN Registered Nurse (06/2010-08/2014) Provided ER nursing care and lifesaving medical interventions to patients, collaborating seamlessly with multidisciplinary healthcare team members to establish treatment plans.

• Consistently achieved top ratings on performance evaluations as well as earning 3 formal commendations for providing excellent patient care.
• Willingly worked overtime and on weekends to ensure adequate ER staffing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) East Tennessee State University College of Nursing, Johnson City, TN

Registered Nurse (RN), State of TN; PALS, ACLS, BLS, First Aid, and CPR certified

~ Additional information and recommendations available at www.linkedin.com/in/AnnaPage. ~

Of course, it's always a good idea to have more information available for connections or hiring managers who want a bigger picture of your background and qualifications.

You can streamline your resume by providing additional information online. Including links to your LinkedIn profile or personal website will allow you to leave that information off of your resume, saving you space.

Include a statement on the bottom of your resume, such as "Additional information, recommendations and portfolio samples available at www.linkedin.com/in/yourname." If you have sparked the interest of a recruiter with your short resume, then she will be motivated to gather more in-depth information about your background.

How to Write a Resume Summary with Examples

Quick Navigation:

What is a resume summary?

Who needs a resume summary, how to write a resume summary.

You should know how to write a resume summary if you’re writing a resume and applying for jobs. Resume summaries show busy hiring managers and employers what you can offer them quickly and easily on a resume. This article will explain what a resume summary is, who needs one in their resume and how to write a resume summary.

A resume summary, also referred to as a summary statement or professional summary, is a short statement at the top of your resume that describes your professional experience and key skills. Including a resume summary allows you to highlight your best qualifications and get the hiring manager’s attention right away.

A resume summary can help you get noticed faster by hiring managers, who often scan a resume to make sure the candidate is a good fit for the job before reading more carefully. 

Additionally, including a resume statement is a good way to make your resume more organized, clearer and easier to read. The resume summary is like the table of contents at the beginning of a book, shaping the reader’s expectations of what they will encounter. This will help bring the reader’s attention to your best qualities.

Not every resume needs a resume summary. If you are new to the job market, do not yet have a great deal of experience, or have a pretty simple career path, you may be better off saving the space for something else.

However, if you are an experienced professional with several years of experience, or if you are hoping to switch career paths, a resume summary can help to organize your resume. A resume summary can tie together different pieces of your experience or indicate how your skill set is transferrable to the role you are seeking.

Follow these steps to write a resume summary:

1. First, start by explaining who you are

The first sentence or bullet point of your resume summary should clearly state who you are as a candidate. Make this a powerful statement that summarizes your experience and why you are a good fit for the job.

‘High-achieving sales agent with 5+ years of experience driving sales in established accounts and developing prospects.’

‘Copywriter with attention to detail and ability to turn around projects on a quick deadline.

‘Attentive registered nurse dedicated to diagnosing patients and managing treatment.’

2. Second, highlight what you bring to the role

Before you begin writing your resume summary, take some time to make a list of your most important skills and experience, including certifications, awards or other achievements, technical skills, and soft skills. Include some of these top experiences in your resume summary to highlight what you bring to the role. 

At the same time, you will want to use your summary to demonstrate how your skills and experience will contribute to the organization’s mission and goals.

‘Dynamic and motivated project manager with proven success in designing, executing, and closing more than a dozen projects.’

‘Organized human resources professional with a master’s degree in human resources management and 20+ years of experience in employee hiring and onboarding, performance management processes, and HR records.’

‘Experienced software engineer with a passion for building startup businesses.’

3. Third, capture job posting keywords

Adjust your resume summary for each job you apply to by scanning and capturing the job posting keywords. Carefully read the job description and select the key words from the ‘requirements’ or ‘education’ sections of the posting. This will demonstrate you prepared for, and are excited about, a particular position and you clearly meet the requirements the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate.

For a job posting that says the employer is looking for someone with at least 5 years of experience:

‘Compassionate registered nurse with 5+ years of professional experience and certifications in neonatal resuscitation.’

For a job posting that says the employer is looking for someone with experience working with major brands:

‘Social media communications and advertising expert with experience in creating and managing social media strategies for global companies.’

4. Fourth, keep your summary short

A resume summary should be no longer than 2-3 sentences or bulleted points in a list. Space is limited in your one-page resume, so keep your summary short and straightforward. 

‘Award-winning digital producer with 10+ years’ experience in supervising and creating digital media content. Adept in complex and compelling storytelling.’

‘Proven leader of international sales organizations offering 20 years of experience in developing successful growth strategies and training team leaders. Known for crafting compelling marketing strategies. Effectively managed multi-million dollar, multi-product global businesses on several continents.

‘Blending lab management experience and academic training as a PhD in microbiology. Background includes office administration, event planning, and scheduling expertise.’

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30 Resume Summary Examples + How to Write One in 2024

• Understand the Resume Summary
• When to Use a Resume Summary
• How to Write a Summary
• 30 Resume Summaries
• Resume Summary Recap

It’s the backbone of your job hunt, but it can be frustrating to figure out what goes into a good resume .

And one of the murky areas that hopeful applicants wrestle with is whether to include a summary or objective statement in their resume. When every bit of space on your resume is invaluable, how do you know when a summary or objective is essential?

If you’re already a pro, head to our  easy-to-edit resume tool  to build your resume before moving on to making a cover letter , or you can customize the resume below. Otherwise, join us, and we’ll clear away the confusion and give you 30 summary statement examples you can make your own.

Real Estate Agent Resume

What is a Summary on a Resume?

The summary of your resume should give a quick “snapshot” of your best qualifications, which you’ll later emphasize and quantify with your skills and experience. Your summary offers an overview of which qualifications make you the perfect fit for the job:  So, focus on the highlights of your career.

You want your summary to emphasize your  history of accomplishments and excellence , leveraging that information to demonstrate how you’ll benefit the company and enhance the position for which you’re applying. Your summary should be attention-grabbing and immediately show why you’re the ideal hire!

Is a resume summary the same as a career objective?

You may wonder whether a resume summary and a  career objective  serve the same purpose—and whether they’re interchangeable. There’s plenty of overlap between resume objectives and summaries, thus muddling the waters. 

These key differences will help you simplify and clarify a confusing topic:

Summaries are great if:

• You have extensive, quality experience
• You’re staying within your field or branching out to something similar
• You have some impressive metrics to share

Objectives are better if:

• You’re a new graduate
• You’re changing careers or breaking into the field

Wait! Is the summary the same as a summary of qualifications?

The lesser-known summary of qualifications is not quite the same as a resume summary! While your summary should describe your qualifications and relevant history in a couple of concise sentences, a summary of qualifications is more technical and usually presented in a bulleted list. The summary of qualifications lets you work in some ATS-friendly keywords and then dazzle a recruiter with metrics, accomplishments, and skills.

It’s usually recommended to keep your list of qualifications to three to six bullet points, limiting each to one or two lines. But this format eats up space on your resume quickly! So, it’s best to replace your resume’s summary or objective with a summary of qualifications if you have a long, complicated history of experience in your field and need to emphasize the highlights of your background at a glance.

Know When to Use a Resume Summary

A resume summary is  often best suited to applicants with 10+ years of experience, although standalone accomplishments  can  be equally powerful . 

If you’ve achieved an unusual level of expertise or racked up an impressive list of accomplishments during a shorter time, consider including a summary!

Our simple  free resume templates  make it easy for you to add or remove information and manipulate sections for personalization without affecting the overall layout of your resume. If you work with a resume template through a word-processing program, like the creative  Google Docs resume templates  we designed, making edits can throw everything off kilter, often causing you to start from scratch to correct the problem.

Indicators that a summary would fit nicely on your resume:

• You’ve worked long enough (10+ years) that you should condense the highlights of your career
• You have an eye-catching list of accomplishments and quantifiable achievements
• You’ve worked with big-name companies or prestigious projects
• You’ve advanced quickly within your field during an unusually short time

If the list above feels intimidating, circle back to the original question of whether a summary enhances your resume.

Indicators to exclude the summary & let your skills & experience speak for themselves:

• You’re a new graduate who hasn’t had time to build much experience 
• Your previous work experience has been somewhat run-of-the-mill
• Your background and qualifications look somewhat generic or bland once written 
• You haven’t had many opportunities that resulted in quantifiable achievements

If you can relate, your resume will be strongest if you drop the summary entirely. Instead, lead with your skills and emphasize dependability, ambition, and potential in your experience section.

How to Write a Resume Summary

If you’re bracing yourself for the process of honing your summary, don’t worry! It’ll be a breeze if you follow our tried-and-true formula and keep our handy tips in mind as you write.

Follow our resume summary formula

The process is as easy as: X + Y + Z = Attention-snagging summary!

X = Your characteristics and personality traits Y = Years of experience and quantified success/results Z = How these results apply to the specific job role

Consider this resume summary for a programmer:

You can pinpoint each element when you break this summary down:

X = Inquisitive, driven, and eager Y = 8+ years of experience, a client base of 100+ people, and a savings of 725+ manual hours Z = Specific programming skills like Python and jQuery that will enhance performance within the position

Our best resume summary tips

Now, we’ll unpack some tips to help you nail down the perfect summary to jumpstart your resume:

• Summary length:  Limit your summary to two or three sentences.
• Keywords:  Consider job-specific keywords that the ATS scans for as well as keywords that will hook recruiters.
• Quantify your claims:  When you list accomplishments and achievements, back them up with hard facts! Data like improvement percentages, customer satisfaction metrics, and client base numbers will boost your credibility.
• Tailor summaries to specific positions:  You never want your summary to feel generic, so look for specific requirements in the job description that you can respond to with relevant details from your own experience.
• Grammar and mechanics:  Proofread carefully for spelling and punctuation errors, and keep a close eye on grammar. It’s also ideal to avoid informal contractions and opening sentences with “I.” Your summary should immediately spotlight your professional value—so keep sentence structure concise and use “my” when presenting your skills.

Don’t worry if this is a little overwhelming at first glance!  Save your summary for last,  even though it appears first. Once your other sections are fine-tuned, it’ll be easier to pinpoint choice details to fill in the formula and complete your perfect summary. (And who says you have to nail your summary the first time you write it?! Go through as many iterations as you need when you  outline your resume .)

The good, the bad, and the ugly resume summary

So, what do these concepts look like in action? Take a look at this example of an excerpt from a digital marketing manager’s job description:

As a digital marketing marketer, you will plan, oversee, manage, and implement our brand’s digital marketing campaigns. You will:

• Plan each digital marketing campaign and delegate tasks in a team setting
• Oversee and evaluate the quality of digital marketing materials
• Analyze campaigns and identify how to improve performance

What kind of summary works for this job description? We’ll take it from bad to best.

I graduated with a marketing degree last year and did lots of group projects. I know how to structure a market campaign and read analytics.

Why it’s ugly:  There’s zero personality here. The claims are not only weak and vague, but there’s nothing quantifiable to back them—let alone any indication of managerial skills. Even though the summary addresses some details from the job description, they’re too generic. 

My degree in marketing makes me a great fit for this position. I can use my communication and analytical skills to help your team create great ad campaigns. I’m also familiar with Google Analytics and LinkedIn and have worked with several teams.

Why it’s bad:  While this summary addresses skills and teamwork experience more effectively, the tone still lacks the gusto that most managerial roles require. The first sentence takes up space while offering too little information, and the second two are redundant and unenthusiastic.

Ambition, creativity, and a BA in marketing empowered me to gain 6+ years of experience with a digital marketing team and boost website traffic by 67%. My proficiency in Microsoft Excel, SEO, and KPI tracking enable me to plan, create, and analyze advertising campaigns. My well-honed strategies and communication skills will elevate Nestlé USA’s marketing team to new heights.

Why it’s best:  This summary completes the formula! You can see personality, experience, and quantifiable claims coupled with the applicant’s skills that fit the exact job description. Dynamic, powerful verbs such as “boost,” “create,” and “empowered” also suggest this applicant is qualified for an advanced role.

30 Resume Summary Examples to Inspire You + Why They Work

You’ve got the basics down; now you’re ready to take inspiration from these 30 professional resume summary examples across different professions. As you check them out, keep our key formula in mind. Before you know it, you’ll have a starting point for your own incredible summary.

We begin many of these with a quick list of key points in the job description, so you can see how each summary is carefully customized to the role.

1. Accountant resume summary

Accountant job description  key points :

• Adept at creating and managing financial documents
• Maintaining ledger entries and monthly budgets
• Detailed error checking and problem-solving
• Auditing and document collection
• Mentorship and training skills

Accountant resume summary :

Why this resume works

• The applicant’s ambitious yet matter-of-fact personality is evident in a way that reinforces their desire to take an active leadership role in the accounting field.
• The solid metrics of a CPA certification and an improvement percentage also quantify the applicant’s selling points.
• And lastly, the focus is on more advanced skills instead of entry-level basics. 

Need more help? Our  accountant resume guide  and  accountant cover letter examples  have you covered from top to bottom.

2. Attorney resume summary

Attorney job description  key points :

• Adept with communication and navigating client consultations
• Familiarity with litigation and a strong ability to adapt to changing legislation
• Strategic, analytical thinking, and strong ethical problem-solving skills
• Preparing, customizing, and checking legal documents
• Forewarning clients of potential obstacles and helping them understand their options

Attorney resume summary :

• The candidate immediately demonstrates an ambitious personality alongside a quantifiable accomplishment.
• Next, the more in-depth set of abilities highlights a well-rounded approach to legal success—ending on a strong note with specific examples of how they’ll benefit the law firm.

If you need more guidance on your  attorney resume  or  attorney cover letter , we can show you the way regardless of your experience level.

3. Business analyst resume summary

Business analyst job description  key points :

• Analytical and quick, adaptive thinking patterns
• Basic IT abilities in Microsoft Excel, SQL, Google Sheets, and Agile Development
• Superior communication and interpersonal/soft skills
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to deliver precise reports/data and advice

Business analyst resume summary :

• The formula is all here—personality with a spotlight on skills that apply directly to the job position—and the applicant dives right into measurable achievements.
• While technical skills are touched upon, broader qualifications and personal traits that mesh with the company take the spotlight.

Take your career documents to the next level with comprehensive guidance on your  business analyst resume  and  business analyst cover letter .

4. Customer service resume summary

Customer service job description  key points :

• Impeccable communication, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and reliability
• Task organization and prioritization
• Personable and an affinity for welcoming customers/patrons
• Basic technical/computer skills while monitoring metrics and applying them to better meet company goals

Customer service resume summary :

• This summary would be ideal for a candidate looking to progress to a more managerial customer service role since it offers quantifiable results alongside a strong demonstration of a go-getter personality.
• The applicant also included their experience alongside relevant skills, finally tying everything in with the specific company’s goals.

If you’re  building your resume  for the first time, glancing through our  customer service resume  guide will steer you in the right direction before you transition to your  customer service cover letter .

5. Data analyst resume summary

Data analyst job description  key points :

• Analytical and strategizing skills
• Strong ability to identify trends and problems quickly
• Organization, planning, and communication
• Collaborative and team-based abilities
• Technical database management and basic understanding of key languages like Python and Oracle

Data analyst resume summary :

• A data analyst’s job is highly technical, so it’s ideal to dive right into metrics and list several hard skills in your summary.
• While you can still find personality traits and evidence of soft skills in a team setting, this summary is more focused on measurable, results-driven improvements that the applicant can provide.

You’re in good hands (this is not a plug for Allstate, by the way) with our  data analyst resume  guide if you need some solid examples. Chances are you’ll need a  data analyst cover letter  to go with your resume; we’ve got that handled, too.

6. Data engineer resume summary

Data engineer job description  key points :

• Technical skills like database and development programming languages
• Strong ability to develop, optimize, and maintain database software
• Attention to detail, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Advanced understanding of data pipelines and infrastructures
• Adaptive ability to support stakeholders and executive teams’ data infrastructure needs

Data engineer resume summary :

• As a data engineer, this applicant emphasizes leadership qualities, showing a desire for advancement with metrics to corroborate previous accomplishments.
• You can also see technical skills presented strategically to demonstrate the applicant’s skills in light of the job description.

Start your  data engineer resume  with the right  resume template  that speaks to you and your dream role. Besides a resume summary, know what else requires good writing? Yeah, your  data engineer cover letter .

7. Data scientist resume summary

Data scientist job description  key points:

• Second-nature understanding of the Scientific Method and algorithms
• Advanced ability to organize unstructured data and information
• Clear communication alongside translating large volumes of data into easily-comprehensible business insights
• Improve data quality and streamline/implement pricing models
• Integrate stakeholder input and collaborate on constant, adaptable business model improvements

Data scientist resume summary :

• This applicant demonstrates a driven personality with a highly analytical mindset and scientific background.
• You also get a realistic idea of how they’ll use their skills to produce quantifiable results—and benefit the company.

Looking for more resources? We can help you with the entirety of your  data scientist resume  and help you understand the nuances of writing a  data scientist cover letter .

8. Graphic designer resume summary

Graphic designer job description  key points :

• Attention to detail and a solid understanding of design theory for both print and digital applications (colors, typography, shapes, composition, etc.)
• Technical expertise with digital illustration/editing programs
• Understanding of marketing strategy, advertising techniques, and social media
• Excellent communication with clients and team members

Graphic designer resume summary :

• The candidate’s bright personality shines here, quite impactful for a creative field when backed by quantifiable examples of success.
• Teamwork abilities and experience with digital marketing also take center stage, demonstrating a balance between creativity and organized planning. 

Choose a  well-designed resume template  for your  graphic designer resume , and find a matching template to boost your confidence when it comes to your  graphic designer cover letter , too.

9. Human resources (HR) resume summary

Human resources (HR) job description  key points :

• A knack for facilitating communication between peers and departments
• Ability to update company policies, benefits, employee records, and payroll
• Proactivity when it comes to helping employees understand company policies
• Performance reviews, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and corrective action
• Assist with managing meetings and fostering employee communication and trust

Human resources (HR) resume summary :

• Soft skills are important in HR, especially when addressing sensitive topics, so this applicant’s focus on the personal side of company policies is wise.
• Even so, they still supply a strong metric for previous success and specify how their traits would fit the job position.

Don’t miss our complete  HR cover letter guide , and we share what works and what doesn’t on the rest of your  human resources (HR) resume .

10. Nursing resume summary

Nursing job description  key points :

• Fast, effective communication and task implementation
• Collect patient data such as medical history, current conditions/medications, and updates
• Critical thinking and decision-making abilities regarding when to treat patients vs. when to consult doctors/supervisors for guidance
• Organizational skills and ability to interpret patients’ information, adhere to treatment plans, adjust treatment plans as needed, and administer medications
• Tactfully and kindly discuss care options with patients and families

Nursing resume summary :

• This candidate’s caring, clear-headed personality shines, and they provide an empirical metric for their experience.
• Additionally, you can easily find specific examples of crucial skills that will help them perform efficiently in any fast-paced nursing position.

The roles are endless when it comes to the medical field, so make sure you’re on the right track with your  nursing resume  as well as when it comes to  writing your nurse cover letter .

11. Operations manager resume summary

Operations manager job description  key points :

• Excellent leadership and administrative capabilities
• Analytical thinking and organizational skills
• Ability to manage communication and efficiency among departments
• Adept at hiring, training, and optimizing schedules for employees
• Oversee/analyze production methods, performance, quality assurance, and related data, relying on Salesforce and Tableau

Operations manager resume summary :

• The applicant’s focused and driven personality is evident in the way they immediately showcase their lengthy experience and various aspects of their managerial prowess!
• You also see a success metric right away alongside technical skills aligned with the job description.

Your  operations manager resume  is sure to shine when you consider our  top resume tips ; then, you’ll be primed to write your  operations manager cover letter .

12. Product manager resume summary

Product manager job description  key points :

• Strong ability to analyze product quality from manufacturing to end-of-life
• Firm understanding of company goals and the ability to align products with those goals
• Superior communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams
• Skillfully interpreting data from Google Analytics and various other sources, leveraging it for improved production/distribution strategies
• Ability to analyze KPIs and identify areas for improvement

Product manager resume summary :

• As with any management-focused job description, the emphasis on strategizing and collaborative analysis here are ideal—and the technical skills balance out the interpersonal abilities well.
• The quantifiable improvement in feedback also strengthens this summary! 

Our  product manager resume  guide will ensure your resume is in tip-top shape from resume summary to  resume format . If you’re resume’s already a success, don’t forget about your  product manager cover letter .

13. Program manager resume summary

Program manager job description  key points :

• Planning, initiating, and implementing plans to achieve company goals and complete project portfolios
• Excellent management, leadership, and communication 
• Proactively motivate a team to carry out program activities
• Budgeting, organizational, and strategy-building skills
• Ability to analyze metrics of program success, such as KPIs and satisfaction rates, to identify areas for improvement

Program manager resume summary :

• Talk about detail! We can see several metrics here coupled with an energetic and goal-oriented personality.
• Additionally, these metrics and traits skillfully imply the exact set of abilities this job position requests.

Sail through the rest of your  program manager resume , and don’t forget to check it against our  AI-powered resume tool  before you draft the perfect  program manager cover letter .

14. Project manager resume summary

Project manager job description  key points :

• Excellent team management skills and a strong ability to facilitate collaboration and team cohesion
• Creativity and adaptability in project planning, budgeting, and implementation
• Ability to bridge the gap between project teams and company executives or clients to provide updates and results
• Organization, time management, and attention to codes and policy compliance
• Skillful preparation and management of briefing materials, progress tracking, and reports/reviews that can be leveraged for future improvements

Project manager resume summary :

• This job role is all about results, so leading with personality traits and metrics that support the candidate’s ability to yield these results is ideal.
• Accentuating what the applicant can offer this particular company is also a great move!

PMs, we see you! Peruse our  project manager resume examples  for support and inspiration, and sail through your  project manager cover letter , too.

15. Recruiter resume summary

Recruiter job description  key points:

• Excellent soft skills, including strategic communication. Ability to foster positive relationships with both applicants and staffing agents while managing client and candidate expectations
• Ability to gather information and quickly assess candidates
• Efficiency under pressure when working with high-priority or time-sensitive hires
• Strong ability to gauge talent/potential during interviews
• Develop/update job descriptions, requirements, proposed pay, and benefit plans

Recruiter resume summary :

• This summary concisely highlights the blend of personality traits and interpersonal skills that this applicant offers.
• The candidate still supplies a quantifiable example of their success and relevance, too.

You know all about the job hunt, but we get that you need help with your  recruiter resume , too. When it comes to  writing a resume  or your  recruiter cover letter , we’ll share all we know.

16. Sales resume summary

Sales job description  key points :

• Effective communication, persuasion, negotiation, and people-reading skills
• Ability to answer/field questions or find information quickly
• Time management and organization skills
• Preparing sales contracts, reports, and presentations
• Following up to ensure customer satisfaction, obtain payments, or promote new plans, services, or products
• Understanding and furthering company programs and specific sales objectives

Sales resume summary :

• You can witness plenty of beneficial personality traits here!
• Plus, the candidate’s experience is evident in the skills they highlight—and they specifically speak to the value they’ll offer the company.

Sell your career documents and snag your dream role with our resources for your  sales resume  and  sales cover letter .

17. Scrum master resume summary 

Scrum Master job description  key points :

• Excellent ability to lead, communicate, and collaborate with a team to meet goals while maintaining Scrum values
• Thorough understanding of Agile frameworks and ability to coach teammates in Agile
• Adaptability in fixing errors and problem-solving with strong recovery skills to keep the focus on sprint goals
• Use metrics and stakeholder/team feedback to ensure optimal product quality
• Organization, coordination, and task prioritization

Scrum Master resume summary :

• We clearly see experience, educational, and technical qualifications here.
• Personality shines through while demonstrating a clear understanding of the job role and, of course, everything ties in with the target company at the end.

Scrum Masters, we know you appreciate a logical and organized approach, so start by exploring our  resume examples  and diving into what works on the  best Scrum Master resumes . We can also teach you how to tackle your  Scrum Master cover letter  with ease.

18. Social media manager resume summary

Social media job description  key points :

• Familiarity with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and the ability to maintain responsiveness on all channels
• Quick adaptability to changing social media/market trends and current events
• Adept at monitoring KPIs, SEO performance, and other metrics and assessing the effectiveness and potential improvements
• Ability to collaboratively plan and implement campaigns by creating, posting, and managing original content with the use of Hootsuite

Social media manager resume summary :

• It’s all there—experience, an ambitious, confident personality, credibility-boosting metrics, and highly relevant skills.
• The applicant also provides compelling insight regarding their approach to the company’s success.

As a social media guru, you have an eye for details, which is why you’ll appreciate our free and  creative Word resume templates  as you finish building your  social media manager resume  and writing your  social media manager cover letter .

19. Software engineer resume summary

Software engineer job description  key points :

• Engineering-focused educational background in math or computer science
• Technical experience with tools like C++, Java, Unix, database and cloud storage, etc.
• Strong ability to navigate, explain, and lead the entire software development lifecycle
• Solid understanding of the best software engineering practices with a focus on scalability, quick problem-solving, and information management
• Application infrastructure and design skills that mesh well with speed/optimization

Software engineer resume summary :

• There’s tons of personality here along with strong metrics that demonstrate the applicant’s skills.
• And while there’s a clear mention of technical skills, the strategic thinking of an engineer takes the spotlight, showcasing the ability to expertly handle advanced roles.

If your  software engineer resume  needs a facelift, consider one of our  free resume templates . Remember that your  software engineer cover letter  can make a great first impression.

20. Teacher resume summary

Teacher job description  key points :

• Supervisory and communication skills with the ability to process student feedback and customize lesson plans
• Ability to maintain leadership of the room and engage students with lessons 
• Planning and preparing lessons, assignments, and educational materials
• Updating grades frequently, providing thoughtful feedback, and modifying work for struggling students
• Provide insight, advice, and encouragement regarding students’ future career paths

Teacher resume summary :

• The conversational yet professional tone is ideal for a teacher delineating a diverse and adaptable skillset and backing it up with a quantifiable metric.
• The applicant’s best traits practically demonstrate themselves!

Along with your  teacher resume , your  teacher cover letter  should also be top of mind.

21. Server resume summary

22. Nanny resume summary

23. Data Entry resume summary

24. Marketing resume summary

25. Teacher Assistant resume summary

26. Caregiver resume summary

27. Social Worker resume summary

28. Dental Assistant resume summary

29. Front-End Developer resume summary

30. Web Developer resume summary

Resume Summary Recap & Your Next Steps

You’ve made it to the end, but don’t feel too overwhelmed or get lost in the weeds while striving to pinpoint the best parts of your experience and skillset to include in your summary! Return as often as you need to the summary examples above, and don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from our  resume examples . 

When you start writing your summary, keep our formula in mind:

X + Y + Z = Success!

X = Your characteristics/personality Y = Experience and quantified success/results Z = How your accomplishments apply to the specific role

Carefully read every job description while you search, and tailor your resume summary to each listing. The extra effort and finishing touches will show!

Remember it’s easiest to write your summary once you’ve drafted the rest of your resume , so you can get crackin’ in our  resume builder  for an interactive, intuitive solution. And if you like the resume below, you can start customizing it right away. So, here’s to your success. We’re cheering you on! 

When crafting your document, be sure to include specific information from the job ad but only if you actually have that experience. Because the ATS will automatically search for appropriate keywords and phrases, you can readily find what employers are searching for in other resumes and the ad for the job you’re applying for. Also, look at other ads for similar positions to find industry-specific keyword information to include.

Senior Financial Analyst Resume

Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

Resume summary examples: how to write one and samples you can use, a resume summary is not meant to simply summarize things already on your resume. here's what you should do instead, with examples approved by hiring managers and practical templates and examples you can copy to get you started..

🔍  Search for a summary by job title

Search for a job title or industry. You can also leave this blank and scroll through 250 summaries below.

☞  or choose from popular keywords:

Customer service, business development, account manager, what is a resume summary.

A resume summary is a short section at the top of your resume. The purpose of a summary is to highlight something that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for but isn’t included elsewhere in your resume, like transferable skills or a context that makes your accomplishments stand out. Despite the name, it isn’t supposed to simply summarize the information already in your resume.

Who needs a resume summary?

A resume summary is completely optional, but it can be beneficial in a number of situations.

People with a lot of experience

It can be a struggle to summarize 15+ years of work experience in a way that’s concise enough not to make a recruiter’s eyes glaze over without leaving out valuable accomplishments. If you have extensive relevant work experience, use your resume summary to distill the key elements. Think of it as the highlights reel of your resume.

People who are changing careers or job titles

If you’re changing careers completely, a resume summary is the best way to briefly contextualize your experience, highlight your transferable skills, and explain why you’re a good fit for the position — especially if those things aren’t obvious from the body of your resume.

The same thing applies if you’re pivoting to a new role within your current industry or career. You don’t want a hiring manager assuming your skills aren’t relevant or that you’re simply applying for every job you can find, so use your summary to demonstrate why that isn’t the case.

For a more detailed guide to resume summaries for career changers, check out How to Write a Resume Summary if You’re Changing Careers .

If the job is looking for something specific

If the job description asks for anything specific or particularly unusual and you fit the bill, emphasize that in your summary. This could be anything from experience with startups (e.g. small knit, cross-functional teams) to specific qualifications (e.g. CFA Level 3).

Do you need a resume summary?

Probably not! Most people don’t need a resume summary. Remember that your resume should already be a succinct summary of your work history and achievements — if yours is self-explanatory or less than a page long, there’s no need to re-summarize it again at the top. Unless you fall into one of the categories discussed above, or your situation is otherwise unique, your resume is probably enough on its own.

If a summary doesn’t add anything to your resume , or is just restating information that’s already included elsewhere, leave it out.

If you’re a student or recent graduate , or otherwise don’t have a lot of work experience, you’re unlikely to need a resume summary.

The same thing applies if your work history is self-explanatory and doesn’t need clarification. A summary doesn’t add anything to your resume simply by existing, so only include one if it’s actually necessary.

How to write a resume summary

Here's a quick step-by-step guide to get you started:

• Lead with the job title. If you're applying for a job as a project manager, that's how you should describe yourself, regardless of your past experience.
• Describe the scope of your experience, including how many years' experience you have and the size of businesses you've worked for.
• Choose a standout accomplishment that's relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Include metrics — this moves the line from 'bragging' to 'demonstrable experience.'
• Mention 2-3 key skills that match the job description.
• Include any specific highlights from your resume that show why you’d be a great fit for the position.
• Run your resume through a free resume checker to see how well your summary scores.

Search Results

Resume summary examples.

Ready to write your own resume summary? To make it easier for you, here are some templates you can follow and examples of what your summary should look like in action. There are a ton of examples in the rest of this page - we'll start with generic templates, then move to templates for each kind of career level, and then examples by job title.

Let's start with an annotated example to help guide you through the rest of the examples.

Resume summary templates by career level

Let's first through some generic resume summary templates you can use as a foundation for your own summary. You can apply them to a reume for any job title or industry.

Template 1: Executive Resume Summary

This is a basic but effective resume summary. It’s short and easy to read, while briefly explaining your background, experience, and what you can bring to the company. This is a good option if you want to emphasize your relevant skills.

Template 2: Conventional Resume Summary

This is an alternative way to format your summary. It’s less conversational and more results-focused, which works well if you have a few particularly impressive accomplishments you want to highlight.

Resume summary examples by job title

Training manager, microbiologist, site reliability engineer, internal audit, learning and development, medical billing, construction manager, talent acquisition, it specialist, security manager, civil engineer, special projects, vp of marketing, process specialist, reporting analyst, program analyst, environmental scientist, vice president of operations, virtual assistant, director of marketing, recruiting coordinator, maintenance technician, sales associate, electronic technician, network engineer, customer success, correctional officer, content writer, video editor, procurement, system engineer, program manager, sql developer, training and development, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, project administrator, market researcher, c-level and executive, respiratory therapist, data mining, actuarial science, full stack developer, quality engineer, care coordinator, technical support, solutions engineer, site manager, production planner, software architect, merchandising, dental assistant, policy analyst, biomedical engineer, implementation specialist, project coordinator, case manager, cyber security, radiologic technologist, medical technologist, director of analytics, revenue cycle, mechanical engineer, system administrator, research assistant, sales leader, machine learning, social media manager, relationship manager, safety engineer, c, c++, and c# developer, etl developer, brand strategist, communications, director of information technology, intelligence analyst, makeup artist, advertising, data analyst, front end developer, service desk, supply chain, python developer, social worker, packaging engineer, instructional design, security analyst, digital marketing, cloud developer, director of engineering, platform engineer, engagement manager, software tester, loss prevention, automation engineer, interior design, integration architect, manufacturing engineer, planning engineer, environmental engineer, data specialist, sales engineer, brand ambassador, product owner, administrative assistant, payroll specialist, java developer, growth marketing, product manager, credit analyst, demand planning manager, architecture, project engineer, underwriter, inventory manager, chief of staff, industrial engineer, real estate agent, cloud engineer, office manager, account executive, digital media, sales manager, sales executive, business intelligence, change management, investment banking, production assistant, gig economy, marketing executive, materials engineer, business analyst, financial controller, service technician, digital transformation, audio engineer, desktop support, ux designer, data governance, chief digital officer, pharmacy technician, data modeling, executive assistant, contract specialist, supply chain planner, hotel manager, finance executive, continuous improvement, content creator, design director, vp of finance, financial advisor, accounts payable, software developer, creative director, data scientist, collections specialist, warehouse manager, quality control, diversity and inclusion, production manager, finance director, php developer, health and safety, event coordinator, director of product management, public policy, purchasing manager, operational excellence, marketing manager, plant manager, data engineer, graphic designer, director of software engineering, digital strategist, art director, technical writer, scrum master, technology director, human resources (hr), network administrator, orientation leader, administrative coordinator, sharepoint developer, financial analyst, claims adjuster, cost analyst, administration, clinical research, back office, materials management, risk management, fundraising, business owner, campaign manager, operations manager, legal assistant, loan processor, ux researcher, project leader, software engineer, web developer, inside sales, engineering manager, equity research, director of operations, occupational therapist, director of sales, project manager, sales coordinator, game design, electrical engineer, solutions architect, brand manager, senior executive resume summary example #1.

We discussed how senior level hires can use an executive resume summary to emphasize their most impressive and relevant accomplishments. Here are a few examples of how to do it in action.

This example serves as a good high-level overview of your experience. There’s an opportunity for you to mention one or two of your most impressive accomplishments and it provides a useful context for the body of your resume. Here it is in text format if you'd like to copy this into your own resume to use as a starting point:

Resume Summary Example #2

This example is good because it focuses on concrete data and achievements. Remember, the more quantifiable your achievements are, the more likely they are to land with a hiring manager. Here's the example in text format in case you'd like to use it in your own resume:

Mid-Level Jobseeker Resume Summary Example #1

If you’re a mid level hire, a resume summary can help set you apart from entry level applicants by highlighting a few notable skills or accomplishments and providing important context.

This example makes the extent of your previous experience clear to a hiring manager. It emphasizes a couple of noteworthy accomplishments that may set you apart from other mid level hires and might otherwise have gotten lost in the body of your resume. If you'd like to use this in your own resume summary, here it is in text format that you can easily copy-and-paste:

This example briefly provides the context for your resume and hones in on your most impressive achievements. The bullet point format and focus on hard numbers make it easy for a hiring manager to read and quickly digest. Here it is in text format:

Career Changer Resume Summary Example

A resume summary is particularly important if you’re changing careers. You don’t need to go into detail about why you’re changing careers, but briefly mentioning any relevant training or certifications is a good idea, alongside the transferrable skills you’ll bring to the role. If you're changing careers, make sure to see more summary examples for career changers .

Resume summary tips

Keep it short.

Your resume summary should be 3-6 lines long, or around 100-200 words. Less is more — hiring managers will skim over long chunks of text, so don’t be tempted to go over. The quicker and easier your summary is to read, the more chance it’ll make an impact. If you feel like you need more space to write about yourself, that’s what your cover letter is for.

Tailor your resume summary

Even more so than your resume, you must tailor your summary to each job you apply to. Here are a few ways you can do that:

Mention specific technical skills the job requires. If you’re applying for a job that requires a particular skill or qualification that you have, make sure you highlight that. But keep it specific! If you’re applying for a data science role that requires Python, explain how you’ve used Python in the past. Don’t include every programming or technical skill you have, or it’ll look like you’re using a scattershot approach and may overshadow your actual relevant experience. Doing this will also help you get past the applicant tracking systems , or resume screeners, which scan your resume for specific keywords.

Review the job description. Using specific language from a job description in your resume summary can make you look like a good fit, as long as you don’t overdo it. If a job description mentions leadership, describe the size of the teams you’ve led. If they want someone with entrepreneurial flair, mention a project where you demonstrated initiative. This doesn’t necessarily have to be work-related — personal projects can fit, too, as long as they highlight that specific skill or quality.

Be specific and results-oriented. The more specific you are about your accomplishments, the more impressive they’ll be. Use hard numbers wherever possible. Don’t just write “experienced in managing teams” or “increased revenue.” Quantifiable achievements like “managed teams of 5-20 people” or “drove $100,000 in incremental revenue” are more meaningful.

Avoid buzzwords

Phrases like “hardworking,” “team player,” and “attention to detail” have no place on your resume. Anyone can claim to have excellent communication skills — prove it by mentioning that your email campaign resulted in a 30% increase in repeat customers. Remember: Show, don’t tell.

Write your summary last

The goal of your summary is to provide a brief introduction and context for the body of your resume. Focus on writing your resume first — once you’ve nailed it, it’ll be much easier to fill in the summary section.

People applying for remote jobs

If you’re applying for a fully remote position, it can be helpful to note that in your summary. Specifying that you’re only applying for remote work can weed out positions that are only partially or temporarily remote. And if you have experience with remote work in that past, mentioning some of your remote achievements can demonstrate that you’re just as effective when working from home.

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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

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