Do you feel like your resume will be or has been struggling to stand out from the crowd? It’s normal if you’re asking yourself, “What is a good resume summary, and is it really all that important?”
While writing a resume is not always an easy task, it’s critical to get it right as it’s usually the first thing that grabs an employer’s attention.
Within this article, you will learn:
- What the purpose of a summary is
- How to write a resume summary
- Key details to include
There are also 20 different examples that will inspire you to finally craft your own professional summary for your resume.
The information below and ResumeGiants’ innovative resume builder can provide you with everything you will need to elevate your application, take advantage of our free resume summary generator.
What Is a Summary on a Resume?
The summary portion of a resume goes above all the other sections (i.e., experience, education, and skills) and best describes you professionally in a couple of sentences.
Your resume summary is critical because it is the first thing that your hiring manager will read before moving on to your other qualifications.
A summary will lay out:
- Your professional title
- Experience
- Skills
- Achievements
With your professional statement, you need to catch a recruiter’s interest and quickly show them that you can handle the responsibilities of the position.
When to Use a Resume Summary
Recruiters expect resume summaries for most roles. Previously, job seekers used a similar opener called the resume objective, but these are now considered out of date. Why?
Summaries are superior to resume objectives because any experience, not just work experience, can be used in a summary. In other words, you can include the experience you gained from college, a project, a part-time job, an internship, or even volunteering.
Another alternative would be a resume headline. It is similar to the summary but shorter and often limited to one line. Use this option if you are short on space.
How To Write a Resume Summary
The power of a well-crafted resume summary shouldn’t be underestimated.
To show off your qualities, experience, and skills, follow the steps below to write a statement that won’t be overlooked.
1. Tailor your resume summary
According to various research studies, you may have less than 30 seconds to catch a hiring manager’s or recruiter’s attention with your resume.
With this in mind, you need to adapt your summary to the job you are applying for. Use the same language that you see in the job posting, as well as keywords from the industry.
Take note of the key requirements and build your summary statement around those keywords.
2. Add your years of experience
Your years of experience can give the hiring manager a quick sense of your level of expertise.
Even if you’re at the beginning of your career, think of relevant experience from time spent in volunteer roles, internships, extracurricular activities, and freelance or personal projects.
3. Include a key achievement
Will you be able to deliver? That’s what your hiring manager really wants to know. Mentioning a significant accomplishment proves that you have delivered in the past. This, in turn, suggests that you will be able to do so again in the future.
Not sure what kind of achievement you can include in your resume summary? Take a look at our examples, which include specific metrics.
💡Example achievements for a resume summary:
Software Engineer: “Reduced API latency 35% and improved user experience.”
Marketing Manager: “Increased conversions 20% and boosted revenue $50K revenue.”
DevOps Engineer: “Freed up 10 hours weekly by automating deployments.”
4. State your relevant skills
Include hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (traits like communication, leadership, or problem-solving) that are directly related to the position you’re applying for.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to include all your in-demand skills in the summary. Stick to the skills that are the most important for the job at hand by referring back to the job description
5. Write your resume summary after writing the rest of your content
It might be easier to write the summary after writing the rest of the document. This way, all your skills and experiences will be at the top of your mind, and you can allow your summary to expand on what you’ve claimed in your resume.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to catch a hiring manager’s attention.
💡top tip
Keep your resume summary to 3-4 sentences maximum; it shouldn’t tell your whole life story.
Study the example below to see how a textbook summary should look:
Summary
Software sales leader with 10 years of experience selling cybersecurity software and services. Sold $1 million in the previous fiscal year and awarded President’s Club for 8 years straight.
This resume summary demonstrates a solid background in the industry, supported by two impressive metrics.
What if you don’t have experience?
Even if you have very little experience in the field you are applying to (or no experience), you can still write an effective resume summary.
If you are still in school, you can state accomplishments from academia and how what you are studying will help you succeed in this new role. Check out our complete guide on how to write a resume with no experience for more tips.
Here is an example that you could customize to your own industry/studies.
Summary
Detail-oriented, tech-savvy CAD technician, currently completing certificate and specializing in mechanical design. Seeking opportunities to aid mechanical engineering departments with drafting and 3D CAD design, and apply CAD skills in SolidWorks, CATIA, and NX. Won 4 design competitions.
This example is a great entry-level example of a resume summary as it focuses on where the candidate wants to go (the new job) rather than forcing information about irrelevant past roles.
Top Resume Summary Examples (For Different Jobs)
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for your summary statement, studying resume examples that relate to your professional profile can help. Each job will require different skills that need to be highlighted appropriately.
For example, an accountant’s resume will need to highlight different skills than a doctor’s to succeed. Skip down to the heading that most closely describes the industry you are looking to land a job in and get your creative juices flowing.
Then, tailor that summary to your own experience and future job. You’ll save a lot of time, compared to starting from a blank page.
Check out these professional summary examples to get started.
IT resume summary examples
Here are two different summaries for the IT industry, but for different positions: a front-end developer and a data analyst.
Summary
Front-end developer offering 5 years of relevant experience. Proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Consistently improved site performance and user experience across diverse websites. Successfully implemented design changes that reduced bounce rate by X%. Recognized as detail-oriented, ensuring pixel-perfect designs and optimal functionality.
This manages to touch on all the important information that an opening statement needs. Having knowledge of different software tools is also critical, which is why putting skills first was a good choice.
Summary
Data analyst with 7 years of experience spanning finance, tech, and e-commerce. Successfully analyzed, post-processed, and reported business insights to the C-suite, contributing to 30+ successful investments.
Marketing and sales resume summary examples
Consider these examples for marketing and sales: a digital marketing specialist who leans into experience and quantifiable achievements and a growth marketing manager.
Summary
Digital marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience developing and executing data-driven campaigns that increase brand awareness and drive customer engagement. Proven track record of boosting website traffic by up to 40% and improving conversion rates through targeted SEO, PPC, and social media strategies.
Notice how the marketing specialist used technical terms in a strategic way that added rather than detracted from their experience. The marketing manager takes this strategy even further.
Summary
Growth marketing manager with 7+ years of experience scaling user acquisition programs, optimizing conversion funnels, and driving revenue growth for e-commerce brands. Proven success in developing and executing multi-channel growth strategies that leverage SEO, email marketing, and referral programs. Achieved 60% increase in customer acquisition and 35% boost in lifetime value.
Administrative job resume summary examples
Administrative jobs can be anything from receptionist to executive assistant positions. Let’s look at two resume summary examples within this industry.
Summary
Executive assistant known for offering exceptional service to senior executives for 25 years. Earned 10+ Employee Service Awards. Currently serve as Executive Assistant to COO of large financial institution.
Mentioning awards will grab an employer’s attention as it shows that you have been productive in the past and can be an asset for your future company.
Summary
Receptionist with 10 years of experience in greeting customers, taking calls, and placing orders for office staff in small-town manufacturing. Looking to work in fast-paced environment and help XYZ Manufacturing present professional and friendly face to world upon relocating to Georgetown.
Mentioning your previous tasks like “greeting customers, taking calls, and placing orders” can ensure you use the best resume keywords.
Business and management resume summary examples
Within the business and management category, let’s review a couple of different manager summaries and a business development officer.
Summary
Design manager with 10 years of experience in leading large teams and delivering complex projects. Expert in UI/UX and CAD. Reduced project timelines by X% after successfully streamlining design processes. Consistently exceed project goals by fostering collaboration and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.
Formulate your achievements to show the results first. This puts your strengths in the spotlight.
Summary
Business development officer with 13-year tenure at YF Design. Fostered strategic partnerships and secured multimillion-dollar business contracts through authentic leadership. Eager to apply these proven business development skills as Business Development Officer at Blue Township.
Highlighting your desire to bring your expertise, as is done in this example, is seldom a bad strategy.
Finance and accounting resume summary examples
Accounting and finance positions require specific knowledge and analytical skills that should be highlighted within a summary for a resume.
Summary
Tenured staff accountant with proven track record managing financial records for 5+ major clients. Expert in GAAP and reconciliations. Consistently delivered 100% accurate financial reports and reduced audit times by X%. Successfully implemented process improvements that saved Y hours monthly.
Including information such as keeping financial records for over 5 major clients shows that the candidate is capable of taking on the role’s responsibilities.
Summary
Accounts payable clerk with 15+ years of experience in accounts payable and accounts receivable. Offer demonstrated expertise in maintaining meticulous records and identifying discrepancies. Played pivotal role in recent audit that resulted in zero errors and earned commendation from auditors. Positioned to enhance financial accuracy and efficiency at Bright Automotive.
When looking at these resume summary statement examples, you can see that experience is highlighted, how productive they were, and how their accounting skills played a huge part in their success.
Education resume summary examples
Those who work in educating others could be employed at public schools, universities, or private corporations that specialize in education.
Here are a couple of resume summary examples for education professionals.
Summary
Elementary school teacher with 10+ years of experience at Edgar Elementary. Recognized for elevating literacy rates by 10% in classes. Eager to contribute to Waldorf School as a 2nd-grade teacher, leveraging success in deploying individualized instruction to optimize learning outcomes in smaller classroom settings.
As a teacher showing that you have elevated the levels of your students and want to continue doing so are huge positives in the eyes of a hiring manager.
Summary
Biology professor seeking new tenured position. Previously spearheaded cross-departmental research initiative on biomechanics technology that secured $2 million in grant funding over three years. Contributed to 3 patented innovations in biomechanics field. Consistently received student lecture ratings of 95%+.
If you are a professor your summary should be a bit different. You’ll want to touch on funding you’ve secured and your innovative work.
Medical resume summary examples
Education is quite important within a highly regulated profession, such as those in the medical industry, so take a look at how these resume summaries detail specific training.
Summary
Surgical nurse with 10-year tenure at Chicago General, including time general surgery department. Trained new surgical staff on standards and procedures. Seeking new challenge as surgical charge nurse at Mercy Hospital.
Now that you’ve seen an experienced statement in the medical field, you may be wondering “What is an example of a professional summary for a fresh graduate?” Let’s have a look:
Summary
Phlebotomy program graduate seeking phlebotomist role with Life Labs. Bring latest phlebotomy best practices and techniques, patient-first attitude, and excellent interpersonal skills. Eager to learn new processes and improve craft.
This does an excellent job of what the candidate learned and that they are eager to learn and improve their craft.
Looking for more tips for your Phlebotomist Resume? Check out our complete guide with real examples.
Design resume summary examples
When you work in design, remember that how your document looks will reflect on your skills. In addition to highlighting your skills, as in the example below, you can rely on our professional templates for an easy, visually appealing design.
Summary
UX Designer with 2 years of experience in creating intuitive and engaging digital experiences for web and mobile applications. Skilled in user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing to deliver designs that enhance user satisfaction and align with business objectives. Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, translating complex requirements into seamless, accessible interfaces.
If you’re a graphic designer, you can use this resume summary example to think about how to craft your own, depending on your strengths.
Summary
Graphic designer with a knack for nailing technical presentations and content. Will bring energy, knowledge, software skills, and cutting-edge designs to the Tech Company’s content creation, amping up their already stellar communications by working closely with marketing to understand and deliver on their vision.
Remember you can include a link to your portfolio in your resume in PDF or digital version.
Resume summary examples for entry-level
Finally, let’s look at two more examples of resume summaries where the candidate has limited job experience. The first is an engineering grad looking for their first technical role, and the second is a person looking to make a change from customer service to programming.
Summary
Civil engineering student graduating magna cum laude in June 2025. Coursework focused on infrastructure and sustainability. Led team of 6 in campus sustainability project that reduced waste by 15% without adding additional costs. Eager to apply environmental passion to structural engineering.
If you lack experience, you can make up for it by mentioning relevant studies and a high GPA.
Summary
Customer service professional with 7+ years of experience communicating and collaborating with diverse individuals in team environments. Hold certifications in Java, C++, and Python.
When changing fields, it’s essential to focus on any transferable skills you may have in your summary statement, like the example above.
Key Points
Above, we’ve covered how to write a summary for your resume, whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional.
Let’s recap the main points to take into consideration when writing your resume summary:
- Highlight your experience or skills and motivation if you’re an entry-level candidate.
- Always tailor the summary to the job description.
- Mention any transferrable skills if you are switching professions.
- Include quantifiable data.
- Keep your resume statement brief.
Lastly, if you have writer’s block, our resume builder can assist you when creating your summary with personalized, AI-generated phrases that you can then edit to your own style.
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