How to Write a Resume Summary (Plus Examples)
Hiring managers don’t spend much time on resumes—some studies say they scan them in just six to seven seconds before deciding whether to move forward. That means you’ve got a tiny window to grab their attention and show them you’re the right person for the job.
A resume summary is your chance to make that happen. Sitting right at the top of your resume, it’s a quick, powerful snapshot of your skills, experience, and what makes you a great hire. Think of it as your elevator pitch—short, strong, and straight to the point.
We’ll explain what a resume summary is and what to include to make yours stand out and share tips for writing a summary that gets results and examples to inspire your own. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to write a resume summary that catches a recruiter’s eye and helps you land more interviews.
What Is a Resume Summary?
A resume summary is a short, punchy section at the top of your resume that gives hiring managers a quick snapshot of your qualifications. In just a few sentences, it highlights your key skills, experience, and the value you bring to the company.
A well-written summary immediately grabs attention and encourages the hiring manager to keep reading—which is exactly what you need when they’re skimming through a pile of resumes.
Think of it like a movie trailer: it doesn’t tell the whole story, just the best parts to hook the audience and make them want more.
What Is the Purpose of a Resume Summary?
Showcase your best qualifications
Your summary should highlight the most important things about you—like your top skills, experience, and accomplishments.
Help employers quickly decide
Recruiters don’t have time to read every detail of every resume. A strong summary helps them quickly figure out whether you meet the job’s requirements.
For example, if a job requires five years of experience in digital marketing, and you’ve got exactly that, put it in your summary so they know right away you’re a match.
Make up for a lack of experience
Not a lot of work experience? No problem! A resume summary can help by emphasizing transferable skills, education, certifications, or projects that prove you’re ready for the job.
Get past resume screening software
Most companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to scan resumes for certain keywords before a human even looks at them. Your summary is the perfect place to naturally include those important job-related keywords so your resume doesn’t get filtered out before it even reaches a hiring manager.
Want to make sure your resume gets noticed? Learn how to incorporate keywords into your resume!
What’s the Difference Between a Resume Summary and an Objective Statement?
A resume summary highlights what makes you a strong candidate for the job, while an objective statement focuses on what you’re looking for in a job.
Most hiring managers prefer a resume summary because it’s more employer-focused—it tells them what you bring to the table rather than what you want.
Example of a resume summary
“Data-driven marketing manager with eight years of experience leading high-impact digital campaigns. Skilled in SEO, paid media, and audience growth strategies. Proven track record of increasing organic traffic by 120% and driving revenue growth.”
Example of an objective statement
“Digital marketing manager with eight years of experience seeking an opportunity to lead creative teams and exceed campaign goals as a marketing director.”
Pro tip: Unless you’re a recent graduate or switching careers, stick with a resume summary—it’s more effective in today’s job market.
What Should Be Included in a Resume Summary?
- Key skills. Highlight your most relevant skills—both technical (like coding, data analysis, or graphic design) and soft skills (like leadership, problem-solving, or communication).
- Relevant experience. Mention past roles or industry experience that directly relates to the job you’re applying for.
- Professional qualifications. Got a certification, license, or special training? Include it!
- Impressive accomplishments. Hiring managers love numbers and results. Did you increase sales by 25%? Manage a $500K budget? Adding specific achievements makes your resume summary stronger.
- Your unique value proposition. What makes you different from other candidates? Find a way to showcase your unique edge.
Tips for Writing a Strong Resume Summary
Use confident, direct language
Skip phrases like “I think” or “I believe”—they weaken your message. Instead, be assertive and direct about your skills and value.
So, instead of this
“I think my teamwork skills and conscientiousness could be an asset to your customer service team.”
Say this
“Collaborative, conscientious professional dedicated to providing an excellent customer experience.”
Tailor it to the job description
There’s no need to guess what you should focus on in your resume summary; the most important keywords and qualifications are already outlined in the job description. Start with those, then personalize it with your own unique experiences, achievements, and background.
Make it personal
Your resume summary should show what makes you unique. Why should the hiring manager choose you over all the other candidates? Is it your passion? Expertise? Great attitude? Whatever it is, try to capture these unique traits within your statement.
Adjectives help a lot with this. Here are some ideas
“Patient, empathetic special education tutor…”
“Personable, detail-oriented office administrator…”
“Creative, tech-savvy social media manager…”
Avoid overused cliches
Hiring managers have seen “passionate,” “self-starter,” and “thinks outside the box” a million times. Instead of vague buzzwords, show what makes you great.
Maintain a consistent voice
Some resume statements speak from a first-person perspective (I’m an experienced SEO specialist…), while others are written without it (SEO specialist with five years experience…). Either way is acceptable as long as you’re consistent throughout your statement.
Keep it brief
Two to three sentences are sufficient. Remember, you’re already fighting against a ticking clock, so your resume summary should be able to be skimmed in just a few seconds.
Resume Summary Examples
Healthcare example
“Compassionate home health aide with 10+ years of experience caring for patients with chronic illnesses. Skilled in personal care, medication administration, and using medical devices.”
Education example
“Organized, enthusiastic academic admissions coordinator skilled in reviewing applications and developing promotional events. Increased application completion rate by 14%.”
Engineering example
“Experienced mechanical engineer driven to create safe and reliable robotic production systems. Achieved an 86% initial design approval rate. CSEP certified.”
Finance example
“Tax accountant with two decades of experience helping businesses optimize their tax burden. Committed to building long-term client relationships through reliable service.”
Your resume summary is your first impression—make it count! Keep it concise, tailored, and results-driven to catch a recruiter’s eye and land more interviews. For more tips, visit our library of resume advice.
