resume summary qualifications examples

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• Resume Help

Summary of Qualifications for a Resume: 20+ Examples

As seen in:

Your resume needs a summary of qualifications if you want to get more interviews without a ton of work. Why?

Picture a hiring manager. Her name's Kelly. She's got 300+ resumes to read (that's about the size of a Stephen King book, but a lot more boring.) Some don't even make it past her Applicant Tracking Software. Others ramble, so she skims and moves on.

Want better chances for your resume? Read on, and learn to write a summary of qualifications statement to hook her right away.

This guide will show you:

• How to write a summary of qualifications that gets more interviews.
• What to put in your resume's qualifications summary statement to make it a bestseller.
• Why (and how) you must quantify a summary of qualifications.
• How to make qualifications resume statement drastically more effective.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

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Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume examples here .

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+40 Resume Summary Examples [+How-to Guide]

Most companies these days get hundreds or even thousands of applicants every month.

Since hiring managers don’t have the time to read each resume in detail, they usually end up scanning them for 5-6 seconds.

Unless the resume manages to grab the hiring manager’s attention in those 5-6 seconds, they’ll simply discard the resume and move on to the next applicant.

Want to make sure that the recruiter reading your resume can instantly tell that you’re the right candidate for the job? 

You’ll need to create a convincing resume summary !

Done right, your resume summary will serve as a snapshot of your entire career. It’ll show that you’re a qualified candidate in less than 5 seconds and get the recruiter to deep-dive into your resume.

Want to learn more about resume summaries, including how to make yours as effective as possible? Read on!

In this guide, we’re going to cover: 

• What Is a Resume Summary?

How to Write a Resume Summary 

• 40+ Convincing Resume Summary Examples

And more! Let’s dive in. 

What Is a Resume Summary? 

A resume summary is a resume section that summarizes the contents of your resume. Placed right under or next to your contact details , it’s the first thing hiring managers see when they lay eyes on your resume. 

A good resume summary is two to four sentences long and includes information on:

• Your years of experience and job title
• 2-3 of your biggest achievements to date
• 1-2 of your top skills (that are relevant for the role)

For example:

• Detail-oriented Technical Writer with 7+ years of experience in writing end-user documentation, specializing in user help guides. Excellent writing, analytical thinking, research, and time management skills. Rewrote over 80% of user help guides for 30+ products at Company X, resulting in a 42% decrease in product-related customer support calls.

New to resume-making? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

5 General Resume Summary Examples

• Hard-working bartender with over five years of experience providing professional and interpersonal service at various bars across Brooklyn. I have received the Hospitality Skill Certification for Bartenders and I know how to make over 200 alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Seeking the Head Bartender position at Bar X, where my service skills and beverage knowledge can be leveraged to offer customers the highest quality of service.  

Why this resume summary is effective: It highlights how experienced the candidate is, it mentions their qualifications, and it shows what they can bring to the table.

• Communicative financial analyst, specializing in informative and persuasive financial presentations, cost accounting, and team management. Master’s Degree in Finance and two related certifications from the Corporate Finance Institute. Extensive experience with a variety of computer applications, including SQL, Equitrak, and Lawson.

Why this resume summary is effective: It focuses on the candidate’s strong points that are relevant to the job, their related education and certifications, and their knowledge of the most important professional software. 

• Human Resources Manager with 7+ years of experience seeks to improve overall efficiency at XYZ Office. Career highlights include handling all employee relations in a 75-employee finance firm, reducing recruitment lead time by 35%, and increasing employee retention by 17%.

Why this resume summary is effective: It mentions the candidate’s long professional experience, their quantifiable professional accomplishments , and what they can do for the company. 

• Detail-oriented receptionist with 4+ years of experience in customer service. Efficient in performing the administrative and front-desk tasks of large-scale offices. Fluent in Norwegian, English, Spanish, and Swedish. Proficient in MS Office Suite. 

Why this resume summary is effective: It shows off the candidate’s key skills, including their language proficiency and computer skills and their extensive customer service experience. 

• Hard-working and passionate Secondary Social Studies teacher with 10+ years of experience in creating positive environments in which teenagers can learn and grow. Incorporates interdisciplinary knowledge into the classroom to engage students of all learning orientations. 

Why this resume summary is effective: It highlights the candidate’s key skills and work experience and it focuses on showing the hiring manager what they can do for their future employer. 

And now for the good stuff - how can you make a resume summary that’s guaranteed to catch the hiring manager’s attention? 

Let’s start with the basics. The first thing you need to do is mention the following:

• Your experience summary , which includes your job titles, years of experience in the field, and, optionally, one or two of your most significant skills (e.g. “Facebook marketer with 5+ years of experience…”).
• Your general experience , such as your areas of expertise, specializations, and the sorts (e.g. “Experienced in managing Facebook ad accounts …”).
• Your top achievement(s) in the present or previous positions (e.g “Managed over $100,000 in marketing budget over several accounts”).

Now, to take your resume summary from “ good ” to “ great ,” follow our tips below!

#1. Tailor Your Summary to the Position 

You may be an excellent candidate with plenty of work experience , but if your achievements are not relevant to the position (or if you don’t know how to highlight your relevancy in your resume summary), the hiring manager may never know. 

This is where resume tailoring comes in. Tailor your resume summary to the job description and you can rest assured the hiring manager’s interest will peak. 

Here’s how to do resume tailoring the right way.

Let’s assume that you’re applying for this job.

As you can see for yourself, the job ad tells you exactly what kind of candidate the company is looking for. A tailor resume summary might look like the following: 

• Professional marketer manager with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing. Social media marketing experience, including Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn advertising. Experience in managing an account with a monthly budget of $30,000. B.A. in marketing management. Fluent in German. 

See what we meant by tailoring? You mention most (if not all) of the must-haves from the job description in your resume summary. This pretty much just screams out “I’m the right person for the job!”

Tailoring your resume summary to the job description can also help you pass Applicant Tracking System software that companies use to filter through resumes. Such software often disqualifies candidates that don’t mention specific skills and keywords from the job description throughout their resume, so the more you tailor your resume to the job, the better your chances!

#2. Make Your Achievement(s) Quantifiable 

Since you have very limited space in your resume summary to list one or two of your top achievements to date, you want to make sure they’re as impactful as possible. 

And the best way to do that? Add numbers and data to back them up!

Quantifiable achievements are instantly more credible and likely to leave an impression than simply claiming that you achieved something. 

Judge for yourself—would you be more impressed by this achievement: 

• Onboarded 100+ customers to our SaaS platform, with a retention rate of over 75%.

Or this one:

• Helped customers sign up on our platform.

The difference here is that the first sentence actually sounds like an achievement, whereas the second one sounds more like a responsibility. 

And here’s what this applicant's entire resume summary would look like:

• Customer service representative with 5+ years of experience in telephone customer service, tech support, and customer care. Familiar with Intercom, Drift, and several other customer service software solutions. Handled up to 100 calls daily with a retention rate of over 75%. 

In some fields, there aren’t many achievements that you can mention. For example, saying that you served 50 people a day isn’t an achievement if you're a server. Don’t fret! In such cases, it’s OK to stick with your key responsibilities simply.

#3. Use Power Words and Action Verbs

Another thing - you want to make your resume summary as vibrant and captivating as possible by using power words and action verbs . 

A hiring manager that reads hundreds, if not thousands, resumes daily, won’t be too impressed if you use the same words that everyone else does to frame your experiences and achievements. 

“Responsible for,” “managed,” “team player” ...yawn. 

Action verbs and power words, on the other hand, can really make your achievements and skill pop. Not to mention, the hiring manager is likely to appreciate that you put in the effort to go the extra mile and present yourself as creatively as possible. 

If you don’t believe us, check for yourself how a sentence with and without power words plays out: 

• Spearheaded Company X’s content marketing operations.
• Responsible for content marketing at Company X.

See? While both of these sentences say the same thing, the first one makes you seem much more competent.

Here’s a resume summary that incorporates this tip just right: 

#4. Follow Our Formula

Struggling to make your resume summary compelling?

Worry not, we have a rock-solid formula that you can follow to the T! 

It goes as follows:

Using this easy resume summary formula in combination with our easy-to-use resume builder resume builder will get you a modern, professional, and visually-appealing resume in no time! 

40+ Convincing Resume Summary Examples (For Different Fields)

Do you need some inspiration before creating your own resume summary? 

Check our comprehensive list of over 40 resume examples, broken down field-by-field: 

Office / Administrative Jobs Resume Summary Examples

Office manager resume summary.

“Office manager with 5+ years of experience in controlling inventory, ordering and tracking new supplies, developing procedures and training material for staff. Strong communication skills, organized, with a track record of success.”

Click here for the full office manager resume example .

Office Assistant Resume Summary 

“Experienced office assistant seeking to leverage advanced office skills for improved efficiency at Media XYZ. 5+ years of industry experience includes decreasing data entry mistakes by 23%, decreasing negative feedback by 11%, and giving insights into creating paperless office environments.”

Click here for the full office assistant resume example .

Executive Assistant Resume Summary

“Accomplished executive assistant with experience in providing support to a high-level CEO and other executives for 4 years. Helped with everything from customer support, to data entry and preparing well-researched documents. Skilled at time management, proficient in MS Office and Adobe Photoshop.”

Click here for the full executive assistant resume example .

Marketing Resume Summary Examples

Social media marketing manager resume summary.

“Creative social media manager with a passion for boosting brand awareness and customer engagement. Skilled in copywriting and basic graphic design tools. Personally started and grew a Facebook page for my consultancy brand from 0-1,000+ in just a month. Looking to help Company X establish an online presence and increase their social presence.”

Content Marketer Resume Summary

“Accomplished professional with 3+ years of experience in marketing, content writing, and outreach. Experience in writing for high-authority publications like Forbes, Business Insider, and more. Looking to help Company X increase their online presence and generate more leads through content.”

SEO Specialist Resume Summary

“Results and data-driven SEO specialist with experience in keyword research, developing and marketing evergreen content, and increasing overall website rankings. As a freelancer, I grew Company X from 50,000 daily visits to 100,000 within a year by creating long-form content and conducting backlink outreach.”

PPC Specialist Resume Summary

“Data-driven SEM professional with 5+ years of experience with Google Analytics, AdWords, Google Display Ads, and Facebook/LinkedIn Ads. Managed a monthly advertising budget of $50,000 over 4 clients.”

Marketing Manager Resume Summary

“Marketing manager with 4+ years of experience in a corporate environment. Good eye for design, with experience in creating marketing materials with Canva. Intermediate copywriting skills, having worked on the company website, flyers, and several other content pieces.”

Click here for the full marketing manager resume example .

Copywriter Resume Summary

“SaaS copywriter specialized in improving landing page conversions. 4+ years of experience in delivering clear and compelling copy. Experienced in A/B testing software, including Firebase and Optimizely. Increased conversions at Company X by 15% in the first two weeks by creating and testing 3 new landing page variations.”

Business and Management Summary Examples

Project manager resume summary.

“Project manager with a proven track record of working with agile and waterfall project management methodologies. Managed 5+ teams of software projects over the past 3 years. Basic understanding of several programming languages, including Java, React, and NodeJS.”

Click here for the full project manager resume example .

Business Analyst Resume Summary

“Solutions-driven business analyst with over 5 years of experience in consulting businesses and analyzing their operations. Previous experience in working with Consulting Company X and Consulting Company Y. Strong understanding of digital transformation. Improved a client company’s processes by taking them online, which improved manufacturing output by 3%.”

Click here for the full business analyst resume example .

Human Resources Resume Summary

“HR professional with 5+ years of experience in recruitment. Worked with every part of the recruitment process, including sourcing, vetting, and onboarding of candidates. Passionate about IT recruitment, having worked as a tech recruiter at Company X. MBA from University X.”

Finance and Accounting Resume Summary Examples

Financial analyst resume summary.

“Dedicated financial analyst with a track record of successful investments. 5+ years of experience in investment banking, with a focus on the oil industry. Responsible for analyzing potential investments, as well as conducting industry, market, and company-specific research. MBA in Finance.”

Click here for the full finance analyst resume example .

Accountant Resume Summary

“Licensed Certified Public Accountant with 10+ years of experience in budget analysis, financial audits, and forensic accounting. Created financial reports within a five-person finance team and managed a $500,000 budget. Over the two years working there, helped cut annual company expenses by 15%.”

Click here for the full accountant resume example .

Bank Teller Resume Summary

“Bank teller with 2+ years of experience in client-facing roles at Bank X, where I was handling customer transactions, cross-selling bank products, and keeping customers happy by providing a professional and efficient service. Followed strict and safe deposit box operations guidelines and processed 100+ customer transactions daily.”

Click here for the full bank teller resume example .

Data Entry Clerk Resume Summary

“Data entry clerk with 3+ years of experience in verifying complex data, maintaining databases, and producing monthly reports using advanced Excel functions. Known for quick typing skills, eye for detail, and the ability to keep clients and employers happy.”

Click here for the full data entry clerk resume example .

Food and Service Industry Resume Summary Examples

Restaurant manager resume summary.

“Professional bar manager with a strong interest in providing the highest standards of customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction. Skilled at reducing staff turnover and upselling techniques. Increased bar revenue by 20% through advertising featured cocktails and word-of-mouth strategies.”

Click here for the full restaurant manager resume example .

Waiter/Waitress Resume Summary

“Positive and friendly waiter with 3 years of experience working at a fast-paced Italian restaurant. People skills with a proven ability to upsell alcohol, dessert, and appetizers to customers. Memorized restaurant’s wine stock and accompanying meals to the T.”

Click here for the full waiter/waitress resume example .

Bar Manager Resume Summary 

“Professional bar manager with 5+ years of experience managing big teams and providing customer satisfaction. Skilled at conflict resolution, time management, and marketing. Certified Brand Manager.”

Click here for the full bar manager resume example .

Sales and Customer Support Resume Summary Examples

Sales associate resume summary.

“Enthusiastic and knowledgeable sales associate specialized in upselling furniture and dealing with customer objections. Proven track record of success at Company X, having exceeded department KPIs by 40-50% for 6 months in a row.”

Click here for the full sales associate resume example .

Customer Service Specialist Resume Summary

“Dedicated and trustworthy customer service specialist with four years of experience in online software troubleshooting, tech support, and customer care. Experienced in using Intercom and Drift. Received an average 87% customer satisfaction rating to date, 15% higher than the company average.”

Click here for the full customer service specialist resume example .

Account Manager Resume Summary 

“Client-oriented account manager with a successful track record in the oil industry. Managed accounts worth over $500K while working with clients such as BP and Lukoil.”

Software Support Specialist Resume Summary

“Software support specialist with 5+ years of experience in providing support and assistance to clients, managing user accounts, and recruiting and hiring new IT support interns. Built customer relationships and trust with 20+ B2B clients. Talented in simplifying complex problems, making it easy for non-technical specialists to solve IT issues.”

Cashier Resume Summary

“Reliable and detail-oriented cashier. Skilled at thinking on my feet, and solving any potential customer issues that arise without help from management. Experience in training and onboarding 3+ new cashiers at Company X.”

Click here for the full cashier resume example

Technical Resume Summary Examples

Computer science resume summary.

“Creative and people-oriented computer scientist with up to 2 years of working with tech startups. Advanced knowledge of software design principles and agile development principles. Led and managed a team of five in developing new software from concept to delivery.”

Click here for the full computer science resume example .

IT Specialist Resume Summary

“Competent IT specialist with 5+ years of experience working with Windows Server 2016. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. Advanced knowledge in SQL, C++, Bash, and Linux.”

Click here for the full IT resume example .

Software Engineer Resume Summary

“Results-oriented software engineer with a focus on the design and implementation of relational database systems. 8+ years of experience in developing cutting-edge engineering solutions with a wide range of eCommerce and technology features. Skilled in agile processes, backend and frontend development, and creating eCommerce websites that integrate with Paypal, Stripe, and other payment APIs.”

Click here for the full software engineer resume example .

Data Analyst Resume Summary 

“Detail-oriented data analyst passionate about helping businesses grow. Former small business owner where I conducted research using three different focus groups and increased sales by 10% over 4 months. MBA recipient with strong technical skills in data mining and data, survey creation, and quantitative methods.”

Click here for the full data analyst resume example .

Data Scientist Resume Summary

“Business-minded data scientist with a demonstrated ability to deliver valuable insights via data analytics. 10+ years of professional experience in working with CEOs and VPs of Fortune 500 companies. Deep understanding of statistical models, algorithms, and multivariate analysis.”

Click here for the full data scientist resume example .

Medical Resume Summary Examples

Nurse resume summary .

“Registered nurse specialized in psychiatric nursing. Developed strong psychiatric evaluation and treatment planning skills after 5 years of working at Hospital X. Experienced in administrative work, management, and training new employees.”

Click here for the full nurse resume example . 

Medical Assistant Resume Summary

“Certified Medical Assistant with 10 years of experience in working in a fast-paced environment, handling confidential paperwork, administering medication, and providing quality patient care. Proven ability to create positive rapport with patients, family, and staff. Completed and submitted clinical documentation in accordance with hospital regulations, and experience in supporting diagnostic and technical treatment procedures.”

Click here for the full medical assistant resume example .

Dental Assistant Resume Summary 

“Licensed dental practitioner with 4+ years in helping dentists prepare, perform, and document procedures. Strong hand-eye coordination, with skills in 4-handed dentistry and working with patients.”

Graphic Design Resume Summary Examples

Graphic designer resume summary .

“Senior graphic designer with 6+ years of experience in website design and branding, across a wide range of industries. Extensive experience in multimedia, marketing, and print design. Highly skilled in communications, digital storytelling, and Adobe Creative Suite.”

Click here for the full graphic designer resume example .

Creative Director Resume Summary

“Experienced creative director, with 10+ years of experience in the advertising industry. Over the past 3 years, managed 2 separate creative teams, creating video ads for company clients. Worked with some high-profile clients, including IBM and Phillips.”

Product Designer Resume Summary 

“Creative designer with 7 years experience in product design, packaging, and graphic design. Expertise in new product design, brand identity, and market research. Created and launched a new line of award-winning tableware that generated over $1 million in sales the first year.”

UI/UX Designer Resume Summary 

“Proactive UX designer with 5 years of experience in delivering enjoyable web and mobile products for the FinTech industry. Designed UI, UX, and marketing materials for 6 apps and 3 games at Company X, 2 of which were featured in Apple’s App Store. Skilled with Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.”

Other Resume Summary Examples

Architect resume summary.

“Professional and creative architect with 10 years experience in developing construction drawings, 3D models, and doing design rendering. Served as a project architect at company X and won an honorable mention as a staff architect at XYZ Construction Awards 2016.”

Click here for the full architect resume example .

Warehouse Worker Resume Summary

“Seasonal warehouse worker with experience working for Supermarket X and Supermarket Y. Diligent, organized, and very hard working. Previous experience working in the service industry for 2+ years.”

Click here for the full warehouse worker resume example .

Housekeeper Resume Summary

“Hard-working house-keeper with 5+ years of experience. Past experiences include working as a housekeeper in hotels, as well as private residences. Proven time-management skills and deep familiarity with all cleaning materials and tools.” 

When to Use a Resume Summary? 

When building a resume, you can either include a resume summary or a resume objective as your career summary.

Both are meant to summarize your strengths as a candidate, depending on where you are in your career.

Your resume objective describes your professional goals for the job you’re applying for. Unlike the resume summary, you don’t include work experience here, making the resume objective the perfect choice for college students , recent graduates , entry-level workers, or career changes. 

A good resume objective does three things:

• Describes your skills, educational background , and certifications that are’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Mentions your purpose and motivation for applying .
• Explains how you’re going to help with the job.

Essentially, the focus is more on your motivation than your experience.

Here’s an example of a resume objective done right:

• Results-driven computer science student from University X passionate about developing user-friendly software applications. Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to perform well in a team. Seeking to help Company Y develop their product as a software engineer , as well as grow and develop my own skills as a coder.

Writing a Resume Summary: Recap

To recap everything we just covered, here are the best practices for writing a resume summary: 

• Start off your resume summary by mentioning your job title and years of experience, your general expertise, and one or two of your top accomplishments. 
• Tailor your resume summary to the job you’re applying for. Consider rewriting it for each job ad so that it’s tailored exactly to what the company is looking for. 
• Include achievements instead of responsibilities when possible. 
• Try to make your achievements as quantifiable as possible. Mention the exact numbers, dates, etc.
• Include any skills you possess that are relevant to the job. Rule of thumb, pick them up from the job description.
• Use power words and action verbs to make your resume summary really pop. 

When you’re making your resume, write your resume summary last. Creating a resume summary is much easier once you’ve already finished up your work experience section! 

FAQs on Resume Summary 

Still have some questions about resume summaries? Check the FAQ section below:

1. How do you write a summary for a resume with no experience?

If you have no work experience whatsoever , you should write a resume objective instead of a resume summary.

A resume objective is also a 2 or 4-sentence-long paragraph that goes at the top of your resume. However, instead of focusing on your professional experience and accomplishments, it highlights your career goals and aspirations, skills, and/or academic achievements.

As such, a resume summary is better suited for candidates writing a resume with no experience in a specific field, such as students, recent graduates, or people changing careers. 

2. How to start a resume summary?

The best way to start your resume summary is by listing your experience summary, meaning your job title and your years of experience, along with one or two of your strongest character and professional traits.

A formula you can use to make starting (and finishing) a resume summary super easy is:

[Adjective/character trait] [job title] [your experience]. Looking to help/support/apply/assist/etc [employer’s name] [describe how you can be of help to the company]. [Your top achievements/qualifications]. 

3. How long should my resume summary statement be?

A resume summary shouldn’t be longer than your average paragraph, meaning two to four sentences long at the most. 

4. Should a resume summary be written in the first or third person?

Your resume summary, just like the rest of your resume, should be written in the third person. That said, you can get rid of the pronouns to make the resume flow better.

For example, instead of writing “she is a marketer with 5+ years of experience in social media marketing and creative writing,” you’d write “Marketer with 5+ years of experience in social media marketing and creative writing.”

5. Should you always use the same resume summary?

The last thing you want to do is use the same resume summary for all your job applications.

For your resume summary to be effective, it should be tailored to the company’s needs for each specific position. This means that even if you’re applying for jobs in dozens of companies you’re not very familiar with, it’s good to check the job ads in detail to understand what the company is looking for, and then tailor that resume summary to those requirements (if you’re actually qualified, that is). 

6. What are other names for resume summary?

Some other names for the resume summary section are career summary, personal statement, qualifications summary, summary of experiences, and summary of qualifications. 

Key Takeaways

To recap, the aim of a resume summary is to summarize your career highlights and important achievements to date in 1-3 sentences.

If you have any relevant work experience - then you should use a resume summary, instead of an objective.

An effective resume summary typically follows the following structure:

• Your experience summary (how many years, doing what, etc.)
• Your general experience (more specific skills, what’s your focus)
• Your top achievements (career highlights, including quantifiable change and data)

The goal of your resume summary is to catch the HR manager’s attention. If it’s relevant, they’re bound to read the rest of your resume.

Looking for extra career advice? Be sure to check out our career blog for more practical and actionable advice.

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15 Awesome Resume Summary Examples

Tell people who you are, what you do, what you’ve accomplished, and what makes you a star..

A resume summary is a bit like your calling card: a few sentences that tell people who you are, what you do, what you've accomplished , and what makes you a star. This summary (also called a career summary ) lives at the top section of your resume; it can be a short paragraph or a series of bullet points. Recruiters and hiring managers look to it to determine whether or not they should invest their precious time into reading the rest of your resume. We’ve got some resume summary examples to show you how to write one of your own.

But why would you even need to spend precious resume real estate on something that's seemingly redundant? After all, your resume includes the pertinent skills and qualifications that should determine whether or not you're a viable candidate. Simple answer: Hiring managers and recruiters are very busy. Like, really busy.

Think of a resume summary as a movie preview. Why watch an entire 90-minute movie to decide whether or not it was worth your time and attention when you can watch a 2-minute clip? Now you get it.

Here are some resume summary examples for a variety of industries that can show you the kind of information that will grab hiring managers' and recruiters' attention and make them want to know more about you.

Resume Summary Examples

Account manager.

Specializing in the Financial Services Sector Goal-driven, award-winning account manager with repeated success generating company-leading revenues on a nationwide scale. Offer a record of multimillion-dollar revenue generation, #1 sales distinction and quota-surpassing results in selling complex mortgage and commercial-lending products.

Build long-term client relationships through "hands-on" approach and commitment to service.

• Diligent accountant backed by public accounting, general ledger (GL) and tax experience and expertise in GAAP, data analytics and sophisticated modeling tools.
• Strategic business partner delivering fiscally responsible strategies to resolve financial and accounting challenges, propel corporate growth and strengthen compliance.
• Highly technical experienced user of QuickBooks, Drake, Microsoft Dynamics GP, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Hyperion, SAP, Oracle, IBM Cognos, Visual Basic, SQL and Excel.

Bank teller

Experienced bank teller known for delivering friendly service and personalized attention to all customers. Contribute to achieving branch sales goals by recommending products and services that meet customer needs. Solid knowledge of banking regulations and compliance matters; adhere to security and compliance procedures for protection of cash and other assets.

Senior Care … Assisted Living … Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care

Dedicated and compassionate provider of elder care,companionship and comfort for senior citizen residents of assisted living and memory care communities. Patient, personable and professional in responding to resident needs, with a gentle touch and caring attitude centered on treating all with dignity and respect.

Customer service representative

Providing Exceptional Service ... Building Loyal Relationships ... Solving Problems ... Increasing Sales

• Dynamic customer service professional experienced in both call-center and retail store settings.
• Productive relationship builder; excel at listening to customer needs, articulating product benefits and creating solutions that provide value to the customer.
• Highly professional--dependable, reliable and able to perform duties with minimal supervision.

Data analyst

Highly analytical and process-oriented data analyst with in-depth knowledge of database types; research methodologies; and big data capture, curation, manipulation and visualization. Furnish insights, analytics and business intelligence used to advance opportunity identification, process reengineering and corporate growth.

Graphic designer

Highly creative and multitalented Graphic Designer with extensive experience in multimedia, marketing and print design. Exceptional collaborative and interpersonal skills; dynamic team player with well-developed written and verbal communication abilities. Highly skilled in client and vendor relations and negotiations; talented at building and maintaining "win-win" partnerships. Passionate and inventive creator of innovative marketing strategies and campaigns; accustomed to performing in deadline-driven environments with an emphasis on working within budget requirements.

Mechanical engineer

• Highly analytical, performance-driven engineering professional with 10+ years’ experience creating innovative, cost-efficient designs.
• Solid expertise in applied research, new content development, simulation, and validation.
• Broad knowledge in the alternative fuels industry, including repeated success developing prototypes that improve marketability for previously unfeasible technologies.
• Superior problem-solving and time-management abilities; adept at identifying the root cause of issues and implementing creative, targeted solutions.
• Team spirited with effective communication and presentation skills, able to coordinate with management, vendors, and staff to achieve goals.

Medical receptionist

Patient-focused, detail-oriented and computer-savvy medical receptionist. Personable and courteous in all interactions with patients and team members and skilled at anticipating physician and practice needs.

• Effective in handling office and administrative tasks within busy, multi-physician practices.
• Expedient in processing patient check-in/check-out, verifying insurance and collecting third-party claims.
• Efficient in managing appointment scheduling, patient records, medical billing and financial information.

Mature, dependable and high-energy nanny with a passion for childcare excellence. Valued by client families for warmth, professionalism, dedication and excellent judgment. Provide parents with an unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of their children.

Operations manager

Profit-driven and process-oriented manager of multimillion-dollar manufacturing operations and top-producing teams (150+ direct/indirect reports). History of strengthening compliance; improving processes; and elevating output, quality, customer satisfaction and employee morale to all-time bests. Relied on to drive top-line and bottom-line gains regardless of supply chain challenges, production-line issues and/or union obstacles.

Public relations

Ambitious and driven public relations strategist with extensive experience directing PR campaigns in both agency and in-house settings. Proven success developing, managing and implementing media strategies and measuring results across traditional media and digital channels. Bring to the table a strong network of global media contacts.

Registered nurse

• Registered Nurse (RN) with specialty experience in psychiatric nursing. Developed strong psychiatric-evaluation and treatment-planning skills through RN role at ABC Department of Corrections. Knowledge of psychotropic medication administration, management and training.
• Reliable, ethical healthcare provider with the ability to stay calm and intervene during crises, facilitate groups and collaborate on multidisciplinary teams. Proven ability to build positive relationships with patients, family members, physicians and other medical professionals.

Social media manager

Champion of social media tools and technologies, with a track record of creating and implementing successful social media campaigns. Work closely with clients to develop and execute a proactive, social content calendar, managing all phases digital marketing initiatives from concept through delivery and optimization.

Social worker

• Dedicated social worker and program coordinator with a strong commitment to serving disadvantaged youth and adults, including homeless, emancipated youth and special-needs populations.
• Documented success overcoming challenges of limited resources and financial constraints to design high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive service offerings.
• Skilled at building community support, key coalitions and strategic interagency partnerships. Backed by strengths in program, personnel and case management.
• Student-centered educator with public and private teaching experience that spans both special education and inclusive classrooms as well as one-on-one settings.
• Deeply committed to optimizing student success, IEP progress and learning outcomes for K-12th graders on the autism spectrum. Qualifications include MS in special education, NYS teaching certification and CAS designation.
• Creative and resourceful in adapting instructional strategies to meet unique student needs. Design positive approaches and proactive interventions advancing learner engagement; academic achievement; cognitive development; and social, behavioral and communication improvements.

Get Your Resume Reviewed

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How to write a qualifications summary on a resume

The achievements that make you stand out

As an introduction to your resume, the  qualifications summary is a an excellent option to make sure your application stands out  and grabs the attention of a potential employer.

Hiring managers or human resource staff spend hours looking through resumes when they have a vacancy, this can become very tedious when all of the applications they receive have similar work experience or skill sets. That is why learning  how to write a winning qualifications summary for your resume  could be the key to earning you a chance at an interview for your dream job.

Having an attractive,  optimized resume introduction  like a  qualification summary , also known as a  professional profile  or  summary of qualifications , which showcases your strengths in a short, clear section right at the beginning of your resume is a surefire way to capture the reader’s interest.

Read on for a  simple guide on what to include in a qualifications summary on your resume , tips on how to write it and practical qualification summary examples to help you create one of your own.

The qualifications summary tends to be used more often in  functional or combined resume structures  as opposed to the classic  chronological format  but this is not always the case and can be a great addition to any resume.

What is the Qualifications Summary?

Knowing  how to write a qualifications summary for a resume  can mean the difference between an average application and one that stands out from other candidates.

A  qualifications summary is one of three options for a resume introduction  that begins by  showcasing the most relevant and influential aspects of the candidate’s experience,  such as their major achievements, skills and qualifications.

Contrary to the  resume objective  or  summary statement , a qualifications summary is written in  bullet point format , highlighting the most impressive elements of your professional profile ensuring to  focus on the position  being applied to.

There are  different ways to start a resume  and the qualifications summary is an optional section which can be added or replaced depending on each candidate’s needs. The  resume format  you choose to employ and your level of experience, whether you are writing a student, entry-level or  professional resume , will influence your decision to use the qualifications summary or another of the possible resume introductions.

The  qualifications summary on a resume  is a useful tool for candidates whose resumes will likely be reviewed by Applicant Tracking Systems. The reason for this is that ATS software is designed to read through resumes in order to discard any that do not include the keywords that have been programmed for that particular position. This is a subtle reminder for jobseekers to ensure they  use keywords taken from the job description  etc. to detail their abilities and knowledge.

To  write a qualifications summary  which presents the most inviting information about your professional profile, you must ensure that this section  concentrates on the benefits that you can bring to the company or position  in question. That means that it will include your most outstanding achievements and skills which are  relevant to the sector  and role to which you are applying.

A qualification summary on a resume often attracts attention from potential employers  because it makes their life easier. Hiring managers save time and energy usually spent reading through the entire resume by reading the  highlighted qualifications in the summary  and are able to get a basic understanding of what that candidate can offer the business.

Key qualifications to include on your resume

Whether you use a resume template or not, it is worthwhile to have an idea of some of the  key qualifications to include in your resume  to use as a guide.

The following is a  step-by-step guide to help you get a better understanding of how to write a qualification summary for your resume  using these 6 different points:

1. Start with your expertise : Begin by introducing your  years of experience  in the field or in similar positions for  professional resumes . You can indicate a general overview of your responsibilities in these jobs. Mention here any  special courses or training  you have undertaken. For  students or entry-level candidates , you will  include your highest degree  and can emphasize majoring or minoring in a subject, any projects, or your final thesis, as long as it is relevant to the vacancy.

2. Show off your creative side : Explain an instance in which you have  introduced, implemented or created a program or practice  or found a new solution which has been beneficial to the company or association in some way.

3. Prove your efficiency : Include an  example of when you have increased productivity or revenue for the company  by any means such as using resources well, personal effort, saving time or energy, updating, renewing or improving practices.

4. Acknowledgements : Mention any  awards or honors  you have received for your work or collaboration. If you have been commended in any  publications  or been praised for your actions in any way  related to the position or industry  you are applying to, state the source and the reasons for the recognition.

5. Management : Describe any  positions of leadership  you have held, including the number of people under your supervision, any specific management styles you pertain to, or ways in which you have  managed a project or assignment  and seen it through to the end.

6. Interpersonal skills in practice : Finally, also  include an explanation of your interpersonal skills  and communication. This can allude to relationships with coworkers, junior or senior staff, customers, clients or suppliers. Or you could demonstrate your skills in terms of public speaking or giving presentations.

As well as these 6 points which should be addressed as fully and clearly as possible, you can also introduce any other aspects that are  relevant to the position  and you feel would  benefit your application  or would be advantageous to offer the company.

Although it is highly recommended to  focus your attention on quantifiable examples  and the basic information from these points, you can also  include other soft or hard skills or certificates which may be unique to your application , whilst still tailoring your information the position in order to stand out in the process. Learn more about how to include  professional certificates on your resume .

Following these rules and remembering to  tailor your qualification summary to the position  on offer will help you to create a resume that will get noticed for the right reasons.

Remember, if you need a little extra guidance, you can also use an  online resume builder  to help you  construct an effective resume for your ideal job  with an outstanding qualification summary to boot.

Tips for writing a good qualifications summary

Whether you’re just learning  how to write a qualifications summary for your resume  or you just need to give it a new spin, these top tips will help you make the most of this all-important resume tool.

The  qualifications summary on a resume is a very effective tool  for candidates who have an extensive work history either as a professional in that sector or as a  career changer who has transferable skills .

Examples of Qualifications Summaries

To be able to  create an effective qualification summary introduction , check out some of these examples to grasp the structure and style of qualification summaries.

Key Account Manager Qualifications Summary Example

• Sociable – Organized – Goal-oriented
• 5 years experience in customer and client relationship building.
• Exceeded sales targets by more than 60% two years running.
• Landed and managed several individual client accounts worth $100,000+.
• Effectively trained and led team of 8 Sales Executives.
• Received Top Sales Award from company 3 consecutive years.
• Spearheaded new marketing plans with research and media strategies which have improved profits by $2.6 million gross per annum.

Executive Chef Qualifications Summary Example

• Creative – Team player – Excellent time management
• 12 years experience in Michelin star restaurants in NYC and Paris.
• Expertise in French haute cuisine.
• Prepared between 700-1000 covers daily.
• Reinvented menu to improve attendance by 110% and profits.
• Specialist knowledge of FDA requirements.
• Catered for a wide range of 3 and 5-course fine dining galas, fundraising events and festivals.

Entry-Level IT Associate Qualifications Summary Example

• Analytical – Resourceful – Flexible
• Two years experience in Library Helpdesk Technical Assistance.
• Graduate of BSc in Computer and Information Technology with 3.50 GPA.
• Proficient in several programming languages, software applications, operating systems and database management.
• Exceptional troubleshooting skills resulting in an improvement of 30% in issue-resolution.
• Accustomed to fast turn-around times for maintenance and technical tasks.

The qualifications summary on a resume differs from the summary statement simply by the manner of formatting the information included. As seen in these  qualification summary examples , the general layout is what makes the  difference between the summary statement and the qualification summary  as opposed to the content or focus.

If you prefer to offer a paragraph format for your summary or to get extra  resume help with your summary statement,  you can take a look at our guide to writing one to ensure you create the best possible introduction to your resume for your job search.

If you need help putting together your qualifications summary,  ResumeCoach  also offers an  online resume maker  which gives you professional advice and clear, practical examples to follow, to ensure you get the most out of your resume.

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What Is a Summary of Qualifications?

Definition & Examples of a Summary of Qualifications

• How Summary of Qualifications Work
• Summary of Qualification Benefits
• Summary of Qualification Examples

A summary of qualifications is a resume section that lists achievements, skills, and experience. This section is optional and, if used, should be customized for each position.

Learn more about how to use a summary of qualifications on your resume.

A qualifications summary section of a resume is an optional customized section at the beginning of a resume. It lists key achievements, skills, experience, and the qualifications that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

This summary should be placed at the top of your resume under your name and contact information.

• Alternate names : Qualifications profile, highlights of qualifications, summary

How a Summary of Qualifications Works

A summary of qualifications can consist of a couple of sentences or a brief, bulleted list of three to five items. It should be short and show the recruiter why you're qualified for the position.

You might highlight the amount of relevant experience you have and mention qualifications that will separate you from other candidates. Be specific about your achievements. For example, for a public relations position with an organization, one of your bullet points might say, "Increased social media engagement by 20%."

You can also include soft skills that are a match for the position for which you are applying. Soft skills are non-technical skills like work ethic and problem-solving. If you're applying for a retail management position, you might list, "Skilled at resolving customer service issues."

Benefits of a Summary of Qualifications

The typical hiring manager or recruiter is tasked with reviewing dozens, if not hundreds, of job applications. To get through them all, they typically spend just over seven seconds reviewing submitted resumes.   One of the advantages of including a summary of qualifications is that it's a great tool to catch the reviewer’s eye within that critical seven-second time span.

Much like a cover letter, it's beneficial to modify and tailor your summary to target each employer's specific needs. You can do this by carefully reading the qualifications requested in the job posting and then designing your summary to reflect these qualifications. 

Although a summary of qualifications is optional, it's worth considering for many job seekers. Those who can benefit include:

• Experienced job seekers : A summary of qualifications works especially well for people with extensive work experience. It's an effective way to showcase the experiences that best speak to the qualifications an employer is seeking. 
• Recent graduates : Resume summary statements are also a useful tool for recent college graduates. If they have limited work experience, new graduates should tailor the statement to highlight relevant transferable skills they've developed through their educational experiences and volunteer work.
• Career changers : Career changers can also show transferable skills in the summary of qualifications and prevent their most recent and possibly unrelated experience from throwing off the hiring manager.

Although at one time it was popular for job candidates to include a career objective at the beginning of a resume, this is now generally discouraged because it places a subtle emphasis on the candidate’s career goals as opposed to the employer’s needs.

Examples of a Summary of Qualifications

Your summary can be short and catchy or longer with more information. Here are examples of short summary statements:

• Production assistant for nationally broadcast television series
• Five years of case management experience
• Certified workforce development professional
• Sales professional with 10 years of experience
• Winner of the Acme Award for sports writing

Here are examples of longer summary statements:

• Dynamic entrepreneur who utilizes creativity, leadership, and teamwork to design and execute solutions that create customer value. Effective communicator with the ability to create marketing materials that convey value for both clients and end-users.
• Experienced professional with planning and organizational skills that balance work, team support, and ad-hoc responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.
• Business development executive with 20 years of experience in technical sales, sales management, team leadership, and business growth and expansion. Oversaw a 30% increase in sales revenue.
• Experienced professional with a unique combination of technical expertise, managerial experience, business leadership, and design and production support. Lead the delivery and implementation of XYZ mission-critical software system.
• 10 years of experience with AIX, HP/UX, Windows, VB.NET, C#, .NET Framework, C, C++, SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, and business systems.

Key Takeaways

• A summary of qualifications is an optional resume section that lists achievements, skills, and experience. 
• Tailor the section for each position you're applying for.
• Be specific about your relevant experiences and qualifications.

Ladders. " Eye-Tracking Study ," Page 2. Accessed June 27, 2020.

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Summary of Qualifications on a Resume: Examples & How To

What is a summary of qualifications.

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1. Summary of Qualifications—Examples and Why You Should Use It

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