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46 Examples of a Resume Opening Statement (Perfect Introduction)

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 8, 2024 — 8 minutes to read

A resume opening statement, also known as a summary or objective, serves as your first impression to potential employers. This brief and concise introduction highlights your relevant skills, experiences, and career goals. It’s important because it can catch an employer’s attention and convince them to read the rest of your resume.

  • Sets the tone : It establishes a professional image and indicates the level of your expertise.
  • Tailors your resume : You can tailor this statement to align with the job description, showcasing how your skills are a perfect match for the position.
  • Showcases your value : By summarizing your most impressive accomplishments, you can quickly show how you will add value to the company.

Elements of a Strong Opening Statement

When you’re crafting the opening statement for your resume, think of it as your professional handshake. This means you need to capture attention while succinctly showcasing your top qualifications. Here are key elements to include:

  • Tailor it to the job. Match your statement to the job description. Highlight how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the position.
  • Use actionable language. Start sentences with verbs that convey your ability to take initiative, such as “managed,” “developed,” or “increased.”
  • Quantify achievements. Where possible, use numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments. For example, “Increased sales by 20% within a year through strategic marketing initiatives.”
  • Include relevant experience. Mention your most pertinent past roles. If you’re a recent graduate, focus on education, internships, and important projects.
  • Add your career goals. Briefly outline how you intend to contribute to the company and grow professionally.
  • Keep it concise. Your opening statement should be a compelling snapshot, not a deep dive. Aim for no more than a few sentences or bullet points.

Sales Manager: “Seasoned Sales Manager with over 10 years of experience in fostering robust client relationships and driving profitable business growth. Achieved an average of 15% yearly sales increase by leading and mentoring a dynamic team.”

Graphic Designer: “Creative Graphic Designer with a passion for developing original designs that resonate with audiences. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite with a track record of delivering high-impact visuals for diverse campaigns.”

Crafting a Personalized Introduction

When writing a resume opening statement, you should focus on creating a unique introduction that captures your professional identity. It’s important to tailor this section specifically to the job you’re applying for, highlighting skills and experiences that align with what the potential employer is seeking.

  • Start with a strong opening sentence that grabs attention. You might introduce yourself with a significant achievement or detail that’s relevant to the role. Example: “As a digital marketing specialist with a proven track record in growing online audiences, I’ve successfully increased social media engagement by over 60% for multiple brands.”
  • Connect your background to the job description. Use the keywords from the job listing to emphasize how your experience matches the requirements. Example: “With a commitment to continuous improvement and lean management, I bring over 5 years of experience in streamlining operational processes for manufacturing sectors.”
  • Mention any unique qualifications or certifications that set you apart from other candidates. Example: “Certified project management professional (PMP) skilled in leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and under budget.”
  • Reflect your enthusiasm for the role. Employers appreciate candidates who are excited about the possibility of joining their team. Example: “Eager to contribute my expertise in innovative UX design and user research to enhance the client experience at a forward-thinking tech company like yours.”

Tailoring the Statement to the Job Description

When you’re writing a resume opening statement, it’s important to align it with the job you’re applying for. Start by carefully reading the job description. Identify the key skills and experiences the employer is looking for. Your opening statement should reflect that you possess these qualifications.

Make a list of the skills and competencies the job requires. For example, if the job calls for “excellent customer service skills” or “proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite,” make sure these are mentioned in your statement if you have these skills. Here’s how you might begin your statement for such a scenario:

  • For customer service roles: “Dedicated customer service professional with 5 years of experience…”
  • For a design position: “Creative graphic designer skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong…”

You can use keywords from the job description. This not only shows you’re a good match but also helps your resume get past applicant tracking systems which are programmed to look for these keywords.

Use quantifiable achievements when possible. Instead of writing “experienced salesperson,” you might say, “Sales professional with a track record of exceeding targets by 20%.”

Examples of Resume Opening Statements

  • Experienced marketing manager with a proven track record in developing successful campaigns and leading high-performing teams.
  • Customer service expert committed to providing exceptional care and developing long-term client relationships.
  • Detail-oriented graphic designer with 5+ years in the freelance industry, known for creativity and a quick turnaround time.
  • Certified project manager who has successfully delivered over 30 large-scale technology projects on time and within budget.
  • Professional content writer with a knack for crafting engaging content that boosts SEO and drives user engagement.
  • Recent graduate with a Master’s in Environmental Science ready to apply rigorous research and analytical skills in a dynamic setting.
  • Enthusiastic sales associate recognized repeatedly for top performance and commitment to team goals.
  • Dynamic HR coordinator with a passion for improving employee relations and a deep understanding of recruitment processes.
  • Organized administrative assistant, experienced in scheduling, office management, and providing excellent administrative support to executives.
  • Skilled electrician with a focus on maintaining high safety standards and delivering quality service on residential and commercial projects.
  • Ambitious business analyst, eager to use extensive background in data analysis and financial modeling to drive business insights.
  • Compassionate social worker with a strong background in counseling and case management for diverse populations.
  • Seasoned retail manager, adept at merchandising, staff training, and increasing sales through strategic store operations.
  • Bilingual translator fluent in English and Spanish, dedicated to maintaining the essence of the original text in each translation.
  • Professional chef with a love for farm-to-table cooking and experience managing fast-paced restaurant kitchens.
  • Reliable logistics coordinator with a deep understanding of supply chain processes and a commitment to efficiency and cost-reduction.
  • Goal-oriented fitness coach with a track record of designing personalized programs that help clients achieve their fitness goals.
  • Versatile performer with experience in theater, film, and voice acting, ready to bring characters to life with enthusiasm and dedication.
  • Data scientist with a passion for uncovering insights through big data analytics and advanced statistical methods.
  • Talented web designer with a flair for creating intuitive, user-friendly websites that drive user engagement.
  • Civil engineer with expertise in green building techniques and a dedication to sustainable urban development.
  • Industrial designer with a knack for developing innovative product designs that meet consumer needs and manufacturing requirements.
  • Doctoral candidate in Computer Science, eager to apply research on machine learning algorithms in a practical, industry setting.
  • Skilled carpenter with a strong work ethic and extensive experience in residential and commercial construction.
  • Professional photographer with expertise in portrait and landscape photography and a passion for capturing unforgettable moments.
  • Certified public accountant with rigorous attention to detail and a strong background in financial analysis and tax preparation.
  • Recent Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate, eager to provide high-quality patient care in a challenging healthcare environment.
  • Expertise in aerospace engineering with a strong foundation in fluid dynamics and propulsion systems.
  • Dedicated teacher with a focus on inclusive education and fostering a love for learning in every student.
  • Results-driven marketing specialist with a solid understanding of digital marketing trends and analytics tools.
  • Construction project manager skilled in leading cross-functional teams and delivering projects under tight deadlines.
  • Laboratory technician with a meticulous approach to conducting experiments and analyzing scientific data.
  • Seasoned journalist with a history of reporting on international events and an ability to uncover the truth in complex stories.
  • Sophisticated fashion designer with a unique aesthetic and experience showcasing collections at major fashion weeks.
  • Financial planner dedicated to helping individuals meet their long-term financial goals, with a flair for investment strategies.
  • IT specialist with proficiency in network security and experience in protecting corporate data against cyber threats.
  • Skilled mediator known for resolving conflicts and facilitating productive conversations in corporate environments.
  • Professional fundraiser with a talent for crafting compelling campaigns that inspire community involvement and donations.
  • Environmental consultant committed to helping businesses reduce their environmental impact through sustainable practices.
  • Hospitality manager with a warm demeanor and a proven ability to increase guest satisfaction and hotel profitability.
  • Multilingual interpreter with expertise in facilitating communication for international delegations and business meetings.
  • Expert in supply chain management with a drive for optimizing operations and improving delivery timeframes.
  • Agile coach with a passion for empowering teams to adopt agile principles and improve their workflow and productivity.
  • Risk management professional with extensive knowledge in financial regulations and experience in mitigating business risks.
  • Dynamic event planner with a reputation for organizing memorable corporate events and managing intricate details seamlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i craft an engaging opening statement for my resume if i lack professional experience.

Focus on your soft skills and any relevant academic or volunteer experience. For example, “Eager and disciplined recent graduate with a passion for data analysis and a keen eye for detail.”

What are the elements of a strong objective statement for an entry-level resume?

A strong objective statement should highlight your career goals, relevant skills, and how you can contribute to the company. For instance, “Recent graduate seeking an entry-level accountant position to apply my strong numerical proficiency and analytical skills.”

As a student, what should I focus on in my resume’s opening statement?

Emphasize your academic achievements, any related coursework, and the skills you’ve honed as a student. Example: “Honors student with exceptional leadership skills seeking an internship to explore a career in the non-profit sector.”

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How to Write an Opening Statement for Your Resume + 10 Examples

What a resume opening statement is, when you should include one, and real examples to help you write your own. A guide written by recruiters and hiring managers.

3 years ago   •   10 min read

Recruiters are busy, and they might receive hundreds of applications for one position in a single day. Studies have shown that employers spend an average of 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume before tossing it in the “yes” or “no” pile, and with such a slim margin, it’s important to have a resume that grips the reader from the start. One great way to draw in a recruiter is through an opening statement on your resume.

What is a resume opening statement?

An opening statement is a short paragraph at the beginning of the resume that gives the employer a snapshot of what you can bring to the table, and why you are the best choice for hire. It’s essentially your elevator pitch — the first impression you make in an interview when the recruiter says, “So, tell us about yourself.” Broadly speaking, there are 3 types of resume opening statements:

Resume summary

  • Resume objective
  • Resume offering statement

Types of opening statements

Here's a breakdown of the different types of resume opening statements, including the pros and cons of each one:

A resume summary statement is a quick overview of your background where you can highlight key skills and experience. This is the most common type of resume opening statement — essentially, it's a type of brand statement , like an abridged cover letter. Here's an example:

Experienced web developer with a background in X, Y, Z programs, winning awards in CSS Design (2019) and Apple Design Awards (2020), and most recently reduced bus for XYZ by 25% .

Pro: Allows you to quickly highlight key skills and experience relevant to the job you're applying for.

Con: Doesn't add anything of value if your resume is otherwise self-explanatory, so make sure your opening statement adds something that's not otherwise

How to write your resume opening statement

Here's an example of an opening statement with specific things you should try to include.

best opening statement on a resume

Other types of opening statements (what not to do)

There are two other types of statements that were popular a few decades ago — an objective and an offering statement. We've just included them here for completeness and to show you the formats you should not be using.

  • Resume objective : This style of opening statement is generally used to show recruiters your enthusiasm for the role. An example might sound like this: Example: Searching for dynamic marketing position in a fast-paced , modern company where I can utilize my organizational, creative, and project management skills to drive growth in digital markets. Objective-style opening statements typically include statements such as: “Looking for a position where I can grow and gain experience in XYZ” or “Looking for a job where I can use my skills to help a company meet targets and increase revenue.”   Objective opening statements are outdated and unnecessary, so don't include this on your resume.
  • Resume offering statement : A resume offering is kind of like a sales pitch, focusing on the value you can bring to an employer. Unlike a standard resume summary, an offering statement focuses on what you will do, not on what you have done. It might look something like this: Example: I will increase engagement on your company's social media channels by developing a strong brand voice and reaching out to key influencers within the [industry] sphere.

How to write a resume opening statement

  • Title your opening statement (optional).
  • Lead with the job title. If you're applying for Marketing Director roles, that's how you should describe yourself.
  • Describe the scope of your experience.
  • Mention 2-3 key skills or accomplishments that match the job description.
  • Include metrics to quantify your achievements.
  • 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.

An opening statement template

Here's a template you can use for your resume opening statement:

[Executive] with experience leading [industry] businesses [describe size of businesses]. [Describe impactful element of role, with specific numbers]. Proven experience [mention 2-3 skills that are relevant to the job]. [Optional: Describe relevant educational certification/accomplishment, or one significant accomplishment in the format of Action Verb + Accomplishment + Metric].

Resume opening statement examples

Here are some more examples of resume opening statements to get you started:

Example 1: Experienced / Senior-Level Job Seeker

Human Resources Manager with 15 years’ experience in human capital management, talent acquisition, and workforce administration, handling diverse employment processes for small to large companies. Saved over 50% of overall recruiting costs by structuring and implementing standardized policies in hiring and recruitment, compensation structures, benefits, and incentives. Proficient in delivering services in line with EEO, IRS, and labor laws.

Example 2: Mid-Level Job seeker

Data Entry Specialist with five years’ experience utilizing manual and digital skills to enter texts and numerical data from source documents into databases, spreadsheets, and word processing programs. Implemented regular quality control checks to analyze data and make corrections in real time-, enhanced data entry accuracy by 77%. Achieved $6,500 cost-savings in company expenditures by identifying consolidation opportunities during company bookkeeping.

Example 3: Senior-Level Job seeker

Marketing Executive with ten years' experience working at Fortune 500 companies. Results include: • Designed, executed , and optimized digital marketing campaign on Google's AdWords for $20B CPG company, yielding 20% ROI improvements • Optimized budget allocation of marketing spend of $10MM for technology startup

An effective resume opening statement needs to highlight your key skills, quantifiable achievements and any other experience/accomplishment that shows recruiters why you’re the best person for the job. A good way to find out if your resume does just that is to upload it to the tool below — it’ll give you a detailed analysis of your opening statement and suggestions for improvements.

When is an opening statement appropriate?

You might be asking yourself, “Does my resume need an opening statement?” and the answer is: Maybe. If you have 6 years of receptionist experience and you’re applying for another run-of-the-mill receptionist role, then your resume will speak for itself, and an opening statement runs the risk of taking up unnecessary space.

However, if you have 6 years of receptionist experience and you’re applying for a hotel manager position, then an opening statement is a great opportunity to sell yourself on this change of direction.

So, who should definitely include an opening statement on their resume? Let’s take a look.

You're changing careers

Like our receptionist-turned-manager above, changing jobs is one of the key moments when having an opening statement would be advantageous. This is the moment to explain how your past experiences—albeit in a different field—have actually given you the necessary skills to succeed in this new position.

Here's an example of a career changer resume summary:

Ex-Head Receptionist for XYZ Firm transitioning into Hotel Manager position. Previous experience in managing a team, organizing and overseeing large company events including planning menus and contacting caterers, handling finances and administrative records, and ensuring health and safety standards remain up-to-date.

Here's how an opening statement might look on your resume - it uses another example:

Example of a career changer opening statement on a resume

More information: Resume summary advice for career-changers

The employer is looking for a specific skill

Sometimes a job will require a very technical or unique skill which you possess, but which might not come out otherwise in your resume. This can include something like speaking a foreign language , or having a certain type of driving license, or being proficient in a certain type of machinery or computer program. Here's an example:

Native Turkish speaker with experience working in Marketing for an international company. Available to travel and work remotely. Valid Turkish and USA passport.

By including this skill in the opening statement of your resume, you are ensuring that the recruiter will see it immediately, and know that you are the perfect fit for the position. If there are certain keywords that the job description requires that you haven't included anywhere else in your resume, feel free to include them in your opening statement.

If you’re not sure which keywords and technical skills are relevant to the job you’re applying for, use the skills search tool below to find the right ones.

More information: How to ensure your resume gets past automated resume screeners

You have many, many years of experience

If your resume spans 20 years and seems to go on forever, then this is your opportunity to distill everything into a bite-sized paragraph, to keep the recruiter from missing something important. You want to bring forward your best accomplishments and key experiences, especially in relation to the job description. Don’t assume that something buried in your job description from three years ago is going to jump out at the reader—make it front and center like this:

Stagehand with 15+ years experience, especially familiar with setting up pyro-technics while complying with industry-specific health and safety guidelines. Accomplishments include: -  Set up X that led to Y result … - Earned expedited promotion in less than 2 years

And here's how an opening statement for someone with a lot of experience might look on a resume:

Example of resume opening statement

To highlight recent accomplishments in a relevant field

An opening statement is a great moment to draw the recruiter’s attention to how something you personally accomplished has already benefited a previous employer or client. This can include Awards and Certifications, statistics on workflow improvement, recognition inside the workforce, or other impressive accomplishments . Here's an example:

Engaging customer service representative, recently named Top Agent at XYZ for three consecutive months. Led in-house employee training on Customer Engagement leading to a 60% decrease in negative customer reviews.

This is another example of a resume opening statement.

Opening statement for an executive

When don't you need an opening statement?

Your career trajectory is self-explanatory.

Most job seekers don't need to include an opening statement on their resume. If your work experience and educational background is in line with the kind of jobs you're now applying for, or if you're already in a similar role, your work history and accomplishments likely speak for themselves.

You're a student or recent graduate

As a student or recent grad, you're unlikely to have enough experience on your resume to warrant summarizing. Instead, make sure your education is listed front and center, along with industry-specific internships or other jobs showing your talents and abilities.

Additional tips for your resume's opening statement

1. use the same words as in the job description.

If you feel a little lost wondering what skills, qualities, or experiences to put in your opening statement, here’s some good news: the recruiter has done this work for you. If the job description says they’re looking for someone with an XYZ certification or experience with specific hard skills,  then don’t hesitate to put those words into your opening statement verbatim.

Online systems filtering resumes will often be scanning for wording which matches the job description, and this will keep your resume from slipping through the cracks. Find out what keywords to include on your resume with the Job Description Keyword Finder .

2. Eliminate buzzwords and vague terminology

Yes, we all know that you are “passionate about e-commerce,” but save that for your cover letter . Mention instead the statistics on how greatly you’ve improved sales for your clients, or draw attention to the way you’ve integrated a client’s social media platforms to their web-shops, to drive in traffic. We know you’re enthusiastic and hard-working, but this isn’t the place for it, and employers will generally skim over these empty and lackluster descriptions.

This is also called quantifying your resume , and if there's one article you should read before you send off your resume, it's that one.

3. Be concise.

Don’t list 10 relevant awards you won going back to a university competition in 2001 — pick one or two which are the most impressive. Make a list of all your relevant experiences and skills and then whittle it down to the very best, and let those shine.

4. Title your resume's opening statement (optional)

In general, if your opening statement is located at the top of your resume, then you don’t necessarily need to spell out what it is we’re looking at—it’s pretty clear. However, you definitely can add a title if you like, something like:

  • Profile, Professional Profile, Professional Statement
  • Introduction, Summary, About
  • Personal Statement, Personal Profile

5. Check your spelling

It goes without saying, but check and check again for any spelling or grammatical errors. Proofread it, proofread it again, get your mom, dad, or grandma to proofread it, read it aloud to your cat, and then run it through a spellchecker or online grammar resource if you’re still worried. This is your first impression to a potential employer, and you want to show them that you’re competent!

6. Get your resume's opening statement checked

Once you’ve added an opening statement to your resume, it’s time to see how well you’ve done. Head over to our free resume scanner , which evaluates your resume against key criteria, and see in real time how likely your resume is to catch an employer’s attention.

Resume opening statements: A crash course in jargon

If you've been looking for advice on how to write a resume opening statement — or summary — chances are you've run into a lot of unfamiliar phrases. Here's a brief explainer:

A resume profile or resume summary statement are different names for a resume summary and are often used interchangeably.

An executive resume summary or career highlights section are usually targeted toward people with an extensive career history or who are applying for high-level positions. These might include slightly more detail about your work experience, for example, standout accomplishments from early in your career that might otherwise not belong on a resume.

A resume objective or career objective is an alternative to a resume summary. Objectives are generally considered outdated compared to resume summaries but can be useful in very limited circumstances (often for people very early in their careers or without any relevant experience).

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best opening statement on a resume

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best opening statement on a resume

20 Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

This post provides lots of great opening statement examples for resumes, to help you in learning how to make effective one for your resume and enhance your chances of being hired.

When writing a resume of CV for any job position, the quality of your opening statement is very important to getting it read.

To get a better chance of getting invited to an interview and eventually getting the job, it is important to have the recruiter/employer read your resume or CV.

When your resume/CV is read, the recruiter/employer gets to learn about your competence and what you are bringing to succeed on the job.

The opening statement of your resume/CV can do the magic of getting the recruiter/employer to read it.

How to Make a Great Resume Opening Statement for any Position

The best way to write a great opening statement for your resume or CV is to first learn about the position you are seeking to know the duties and responsibilities of the job.

You should also learn of the requirements candidates need to meet to be qualified for hiring for the position.

These include the skills, education, experience, etc. that the recruiter/employer wants candidates to have to be hired and succeed on the job.

You can find the above information about the job by studying the description and requirements of the position that the recruiter/employer publishes.

You can then apply this information in making a captivating opening statement for your resume/CV.

Your opening statement should show that you have profound understanding of the job that you are seeking and will be effective in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

Your opening statement should also show that you possess the major qualities, skills, experience, etc. needed to succeed on the job, which were also highlighted by the recruiter/employer in the job requirements that they published.

Now, let’s look at some good examples of opening statements for resumes to help you make one for your resume/CV:

  • Industrious and ambitious accounting professional looking to leverage excellent communication and customer service skills in the position of an Accountant with Bot Inc. to maintain and report business transactions for multiple university-related entities, including preparation of monthly journal entries, sales taxes, and audit schedules required for annual financial statements.
  • Talented graphic designer with 5 years of professional experience in graphic design. Looking to leverage solid knowledge of production methods such as vinyl graphic application and the ability to work on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • Outgoing Aerospace Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in DoD and Air Force Space programs, as well as military operations. Possess excellent critical analytical and problem-solving skills that help assist with solving complex engineering and military operational problems. Looking to leverage the ability to provide Space systems engineering support on DoD and NASA, power and energy systems, and components throughout the system engineering life cycle at Millennium Engineering Integration.
  • Experienced biochemical process engineer with hands-on experience in operating fermenting machines in a lab and demonstrated understanding of important parameters for designing scale-up and scale-down experiments, seeking the position of a Biochemical Process Engineer at Danimer Scientific. Coming with knowledge of analytical methods for measuring primary and secondary metabolites.
  • Professional communicator with 5 years of experience operating an industrial tractor, mower, and bush hog; as well as having basic computer skills and ability to adhere to contract requirements, safety, health regulations, and company policies. Interested in the position of Tractor Operator at Aleut Management Services, to operate a tractor and maintain grounds, tree removal, storm clean-up, snow removal on roads and sidewalks.

More Opening Statement Examples for Resumes [6-10]

6. Service-oriented individual with excellent time management, organizational, and prioritizing skills, interested in an Electrician position at Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. Bringing 10 years of electrical experience, expert knowledge of electrical functions, and the ability to perform complex troubleshooting and take appropriate action.

7. Passionate individual looking to assist with troubleshooting and repairs of buildings and installed systems, seeking the position of a Building Maintenance Technician to inspect buildings, grounds, and equipment for unsafe or malfunctioning conditions, preventative maintenance, and more. Coming with 5 years of experience in building maintenance and commercial property setting.

8. Technician with outstanding ability to communicate technical issues to customers in an easy-to-understand approach, seeking a Biomedical Technician Apprentice position at GE Healthcare where experience diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic equipment will be applied. Also coming with previous experience interpreting schematic diagrams, and a Bachelor’s degree.

9. Energetic Pharmacy Technician with six months of experience in a retail environment, seeking a Pharmacy Technician position at Walgreens, to leverage five years of work experience and great computer skills in offering services to customers.

10. Supervisor with demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills. Interested in a Production Supervisor position at Barko Hydraulics LLC, to utilize 5 years of supervisory experience in heavy equipment manufacturing.

More Opening Statement Examples for Resumes [11-15]

11. A manually inclined individual with 6 years of experience handling and maintaining technical equipment as well as working knowledge of physical IT infrastructure components, seeking a Datacenter Technician position with Microsoft to carry out cable installations, hardware installations, testing, and troubleshooting using standard datacenter processes. Coming with exceptional flexibility to work non-business hours or shifts that may include weekends and/or holidays.

12. Seasoned Finishing Area Supervisor with 7 years of experience in production, manufacturing, supervisory, and management, seeking a Finishing Area Supervisor position with Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. Bringing profound knowledge of manufacturing processes, continuous improvement processes, and understanding of safety and environmental requirements.

13. Highly numerate individual with knowledge of security regulations policies, procedures, methods, and objectives of security programs, seeking the position of Access Control Specialist in Chenega Corporation. Bringing exceptional skill in operating personal computer and standard office equipment.

14. Problem solver with strong verbal and written communication skills and a BS degree, seeking the position of Supply Chain Planning Manager at Cravola. Offering deep knowledge of material/capacity planning and supervisory skills in developing the annual production plan and global capacity plan, as well as periodic updates.

15. A+ certified effective communicator and problem solver with strong ability to understand and interpret engineering drawings and knowledge of electromechanical components. Seeking a Production Planner position in NSI-MI Technologies where profound project management, organizational, and communication skills will be applied. Also coming with exceptional ability to change direction and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis.

More Opening Statement Examples for Resumes [16-20]

16. Seasoned Grocery Clerk with 12 years of experience in the grocery business. Offering basic math skills, good verbal communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and ability to work with others, work in a fast-paced environment, and work Saturdays and evenings.

17. Team player with strong math skills and three years of cashier and sales experience. Seeking a Cashier position in BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. to offer appropriate BJ’s membership products. Also bringing strong ability to provide a high level of customer service to members and scan all club merchandise through a point-of-sale system.

18. Highly motivated individual with 5 years of professional working experience and a Bachelor’s degree, looking for the position of Credit Analyst. Bringing the competence to perform customer financial analysis to recommend and establish credit lines.

19. Seeking an Epidemiologist position in the State of South Carolina to utilize 5 years of experience assisting program reporting of health indicators and key performance indicators. Coming with a Master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology, knowledge of methods of epidemiological design to develop great data products, and the ability to present information in written and oral form.

20. Detail-oriented certified physical therapist with excellent written and verbal communication skills with colleagues, patients, and family members. Seeking a Physical Therapist position with SANTISOPT, INC. to leverage compassionate and caring qualities in taking care of patients.

By having a convincing opening statement in your resume or CV, you will surely create the opportunity for it to be read and also win an interview appointment with the recruiter/employer.

This post provides valuable ideas and examples to help you write an effective opening statement for your resume.

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Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

When you are applying for a job, your resume is one of the most important tools that you have in your arsenal.

It is your opportunity to make a good first impression on potential employers and to show them what you have to offer. One of the most important parts of your resume is the opening statement. This is your chance to hook potential employers and make them want to read more about you.

So, let’s take an in-depth look at the Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes, as well as tips for writing your own!

best opening statement examples for resume

What Is An Opening Statement?

Why is an opening statement important, the essence of a good opening statement, tips for building a resume, outstanding advice on resume writing, final thoughts.

An opening statement is the first thing that potential employers will read on your resume. It should be a short, concise paragraph that gives an overview of who you are and what you have to offer.

The opening statement should be tailored to each individual job that you apply for so that it is relevant to the employer’s needs. It is important to make a good first impression with your opening statement so that employers will want to read more about you.

When you apply for a job, you might be one of hundreds of applications that the employer receives. They might only have time to read the opening statements of each resume, so it is important to make yours stand out! It is your chance to sell yourself to potential employers and show them why you are the best candidate for the job.

When writing your opening statement, ideally, you will include:

  • Who you are.
  • What you do/have done in the past.
  • Your skills and experience.
  • Why you are writing. (i.e., what position you are applying for)
  • How your skills and experience can benefit the company.

A well-written opening statement will grab the attention of the reader and encourage them to read on. It should be clear, concise, and free of any grammar or punctuation errors.

When writing your opening statement, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Use strong verbs to describe your accomplishments.
  • Be specific about what you did and how it benefited your employer.
  • Use numbers to quantify your accomplishments.
  • Keep it short (two to three sentences is ideal).
  • Use active voice.

20 Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

Innovative and initiative-taking marketing professional with extensive experience in all facets of the marketing mix. Track record of success in developing and executing integrated marketing programs that drive revenue growth and brand awareness. Proven ability to think outside the box to find creative solutions to problems. Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams to deliver results.

A strategic and analytical thinker with experience in the financial industry. Skilled in finding creative solutions to problems, developing relationships with clients, and managing projects. Looking to leverage my skills in the position of an Accountant with Bot Inc., where I can maintain and report business transactions for multiple university-related entities.

With a degree in Business Administration and three years of experience in customer service, I am confident that I can be an excellent addition to your team. My customer service skills are outstanding, and I have a proven history of resolving conflict and diffusing difficult situations.

best opening statement example for resumes

A Master’s graduate with a degree in Environmental Science. Looking to begin their career in the environmental field and their skills to help protect our planet. Experienced in conducting research, drafting reports, and presenting findings to various audiences.

A recent graduate of XYZ University with a degree in Communications. An excellent written and verbal communicator with experience in customer service and the ability to think on my feet. Looking for an entry-level position in the communications field where I can use my skills to help your company succeed.

Outgoing and personable professional with experience in the retail industry. Skilled in developing relationships with customers and providing excellent customer service. Looking for a position in sales where I can use my skills to help your company reach its goals.

Professional with experience in the human resources field. Skilled in developing relationships with employees, managing projects, and administering benefits programs. Exploring new opportunities in this field.

Meticulous and organized office professional with more than 15 years of experience working in a fast-paced office environment. Skilled in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining schedules, and coordinating travel arrangements. Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management. Seeking an Administrative Assistant position where I can utilize my skills to support the needs of a busy office.

Efficient warehouse worker with five years of experience picking orders, packing boxes, and shipping products. Demonstrated ability to work independently or as part of a team to complete tasks quickly and accurately. Looking for a position at XYZ Logistics where I can use my experience and efficiency to contribute to the company’s success.

Enthusiastic sales professional with more than five years of experience in the retail industry. Skilled in building relationships with customers, providing exceptional customer service, and achieving sales goals. Seeking a position in outside sales where I can leverage my skills to contribute to the company’s success.

Skilled writer with more than ten years of experience crafting compelling copy for both digital and print media. Strong track record of producing high-quality content that engages readers and drives conversions. Pursuing a position as a Copywriter where I can create effective marketing materials that help businesses achieve their objectives.

best opening statement example for the resume

Highly-motivated individual with experience working in challenging environments. Proven ability to stay calm under pressure and manage difficult customer service inquiries. Seeking new opportunities to expand my skills and contribute to the success of your business.

Experienced bookkeeper with more than five years of experience managing accounts payable and receivable, preparing financial statements, and reconciling bank statements. Skilled in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Suite. Bringing five years of experience in the role of bookkeeper and looking for a position where I can utilize my skills to support the needs of a busy office.

Accomplished software engineer with more than five years of experience designing, developing, and testing software applications. Skilled in Java, C++, and Python. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Manager with more than ten years of experience leading teams and overseeing daily operations in a retail setting. Skilled in training and developing employees, managing schedules, and resolving conflict. Proven ability to increase sales and improve customer satisfaction. Also coming with previous experience as an assistant manager along with numerous passed courses in management.

Dedicated professional with more than ten years of experience providing high-quality administrative support to senior executives. Skilled in managing calendars, scheduling appointments, and coordinating travel arrangements. Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management. Interested in a position as an Executive Administrative Assistant where I can utilize my skills to support the needs of a busy executive.

Friendly customer service professional with more than five years of experience providing exceptional customer service in fast-paced retail and call center environments. Skilled in diffusing difficult customer situations, upselling products and services, and achieving sales goals.

Seasoned human resources professional with more than ten years of experience managing employee relations, recruiting, and training. Proven ability to resolve conflict, coach employees, and administer progressive discipline. Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and applicant tracking systems.

Initiative-taker with a can-do attitude and more than three years of office administration experience. Skilled in managing projects, overseeing customer inquiries, and providing administrative support to senior managers. Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management. Pursuing a position as an Office Manager where I can utilize my skills to support the needs of a busy office.

Motivated individual with experience working in challenging environments. Proven ability to handle difficult customer service inquiries and stay calm under pressure. Skilled in diffusing difficult customer situations, upselling products and services, and achieving sales goals. Bringing five years of customer service experience and looking for a position where I can utilize my skills to support the needs of a busy office.

Whether you are starting from scratch or updating an existing resume , these tips will help you create a document that effectively highlights your skills and experience.

  • Start with a strong opening statement that briefly describes your professional background and outlines your key skills and qualifications.
  • Use reverse chronological order to list your work history, beginning with your most recent job.
  • Include relevant details about your duties and accomplishments in each position.
  • Use action words to describe your skills and experience (e.g., managed, created, oversaw, developed).
  • Highlight any awards or recognition you have received throughout your career.
  • Be sure to proofread your resume before sending it off to potential employers. Typos or grammatical errors can give them a negative impression of you as a candidate.

Do we have some great online books for you to take a look at! Check out Lose the Resume, Land the Job , and the Ladders Resume Guide: Best Practices & Advice from the Leaders in $100K+ Careers , along with The Resume, Cover Letter, Portfolio Handbook: The Comprehensive Guide for College Students and Job Seekers to start you off.

I also recommend the DIY Résumé and Cover Letter Kit: Everything You Need to Create Your Own Professional-Quality Résume , as well as The Resume and Cover Letter Phrase Book: What to Write to Get the Job That’s Right , and the One-Page Resumes That Get Results!: An Uncomplicated and Quick Guide , to help you stand out from the crowd.

Lastly, are these informative guides on How to Write the Perfect Resume: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Get the Job You Want , and Your Guide To A Stand Out Modern Resume: Make Your Resume The One That Stops the 6-Second Scroll , or how to Modernize Your Resume: Get Noticed…Get Hired , and Resume: Writing 2023 The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Resume that Lands YOU the Job! all available online in 2023.

A well-written resume can be the key to landing your dream job. By following the tips above, you can create a document that effectively showcases your skills and experience. So, use these resume opening statement examples and find your dream job.

Good luck in your future job hunting!

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A resume makes your first impression before a recruiter. Therefore, it needs to be highly effective as many applicants might be hustling for the same position you are applying for.

You can write an engaging resume opening statement to impress the recruiter and beat your competitors in the resume screening round.

Most recruiters consider this section as an important part. Hence, you need to pay keen attention while writing your resume opening statement.

Considering this, we are answering some fundamental queries related to the resume opening statement in this guide. Here you will get useful answers to these questions:

  • What is a resume opening statement?
  • How to write a resume objective?
  • What should you include in your resume introduction?
  • What should you avoid while writing a resume introduction?
  • When can you avoid writing a resume opening statement?

What is a Resume Opening Statement?

A resume opening statement is the first thing that most recruiters read in a resume. No matter if your resume is checked by a machine or a human, the resume opening statement is the most important element of it.

We can divide the resume opening statement into three types:

Resume Summary Statement

A resume summary statement will present you as a brand before the recruiter. In addition, it will highlight the essential information of your resume with your professional strengths.

You can mention your skills, qualities, and professional achievements related to the targeted job profile in your resume summary statement.

Your resume summary must not exceed 6 lines, and you should use easy-to-read English language while writing it.

Also Read: How to write a resume summary?

Resume Objective Statement

A resume objective statement is suitable for entry-level professionals who do not have anything to show as professional experience.

The resume objective must convince the recruiter that you know your goals and have industry-specific skills. In addition, your resume objective must match your targeted position to prove your worth before the recruiter.

Resume Offering Statement

A resume offering statement is opposite from a resume objective statement as it focuses on the job requirements.

In this type, you will be writing about your skills and accomplishments align with the Job requirements.

It puts more impact on the recruiter, as every hiring professional will prioritize a person addressing company needs rather than describing personal objectives.

Also Read: How to write a resume objective?

How to Write Your Resume Opening Statement?

You might consider referring to the resume summary examples and resume objective examples available online while writing your resume introduction. However, without proper guidance, you will end up more confused.

Considering this, we have crafted some practical steps to follow while making your resume opening statement:

  • Use easy English language and avoid complex vocabulary
  • Start with your job title and mention your experience
  • Describe your strengths, skills, and achievements
  • Quantify your information wherever possible
  • Align your information with the targeted profile to validate your potential
  • Do not write more than 6 lines as a resume opening statement
Also Read: How to write personal statement in a resume?

What to Include in Your Resume Opening Statement?

The resume opening statement must be impressive to beat other applicants. Hence, you must ensure the availability of these points in your resume opening statement to emphasize its effectiveness:

  • Qualification
  • Accomplishments

If you have 15+ years of experience and your resume opening statement goes beyond six lines, you can mention your information in bullet points to minimize complexity.

General Mistakes to Avoid While Framing Your Resume Opening Statement

Most job applicants make some mistakes while framing their resume opening statements. Unfortunately, these mistakes make their resume opening vague, and they face rejection in many cases.

We have analyzed some resumes and picked those mistakes, which can be emitted o enhance your shortlisting chances in the screening round:

  • Using one resume opening statement for every job application
  • Making it self centered
  • Being Vague
  • Lengthy paragraph
  • Invaluable Content

When Don't You Need a Resume Opening Statement?

A good resume opening statement can add great value to your resume. However, you can avoid it in two cases mentioned below:

  • When you have a self-explaining career trajectory

You can avoid a resume opening statement if your work experience and education are aligned with your targeted profile.

  • If you are a student or recent graduate

If you are a student, you will not have any work experience to summarize. Hence, it will be better to showcase your educational qualification upfront along with your industry-specific training or internship details.

Tips to Frame an Impressive Resume Opening Statement

Your resume opening statement will be the first resume section the recruiter might notice. Hence, it must be engaging, impressive, and convincing to prove your eligibility for the applied job profile.

You can follow these below-given tips to write a job-winning resume opening statement for your next job switch:

  • Do Not Duplicate Achievements

Try to mention your achievements that are not present in any other section of your resume. You can connect your skills and qualities with other sections but unique achievements will make your resume openings statement more attractive.

  • Review The Job Description & Resume

We recommend you read the job description and other resume sections thoroughly before writing the resume opening statement. The job description will tell you company requirements. Hence, you must try to write a resume opening statement concerning those requirements.

  • Connect Your Education & Professional Experience

You should connect your resume opening statement with other essential sections of your resume like education and work experience. It will help you maintain the consistency throughout the resume for better results in the recruitment process.

  • Be Result Oriented

You should be specific while writing your accomplishments and capabilities in the resume opening statement. For that, you can quantify your achievements wherever possible with actual figures.

  • Use Technical Keywords

Try to add technical keywords mentioned in the job description to your resume opening statement. For example, if the job description says that the company is looking for a professional with XYZ certification, don't hesitate to add that to your objective statement.

  • Eliminate Buzzwords

Try to avoid buzzwords as much as you can while writing your resume summary or objectives. For example, if you are passionate about coding, you can save it for your cover letter. Showcase the statistics on how your skills and abilities helped your company improve profits.

Don't pull your resume objective statement too much. Instead, try to be concise and mention only highlighting details and achievements of your career.

  • Proofread Twice

Everyone makes mistakes, but wise ones check their work on completion and rectify them on time. Hence, you should proofread your resume introduction twice after writing it to rectify small punctuation mistakes or spelling errors.

Key Takeaways

A resume opening statement can impress the recruiter and boost your shortlisting chances if you frame it elegantly. These points will help you to write a professional summary for resume in 2022:

  • Use simple English language and avoid complex vocabulary to improve readability
  • Do not exceed more than 5 lines while writing your resume opening statement
  • Add technical keywords picked from the job description to your resume introduction
  • Mention your current profile, experience, skills, and achievements in your resume opening statement
  • Proofread your resume objective statement after writing it to rectify errors

You can also check out Hiration’s 360-degree Career Service Platform to build a professional resume. It comes with 24/7 chat support to assist you during your entire resume and cover letter building process. Apart from this, our experts will always be available at [email protected] for every career-related queries.

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best opening statement on a resume

How To Craft The Opening Statement Of Your Resume

How To Craft The Opening Statement Of Your Resume

The most precious piece of real estate in your entire resume is the top of the first page. At the cursory glance, this is the area that is going to get the most attention. And there are some things you can do to make that most of that – or get your resume tossed in the “not interested” pile. Related: Boring Old Resume Objective Vs. Branding Statement Here's a quick checklist of things NOT to do when crafting the opening statement of your resume:

1. Don’t Generalize

2. don’t write an opening statement over six lines deep, 3. don’t speak in first person or past tense, related posts, spring cleaning: 4 ways to fix your job search.

Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.

In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.

For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.

Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach

Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:

  • How did I learn about this job?
  • How did I apply for the job?
  • Did I earn an interview?
  • What was the ultimate result?

A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:

Negative Trends

You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.

The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn't to say that job boards don't serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations , and you can't run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there's a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.

One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.

The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.

This is a great way to network your way onto a company's radar.

Positive Trends

You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.

The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview . This indicates that you're leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.

The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback , and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.

Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.

The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn't right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.

Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention

Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.

Let's start with resumes!

Every resume should be tailored to the position in order for it to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers . It may seem like a lot of work, but it's actually less work than submitting the same resume over and over again and never hearing back.

The reason why it's so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you're applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.

Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you're a potential candidate for the position.

While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.

As for writing a good cover letter , the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter . When you write a disruptive cover letter , you're basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.

If your resumes and cover letters aren't unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.

Build Your Personal Brand

Just because you're looking for work doesn't mean that you don't have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand .

Ask yourself, "How do I want other professionals to view me?"

Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.

By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven't spoken to in years, or making new connections.

You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people's radars. So, when you're cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.

Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search

Your job search is important, but it's even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.

There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:

  • Grab coffee with a friend - It's good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
  • Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you're asked about it during a job interview.
  • Continue to focus on other passions - Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you're in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle , even better!

Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you're struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Crafting a Compelling CV Opening Statement (Examples Included)

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Types of CV opening statements

Crafting a strong cv opening statement, 6 examples of powerful cv opening statements, key takeaways for crafting a compelling cv opening statement, frequently asked questions (faqs).

You’ve put in the work and have the experience. You have everything a great candidate needs.

The problem is, how do you stand out from all the other qualified candidates?

Potential employers will be going through a stack of CVs, all from candidates with similar skills and backgrounds.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to catch the reader’s attention right away.

One way to do that is with a compelling opening statement.

This is your first introduction to recruiters and gives them an idea of who you are. In just a few sentences, you can showcase key skills and offer a brief career overview.

Read our guide below for examples and tips on how to craft a great opening statement that will catch recruiters’ attention.

When you’re ready to add your own opening statement to your CV, head over to our CV builder and create yours today.

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your CV here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

The terms objective, personal statement, and summary are sometimes used interchangeably.

While they all have a similar goal, there are slight differences between them.

CV objective

A CV objective communicates your goals for your career and desired position. Potential employers want candidates who share the same vision for the company’s future.

An effective CV objective shows how your ambitions as a candidate will impact success at your target company.

Do some research on your target company. What problems do they have? How can you provide solutions? Show them that you’re the candidate that will take them where they want to go.

A strong CV objective is particularly suitable for those early in their careers or changing industries. Show potential employers that you’re dedicated to growth in your role.

Personal statement or summary

A personal statement or summary provides a concise overview of your experience and skills. This is the first part of your CV that recruiters will read and get an introduction to who you are.

A personal statement should be 3-5 concise sentences. Introduce yourself, your achievements, and your career goals. A personal statement often includes an objective.

Recruiters should have a good idea of your value in the industry and potential as an employee after reading your summary.

Your opening statement is a short but important part of your CV. There are many aspects to consider when writing a summary that will get you noticed.

Aligning your statement with the job description

Every section of your CV should be tailored to your target job , including your opening statement.

Align your opening statement with the job description while highlighting relevant skills and experiences. You have limited space, so only include the most relevant and important information.

Read up on your target company. What is their mission? What goal are they working toward? Use your opening statement to show how your goals are aligned with theirs.

Showcasing your unique value

Remember that hiring managers are going to be looking at CVs from countless applicants, all with similar backgrounds and qualifications.

Your CV must succinctly communicate what sets you apart from other candidates.

Use your opening statement to highlight your value in the industry. Showcase your greatest achievements and accomplishments.

Potential employers want to know how you will impact success at their company. Provide evidence of your success and measurable results you’ve achieved in the past.

Avoiding common mistakes

With such limited space to work with, avoiding mistakes is crucial. If your opening statement is boring or full of errors, recruiters won’t give your CV a second thought.

A common mistake candidates make in opening statements is being overly generic. Now is not the time to make broad, general statements. Be specific and provide examples.

Saying that you are “an experienced negotiator” doesn’t mean much, but saying you “negotiated with 12 new clients and earned £2.5M in revenue in 2022” shows your value in the industry.

Be sure to only include relevant information. Irrelevant information wastes space on your CV and confuses readers.

If you’re applying for a hotel management job, don’t include an award you won in a dance competition. It’s irrelevant and doesn’t speak to your experience in the target role.

Need a few examples to give you a better idea of what makes a compelling opening statement?

Read below for examples of CV objectives and personal statements. Then browse our collection of CV examples to see even more.

3 CV objective examples

Here are a few examples of well-written CV objectives for different roles and situations.

Project manager

Graphic designer, web developer, 3 personal statement or summary examples.

Here are a few examples of compelling personal statements or summaries across various roles and career stages.

Software engineer

Hotel manager, program director.

A well-crafted opening statement makes a positive first impression and entices the recruiter to read the rest of your CV.

Use only the most important and relevant information to introduce yourself to potential employers and stand out from other candidates.

Include a strong objective that shows your career goals. Provide results you have achieved in previous roles to show how you will impact success.

Avoid using generic statements and highlight your unique value. Don’t waste space with irrelevant information that isn’t tailored to your target job.

Should I always include an opening statement in my CV?

An opening statement is particularly beneficial when entering the workforce or changing careers. It’s a great way to catch recruiters’ attention and stand out from other candidates in a competitive field.

However, opening statements are not always necessary. Consider factors like industry, experience, and level. If you have over a decade of experience and accomplishments, you may choose to leave it off your CV.

How long should my CV opening statement be?

The optimal length of an opening statement is about 3-5 sentences. This keeps your statement concise while effectively conveying key information.

Keep your statement just long enough to introduce yourself, highlight a past achievement, and share your goals for the role.

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15 Amazing Resume Summary Statement Examples for Job Seekers

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

best opening statement on a resume

By Mike Simpson

Updated 6/9/2022.

best opening statement on a resume

What is the best way to start my resume? How do I get the attention of the hiring manager? Is there something specific I should be doing? These are questions we have all asked ourselves at one point or another. Fortunately, there’s mainly one answer: use a resume summary statement.

So, how do you create an amazing professional summary for a resume? Well, looking at some outstanding resume summary examples is typically a good place to start. If you want to make sure your resume is in the best shape possible, here’s what you need to know about the resume summary statement.

Understanding the Resume Summary Statement

So, what exactly is a resume summary statement? Well, according to the folks at The Balance Careers :

“A resume summary statement is a brief list or a few sentences at the top of your resume (after your contact information) that highlights your qualifications for a job.” That’s a good way to look at it.

And, what about the purpose of a resume summary? Well, they go on to add that resume summaries allow “the person reviewing your resume… to view your most important attributes at a glance.” In the end, that’s really what it’s all about.

A resume summary statement is similar to an objective statement in that it is a quick way for a job seeker to catch a hiring manager’s attention by summarizing critical information in an easy-to-read format. Now, a “Resume Objective” and “Resume Summary Statement” are two very different things and should not be confused. However, they serve a similar purpose, acting as an introduction.

Resume statements essentially are just a few short, well-worded, well-targeted sentences that summarize your skills and experiences. Sometimes called “Qualification Summaries” or even just “Competencies,” these two or three sentences can, when done right, give you a real advantage in the hiring game.

You may be wondering, “Why do I need a resume summary when they can just read my application?” Well, mainly because hiring managers may receive dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes.

In the end, hiring managers don’t have time to read every application word-for-word. Instead, they skim key areas looking for the right details, giving each resume an average of just six to seven seconds of their time before making an initial determination.

Usually, the resume summary statement is a part they always read. It showcases the best of what you have to offer, giving them critical insights upfront. That’s why getting your professional summary for your resume right is essential.

How to Write a Great Resume Summary Statement

So, how do you write a great resume summary statement? Well, as with much of your job search, it all begins with research. You need to make sure that you’re maximizing your potential, so the more you know, the better.

The goal is to get your statement distilled down into two or three laser-focused sentences that the hiring manager will consider relevant. To make that happen, go back and look at the job you’re applying for and determine your target audience. Re-read the job description, keeping your eyes open for key phrases and words.

  • Who are they looking for?
  • What do they want that person to bring to the table? What value can they provide?
  • What would l look for in a hire if I were the one posting this job?

Once you identify those things, it’s time to figure out how you fit into them.

What are your top selling points? Find three or four things that define you as a professional, are unique to you, and involve skills you enjoy using. If you include things you’re good at but hate doing, you could find yourself only attracting interest on jobs that leave you stuck doing them again.

After that, see if you can identify any problems this position solves. Can you showcase value in that specific area?

As your summary starts to take shape, compare it to the job description and the company’s mission and values. How does your summary align with what the company is after? Keep rechecking as you adjust, ensuring it’s really on point by the time you’re done.

Now, there are also things you shouldn’t put in your statement. For example, proficiency in software that practically everyone knows – like Microsoft Office – isn’t ideal in your resume summary. Similarly, certain cliché adjectives, like ‘results-oriented,’ ‘hardworking,’ ‘innovative,’ and ‘motivated’ are also no-nos.

Now that we’ve looked at what to include and what NOT to include, it’s time to start writing your own resume summary examples.

Start out your statement by being specific! Make sure it’s tailored to not only the position but the company as well. Are you applying to five jobs? You should have five objective statements. Ten jobs? Ten statements, and so on.

Focus on how you’re a benefit to the company, not how the company can benefit you. Keep it valuable; make sure you point out what you bring to the table. Also, keep it short and sweet.

Finally, always open your statement with your title (or, for recent graduates, your degree earned). Why? Because you want to let whoever is reading the resume know at a glance exactly who they’re dealing with.

Remember, there are lots of people applying for these jobs, and the last thing you want to do is get lost in the shuffle. Plus, if the job is specifically looking for someone to fill a role and you’re already doing that role at another job, you’ve just ensured that the hiring managers take a second look at your resume!

Resume Summary Examples

Are you looking for more inspiration? Here are a few resume summary statement examples that you can use as a starting point.

Just remember, don’t use them verbatim. You want to tailor these statements to the needs of the company you are interviewing with, and you can’t do that if you use these word-for-word.

Still, these resume summary examples will get you moving in the right direction. Here are 15 examples of a professional summary for a resume, each aligned with different careers and various experience levels.

1. Newly-Minted Nursing Assistant

Certified nursing assistant with training in vital sign monitoring, patient examinations, wound dressing, patient records, and phlebotomy. Graduated at the top of the class, passing the exam with a score in the top 1%. Completed internship in a fast-paced, local clinic, offering exceptional patient care and consistently exceeding expectations.

2. Recent Engineering Graduate

Engineering Graduate with leadership training and experience with academic training at the University of Montana. Proven skills in project management, organization, and research with a background in office administration and organization. Able to provide employers with administrative support and professional communication skills.

3. Restaurant Shift Lead

Shift lead with 3+ years at a fast-paced, high-end dining restaurant with proven leadership capabilities. Experience overseeing teams of 12+ in a high-energy, customer-focused environment. Skilled at schedule management, conflict resolution, and adapting to ever-changing priorities.

4. Digital Marketing Professional

Digital marketing specialist with 2+ years of experience working at a high-volume firm focused on consumer food products. Skilled at creating content across several leading platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Helped launch TikTok for an emerging beverage brand, securing 10,000 followers in just three months. 

5. Administrative Office Manager

Current Administrative Office Manager. Versatile, reliable, and efficient with 8+ years of experience supporting managers and executives in high-paced environments. Diversified skills include client relations, human resources, recruiting, project management, and administrative support. Excellent phone and digital communication skills.

6. Call Center Representative

Call center representative with 4+ years of experience in a high-volume environment, handing upward of 100 contacts daily. Supported both sales and technical support departments, securing an average customer satisfaction rate of 92% across both areas.

7. IT Specialist Pivoting to New Field

Proven IT Specialist with experience in start-ups as well as established operations leveraging expertise in organization, computer networking, and problem-solving to provide exceptional user support and assistance in resolving conflict. Experience includes managing sensitive materials and providing after-hours support for clients.

8. Architectural Project Coordinator

Architectural Project Coordinator with over fifteen years of experience. Versatile, bilingual professional with management experience ranging in size from small private projects to full-scale multi-million-dollar high profile corporate construction projects. Ability to oversee and manage hundreds of individuals while ensuring timely completion of project deadlines, all while remaining on or under budget.

9. Recruiter

Recruiter with 8+ years of experience in a large industrial environment with fluctuating, seasonal needs. Organized and coordinated large-scale hiring events, securing 20 new hires for seasonal positions in just three days. Overall time-to-hire reduced by 56%, while new hire quality improved by 31%.

10. Sales Manager

Experienced sales manager in the retail industry with strengths in customer service, sales, and negotiations. Proven skills in marketing, advertising, product integration, and promotions. Successful in developing strategies that have resulted in an over 20% increase in new customers. Instrumental in developing an incentives rewards program with a repeat customer success rate of over 45%.

11. Warehouse Manager

Reliable warehouse manager with 12+ years of experience overseeing operations and supervising teams of 10 or more. Leadership, coaching, and delegation skills. Certified heavy equipment operator, including forklift and scissor lift.

12. Project Manager

Project Manager with 10+ years of experience specializing in web production, education publications, public outreach, and consumer packaging. Professional, creative, and flexible with proven analytical skills. Adept at researching and crafting award-winning marketing campaigns for a wide variety of clients and products.

13. Data Analyst

Data analyst with 6 years of experience providing data-driven insights, creating critical reports, and supporting strategic operational objectives. Adept at both written and verbal communication, including explaining complex technical information in a simplified manner. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics.

14. Social Worker

Bilingual licensed social worker with more than 9 years of experience focused on geriatric care, serving as an advocate while providing counseling, coordinating care, and supporting families. Managed average caseload of 32 clients, collaborating with a multi-discipline team to ensure positive outcomes and provide holistic care.

15. Sales Department Executive

Sales executive with 11+ years of leadership experience. Rejuvenated underperforming department, boosting sales by 82% within 12 months. Strategic-minded and action-oriented, adept at finding scalable solutions designed to promote revenue growth and reduce expenditures.

Putting It All Together

So, there you have it. Use the tips and resume summary examples above to create the perfect start to your application. Just remember that the most important thing for you to do is spend the time researching the company you are interviewing with and tailor your summary to the company. That way, you can stand out as an exceptional candidate.

FREE : Resume Summary PDF Cheat Sheet

Get our handy Resume Summary Cheat Sheet PDF .

In it you'll get word-for-word sample resume summaries covering a variety of positions you can use right away .

CLICK HERE TO GET THE RESUME SUMMARY CHEAT SHEET

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His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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best opening statement on a resume

How to Start a Resume: The Complete Guide to a Resume Introduction in 2024

Hailey Hudson

Think about the last book you read. When you picked up the book and read the first page, what enticed you to keep reading? Was it the first sentence? The first page? The first chapter? At some point, you made a decision about whether to keep reading the book--or whether to put it down in favor of another. That decision was likely made very close to the beginning of the book. And for hiring managers looking to fill open job positions, reading job seekers' resumes is often no different.

You don't have much time to convince a hiring manager to read your entire resume--statistics show they typically spend 6-7 seconds on each one. That's why a resume introduction is so important. As the first section of your resume, this summary uses a brief 1-3 sentences to explain who you are, what you do, and how you can add value to the company.

In this post, we'll cover the different types of resume introductions and how to write them. Plus, you’ll learn how to customize your resume introduction to make it stand out.  

3 Key Takeaways:

  • Resume introductions are brief statements that summarize the rest of your resume, highlighting your most relevant skills and qualifications.
  • It's important to use a resume intro because it grabs the eye of the hiring manager.
  • Best practices for writing a good resume introduction include customizing it for each job post, including metrics and action verbs, and writing your introduction last.

Why are resume introductions important?

A resume introduction, not to be confused with a resume headline, is a brief statement that appears at the beginning of your resume, summarizing your professional background and qualifications. You might also hear this section called a professional summary, resume summary statement, career summary, short professional bio , resume objective, or personal statement.

Some of these terms mean different things (we'll cover that in the next section). Others are interchangeable. But whatever the name, the idea is to catch the hiring manager's attention by providing a quick overview of your relevant skills , experience, and career goals.

This section of your resume is something you must pay attention to. Resume introductions are important because they "hook" a hiring manager, convincing your potential employer to keep reading and learning more about you.

An effective resume opening statement entices the reader by highlighting your unique selling points. It sets the tone for the rest of your resume and helps you stand out from other applicants.

Understanding the basics of a resume introduction

Your resume's opening statement might include information on your educational background, relevant skills, work experience, or anything else that counts toward your strongest selling points. The idea is simply to provide a concise, well-written overview of any relevant information that will grab the employer's attention.

Just like choosing the right resume format, you'll also need to choose the right resume introduction. There are a few different types of resume introductions from which you can choose. Make a good first impression by using the right one for your situation, such as a:

  • Resume objective: While a career objective was once a staple in resume writing, times have changed. In today's job market, your goals and objectives are secondary to demonstrating your potential value to the organization. Rather than an objective statement, consider a professional summary that packs a persuasive punch.
  • Professional summary: As a way to summarize your career, a resume summary is ideal for somebody who has diverse workplace experiences under their belt. We encourage most Teal users to stick with a professional summary. 
  • Qualifications summary: Use a qualifications summary if your skills and experience are highly relevant to the position you're targeting. This can help prove that you're qualified for the job.

How to write a resume introduction

In this section, we'll explore how to craft an introduction that showcases your value and motivates the hiring manager to continue evaluating your application. The tips we'll share can mean the difference between getting an interview and being overlooked in the review process.

A powerful intro that sparks interest and highlights your strengths, experience, and passion for the work can lead to an interview—or mean missing the chance altogether.  

The tips we'll share will equip you to craft an introduction that gets you noticed and motivates the reader to keep turning the page. Make your opening count by showcasing what you can offer that no one else can.  

Make sure your resume introduction is the proper length

Start a resume off right by choosing the type of introduction that's best for your current work history and industry skills. The best length for a resume introduction is 1-3 sentences. This gives you enough space to call out the most important information without going overboard (remember, the idea is to write something that people will actually take the time to read).

Match your introduction to a job description

To more effectively position yourself as a successful employee, remember to customize your resume introduction for each job application. Read the job requirements mentioned in the job description and note any ATS keywords , technical skills, or other specific qualifications. Then make sure to incorporate those words into your resume summary or objective to position yourself as someone who has exactly what the company is looking for.  \

Teal's Job Application Tracker & AI Resume Builder help extract the top keywords so you can quickly customize your resume and let a company know exactly why you are applying for a specific position. (Teal's Matching Mode in the free AI Resume Builder can make writing a resume much easier--more on this in a minute.)

Make sure to include metrics

If you're able to include numbers in your resume introduction-- specific metrics or other quantifiable information--this is a great way to prove your capabilities right off the bat. Metrics contribute to a great resume introduction because they demonstrate the impact you made at your prior organization.

To find metrics, consider how success and performance are measured in your industry or job position. Then see if you can dig up relevant numbers. Incorporate what you find by adding a resume opening sentence that sounds something like: "Accomplished mid-career copywriter who crafted SEO-optimized blog posts that improved click-through rate by 10%."

Use strong action verbs

Another helpful tip for the best resume introduction: Use action verbs. Strong action words help spice up your opening statements by bringing your prior work to life and strengthening your resume summary, as the hiring manager can easily picture the impressive work you did.

You can find countless lists of action verbs for resume online that will help you paint a vivid picture of your key skills in your resume intro.

Write your resume introduction last

And while this may sound counterintuitive, it's actually helpful to write your resume introduction last. It'll be faster and easier to go through your finished resume and pull out the highlights rather than starting from scratch (nobody likes staring at that blinking cursor).

Make it easier to write your opening statement and impress hiring managers by using Matching Mode in Teal's AI Resume Builder . Quickly compare the skills and keywords in the job posting to those in your resume. Then receive a "match score" and see where you can strengthen your resume by adding additional relevant experience.

Resume introduction examples

Regardless of your resume format, these examples of resume introductions can inspire you to create a compelling resume that will assist you in your job hunt.

Resume introduction for student

"As a highly motivated student pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology with an interest in sleep research, I'm excited to apply my academic knowledge and gain hands-on experience in the field through an internship. I'm a quick learner and team player with a solid understanding of the principles of neuroscience, physiology, and research methodologies, and I am ready to contribute to ongoing research projects focused on improving our understanding of sleep and sleep disorders."

Resume introduction for recent graduate

"As a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in biology and a passion for understanding the science of sleep, I'm eager to apply my knowledge and skills to a career in sleep research. With a strong foundation in neuroscience, physiology, and research methodologies, I'm well-equipped to contribute to studies aimed at improving our understanding of sleep disorders and their treatments."

Resume introduction for entry level professional

"As a skilled HVAC professional, my strong foundation in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems makes me well-equipped to make a positive impact. I have gained practical experience through hands-on projects helping with the installation and maintenance of various HVAC systems. I am confident that I have the skills and motivation to excel in this industry."

Resume introduction for mid-level professional

"As an experienced social media marketing professional, I'm excited to apply my project management skills and expertise to drive growth and engagement for your organization. With a proven track record of success in developing and executing social media strategies, I have a strong track record of delivering results managing social media campaigns across a variety of platforms. I am highly analytical and data-driven, and am also a creative thinker who is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage audiences and drive business results."

Resume introduction for experienced professional

"With over a decade of experience as an attorney, I have a proven track record of success in handling complex legal matters, including contract negotiations, civil litigation, and intellectual property disputes. I am highly skilled in legal analysis, negotiation, and advocacy, and I have a reputation for delivering results that exceed expectations. My strong communication skills and attention to detail make me an asset to any legal team."

Make your entire resume stand out with Teal

If you're looking for a quicker and easier way to craft your resume, Teal can help. Use the AI technology integrated within Teal's AI Resume Builder to generate professional summaries directly within the Teal platform. 

By following these steps, you can ensure that you receive AI outputs of the highest quality:

  • If you haven’t signed up already, create a Teal account and download the Chrome extension without any charges or commitments. 
  • Next, log into your web browser account and select the AI Resume Builder on the left-side navigation bar.
  • Scroll until you reach the “Professional Summary” section, then click the button that says “Generate with AI”. 
  • If the response doesn't meet your expectations, you have the option to edit it or choose the "Regenerate with AI'' feature. 
  • After selecting the best summary, make sure to save it.

Note: Each Teal member will receive two AI-generated professional summaries, while Teal+ members can enjoy unlimited access to summaries. 

Create multiple versions of your professional summary using Teal’s AI integration feature. Then attach a job description to incorporate relevant keywords. Finally, send your polished resume off to the job ad and impress human resources with your resume introduction and beyond.

Teal’s AI features can also help you generate resume accomplishments and an entire cover letter as well. Sign up for a free Teal account today to see for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

best opening statement on a resume

Hailey Hudson

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Resume Introduction: How to Write a Resume Opening That Impresses!

Having trouble starting a resume the resume introduction (opening paragraph) needs to be on point. here's how to write an intro paragraph on a resume sure to impress the hiring manager and hr reps.

Goodwall Team

“So tell us about yourself.”

That question may send a chill down your spine.

Where do you even start? Do you talk only about your work experience? Your personal life? Or just freeze up and say nothing?

Thankfully, resumes are usually the first glance that the employer will ever catch of you. 

Wondering how to start a resume?

Whether you apply online, drop it off in person, or post it on every streetlight (which we don’t suggest), you have the opportunity to craft a polished written statement that answers that dreaded question. 

That statement is what we call the  resume introduction statement . Want to learn how to craft your own? Keep reading below!

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Now, let’s get started with resume intros and opening statements:

First Impressions Are Huge

While first impressions aren’t everything, they are incredibly important. Especially when you are one lone resume in a sea of applicants. You need to shine!

Many scientific studies mention the importance of the first impression.  According to one study , a person forms their first impressions about someone within the first 1/10th of a second of seeing them.

While you don’t need to worry about landing your dream job in 1/10th of a second, you need to think about how your first impression with the employer will occur.

If you submit your resume through any online platform, such as a job listing or an email, then the recruiter’s first impression of you will be when they open the document. If science backs up the claim that  we make snap judgments within seconds , then we can assume that your resume introduction paragraph will be the true first impression.

So let’s make it awesome!

Related Read : How to List Education on a Resume: Complete Guide and Examples

What Is the Intention of an Opening Statement for Resume?

To make an awesome opening statement for your resume, we first need to break down what the purpose of the introduction really is. A Resume Introduction Paragraph is a short and clear way of sharing your personal interests and experiences with the employer. It is also a great way of clarifying what qualities you are looking for in a job.

Think about it like a first date for you and the company! (Actually, maybe don’t do that… that’s an HR nightmare waiting to happen.) Let’s use a different example.

A better example is the “Skip Ads” example: you are on YouTube, waiting to watch a new video. An advertisement comes up with a “You May Skip this Ad in 5 Seconds” button on the side.

What can that company say within the first 5 seconds that will get you to watch their advertisement?

Think about your resume’s opening statement as your personal advertisement. You are giving your potential employer a quick snippet of your product (which is you), and hopefully getting them to buy it!

Now that you understand the intention behind the resume introduction, let’s get into specifics. In the next section, we’ll break down the two main types of introduction paragraphs.

The Two Types of Introduction Paragraphs

There are two main types of resume intro paragraphs: The Resume Summary Statement and the Resume Objective Statement. While both set out to accomplish the same result, they are specifically formatted based on the amount of experience you have in the field.

The  Resume Summary Statement  is best for applicants with several years of experience in their field and are planning to progress within that field. The  Resume Objective Statement  is best for those new to the industry or anyone making a career change/coming back from an employment gap.

We’ll go into depth on both of these options in the next two sections.

Related Read : Resume Job History: How to List Work Experience on a Resume Right

The Resume Summary Statement

A Resume Summary Statement is a quick way to organize and focus on many years of work experience and projects in a relevant subject area. Summary statements often include quantifiable stats about your work. Some examples of those include:

  • Managed a remote team of over 50 people
  • Contributed to boosting positive customer reviews by over 45%
  • Prepared 300+ students for standardized testing

Remember: you are more than a number, and so is your work. Don’t exclude something you’re proud of just because it doesn’t look “impressive” enough.

Also remember: numbers alone can’t get you the job. If you can sandwich together your quantifiable stats with specific descriptors of the experiences you can’t put into numbers, you are golden!

Here’s an example of that:

“Seasoned and innovative event planner with over 6 years of experience in the Atlanta entertainment industry. Organized and executed events with an attendance of 500+ people. Maintains a strong relationship with local leaders and community members.”

This summary statement gives the reader both quantifiable and contextual job experiences, which humanizes the applicant and gives the reader a clearer picture of who you really are (and how skilled you are at writing !).

Don’t have any specific examples that fit the job you’re looking for? That’s ok! You might do better with an Objective Statement. Let’s discuss that next.

Related Read : Hobbies and Interests on a Resume: Why and How to Include Them

The Resume Objective Statement

Whether you’re entering the job market for the first time, coming back from a break, or switching career paths, you might feel as though you don’t have relevant enough experiences to list in a Resume Summary Statement.

That’s where objective statements come in!

Objective statements are better for highlighting skills rather than experience. This is a great way to showcase skills you’ve learned in school or from jobs in other industries.

Some examples of this include:

  • Dedicated and motivated engineering graduate seeking entry-level assistant quality control manager position with Company X
  • Looking to transition my 4 years of experience in client-facing problem solving into a more behind-the-scenes role

When writing an objective statement, the most important thing is to  be specific.  If you don’t have any quantifiable statistics about your job experience, you must be specific about where your current expertise fits in with the company.

Let’s use the “skip ads” example again here: you may have a product that people don’t think they need, but if you can garner even a smidge of that person’s interest within the first 5 seconds of your ad, they might try and find ways to justify purchasing your product.

Have you decided which type of statement is best for your experience level? Great! Now, let’s dive into how to start writing your personal statement.

Related Read : Resume Skills: How to Put Skills on a Resume the Right Way in 2021

How to Start

If you happen to already have an  elevator pitch , that is a great place to start!

Don’t have an elevator pitch? Don’t worry. You can check out our other blog post on “ How to Create an Elevator Pitch in 5 Easy Steps ”.

If that rent payment is quickly approaching and you don’t have time to read another article, that’s ok too. Just follow these EASY instructions:

Examine your work history. What have you previously done that could fit this position? Is there a quantifiable way to state that? If so, do it!

Accomplishments

What are some of your most impressive accomplishments? These can be both in your work life and your personal life if it makes sense to include. (Maybe don’t tell them about that hot dog eating contest you won in Florida, though.)

Proficient in a certain software? Include that. Great at public speaking? Include that. If something you’re good at happens to fit a task you might face at this new job, include it!

Whatever you decide to include, make sure you can actually do it. And make sure you can do it on the spot if asked to.

You are more than your job experience. Recruiters aren’t hiring resumes, they’re hiring people. Make sure your opening statement matches the vibe that you want to give off.

For example, if you are an incredibly creative and outgoing person, you probably want to tell them more about your people skills than your Excel spreadsheet skills. No harm in mentioning both, just start with what you feel represents you best.

Related Read : How to List Your Achievements on Your Resume (the Right Way) in 2021

You Have Everything You Need to Succeed

Now that you have all of the information needed on how to open a resume, it’s time to do just that!

If you get stuck at any point or just need an extra boost of motivation before you start, remember this:  you are enough.

You are not just your job experience, you’re a human being! Career changes, gaps in employment, and first jobs are all a part of life. You are exactly where you need to be to get the job you want.

Need help with the rest of your resume? We’ve got you!

Check out one of our other resume writing blog posts in our career section . And, if you have any questions on writing a great introduction statement or opening paragraph on a resume, just leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading, and good luck on your job hunt!

Related Read : 55 Resume Tips, Hacks & Expert Advice to Help You Score a Job Interview

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Career Sidekick

24 Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

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:

Social Media Specialist Job posting

“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!

Biron Clark

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

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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.

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30 Resume Summary Examples + How to Write One in 2024

Stephen Greet

  • 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

Truck driver resume example with 10 years experience

What is a Summary on a Resume?

Young man in front of his laptop reading his 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

Young lady sitting at her laptop writing her resume

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

A PC monitor and laptop showing well written resumes

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:

Programmer resume summary

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

Young man sitting behind his computer screen happily typing away

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Customer service representative 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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Human resources manager 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 :

Registered nurse 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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Sales representative 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 :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Teacher resume summary example

  • 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

Server resume summary example

22. Nanny resume summary

Nanny resume summary example

23. Data Entry resume summary

Data entry resume summary example

24. Marketing resume summary

Marketing resume summary example

25. Teacher Assistant resume summary

Teacher assistant resume summary example

26. Caregiver resume summary

Caregiver resume summary example

27. Social Worker resume summary

Social worker resume summary example

28. Dental Assistant resume summary

Dental assistant resume summary example

29. Front-End Developer resume summary

Front-end developer resume summary example

30. Web Developer resume summary

Web developer resume summary example

Resume Summary Recap & Your Next Steps

Young lady going over notes on a blackboard

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

Senior financial analyst resume template with 10 years of experience

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IMAGES

  1. How to Write an Opening Statement for Your Resume + 10 Examples

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  2. 19++ Resume opening summary statement examples That You Should Know

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  3. Opening Statement In Resume Examples

    best opening statement on a resume

  4. Opening Statement Examples For A Resume

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  5. FREE 9+ Sample Opening Statement Templates in PDF

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  6. 23+ Opening Statement Templates in PDF

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VIDEO

  1. How to write a personal statement perfectly in your Resume

  2. How to write a resume summary statement #wfhproblems #workfromhome #wfhlife

  3. Free Personal Statement For Your Resume? Ask Chat GPT!

  4. Reading my HARVARD and STANFORD Personal Statement & RESUME

  5. Correct way to get a review for your statement of purpose or resume

  6. When to Use Objective Statement in Your Resume

COMMENTS

  1. How To Write a Resume Opening Statement (+10 Examples)

    Avoid using too much jargon, and instead, focus on words that emphasize your strengths and skills. Include relevant keywords that match the job posting. This will help you stand out to the hiring manager and demonstrate that you are a great fit for the position. Tailor your opening statement to each job you apply for.

  2. 46 Examples of a Resume Opening Statement (Perfect Introduction)

    For example, "Increased sales by 20% within a year through strategic marketing initiatives.". Include relevant experience. Mention your most pertinent past roles. If you're a recent graduate, focus on education, internships, and important projects. Add your career goals.

  3. How to Write an Opening Statement for Your Resume + 10 Examples

    Here's a template you can use for your resume opening statement: [Executive] with experience leading [industry] businesses [describe size of businesses]. [Describe impactful element of role, with specific numbers]. Proven experience [mention 2-3 skills that are relevant to the job].

  4. 20 Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

    More Opening Statement Examples for Resumes [16-20] 16. Seasoned Grocery Clerk with 12 years of experience in the grocery business. Offering basic math skills, good verbal communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and ability to work with others, work in a fast-paced environment, and work Saturdays and evenings. 17.

  5. Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

    Example 5. A recent graduate of XYZ University with a degree in Communications. An excellent written and verbal communicator with experience in customer service and the ability to think on my feet. Looking for an entry-level position in the communications field where I can use my skills to help your company succeed.

  6. 25 Best Resume Opening Statement Examples

    Here are some helpful tips in this regard: 1. An excellent resume opening calls for a summary of your skills, a few adjectives to describe your work style, and act as a snapshot of your capabilities. 2. Write a unique resume opening for each time you apply, tailoring the statement according to the recruiter's priorities. 3.

  7. How To Write A Resume Objective Statement (Examples Included)

    2) Making It All About You. This is a trap that many job seekers fall into, as they can't resist to use the objective to list off all of the things that they want to get out of the position. EXAMPLE: Hi, I'm Joe Jobseeker and I really want a job in a company where I make a ton of money doing as little as possible.

  8. Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes

    20 Best Opening Statement Examples for Resumes Example 1. Innovative and initiative-taking marketing professional with extensive experience in all facets of the marketing mix. Track record of success in developing and executing integrated marketing programs that drive revenue growth and brand awareness. Proven ability to think outside the box ...

  9. Resume Introduction: 4 Different Ways to Open Your Resume

    1. Keep it concise. Hiring managers and recruiters often spend just seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to give it more attention. A long, wordy introduction is more likely to bore them or cause them to stop reading. A tight, concise introduction grabs attention and demonstrates good communication skills.

  10. Resume Opening Statement: Everything You Can Consider in 2022

    These points will help you to write a professional summary for resume in 2022: Use simple English language and avoid complex vocabulary to improve readability. Do not exceed more than 5 lines while writing your resume opening statement. Add technical keywords picked from the job description to your resume introduction.

  11. Resume Introduction [+Intro Paragraph Examples]

    Sample Introductions for a Resume. Outgoing project manager with more than 5 years of experience in working on high-level projects with mid-sized teams. Excellent relationship building and management skills. Delivered projects minimum $10K below costs and 10% faster than projected.

  12. Rethinking Resume Opening Statements: Opt for a Professional Summary

    Step 4: Highlight key skills and expertise. Identify the most relevant and in-demand skills you have that directly relate to the job. Incorporate these skills into your professional summary (and in your resume, "Work Experience" and "Skills Sections," too), emphasizing your expertise and accomplishments in those areas.

  13. 51 Examples of General Resume Objective Statements

    51 Examples of General Resume Objective Statements. An objective statement is a useful section on your resume that showcases your skills, experience and career goals. Hiring managers can review this statement to better understand your professional history. If you're creating a resume, reviewing examples of career objectives may be useful for you.

  14. How To Craft The Opening Statement Of Your Resume

    Branding Statement Here's a quick checklist of things NOT to do when crafting the opening statement of your resume: 1. Don't Generalize. Focus, not generalization is critical. Say, for example, the VP of Sales for a Fortune 500 company gets a hold of your resume. They are reading your opening statement that starts with: "Sales executive ...

  15. Crafting a Compelling CV Opening Statement (Examples Included)

    Personal statement or summary. A personal statement or summary provides a concise overview of your experience and skills. This is the first part of your CV that recruiters will read and get an introduction to who you are. A personal statement should be 3-5 concise sentences. Introduce yourself, your achievements, and your career goals.

  16. 15 Amazing Resume Summary Statement Examples for Job Seekers

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