what is a 1 year experience summary on a resume

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27 Great Resume Summary Examples to Get Hired

20 min read · Updated on August 28, 2024

Your resume summary is the first impression you make on potential employers, so it's crucial to get it right

When it comes to job applications, your resume is often the first point of contact with prospective employers. It's essential to make a good impression right from the start, and that's where your resume summary comes in. 

What is a resume summary? 

How can you create one that will help your resume stand out from the competition?

In this article, we'll explain the resume summary and why it's so vital for job search success. We'll also teach you how to write a great resume summary that will grab any employer's attention and provide 27 fantastic resume summary examples that you can customize to fit your job search needs.

What is a resume summary?

To understand a resume summary, it's important to understand the challenge that good summaries are designed to overcome. Employers who are looking for new hires often need to compare many dozens or even hundreds of resumes to find the best candidates for the job. Few hiring personnel have the time needed to thoroughly examine every single resume that they receive.

Instead, employers typically spend no more than five or six seconds scanning any given resume. If a resume manages to capture their interest in those few seconds, they'll take the time to read it in greater detail. 

However, if your resume doesn't grab their attention, it's likely to be rejected without any further examination. So, the challenge is to find a way to quickly earn the reader's interest and inspire them to read the rest of the document.

That's where a professional summary for a resume comes into play. As you'll see from our resume summary examples, a good summary is the resume equivalent of a salesperson's elevator pitch. 

This brief statement should highlight your experience and job title, one or two key skills, and a couple of your most prominent achievements. When your summary is crafted well, it will provide the employer with a quick overview of your potential value as a new hire.

Once you've written your summary, you should place it right after your contact information and resume headline so that it's the first thing employers see. If you've done your job properly, that summary will be compelling enough to make the reader want to learn more about the type of value you can bring to the job.

How should you start a resume summary?

Since your summary is designed to capture the reader's attention, it's vital to start this paragraph off in a compelling way.  While the statement should be brief, it should also clearly communicate your unique value proposition. Here are some examples of strong opening statements:

Innovative Marketing Manager with over five years of experience in developing and executing successful campaigns for Fortune 500 companies

Results-driven Sales Executive with a proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and building strong client relationships

Skilled Customer Service Representative with expertise in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication

Tips for writing a resume summary

To make sure that you create the most powerful resume summary possible, follow our top tips:

Be specific

When writing a resume summary, it's essential to be specific and quantify your achievements wherever possible. Instead of saying, "Experienced marketing professional," try saying, "Experienced marketing professional with expertise in managing successful social media campaigns, resulting in increases of up to 30% in website traffic."

This provides concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrates your value to potential employers.

Reflect on your career

When it comes to writing a strong resume summary, you should engage in some self-reflection. Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), take some time to think about your key skills, experiences, and achievements. This will help you identify the most important information to include in your summary. Review your past roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments, and think about how they relate to the job you're applying for. Ask yourself:

What have I achieved in my career?

What skills have I developed?

What makes me stand out from other applicants?

Identify your key skills

One of the most important things to include in your resume summary is your key skills. These are the abilities that set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Begin by making a list of your top skills, then prioritize them based on relevance to the job you're applying for.

Highlight your relevant experiences

Next, think about relevant experiences that you can include in your summary. This includes any previous jobs or internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that have given you valuable experience. Consider what you've learned and achieved in each role and how that relates to the job you're applying for.

You should focus on what is most relevant to your target job. Here are some examples:

Proven ability to increase sales revenue by 20% year-over-year

Expertise in project management and team leadership

Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365

Confident working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders

Keep it concise

Remember, your resume summary should be concise and to the point. Stick to the most important information and avoid filler words or irrelevant details. A good rule of thumb is to keep your summary to 3-5 sentences.

Use action verbs

When describing your experiences and achievements, use strong action verbs and adverbs to convey a sense of accomplishment and momentum. For example, instead of saying, "Responsible for managing social media accounts," say, "Successfully manage 4 social media accounts, including Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram."

Quantify your achievements

Wherever possible, use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements. This provides concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrates your value to potential employers. For example, instead of saying, "Helped to increase sales," say, "Helped to increase sales by 20% in the first year."

Tailor it to the job

Make sure your resume's professional summary is tailored to the job you're seeking. This means highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role. Look at the job description identify the key requirements, and then make sure your summary addresses these points.

Professional resume summary examples

Since there's nothing quite like seeing an example of a great summary, we've compiled twenty-seven great resume summary examples that you can use as inspirational templates for your own perfect resume . Below, you'll find summary examples for a variety of different job roles, including:

Customer Service Representative

Sales Representative

Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Software Developer

Human Resources Manager

Graphic Designer

Registered Nurse

Financial Analyst

Administrative Assistant

Data Entry Clerk  

Business Analyst

Operations Manager  

Mental Health Counselor

High School Teacher

Event Manager

Product Designer

Content Marketer

SEO Specialist

Bank Teller

Software Support Specialist

Data Scientist

Dental Assistant

1.    Customer Service Representative resume summary example

"Highly motivated Customer Service Representative with 5 years of experience in delivering service excellence. Skilled in conflict resolution and problem-solving, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rate. Proven ability to multitask in fast-paced environments while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's experience and skills while also showcasing their relevant achievements in ensuring customer satisfaction. It mentions how much experience they have and highlights a measurable success.

2.    Sales Representative resume summary example

"Dynamic Sales Representative with a track record of exceeding sales quotas by 20%+. Proficient in consultative sales techniques and relationship building. Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to close deals."

Why it works : This summary provides a quantifiable achievement to show the candidate's success in their previous sales roles while also highlighting their key skills in relationship building and communication.

3.    Marketing Manager resume summary example

"Strategic Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns across multiple channels. Skilled in market research and analysis, campaign optimization, and team leadership. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and increasing brand awareness."

Why it works : This summary emphasizes the candidate's experience and leadership skills while also showcasing their ability to drive results through successful marketing campaigns. The candidate has also demonstrated their ability to grow revenues and raise brand awareness.

4.    Project Manager resume summary example

"Accomplished Project Manager, with confidence in leading cross-functional teams and managing project timelines, budgets, and resources. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders. Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's extensive project management experience and emphasizes their ability to successfully deliver projects while working with multiple stakeholders.

5.   Software Developer resume summary example

"Innovative Software Developer with 5+ years of experience in designing, developing, and implementing complex software applications. Skilled in programming languages including Java, Python, and C++. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in Agile environments to deliver high-quality code on time."

Why it works : This job seeker has taken the time to highlight some of the technical skills they possess while emphasizing their ability to work in Agile environments. They also call attention to the fact that they can manage and complete a software development project from design to implementation.

6.    Human Resources Manager resume summary example

"Experienced Human Resources Manager specializing in talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management. Skilled in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures that align with business objectives and values. Proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's experience in various HR functions and emphasizes their ability to build and manage teams. It also shows that they can perform managerial functions like developing policies and procedures.

7.    Graphic Designer resume summary example

"Creative Graphic Designer with particular expertise in developing and executing visually stunning designs for print and digital media. Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, with a focus on typography and layout. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously."

Why it works : This summary works well because it showcases their technical skills and experience while also emphasizing creativity and an ability to work collaboratively.

8.    Registered Nurse resume summary example

"Compassionate Registered Nurse with over 10 years' experience in providing high-quality patient care. Skilled at patient assessment, medication administration, and treatment plan development. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with patients and their families."

Why it works : This summary emphasizes the candidate's clinical and patient care experience and highlights their key nursing and interpersonal skills.

9.   Financial Analyst resume summary example

“Detail-oriented Financial Analyst with a strong background in financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting. Combines advanced Excel skills with the ability to create and manage financial reports. Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.”

Why it works : This summary showcases the applicant's specific skills and experience in financial analysis and highlights their proficiency in Excel, a crucial tool for the role.

10.   Administrative Assistant resume summary example

“Skilled Administrative Assistant with 8 years of experience in administrative support and office administration. Resilient, detail-oriented, and able to work under extreme pressure in a team environment. Excellent interpersonal, client management, and interdepartmental liaison skills. Committed to successful management of multiple simultaneous projects, strict adherence to deadline requirements, and accurate maintenance of schedules, meeting obligations, and records.”

Why it works : An Administrative Assistant wears many hats and experiences many challenges. This resume summary covers a lot of ground to demonstrate that the candidate understands those obstacles and knows how to overcome them.

11.   Data Entry Clerk resume summary example

“Task-driven and results-oriented professional with more than 10 years of experience in data entry, project coordination, and customer service. Uses interpersonal skills including effective communication to build rapport and positive relations with customers, gather vital information, and ensure rapid and accurate entry of data into designated software programs.”

Why it works : This resume summary is effective because it gets right to the heart of the job: dealing with customers and entering data into databases. The candidate also emphasizes their results-focused mindset, project skills, and key soft skills.

12.   Business Analyst resume summary example

“Results-driven Business Analyst with a proven record in expanding profitability by 55% in the retail industry.  Confident carrying out data-focused analysis that provides key insights and recommendations for growth strategies. Strong interpersonal and team building skills, innovative approach to problem-solving , and resolute commitment to efficiency and productivity.”

Why it works : Business analysis is all about using data and research to deliver key insights that result in improved operations and greater business success. This summary hits all the right notes as it focuses on key skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, and notable achievements that reflect real value for employers.

13.   Operations Manager resume summary example

“Results-oriented Operations Manager with more than 10 years of supervisory experience in high-level operational environments. Adept at coordinating both large and small teams, outside consultants, and mid-level management personnel. Successfully introduced Lean manufacturing principles that reduced costs by 32% via waste elimination and process revitalization.”

Why it works : This candidate's summary emphasizes key skills that the employer wants to see in any managerial candidate's resume while also showcasing their knowledge of best operational practices and a commitment to cost reduction.

14.   Mental Health Counselor resume summary example

“Compassionate Mental Health Counselor with more than a decade of experience addressing mental health issues and behavioral concerns. Proven success in both individual and group counseling environments, assisting clients in gaining insight and understanding of their unique conditions. Specialized focus on working with young adults and families, with an emphasis on addressing substance abuse root causes and other social factors involved in mental health.”

Why it works : This resume summary is notable for citing important skills like empathy and compassion. It also focuses attention on the candidate's experience in dealing with common mental health concerns and hints at their preferred approach to assisting patients.

15.    High School Teacher resume summary example

“Dynamic high school teacher with 12 years of experience developing approved curricula for more than 500 students in grades 9-12. Proven track record of helping students to achieve a 98% passing rate in both Western Civilization and World History instruction. Actively engaged in every aspect of education, at the district, local, and parent-teacher level.”

Why it works : This candidate's resume summary highlights their vast experience while illustrating their success in ensuring that their students learn what they need to know to pass the class. They also demonstrate their commitment to the educational process by highlighting their involvement in every area of education.

16.    Accountant resume summary example

“Diligent and detail-oriented CPA with seven years of experience in accounting, process improvement, and problem-solving. Skilled at identifying inefficiencies and using reporting to offer insights that can guide employers to better practices and greater profitability. At XYZ Corp., identified labor usage inefficiency that motivated management to introduce new scheduling that eliminated $300,000 in labor waste.”

Why it works : In addition to highlighting a wide range of valuable skills, this candidate also focused on a quantifiable achievement that illustrates real value. This type of summary would certainly capture a hiring manager's attention and make them want to read more!

17.    Event Manager resume summary example

“Resilient and creative Event Manager with 6 years of corporate experience. Detail-oriented perfectionist with experience in project management, team leadership, and customer relations. Successfully organized and executed more than 40 major business conferences, hosting thousands of guests. Major clients have included three Fortune 500 firms with multi-million-dollar event budgets.

Why it works : As Event Managers go, this one has certainly made the rounds. That summary of achievements highlights their ability to manage even large-scale events, dealing with every aspect of the project. How could a serious hiring manager not want to learn more about this candidate?

18.    IT Manager resume summary example

“Dedicated IT Manager with significant experience in an innovative and growing tech firm. Skilled leader with experience in systems analysis, database architecture, problem-solving, and troubleshooting. Superior client satisfaction rate of more than 99%. Created and implemented an IT troubleshooting process that reduced internal client service time by 30%.”

Why it works : This IT professional focuses attention on their key leadership skills , while also mentioning the hard skills that any hiring manager is likely to be looking for. There's also a nice nod to their history of satisfying clients, as well as a notable and measurable achievement.

19.   Product Designer resume summary example

“Innovative Design Engineer with 5 years of experience in the development of products and packages. Skilled in market research, brand development and alignment, and design elements. Led team of seventeen Designers in the creation of industrial products that yielded $20 million in sales in the first month after launch.”

Why it works : This resume summary uses some important keywords, action verbs, and descriptive language to describe the candidate's key skills and experiences. It also cites an impressive product design achievement, along with real numbers that showcase value.

20.    Content Marketer resume summary example

“Creative marketing professional with 7 years' experience as a Content Marketer. Skilled writer who understands how written communication empowers business growth and expansion. Expertise in development of compelling content that drives activities across multiple media channels. Adaptable , detail-oriented, and focused on a brand-building approach to content strategy that drives real results. Developed a cross-platform content strategy that boosted sales conversion rates by 37%.

Why it works : This Content Marketer focuses on their key skills and keen insights into how content impacts business profitability. They even included a measurable result that demonstrates their focus on adding value to their employer's bottom line.

21.   SEO Specialist resume summary example

“Results-focused SEO expert with 6 years of experience in keyword mastery, the promotion of sustainable content, and growing organic website search engine rankings. Proven track record of SEO success, using content development and link outreach to expand website traffic activity from 10,000 daily visitors to more than 2,000,000 per year.”

Why it works : Many hiring managers may not fully understand SEO, but they will understand the need to get more eyes on their digital content. This candidate speaks to that need by focusing on website rankings, content, and overall web traffic - while including a quantifiable achievement that demonstrates their ability to make things happen.

22.   Copywriter resume summary example

“Website Copywriter with 5 years of experience in developing content that creates real conversions. Cross-channel expertise, including website content, advertising, newsletters, press releases, email, and podcast/video scripts. Proven track record of increasing social traffic by 36% and driving a 22% boost in landing page conversions.”

Why it works : This candidate's summary is focused not only on the type of things they write but how those content pieces directly contribute to the company's online presence and sales conversion rate. This illustrates the writer's understanding of how their work aligns with their employer's business needs and goals.

23.  Bank Teller resume summary example

“Empathetic and personable Bank Teller with more than 4 years of experience in client interactions at First Bank. Detail-oriented customer management approach, focused on superior customer experiences and client retention. Strict adherence to bank policy, including safety deposit guidelines, customer account security, and due diligence. Efficiently and effectively processed more than 200 client account interactions each day.”

Why it works : For a Bank Teller, much of the role's value lies in the employee's ability to serve as the face of the branch. This summary is effective because it showcases the Teller's knowledge of bank procedures while also highlighting their commitment to creating an excellent customer experience.

24.  Software Support Specialist resume summary example

“Problem-solving Software Support Specialist with 8 years of experience in customer-facing user assistance. Provided key problem-resolution services for hundreds of customers, with a focus on maximizing their satisfaction with the company to increase loyalty and retention. Experienced in both customer and B2B interactions, with a specialized talent for explaining technical problems in language that is easily understood by the average layperson.”

Why it works : This resume summary focuses not only on the candidate's specialized skills in solving computer issues but also highlights their ability to simplify their explanations to customers.

25.   Data Scientist resume summary example

“Committed Data Scientist focused on analytical insights that can drive company growth and development. More than eight years of experience providing data-driven analysis to Fortune 500 executives based on comprehensive statistical models and detailed historical data patterns. Successfully provided insights and recommendations used to increase company profits by 32% over a two-year period.”

Why it works : Data science may not seem like the most exciting field, but hiring managers are always on the hunt for candidates who understand why data matters. This candidate's focus on providing insights that can translate into real value for the employer is something that is likely to earn a hiring manager's interest.

26.  Dental Assistant resume summary example

“Dental Assistant with 5 years of experience with patient preparation, processing, and administrative support. Keen attention to detail and a commitment to dental health and aesthetics. Skilled in dental impressions, hands-on assistance during procedures, x-rays, and record maintenance. Fully committed to developing rapport with patients that creates a welcoming environment and a joyful experience.”

Why it works : This candidate's resume summary not only highlights key Dental Assistant requirements, but also conveys their personal approach to teamwork and patient care.

27.  Architect resume summary example

“Creative Architect experienced in high-end architectural design and development oversight. Ten years of proven success in creating sustainable designs that earn rave reviews and commendations from clients. Skilled in adapting to new challenges and working under pressure to achieve every client's vision. Consistently produces designs and project plans that come in on time and under budget, at 10%-30% less cost than industry competitors.”

Why it works : In this summary, the candidate highlights key skills that employers will want to see, while also emphasizing quantifiable results that demonstrate competitive value for the employer. They also showcase their ability to not only design architectural structures but to do so with a conscious awareness of critical factors like budgetary concerns, deadlines, sustainability and market competition.

Bonus: how to write a resume summary if you have no experience

Of course, it's also important to know how to write a resume summary if you have no experience. Here's a quick resume summary example that you can adapt if you are just entering the job market:

“Recent Marketing graduate, seeking an entry-level position to kickstart a career in the field. Demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork skills gained through involvement in various extracurricular activities, including volunteering at local events and leading group projects. Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud. Passionate about using marketing strategies to create engaging content and drive brand awareness.”

Why it works: This summary works because it highlights the candidate's relevant hard and soft skills and qualifications, even though they don't have direct career experience. The use of action words such as "demonstrated" and "proficient" shows the candidate's confidence in their abilities, which can be attractive to potential employers, showcasing the candidate's potential for success in an entry-level marketing role.

Key takeaways

A well-written resume summary can make a significant impact on a job application. A good summary should highlight relevant skills and experiences, use clear and concise language, and avoid unnecessary information. Feel free to customize any of the resume summary examples we've provided to help ensure that your resume captures the attention of potential employers.

We know it can be difficult to condense a whole career full of skills and achievements into a paragraph of only a few sentences. If you're unsure about the document you've crafted, why not send it for a free resume review by our team of expert resume writers? 

This article was originally written by Ken Chase. It has been updated by Marsha Hebert and Ken Chase.

Recommended reading:

Ask Amanda: How Are a Resume Objective and a Resume Summary Different?

How to Write a Standout Career Summary

Business Acumen: What It Is and How You Can Showcase It On Your Resume

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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• One-Year Experience

One-Year Experience resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for one-year experience

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your one-year work experience, include the relevant key skills that make you a great employee, detail your education & relevant certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a one-year experience resume, what type of salary you can expect.

You’re a fledgling professional who is ready to make their mark on the world. Sure, you might only have one year’s work experience, but you are truly just getting started. It’s time to take your career to the next level and find the perfect position for the next step in your journey. 

But before you can do that, you need to win over the hiring manager. Writing a 1-year experience resume that hooks their attention is the answer. This single document can make or break your application, and so you need to make sure that you get it right from the start.

When the hiring manager glances at your resume, they should instantly see your potential. So, how can you make sure that you showcase all that you have to offer? In the following guide, we will give you the tools that you need to succeed when you’re new to any industry.

Resume guide for a one-year experience resume

Supercharge your resume with Resume.io. We have guides for 500+ professions and resume examples . You can also use our resume builder to create a compelling resume with ease.

This resume guide and corresponding one-year experience resume example will cover:

How to write a one-year experience resume

• Choosing the right resume format for 1-year experience
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your one-year experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the current market looks like, and what salary you can expect

Before you can start writing your one-year experience resume, you need to know what elements to include. Here are the sections that you will need: 

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

You might be new to the sector, but you still need to tailor your one-year experience resume. Do some research into the field to which you are applying and, crucially, the company. The more you learn about the expectations of a prospective employer, the better position you will be in. 

So, when you have decided on a particular vacancy, take the time to delve into the business. For example, you can look at social media accounts, the company website, and any news surrounding the business. This should give you a decent overview of the company culture, and will allow you to ensure that your 1-year experience resume matches its general ethos.

Focus on what your unique selling proposition is when writing your resume. While you might not have a wealth of experience, you need to pinpoint what makes you special. Why should the hiring manager look twice at your resume? And what do you offer that no one else does? This may sound like a big ask. However, if you can nail it down, it will give you the competitive edge.

If you want to succeed, you need to show that you are more than just your experience. With that in mind, you should highlight the following:

• Your career achievements . One year is not a long time. However, during that period, there will have been certain “wins” that you want to shout about. Figure out what your biggest accomplishments are and use them as the centerpiece of your resume.
• Your specific area of expertise . The more niche your skills, the more likely you are to bag your next role. Consider what knowledge you currently have and how it applies to the vacancy to which you are applying.
• The right keywords . When you are writing your one-year experience resume, you need to get every detail on point. Including relevant keywords and phrases will help you get past the ATS screening software . Reflect on the job posting to see what words are there.

Selecting the right resume format could be the difference between success and failure. As standard, we recommend using the reverse chronological order to share your career story so far. That means starting with your most recent experience and working your way back in time. 

However, since you only have one year’s worth of experience, you may not have a whole lot to say about your prior work. Should that be the case, you may want to use a functional format . This resume format places more emphasis on your skills and expertise than it does your work experience. It may be that it suits your one year experience resume better than other options. 

To make the whole process super simple, you can select one of our many resume templates in our resume builder. Each one is designed with hiring managers’ needs and expectations in mind. Be sure to use a modern layout that is easy for the reader to understand quickly. 

Should your one-year experience resume win over the hiring manager, they will be eager to pick up the phone (or email you!). For that reason, you need to ensure that they have the information that they need straight away. That is where your header comes into place. This section sits at the top or side of your resume layout and includes the following details: 

• Full name & title . You should include your first and last name plus your job title.
• Professional email address . Avoid quirky email addresses or anything with nicknames in them. Instead, go for an address with your name in there.
• Phone number . Include a number and, if needed, when you will be available.
• Location . Don’t include your whole address. You can include your city and state . If you are willing to move, you can write 'Willing to Relocate,' too.
• LinkedIn . So long as your LinkedIn profile is up to date, you can include it here.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth . This inclusion can lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details . You don’t need to include your marital status, passport number , etc.

Maria Blanca

Admin Executive 

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[email protected]

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It’s time to tell the hiring manager why you’re perfect for this vacancy. Your resume summary is the only place that you speak directly to the reader. The freeform section should be between 50 and 200 characters, or around three lines. That doesn't give you much space to state your case.

The aim is to hook the reader’s attention. For that reason, you should lead with a strong statement about you and your expertise. Let the employer know why you are the right person for the role. To do this, you should have fully read the job description and criteria. 

The words you choose are vital to your success. Don’t bamboozle the reader with difficult words and jargon. That will impress no one. Trying to sound overly smart often results in you losing the reader at the first hurdle. Instead, stick with simple language and a smattering of action verbs . The latter will give your writing movement and show that you are a “do-er” not just a “talker”.

Wherever possible, quantify your statements. That may mean saying that you have “exceeded sales projections by 10% each quarter” rather than simply claiming to have “exceeded projections”. Remember, the more specific you can make each part of your resume summary, the more information you are sharing with the hiring manager. Give this your all. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration to help you with this part of your application, check out our selection of resume examples and writing guides. 

For example, you may be interested in ourL

• Entry-level HR resume sample
• Entry-level project manager resume example
• Accounting entry-level resume sample

You can find adaptable resume example summaries for different careers below:

Forward-thinking Web Designer with experience in UX. Knowledgeable in user interface, testing, and debugging processes. Bringing forth expertise in design, installation, testing and maintenance of web systems.

Skillful Inbound Customer Service Agent providing high quality service to callers, working address and meeting all needs. Adept at following communication scripts to properly handle various needs in a poised and professional manner.

Experienced and results-oriented Store Manager with one year of managerial experience in retail environments. Adept in employee relations, inventory organization, and visual merchandising. Customer service focused with a flair for experiential shopping.

Next up, it’s time to write the work experience section of your one-year resume. Chances are, you have only had one relevant role before now. That’s perfectly okay. Everyone has to start somewhere. Kick things off by including your position, the company, your dates of employment, and the location. Beneath that, you can add some bullet points detailing your achievements. 

It’s important to showcase the value that you brought to the role. To do this, you will need to think like the employer. What do they want from candidates? In each bullet point, include a quantifier which shows the impact that you had on the business as a whole, or simply the department. Here are some examples of the type of bullet points you may include: 

• “Utilized sales techniques and strategies to build customer relationships and close sales, resulting in a 10% increase in sales”
• “Resolved customer complaints with empathy and understanding, resulting in a 12% customer satisfaction rate”
• “Developed a new espresso blend for the coffee house that increased sales by 2.3%”

Using results-based points like the ones that we have outlined above will have a significant impact on the strength of your application. By adding in a statistic or timeframe, you show the hiring manager that your hard work paid off—literally. Avoid generic phrases and use this approach when it comes to writing the work experience section of your one-year resume. 

Want to add something more to your one-year resume? If you have any voluntary positions, you may want to include them in this section. Before doing so, consider how they relate to the role for which you are applying. Should this position allow you to emphasize your transferable skills, you can list it here. However, you should avoid entirely unrelated volunteering jobs here. 

Take a look at the one-year experience employment history resume sample below:

Marketing Intern at Starbucks Corporation, Seattle  June 2021 - August 2021 

• Assisted in developing and executing social media campaigns, resulting in a 15% increase in followers
• Conducted market research and analyzed data to identify consumer trends and preferences
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create promotional materials and marketing collateral
• Participated in brainstorming sessions to generate new marketing ideas and strategies

Social Media Coordinator at Seattle Humane Society, Bellevue  September 2020 - May 2021 

• Managed the organization's social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Created engaging content to increase brand awareness and promote animal adoption
• Monitored social media metrics and prepared monthly performance reports

Your skills section is the star of the show when you lack experience. Regardless of the position for which you are applying, you will need a varied selection of hard and soft skills . Put simply, well-rounded candidates will possess both of these types of competencies. 

Hard skills relate directly to the job at hand and will often be technical. For example, if you are going for a role as a web developer, you may list the languages you use to create websites. Often enough, you will be able to find examples of the hard skills you need in the job advert.

Soft skills , on the other hand, tend to be useful across a broad range of industries. Examples include interpersonal skills and communication skills . These are the talents that allow you to get the job done, organize your time and tasks, and get along with the rest of the team. 

Check out the job advert! 

Recruiters will let you know exactly what skills they are looking for in the job advert. Refer back to the original post to see what competencies they outline.

If you have the right skills, make sure you mention them on your one-year experience resume. This approach will help you to tailor your application to the vacancy and company.

Our resume builder will offer several pre-written key skills to choose from. Once selected, you can also choose the proficiency range that suits you. Of course, you can also write in your skills.

Take a look at our general skills box example below to see how this section should look.

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our one-year experience resume template. 

• Excellent communication
• Organization
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Microsoft Office
• Interpersonal skills
• Active listening
• Critical thinking

Your education section lets the hiring manager know what certificates and training you have. You may decide to place this section above your work experience section. This is common when you use a functional resume format. Since you don’t have lots of experience in your sector, this move means that the hiring manager will pay more attention to your education.

Once again, you should list your achievements in reverse chronological order. You should include your school or college education as standard. However, you may also want to include: 

• Training. If you undertook any on-the-job training at your previous job, you can mention it here. Be clear about the dates you received the training and what you learned.
• Internships. As you may not have held many professional positions, including internships can strengthen your application. You can expand on that experience here.
• Professional development. You may have taken online courses or evening classes in your own time. This shows that you are serious about developing your skills.

This part of your resume carries a lot of weight, especially when you don’t happen to have years and years of experience. With that in mind, you should spend a wealth of time perfecting this section of your resume. Take a look at our example for some inspiration. 

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Marketing, University of Washington, Seattle  June 2022 Relevant 

Coursework: 

• Marketing Research
• Digital Marketing
• Consumer Behavior
• Brand Management

Your one-year experience resume needs to look attractive to the hiring manager. From the moment that they pick up your application, they will be judging every element of it. One of the biggest mistakes that candidates make is ignoring how this one or two-page document looks. 

The design of your resume needs to be clean, accessible, and easy to read. If it’s not ticking all of those boxes, you may find that it falls at the first hurdle. Make no mistakes—your resume is a promotional material. You need to ensure that it captures the reader’s imagination. 

Start off by choosing the right font for the job. It should be legible and fit for purpose. You can use color in your resume design, but do so sparingly. Choosing just one or two colors (rather than a chaotic rainbow) is the best possible option. Sometimes, less really is more!  

Additionally, you need to include white space in the design. When the hiring manager glances at the resume, you don’t want them to feel overwhelmed or stressed. By making sure that there is plenty of room around each section, you ensure that your resume is welcoming to them. 

It can be tricky to get your resume design on point. Luckily, choosing one of our tried and tested resume templates makes the process a cinch. 

One-year experience text-only resume example

Recent graduate seeking an entry-level position in marketing where I can apply my skills and knowledge to contribute to the company's success while gaining valuable experience.

Employment history

• Customer Service
• Adaptability
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Experience with social media platforms
• Detail-oriented

Job market and outlook

If you’re searching for your next job, the outlook is positive. In January 2024, the US labor market added a massive 353,000 jobs—that’s double what economists had previously predicted, according to a recent report from JP Morgan . The job growth spans a diverse set of industries. Put simply, whatever sector you’re in, there’s likely to be a wealth of vacancies.  

The national average salary in 2024 is $53,490 per year , or $1,028 per week. However, there are a range of factors that will determine how much money you make. Since you have limited experience, you can expect to gain an entry-level salary, which is likely to be less than average.

As someone with just one year of experience, chances are you will be going for entry-level roles. The average entry-level salary in the United States is $47,781 per year , according to Glassdoor. When applying for jobs, look at the average salary for that specific field first.

Key takeaways 

When you’re starting out in your career, it’s important to create a resume that turns recruiters’ heads. Don’t let your lack of experience hold you back. Instead, put the spotlight on your skills, expertise, and education. Talk about what you can bring to the figurative table. 

Take all of the hassle out of your next application by using our online resume builder now. With AI-generated suggestions, tried and tested layouts, and a simple structure, it’s a breeze to use!

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

One Year Experience Resume Examples (Word Format)

If you have one year of experience or less, you can still include that experience in your resume. One year is a reasonable work experience, there is no need to hide it in your resume. Your experience is the most important asset when it comes to job search.

A one-year experience resume can be fit into 1-2  pages, and you should mention your experience information before the education field in your resume. 

Below are some examples of resume templates for different kinds of jobs, which you can use for your next job search.

1. Software Engineer 1 Year Experience Resume Format

2. BPO 1 Year Experience Resume Format

3. Civil Engineer Engineer 1 Year Experience Resume Format

4. Java Developer 1 Year Experience Resume Format

5. Python Developer 1 Year Experience Resume Format

6. Mechanical Engineer 1 Year Experience Resume Format

Tips: How to Make an Effective One-Year Experience Resume

• Profile summary: A profile summary is a short description of your experience, skills, and goals. You can mention your 1-year experience, designation, and industry in the profile summary.  It is also better to state your vision or goals in the profile summary to catch the attention of the recruiters.
• Work Experience: You should include your work experience after the profile summary.  Write the name of the company in which you worked and the employment duration. You must state your key job responsibilities in the work experience section. Read the job descriptions of the new job and match your responsibilities to that role.
• Education: Write your education details in descending order i.e. from higher education to lower level. Include the name of the institution, year of pass, and marks percentage (or) GPA
• Skills:  Your skills play an important role to get the job. Use your skills as the keyword to grab the attention of the interviewer. Before applying for every job, modify your resume according to the job requirements. Again reading job descriptions related to your work will help you to find the right keywords.
• Personal Details: Finally include your personal information at the end of your resume such as yoru gender, nationality, date of birth, etc.

In the end, sign the resume, write the date of submission, and affix or insert your profile photo.

1 Year Experience Profile Summary: Examples

1. An ambitious IT professional with 1 year of experience, with strong software engineering knowledge and skills, who can solve complex problems. I am self-motivated, productive, and capable of working under pressure.

I have a proven track record of meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality work. I am also a good team player who is able to work effectively with others to achieve common goals.

My strong interpersonal skills and accountability to assigned tasks make me a strong candidate for this job.

My goal is to use my coding skills to create software that enhances the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.

2. An aspiring BPO professional with 1+ years of experience in assisting customers with products and offering support. My ability to communicate and emotional stability allows me to meet client needs and solve problems. I look for exciting opportunities where I can fully utilize my skills for organizational success.

3. A goal-oriented civil engineer with 1-year experience in project execution, construction, operations, resource management, site operation, and consultancy operations. I seek a challenging position using my skills and knowledge to grow my career and organization.

4. An aspiring Java programmer with above 1 year of experience and a detailed understanding of service-oriented architecture and web services such as SOAP and REST, and skilled in Java, J2EE, ORM/JPA, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML wants to collaborate with global brands to develop scalable, secure and efficient applications.

5. Software professional with 1-year of experience in developing, designing, deploying, and debugging computer applications in Python.  I want to associate with a progressive organization that allows me to apply my knowledge and advance my career.

6. A mechanical engineer (1+ Year experience) who has been able to handle multiple projects and possesses exceptional technical skills, including computer aid designing, problem-solving, and commercial awareness, obtaining a challenging and rewarding position.

Yes, you can put one year of experience in your resume. One year is enough time to change a job.

You can put an exact number of months (or) dates (or) write less than a year’s experience on your resume.

Recommended:

• 2 Page resume templates in Word format.
• Google Doc resume templates.

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How do you present a 1-year experience on a resume?

If you have 1 year of experience under your belt, you are in the perfect position to showcase your skills and accomplishments. But what approach should you follow while crafting it?

In this blog, we will show you how to demonstrate your skills, achievements, and unique qualities with a couple of 1-year experience resume samples that will have hiring managers knocking at your door.

Get ready to level up your job search and increase your chances of landing your next big opportunity. So, sit back, relax, and let's get started on creating your winning 1-year experience resume.

• Is 1-year of experience still entry-level?
• How do you write a 1-year experience on a resume?
• What are the key components of a 1-year experience resume sample?
• What is the 1-year experience resume sample format?

Is 1 Year of Experience Still Entry-Level?

Entry-level roles are typically designed for candidates with 0 to 2 years of relevant experience. Thus, 1 year of experience falls within this bracket and is considered entry-level.

Entry-level positions can be competitive, especially in the US job market. According to hiring statistics by LinkedIn , 41% recruiters say entry-level positions are the hardest to fill.

However, crafting a resume that properly conveys the breadth of your knowledge and skills to hiring managers can make a big difference in your chances of landing an entry-level job .

Additionally, networking and building relationships in your industry can also increase your chances of finding a suitable job with 1 year of experience.

How Do You Write a 1 Year Experience on a Resume?

As per a study by The Ladders , the resumes that are most likely to get noticed by recruiters share the following characteristics:

• A logical and structured resume layout
• An overview at the top (like a summary or objective section)
• The use of clear and legible font style and size

It is important to take a step back and clearly define your professional goals first before starting to curate your resume. Think about where you want to be in five years and what types of roles you want to pursue.

This will help you jot down the skills and competencies you already possess and how they align with your desired career advancement. Once you’ve identified your professional goals, revisit the job posting for the role you are applying for.

Pay close attention to the keywords and requirements listed in the job description and determine which of those requirements are already fulfilled by your existing knowledge and experience. Highlight those points to emphasize the value you will bring to the company and position.

Also read : How to draft the perfect entry-level resume? How to hunt for entry-level tech jobs in the United States?

Write a Compelling Summary of Qualifications

Your summary should succinctly capture who you are, what you offer, and what you are aiming to achieve over time.

Focus on highlighting your core competencies and the broadest base of qualifications, as they will be of interest to potential employers. Your goal should be to impress readers, quickly grab their attention, and ensure they read all sections of your resume.

Make sure to include any awards, certifications, or other accomplishments that you have achieved. This will demonstrate to employers that you are a highly qualified candidate and will help you stand out from the competition.

Highlighting Your Relevant Skills and Knowledge

When crafting a resume with just 1 year of experience, it is important to emphasize your relevant skills and knowledge beyond your professional experience.

Include internships, volunteer work, or industry-related certifications that you possess, as well as any valuable extra-curricular activities or publications that demonstrate a particular skill set, such as coding or foreign language fluency.

When listing any soft or hard skills you possess, aim to be as specific as possible. Your ability to find an assertive yet descriptive way to express your skills will ensure that you will stand out amongst potential candidates.

Also read : How to write a freshers resume summary in 2023? How to present your skills in a resume for freshers?

Key Components with 1 Year Experience Resume Samples

A well-crafted 1-year experience resume sample should include a clear and concise summary statement, a list of relevant skills, an educational background, and a work experience section.

It's important to focus on the skills and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Otherwise, your resume would feel generic and impersonal to the hiring managers.

Consider using industry-specific language and keywords to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. Additionally, make sure to include specific numbers and statistics to back up your accomplishments.

Check out these 1 year experience resume samples by Hiration to gain a better understanding of the content you need to showcase:

1 Year Experience Resume Sample - 1

1 Year Experience Resume Sample - 2

Also read : What are some of the student resume samples to refer to for recent graduates? What are the most impactful ways to present your work experience in a resume? How to curate a resume to grab that first job in the United States? Which resume samples can you refer to as a resume writing guide in 2023?

1 Year Experience Resume Format as per Industry Standards

You must have an idea by now of all the key components of a 1-year experience resume sample - let us briefly understand the standard structure now as per the latest industry trends.

When structuring your resume, it is important to keep in mind that potential employers take only 6 seconds to scan the document before they delve into specifics.

Utilizing simple and professional language can help ensure that key points are highlighted at a glance. Start by broadly outlining your professional experience, followed by any specialized skills or qualifications you possess.

As per the job search statistics by Zippia, 75% of job applications get rejected by ATS simply because of how they are formatted.

We suggest you use the chronological format (also known as reverse chronological), which is the most popular resume format among hiring managers across the United States.

The sequencing of sections can be customized as per the job requirements. For instance, if you wish to highlight your qualifications over your work history, you can place the education section first/above the professional experience section.

Make use of bullet points instead of chunky paragraphs. This will draw attention to the important specifications within each section and make it easier for employers to find the relevant information.

Key Takeaways

• You can maximize your 1-year experience by highlighting specific skills and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Make sure to include all the key components of a well-crafted resume, including a clear summary statement, relevant skills, educational background, and work experience section.
• Keep a professional format and use of to make a strong first impression on hiring managers.
• Highlight your accomplishments and skills by quantifying them and using industry-specific language and keywords.

Need assistance with making your 1-year experience resume? Check out Hiration’s Career Platform which offers 24x7 chat support.

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24 Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

A resume summary statement usually comes right after a job seeker’s contact info and before other resume sections such as skills and work experience. It provides employers with a brief overview of a candidate’s career accomplishments and qualifications before they read further. Because of how early it appears on the document, your resume summary statement (or your CV “profile” in the UK) is one of the first places recruiters and employers look. And without the right information, they’ll doubt that you’re qualified and may move to another resume.

So I got in touch with a select group of professional resume writers, coaches and career experts to get their best resume summary examples you can use and adapt to write a resume summary that stands out and gets interviews.

As a former recruiter myself, I’ll also share my best tips to write your resume summary effectively.

Why the Resume/CV Summary is Important

You may have heard that recruiters only spend 8-10 seconds looking at your resume. The truth is: they spend that long deciding whether to read more. They do glance that quickly at first and may move on if your background doesn’t look like a fit. However, if you grab their attention, they’ll read far more. Recruiters aren’t deciding to interview you in 8-10 seconds, but they are ruling people out in 8-10 seconds. And this is why your resume summary is so crucial. It appears high up on your resume (usually right after your header/contact info) and is one of the first sections employers see. So it’s part of what they’ll see in the first 8-10 seconds.

Your resume summary statement is one of your first (and one of very few) chances to get the employer to stop skimming through their pile of resumes and focus on YOU.

Watch: Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

10 resume summary examples:.

These career summary examples will help you at any experience level – whether you’re writing a professional summary after a long executive career, or writing your first resume summary without any experience! After you finish this article you’re NEVER going to have to send out a limp, weak resume summary statement again (and you’ll get far more interviews  because of it).

1. Healthcare Sales Executive Resume Summary Example:

Turnaround & Ground Up Leadership – Concept-to-execution strategies for untapped products, markets + solutions that yield 110% revenue growth – Negotiates partnerships with leading distributors + hospitals—Medline to Centara + Novant Health to Mayo Clinic –  Revitalizes underperforming sales organizations via scalable, sustainable infrastructures emulated as best practice –  C-Level networks of clinical + supply chain leadership acquired during tenures with XXX, XXX and XXX

Why this resume summary is good:

This resumes summary example’s strength lies in the detailed, unique information that has been included. By including revenue stats, names of past employers and partners, the reader right away sees that this person will bring to the role a strong networking ability with key players in his industry, and more importantly can build, grow and revitalize a sales organization, market or product.

By:  Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

2. 15+ Year Business Owner Resume Summary Statement:

Dynamic and motivated marketing professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations, and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Why this is a good summary section:

This is a resume summary statement that was for  a candidate returning to work after having her own business for 15+ years. Because of this, we needed to emphasize her soft skills and what she can bring to this potential position. In addition, we highlighted the skills she has honed as a business owner so that she can utilize these qualifications as a sales professional, account manager , and someone knowledgeable about nutrition, medicine, and the overall sales process.

By: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish. MBA, Ph.D., CPRW, and Founder of Feather Communications

3. Human Resources Generalist Resume Summary Example:

Human Resources Generalist with progressive experience managing employee benefits & compliance, employee hiring & onboarding, performance management processes, licensure tracking and HR records. Dependable and organized team player with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Skilled at building relationships with employees across all levels of an organization. Proficient with HRIS, applicant tracking and benefits management.

Why this is a good resume summary:

The applicant highlights their experience across a wide range of HR functions from the very first sentence, and continues this pattern throughout the rest of the summary. They then use easily digestible langue to showcase their hard skills (in the first & fourth sentences) and soft skills (in the second & third sentences). They also integrate a variety of keywords to get past automated job application systems , without sounding spammy or without overdoing it.

By: Kyle Elliott, MPA/CHES,  Career Coach and Consultant

4. Social Media Marketing CV Profile Example (UK):

Social media expert with successes in the creation and management of social media strategies and campaigns for global retail organisations. Extensive experience in the commercial utilisation of multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; I build successful social strategies that increase brand awareness, promote customer engagement and ultimately drive web traffic and conversions.

Why this summary is good:

This summary is well-written, short, sharp, and gives recruiters a high-level explanation of the candidate’s core offerings in a persuasive and punchy style. A quick scan of this profile tells you the exact type of social media platforms the candidate is an expert in, as well as the campaigns they have experience running and types of organizations they have worked for. Most importantly, the summary is rounded off by showing the results that this person achieves for their employers, such as increased web traffic and conversions.

Editor’s note: This CV profile summary was written for the UK market… this is a great one to use/copy, but make sure you put it through a spell-checker if you’re applying for jobs in the US (utilisation vs. utilization, etc.)

By: Andrew Fennell, Director at StandOut CV , contributor for The Guardian and Business Insider

5. Marketing Manager Professional Summary Example:

Marketing Manager with over eight years of experience. Proven success in running email marketing campaigns and implementing marketing strategies that have pulled in a 20% increase in qualified leads. Proficient in content, social media and inbound marketing strategies. Skilled, creative and innovative.

This resume summary stands out because it gets straight to the point. By immediately introducing the number of years of experience the candidate has, the HR manager doesn’t need to spend time adding up years. The candidate also jumps right into his or her strongest skill, provides a statistic , then gives additional skills.

By: Sarah Landrum, career expert and contributor at Entrepreneur.com and Forbes

6. Warehouse Supervisor Resume Summary Example:

Warehouse Supervisor with Management, Customer Service, & Forklift Experience –  Dependable manager with 15+ years of experience in warehouse management and employee supervision. –  Skilled at managing inventory control, shipping & receiving, customer relations and safety & compliance. –  Certified Power Equipment Trainer, Forklift Operator and Reach Operator skilled at coaching other staff. –  Promoted to positions of increased responsibility given strong people and project management skills.

The applicant was applying for a warehouse supervisor position that required them to have demonstrated management, customer service and forklift experience. As such, the applicant showcased their experience in these areas with a few keywords in the title, followed by additional details in the accompanying bullet points. Their final bullet shows a record of promotions, while reinforcing the applicant’s customer service and project management skills.

7. IT Project Manager Resume Summary Example:

Experienced Project Manager with vast IT experience. Skills include computer networking, analytical thinking and creative problem solving. Able to apply customer service concepts to IT to improve user experience for clients, employees and administration.

Because this candidate is switching career paths, it’s important he or she take skills used for previous positions and apply those skills to the new job listing. This is a great example because the candidate makes it clear that his or her experience is not in the new field, but that they are still able to bring relevant experience to the table. When writing your resume summary, keep these tips in mind: Use writing that is straight to the point, clear and concise, you’ll have a higher chance of getting noticed by the hiring manager.

8. Career-Changer Resume Summary Example:

Earn trust, uncover key business drivers and find common ground as chief negotiator and identifier of revenue opportunities in sales, leadership and account management roles spanning e-Commerce, air travel and high-tech retail. Navigate cultural challenges while jumping time zones, lead international airline crews and manage corporate accounts to deliver an exceptional customer experience. A self-taught techie sought after as a go-to for complex billing systems and SaaS platforms alike—bridging the divide between technology and plain-speak. – Tenacious Quest for Success + Learning . Earned MBA and BS in just 3 years while working full-time – gaining hands-on experience in research- and data-driven product roadmap development, pricing and positioning. – Results-Driven Leadership. Whether leading Baby Boomers, Gen X or Millennials—figures out what makes teams tick, trains and transforms individuals into top-performers. – Challenger of Conventional Wisdom. Always ask the WHY. Improve the user experience through smart, strategic thinking that anticipates outcomes. Present cases that influence, and lead change that drives efficiency and profitability.

This client was eager for a career change and had moved from role to role and industry to industry. After completing her Master’s degree, she was eager to tie her skills together to land a role – which she did – as a Senior Technology Account Strategist for a global travel company. Although a bit longer than a traditional summary, its strength lies in the details. Without ever getting to the experience section, the reader gets a clear idea of the scope of responsibility, and hard and soft skills the candidate brings to the table.

By: Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

9. Project Management Executive Professional Summary Example:

15+ years of initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change for Fortune 500 firms across a wide range of industries including enterprise software, digital marketing, advertising technology, e-commerce and government. Major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability – both as a leader and expert consultant.

Why this resume summary is good:

“Project Manager” is one of those job titles that’s REALLY broad. You can find project managers earning $50K, and others earning $250K. The client I wrote this for was at the Director level, and had worked for some of the biggest and best tech companies in her city. So this resume profile section shows her level and experience, and the wide array of areas she has responsibility for in her current work. You can borrow or use some of the phrasing here to show that you’ve been responsible for many important areas in your past work.

By: Biron Clark, Founder of  CareerSidekick.com.

10. Startup And Finance Management Consultant Career Summary Example:

Experienced strategist, entrepreneur and startup enthusiast with a passion for building businesses and challenging the status quo. 8+ year track record of defining new business strategies, launching new ventures, and delivering operational impact, both as a co-founder and management consultant. 

Why this resume summary example is good:

This summary was for a highly-talented management consultant looking to break out of finance, and into trendier tech companies like Uber . His track record and educational background were great, so the goal of this summary section was to stand out and show he’s more than just the typical consultant with a finance background. So we emphasized his passion for startups, and his ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. That’s something that companies like Uber and other “disruptive” tech companies look for.

14 Resume Summary Examples for Various Industries

Compassionate and effective 5th-grade teacher with experience overseeing the classroom and preparing lessons. Extensive experience encouraging students through positive reinforcement and motivational techniques. Collaborate well with school administration and other members of the teaching team. Ensure all students meet learning requirements, including literacy, social, and arithmetic skills.

2. Teacher’s Assistant

Goal-oriented teacher’s assistant with ten years of experience working with elementary school children. Aid teachers with lesson planning, classroom settings, and group instruction. Model positive behavior and maintain order in the classroom. Willingness to take on additional responsibilities to meet learning objectives.

Tech Industry

3. computer programmer.

Innovative computer programmer with a proven track record of writing high-quality code and supporting team needs with subject matter expertise. Adept in multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++. Ability to troubleshoot complex programming issues with inventive solutions. 

4. Cybersecurity Analyst

Dedicated cybersecurity analyst with ten years of experience in online security research, execution, planning, and maintenance. Proven track record of identifying business risks and proactively resolving them. Experience designing and instituting layered network security for large-scale organizations. Train users and other staff members on IT safety procedures and preventive techniques.

Skilled healthcare professional with ten years of experience in patient care, diagnosis, and providing appropriate treatments and medical services. Manage medical staff and resolve complex medical cases with maximum efficiency. Communicate the patient’s condition and treatment plan in easily understood terminology. Remain current with the latest advancements in medicine and research to ensure patients receive proper care.

6. Registered Nurse

Seasoned registered nurse offering comprehensive patient care in emergency room settings. Experience handling diverse patient populations and caring for various conditions. Proven leadership managing nursing teams and other staff. Focus on enhancing patient care and satisfaction through empathetic communication and excellent customer service. 

7. Digital Marketing Manager

Forward-thinking digital marketing manager experienced in all facets of digital marketing, including social media management, PPC advertising, SEO, and email marketing. Proven experience creating comprehensive marketing plans that improve lead prospecting and enhance brand awareness. Up to date with the newest tools available for digital marketing campaigns.

8. Marketing Analyst

Industrious marketing analyst well-versed in analyzing marketing campaign analytics and making recommendations to improve performance. Collaborate with account managers and use KPI metrics to explain the results of marketing initiatives. Meticulous with a strong work ethic and robust communication skills.

Food and Service Industry

Experienced wait staff member capable of managing orders, processing payments, and upselling menu items. Ensure restaurant guests feel welcome with attentive service catered to their needs. Remain current on updates to the menu and assist guests with selecting orders to meet their dietary requirements. Maintain a positive attitude and focus during busy restaurant periods.

10. Hotel Receptionist

Friendly hotel receptionist with extensive experience handling guest check-ins, check-out, and payments. Facilitate a positive guest experience with polished customer service skills and a readiness to address common inquiries and complaints. Collaborate well with other hotel team members, including executive administration and on-site restaurant staff.

Business/Office Jobs

11. financial analyst.

Highly motivated financial analyst with a proven track record of recommending appropriate financial plans based on financial monitoring, data collection, and business strategizing. Experienced in qualitative and quantitative analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling. Excellent communication skills for building and fostering long-term business relationships across the organization.

12. Tax Accountant

Experienced tax accountant with ten years of experience preparing federal and state tax returns for corporations and partnerships. Monitor changes in laws to ensure the organization properly complies with reporting requirements. Assist with tax audits, ensuring the team receives proper supporting evidence for tax positions. Analyze and resolve complex tax issues. Look for available tax savings opportunities for corporations with an aggregate savings of $500K last year. Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Sales and Customer Service

13. sales representative.

Enthusiastic sales representative with expertise in identifying prospects and converting qualified leads to paying customers. Provide quality customer service and contribute to team sales success. Offer exceptional communication skills and seek to understand client needs before making the appropriate product recommendations. Continually meet and exceed sales goals. Leverage extensive knowledge of available products to provide appropriate client solutions and enhance customer loyalty and retention.

14. Customer Service Associate

Knowledgeable customer service professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry. Known as a team player with a friendly demeanor and proven ability to develop positive rapport with clients. Maintain ongoing customer satisfaction that contributes to overall company success. Highly articulate, with a results-oriented approach that addresses client inquiries and issues while maintaining strong partnerships. Collaborate well with the customer service team while also engaging independent decision-making skills.

Now you have 24 professional resume summary statements and some explanations of why they’re effective. Next, I’ll share tips for how to write your own in case you’re still unsure how to begin based on these examples above.

How to Write a Resume Summary: Steps and Hints

We’ve looked at 10 great resume summary examples above. As you begin writing a resume summary for yourself, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Read the employer’s job description. Your career summary shouldn’t be a long list of everything you’ve done; it should be a refined list of skills and experiences that demonstrate you’re a fit for their job.
• Mention your current job title if relevant. One common way to begin your resume summary is to state your current job title.
• Explain how you can help employers achieve their goals or solve their problems.
• Consider using bold text to emphasize one or two key phrases.
• Include any relevant metrics and data like dollar amounts, years of experience, size of teams led, etc. This helps your resume stand out.
• Focus on making the employer want to read more. The goal of your resume summary isn’t to show everything you can do, but to grab their attention and show enough that they continue reading.

Creating a Customized Resume Summary

While general summaries are appropriate when applying for jobs requiring similar skills and experience, a customized resume summary can enhance your chances of moving on to the next step in the hiring process. 

That’s because most companies use automated tracking systems (ATS) to review submitted resumes for content directly related to the job posting. If you use keywords and natural language phrases in your summary that interlink to the job description, you’ll have a much higher chance of passing the ATS review.

Let’s look at an example of a resume summary that is customized for the specific job description below:

“Highly motivated social media specialist with strong project management skills. Creative marketer skilled in crafting innovative social media campaigns that resonate with a target audience. Regularly develop compelling copy and social media content to enhance lead generation and brand awareness. Detail-oriented with extensive project management skills that ensure proper prioritization of tasks and projects. Work with various social media management and analytics tools to examine results and make adjustments as necessary.”

This summary directly addresses the key points in the job description but rewrites them so the customization is natural and flows well. It’s personalized for the open role and uses similar terms with a few strategically placed keywords, such as “social media content” and “project management.”  

How Long Should a Resume Summary Be?

As you read the resume summaries above, you probably noticed there are some short single-paragraph resume summary examples and much longer career summaries that are two to three paragraphs plus bullet points. So how long should YOUR professional summary be? If you have relevant work experience, keep your summary to one or two paragraphs. The piece you really want the hiring manager to read is your most recent work experience (and you should make sure you tailored that info to fit the job description). The resume summary is just a “bridge” to get the hiring manager into your experience.

If I were writing my own career summary right now, I’d likely use one single paragraph packed with skills, accomplishments, and exactly why I’m ready to step into the job I’ve applied for and be successful!

Even for a manager resume summary, I recommend a very short length. However, if you’re changing careers, or you’re looking for jobs without any work experience , the summary section needs to stand on its own, and should be longer. That’s why some examples above are a bit longer.

Formatting Your Resume/CV Career Summary

You may have noticed a variety of different formats in the career summary examples above. There isn’t one “right” way to format this section on your resume or CV. However, I recommend either using one or two brief paragraphs, or combining a short sentence or paragraph with bullets. Avoid writing three or four long paragraphs with no special formatting like bullet points. That’s simply too much text for your summary section and will cause recruiters and hiring managers to skip over it in some cases.

Should You Include a Resume Objective?

You do not need to include an objective on your resume, and doing so can make your resume appear outdated. Use a resume summary instead of an objective. Follow the resume summary examples above and focus on discussing your skills, qualifications, and achievements, rather than stating your objective. Employers know that your objective is to obtain the position you’ve applied for, and the resume objective has no place on a modern resume/CV in today’s job market.

Examples of Bad Resume Summaries

Now that we’ve seen a few exemplary resume summaries, let’s look at some that you should avoid at all cost.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

“Experienced cashier who knows how to run the register cash. Responsible with the money and can talk with the customer. Knows when to stoc up the invenory and checks it all the time. Can count change and run credit card tranactions. Get the customer happy by good service. I am always cheerful and organized.”

Why this resume summary is bad:

If you read the summary carefully, you’ll notice several spelling errors. The words “stock,” “inventory,” and “transactions” are all spelled wrong. Grammatical errors make the summary choppy and difficult to follow (“Get the customer happy by good service”).  A summary like this probably won’t fly with a company looking for a detail-oriented cashier responsible for managing in-person sales.

2. Lacks Relevant Keywords

“Talented worker with experience managing a team of staff. Creative and responsible with knowledge of organizational processes. Can keep up with the busiest of environments. Stays focused when at work, ensuring prompt task completion. Dependable and willing to collaborate with a team to get things done.”  

In this example, the chef doesn’t use keywords relevant to cooking, restaurants, or kitchens. The summary is very generic and can apply to nearly any job. A manager who receives the application isn’t likely to understand what value the candidate can bring to the restaurant.  To fix the summary, the applicant must rewrite it to include relevant keywords and phrases. 

3. No Numbers to Quantify Achievements

“An experienced and hardworking manager ready to align procedures for maximum revenue and profits. Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in higher sales and better customer satisfaction. Collaborate well with sales team members, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge to support customer purchases and inquiries. Develop strong rapport with clients and maintain ongoing relationships.”

This isn’t a terrible summary for a sales manager, but it has room for improvement. For one, the first two sentences essentially duplicate each other, mentioning an aptitude for improving processes with the objective of higher sales. The other issue is a lack of quantifying achievements. 

The applicant mentions they have a proven record of increasing sales, but they could strengthen the summary by quantifying their results. For example, they might say, “Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in a 25% increase in sales over the past year.” The quantifier provides additional credibility. 

4. Not Targeting the Specific Job

“Looking for work in a role that requires great customer service, project management, and communication skills. Able to collaborate with people from diverse and varying backgrounds. Highly organized and reliable worker with a strong work ethic. Responsible and reliable worker you can count on.”

While the candidate lists various skills they have, including customer service and project management, there’s no indication of prior roles held or what position they’re applying for. The summary could apply to numerous positions in a variety of industries. To improve the resume summary, the applicant must specify the job they’re applying for and indicate their prior experience in a similar role, if they have any.

After You Start Getting Interviews, Make Sure to Take Advantage…

If you follow the advice above, you’ll have a great professional resume summary to make your qualifications stand out to employers. But landing the interview is only half the battle… So make sure you go into every interview ready to convince employers that they should hire you, too! If you write a great resume summary example that gets employers excited to interview you, they’re going to ask you questions like, “tell me about yourself” early in the interview to learn more about your background. So make sure you’re prepared with an answer.

I also recommend you review the top 20 interview questions and answers here.

Your resume caught their interest, so naturally, they’re going to follow up with a variety of questions to learn more about your professional background.

The bottom line is: A strong professional resume summary, followed up by other well-written resume sections will get you the interview, but your interview performance is what determines whether you get the job offer!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), are resume writers worth it, don’t say you’re a quick learner on your resume, what do recruiters look for in a resume, chronological resume: the best format (and how to write it), the 3 best colors for a resume, career change resume: examples and tips from experts, what makes a good resume 9 ways to know, how long should a resume be, walk me through your resume: answer examples, 41 thoughts on “24 resume summary examples that get interviews”.

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.

Work Experience on a Resume - How to List It Right

Imagine you’re a hiring manager who goes through countless resumes on the daily.

What’s the first thing you look at?

If your guess was work experience, then you’re right.

And if you spot a few relevant keywords in their work experience section, then you’re more likely to continue reading about their background, contact information, and so on.

The most important thing hiring managers want to know is whether you can do the job you’re applying for, and that’s where the work experience section of your resume comes in.

So how do you make your work experience do the heavy lifting?

Don’t worry! Our article is here to help.

We’re going to cover:

• What Information Your Work Experience Section Needs

How to Format Work Experience on Your Resume

• 11 Real-Life Examples of Work Experience on a Resume

Let’s get started.

What to Include in Your Work Experience Section

The work experience section is the most important part of your resume.

This is the section that gives hiring managers a look at your professional journey so far, including your skills and achievements, and it’s the section they base their hiring decisions on the most.

Your work history can show how likely you are to excel at the job, how committed you are to career growth , and what industry know-how you ought to have.

This section is going to look different depending on your career level, how recent your work experience is, and what the job you're applying for is.

Let’s look at what information employers expect from your work experience section:

• Job Title/Position . Add this at the top of each work experience entry. You want the hiring manager to know at a glance that you have relevant work experience for the job, so use the actual job title instead of any buzzwords.
• Company Name. Include the name of the employer. Sometimes, if the employer isn’t well-known, you might want to describe the company in a sentence or two to give the hiring manager context.
• Location. The general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked, is more than enough information.
• Employment Dates. Write down the approximate timeframe of your employment. There’s no need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Responsibilities and Achievements. The core of each work experience entry is what you achieved while you were there. List your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points instead of paragraphs to make them easier to read. Use 5-6 bullet points for newer job entries and 2-3 for older ones.

Here’s an example of a work experience section that includes all of the above:

Want to know more about other resume sections? Learn how to write a resume with our detailed guide!

You know what to include in your work experience section, so let’s talk about how to include it.

First things first - your work experience section should always follow a reverse chronological order . Add your latest work experience at the very top, and work your way backward.

Hiring managers aren’t interested in what you did ten years ago. Instead, they’d rather know what you’ve been up to right before applying for this specific job.

That being said, if you have a lot of experience, you shouldn’t include every single job you’ve ever had.

Your resume is supposed to be one page long , so feel free to omit any summer gigs or part-time jobs to free up space. It’s also extremely important that your work experience is easy to find and that the information is well-structured and readable.

Here’s an example of how to format your work experience section:

Making Your Work Experience Stand Out

Now that you know how to list your work experience, you need to describe it in a way that makes you stand out from other candidates.

We’ve divided this process into several steps, starting with:

#1. List Achievements Instead of Responsibilities

Too many resumes focus on the day-to-day tasks in the work experience section.

The thing is, hiring managers already know what those responsibilities are. They’re the ones who write the job ads, so you won’t impress them by telling them you did just what they would expect you to do.

For example, if you’re a QA engineer, your responsibilities could include:

• Identifying software bugs.
• Ensuring test coverage for all features.
• Making detailed reports on product quality.

These same responsibilities show up in 99% of QA engineer resumes out there.

So, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you want to focus on your most impressive achievements instead. Show the hiring manager how you helped your previous employer and the difference you made while you were there.

Let’s compare how the same work experience entry looks like when we use achievements and when we use responsibilities:

• Increased test coverage by 25% by implementing new automated test suites.
• Reported and triaged over 100 high-priority defects ahead of major releases.
• Executed manual test cases across web and mobile applications.
• Logged defects into bug-tracking systems as they were encountered.

But there are some fields where there aren’t that many achievements you can mention in your resume. For example, if you’re a server , serving 120+ patrons a night, or earning a lot of tips aren’t achievements that look good on your resume.

Your daily tasks probably include:

• Taking orders, serving food and beverages, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Preparing tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
• Assisting in opening and closing the restaurant, including cleaning duties and setting up for the next service.

In this case, it’s okay to focus on responsibilities instead. You can still distinguish yourself by following the rest of our tips on how to make your work experience shine.

#2. Tailor Your Work Experience to the Job

If you want your resume to go from “okay” to "outstanding," what you need to do is tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for. 

The hiring manager doesn’t need to know details about every job you’ve had or about the skills you gained in a different field. 

So, your work experience should reflect what the job requirements are. This way, you’re more likely to really catch the hiring manager’s attention and land a job interview .

Here’s an example of a well-tailored job ad:

As you can see from the picture, it’s easy to figure out what the most important requirements for the role are. 

So, to tailor your resume to this ad, you need to show how you meet every one of these job requirements.

Let’s look at an example of how the same work experience would be tailored differently according to different job ads.

Say, you were an advertising intern.

Here’s what your work experience would look like when you’re applying for a position as a social media assistant:

INTERNSHIPS

Marketing Intern

Full Picture Company

New York, NY

09/2023 - 12/2023

• Analyzed various social media platforms for trending content.
• Managed company social media accounts.
• Posted interesting content on the company's Facebook page, increasing engagement by 25%.

Pretty easy, right? Now, let’s look at what the same work experience entry would look like for a job as a content writer .

• Assisted the Marketing Manager in writing press releases and new blog posts, which increased web traffic by 25%.
• Created engaging content for email marketing campaigns and boosted newsletter subscriptions.
• Revitalized old blog posts with updated information and SEO optimization, improving organic search rankings by 30%.

The internship is still the same but this way, the experience you’re focusing on is tailored to the job you’re applying for. The hiring manager can immediately see your most important skills for the job and the value you could bring to their team.

#3. Add the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve had a lot of jobs so far, you might be wondering if they all belong on your resume.

The answer is usually no. Your full, detailed work history belongs on your CV instead of your resume .

The hiring manager only wants the most recent and relevant information, not your full life story.

So, the amount of work information your resume should include depends entirely on your level of experience.

Let’s break it down:

• No Experience. If you’re currently looking for your very first job , you simply won’t have any jobs to fill in your work experience section. In that case, we recommend skipping this section and instead focusing on any experience gained in clubs, extracurricular activities , volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-Level. When you’re applying for an entry-level job, you can list most of your work experience so far. Likely, some of it won’t be relevant, but it still shows the hiring manager that you have some work experience, and that’s better than none.
• Mid-Level. At this level, you should only mention relevant work experience. Don’t waste precious space listing old internships or jobs you had as a teenager .
• Senior-Level. You only need to list up to 15 years of relevant work experience. You might even need a two-page resume to apply for an executive position at this stage, but only if you have too much relevant work experience to fit onto a single page.

#4. Optimize for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Before the hiring manager reads your resume, it has to make it to them.

The fact is that 70% of resumes get discarded before the hiring manager even reads them.

That’s because most companies use specialized Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to go through hundreds of resumes and automatically filter out ones that don’t have what the hiring manager is looking for.

Unfortunately, this means that if a resume is missing a specific skill or isn’t formatted in a way that the ATS can process , it gets rejected immediately.

So, how can your work experience make the cut?

Here are a few tips:

• Don’t go over one page. The ATS can have a limit on how long a resume is allowed to be, so we recommend always sticking to a single-page resume.
• Format everything carefully. Don’t give your resume sections quirky names. Your work experience section should be titled “Work Experience,” not “The Journey So Far.” If you try being too creative, the ATS might not recognize what that section is and reject you.
• Tailor carefully to the job ad. If you want to beat the ATS, you need your resume to be as tailored to the job ad as possible. Include as many relevant keywords as you can in your work experience section. Just make sure they’re all used in a logical context since the hiring manager is supposed to read them, too.
• Keep everything in an active voice. Describe your previous jobs with clear and specific language. (E.g.: Instead of “A team of ten people was managed by me,” say “Managed a team of ten people” ).
• Use power words and action verbs. Hiring managers don’t want to hear how you “were responsible” for this or “helped with” that. Make your work experience pop by using impactful language like “spearheaded,” “designed,” “conceptualized,” and more.

Choose one of our ATS-friendly resume templates to make sure your resume passes the test.

Where to Place Work Experience on Your Resume

The work experience section should always be one of the first sections on your resume, along with the skills section.

Typically, it comes just after your resume header , so that the hiring manager can read it immediately after your resume headline .

If you are using the reverse-chronological resume format, work experience should go at the top of your resume. This way, hiring managers can quickly evaluate your qualifications based on your most recent roles.

However, if you’re using a different resume format, such as functional or combination resume formats, you can make an exception. These resume formats emphasize skills over work history, so you could move your work experience further down, towards the middle of your resume.

Recent graduates are another exception to this rule

Suppose you’re a student with minimal professional experience. In that case, you can put your education section on top instead of your work experience section to emphasize your academic achievements and show that you’re ready to put your knowledge to good use.

Want to learn about the other popular resume formats ? Check out this article to see which one is right for you.

Complimentary Resume Sections

While your work experience might be the single most important section of your resume, at the end of the day, it works in sync with the rest of it.

Other resume sections , like your resume summary or certifications, can show the hiring manager how experienced you are and how much industry know-how you bring to the table.

So, here are a few other resume sections that come into play if you want to back up your work experience and increase your chances of getting an interview:

#1. Resume Summary

A resume summary is a short section at the top of your resume that highlights your most relevant skills and achievements related to the job.

In 2-3 simple sentences, a good resume summary tells the hiring manager:

• Your years of experience in that type of role.
• Your top qualifications or impressive accomplishments.
• What kind of responsibilities you’re familiar with.
• What your motivation for the position is.

By summarizing the core of your work experience upfront, your resume summary lets the hiring manager know what they can expect from the rest of your resume. So, when done well, an eye-catching resume summary can make you stand out from the crowd.

Here’s an example of a resume summary:

Another important section is devoted to your most important skills.

The skills section lets you list abilities that supplement your work experience, and it should be divided into two categories:

• Hard Skills. These include technical skills, tools, and specific knowledge that’s directly applicable to the role.
• Soft Skills. These can be personality traits or interpersonal skills that demonstrate how you work with others and how well you’d fit into the company’s team.

Along with your work history, the skills section helps employers quickly evaluate your credentials and relevant expertise for the position. While your work experience highlights skills in context, the skills section provides an easy-to-reference summary.

Make sure the skills you list on your resume align with what the employer is looking for. Use the job description as a reference to pinpoint the keywords you should add to your resume .

Here’s an example of a skills section on a resume:

#3. Certificates

Professional certificates and coursework can show your commitment to continuous learning and honing your skills.

Listing certificates on your resume allows you to showcase specialized knowledge and skills that might not be evident from your work experience.

For example, say you’re applying for a position as an SEO content marketer.

If you’re experienced in digital marketing but don’t have formal work experience with SEO, that could be a problem. However, listing a certificate from an SEO course can tell the hiring manager that you have the necessary knowledge to take on the role.

Relevant certificates can provide evidence of your advanced skills, industry expertise, or any other necessary qualifications for the role. They can back up your skills and distinguish you from other candidates with similar work experience.

Depending on the context, any certificates you have can either be listed in the education section or a dedicated resume section.

If the certificates are more recent and different from your formal education, we recommend listing them separately. Here’s an example:

#4. Personal Projects

One of the best ways to show your passion and dedication is through your projects.

Hiring managers love candidates who do cool stuff in their spare time.

If any personal passion project you’ve been working on is relevant to the role you’re applying for, make sure to add it to your resume. It can back up the skills and experience on your resume, and help you stand out from other applicants.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an animator , any published flash animation videos on YouTube are a great addition to your resume.

However, personal projects should only be listed if they’re relevant. If you’re looking for a job as an architect , your incredible cosplay sewing abilities just won’t cut it.

Here’s an example of a personal projects section:

11 Real-Life Examples

Not sure how to list work experience for your field?

Check out the practical work experience in these resume examples for different professions:

#1. Marketing Executive Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a marketing executive resume here.

#2. Teacher Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a teacher resume here.

#3. Cashier Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a cashier resume here.

#4. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#5. Career Change Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a career change resume here.

#6. Illustrator Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an illustrator resume here.

#7. Esthetician Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an esthetician resume here.

#8. Stay-at-Home Parent Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a stay-at-home parent resume here.

#9. University Graduate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a university graduate resume here.

#10. University Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a university student resume here.

#11. High School Graduate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school graduate resume here.

Work Experience Section FAQs

Are you still wondering about something related to your resume’s work experience? Check out the answers to these popular questions about listing work experience on a resume:

#1. What If I Don’t Have Any Work Experience?

If you don’t have any work experience, there are two things you should consider: first, hiring managers don’t expect candidates for entry-level roles to have a ton of experience, so you don’t have to worry too much.

And second - there are plenty of ways to make an impressive resume even without any professional experience .

For example, if you're a recent graduate, you can focus on highlighting your education, relevant coursework or extracurricular activities.

Include any internships, volunteer roles, or student organizations that show you have the skills necessary for the job.

You can also highlight universal skills like communication , teamwork, problem-solving, and computer skills . If you use a strategic approach, your lack of work experience won’t hold you back from writing a great resume.

#2. Can I List an Internship Instead of Work Experience?

Yes, you can list internship experience on your resume instead of work experience.

Internships provide valuable on-the-job training and give you exposure to a professional work environment, so they’re always a great thing to add to your resume.

Like work experience, internships allow you to gain important skills, learn about a particular industry or role, and build accomplishments you can use to show potential future employers. 

Internships can be a vital resume section for candidates with less experience, such as students, career changers, or stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce, since they show hiring managers you have enough relevant hands-on experience to succeed at the job.

#3. How Can I Explain an Employment Gap on My Resume?

The key to managing a gap in your work experience section is to address it briefly and positively on your resume or cover letter .

In a line or two, explain what happened and move on without dwelling on it, since employment gaps are relatively common and can happen for different reasons.

For example, if you had to take a year off to recover from a medical issue, just say so in your resume without going into details. The important thing is that you’re now better, ready to resume work, and the hiring manager knows it won’t be a problem.

If you have a short employment gap, you can probably skip the explanations. Simply list the start and end dates for each role without explaining the time in between. A couple of months between jobs is perfectly normal, and hiring managers aren’t likely to ask about it.

#4. What If My Work Experience Isn’t Relevant?

If you're applying for a job and none of your work experience is relevant, it’s a bit more complicated.

As a general rule, any work experience is better than no work experience. Most soft skills are applicable across industries, so you can focus on them in your resume.

If you’re an entry-level candidate, you might want to leverage other areas to show the hiring manager that you’re a good fit for the role.

For example, if you want to be a graphic designer but only have experience in customer service , emphasize your art education, portfolio work, and personal projects instead. If you’ve taken any more recent courses related to the field, you can list them before your work experience.

However, if you’re an experienced professional looking to change careers , things are a little different.

For a career change, you need to articulate your transferable skills and show how your previous experience can help you in this new role.

Let's say you're a sales professional interested in marketing. You could highlight skills like communication, market analysis, client relationship-building, and goal-oriented achievements that show your valuable marketing skills.

Key Takeaways

You’ve made it to the end!

Now, you’re all set to write a flawless work experience section.

But before you go, let’s recap what we talked about:

• Always list your work experience reverse-chronologically so the hiring manager can see what your most recent achievements and experiences are.
• If possible, focus on work achievements over day-to-day tasks. This way, you can immediately show the hiring manager what you’ve done for your previous team and what the value of hiring you would be.
• Carefully format your work experience so it passes the ATS and so that the hiring manager can easily read it.
• Instead of paragraphs, use bullet points to describe your previous jobs. For newer experiences, 5-6 bullets are good, but for older ones, 2-3 bullet points are enough.
• If you don’t have work experience, use this section to list your internship, volunteer experience, personal projects, or extracurricular activities. Treat them the same way you would treat work experience, and list your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points.
• Make sure the other sections in your resume complement your work experience for a flawless job application.

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86+ Resume Summary Examples To Inspire You

Discover how to write a compelling resume summary that’s ATS-friendly and tailored for any job situation.

Customers Interviewed by:

A resume summary is like an elevator pitch — a quick, punchy way to say “Here’s what I can do.”

Today, most resume writers and career coaches recommend adding a summary to your resume. “A professional summary is an amazing resource to optimize your resume with keywords, catch an employer’s attention, and provide career highlights,” says resume writer Jazlyn Unbedacht .

In this article, we’ll show you how to write an attention-grabbing resume summary that’s ATS-compatible and tailored for any job scenario. Plus, we’ll provide you with plenty of resume summary examples to help inspire you.

What is a professional resume summary?

A resume summary is a brief statement placed near the top of your resume . It highlights your relevant skills, experience, and achievements.

A summary is like a teaser commercial. It quickly shows hiring managers why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. It also encourages them to read your work history for proof of what your summary claims you can do.

Typically, a resume summary is 2-5 sentences long. Your summary should go right under your contact information. (If you’re using a resume headline , your summary should follow that).

Here’s an example of what a resume summary looks like and where it should appear:

How to write a powerful resume summary

Your resume summary should condense your professional background, skills , and achievements into a few impactful sentences. All effective resume summaries present the same basic information.

• Start with your title or role – What you do or what you specialize in.
• Add your experience – How many years you’ve been doing what you do.
• Highlight your achievements – One or two standout successes.
• List your key skills – Focus on those most relevant to the job.
• Conclude with your overall strengths – Talk about what you bring to the table.

Here’s how to put it all together in a simple, easy-to-follow formula:

[Your Professional Title] with [Years of Experience] years of experience. Proven track record in [Top Achievement 1] and [Top Achievement 2] . Skilled in [Skill 1] , [Skill 2] , and [Skill 3] . Known for [Unique Value or Strength] .

Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years of experience . Proven track record in increasing online engagement by 30% and boosting conversion rates by 15% . Skilled in SEO , content marketing , and social media strategy . Known for exceptional analytical skills and creative problem-solving .

When should you use a resume summary?

We highly recommend using a resume summary in the following situations:

• When you have lots of relevant experience : A summary quickly shows hiring managers your rich career history and why you’re a great fit.
• When you possess unique skills or achievements : Adding these to your summary can help you stand out from other candidates.
• When you want to incorporate relevant keywords : The summary is a great place to include keywords that hiring managers will be searching for. (See “How to Tailor Your Resume Summary” further down).

Add measurable achievements to your resume summary

40% of recruiters say the biggest mistake job seekers make on their resumes is not measuring their achievements.

What’s a measurable achievement? It’s an achievement that has a number attached to it. For example: “Increased departmental sales by 25% within one year through strategic product placement.”

Experienced Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years in the tech industry, specializing in SEO, SEM, and content marketing. Achieved a 40% increase in organic traffic for a SaaS company in 6 months, significantly boosting subscription sales. Skilled in using analytics to enhance marketing strategies and ROI.

Measurable achievements impress hiring managers because they show how well you did your job. They prove your value and indicate the kind of positive impact you could have in your new role.

Having trouble coming up with measurable achievements? Here are some ideas to consider:

• Sales and revenue: Dollar amount or percentage growth.
• Cost savings: Amount or percentage of costs saved.
• Productivity: Time saved or percentage increase in output.
• Project management: Projects completed ahead of schedule or under budget.
• Customer satisfaction: Improvement in satisfaction ratings or retention rates.
• Marketing metrics: Audience growth, engagement rates, or campaign performance.
• Product development: Number of products launched or users acquired.
• Quality assurance: Percentage decrease in errors or audits passed.

Read more : 80+ Resume Accomplishments Examples to Show Your Value

Add certificates and licenses to your resume summary

If you hold a license that is required for the job you’re targeting, you should definitely mention it in your resume summary. The same goes for important certifications.

Don’t just put your licenses and certifications in your summary. Add them to your education section as well. This is where you can get into more detail about each credential.

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a valid New York State Professional Engineer (PE) license and over 5 years of experience in civil engineering projects. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to exceed project delivery expectations on time and within budget.

Read more : 27+ Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume

Add honors and awards to your resume summary

If you’ve received honors or awards that highlight your expertise, mention them in your resume summary. Make sure they’re relevant to the job you’re targeting. You should also list them in your “Honors and Awards” resume section, where you can go into more detail.

Award-winning Graphic Designer with over 7 years of experience in creating compelling visuals for leading brands. Recognized with the 2022 American Design Award for innovative digital advertising campaigns. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite, with a proven ability to deliver designs that engage and convert.

Write your resume summary AFTER you’ve completed the rest of your resume. You’ll then know exactly which specific skills and achievements to include in your summary.

Resume summary vs resume objective

Depending on your situation, you might want to use a resume objective instead of a resume summary. Both introduce you to the hiring manager, but they serve different purposes.

A resume summary highlights your key achievements, skills, and experience. A resume objective outlines your career goals. In other words, a resume objective is more about what you’re looking for in your career .

If you fall into one of the following categories, you might consider using a resume objective instead of a resume summary:

• A recent graduate – You’ve recently finished school and are entering the job market for the first time.
• Any entry-level job seeker – You have little to no professional experience in your desired field.
• Returning to the workforce – You have significant gaps in your employment history and want to explain your situation while focusing on your future career goals.

To write a resume objective, follow this formula:

[Describe yourself briefly] seeking a [type of position] to leverage [key skill or experience] in contributing to [company or team’s] goals around [specific goal or project] .

Recent marketing graduate with a passion for digital media seeking an entry-level role to leverage skills in social media and content creation in contributing to enhancing brand engagement.

Read more : 54 Examples of Effective Resume Objectives

Don’t use personal pronouns (e.g., “I,” “me,” “my”) in your resume summary, or anywhere else on your resume. Your resume shows your achievements and skills; it shouldn’t tell your personal story.

How to write a career change resume summary

If you’re changing careers , should you use a resume summary or a resume objective? The answer is – you should use a hybrid .

A hybrid summary/objective addresses your career change and the reasons behind it. But it also mentions your relevant skills and experiences.

This approach allows you to explain your shift while highlighting how your background equips you for your new path.

[Your Professional Title] transitioning to [New Professional Field/Title] . Bringing [Years of Experience] years of experience in [Previous Field] with transferable skills in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3] . Proven success in [Top Achievement 1] and [Top Achievement 2] from previous role. Eager to apply [Unique Value or Strength] in [New Field] .

Project Manager transitioning to Digital Marketing . Bringing 8 years of experience in project management with transferable skills in team leadership, strategic planning, and analytics . Proven success in completing projects 20% under budget and improving team efficiency by 35% . Eager to apply strategic insight and problem-solving abilities in digital marketing campaigns .

Read more : How to Change Careers in 5 Steps

How to tailor your resume summary to the job

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is using the same resume to apply to different jobs. Instead, you should tailor each resume (and your resume summary!) to the job you’re targeting.

When you submit your resume it goes into a computer database. This database is called an Applicant Tracking System , or ATS. Hiring managers search through the database by typing keywords (which are usually skills) into the ATS search bar. If your resume doesn’t include those keywords it won’t be found.

The problem is that the same skills can be worded differently from company to company. So you have to read the job description to see how the skills are worded.

For example, if you were applying to the following accounting job, you’d probably want to include some of the underlined keywords on your resume:

Your resume summary is a great place to add important keywords. If you were writing a resume summary for this accounting job, it might look something like this:

Tailoring each resume increases the chances of getting an interview. But it can be time consuming. It can also be hard to know which keywords are the most important.

Do not lie on your resume! If you don’t have the skills listed in the job description, don’t add them to your resume. Tailoring your resume isn’t about tricking the hiring manager. It’s about optimizing your resume so it can be found.

To optimize your resume faster and more effectively, use Jobscan’s resume scanner . This tool analyzes your resume against the job description and provides you with a resume score .

This score tells you how well your resume matches the job description. The higher your score the more likely a hiring manager will find your resume when searching through an ATS database.

After you paste your resume and the job description into the tool, click “scan.” You’ll then receive a match report that looks like this:

To increase your score, add the missing keywords (marked in red) to your resume. Jobscan’s resume scanner has a free version you can access here .

NOTE : Jobscan’s resume tool now has an AI-powered resume summary generator. With this innovative tool, you can create a professional summary statement in seconds…

Read more : How to Tailor Your Resume

Resume summary do’s and don’ts

Here are some essential do’s and don’ts to guide you when you write your resume summary.

• Tailor It to the Job: Use keywords from the job description.
• Highlight Achievements: Use measurable accomplishments.
• Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-5 sentences.
• Use Active Language: Start sentences with exciting action verbs.
• Focus on Value: Emphasize how you can contribute to the employer.
• Use Generic Phrases: Avoid terms like “hard worker” or “team player.”
• Be Vague: Be specific about your skills, experiences, and achievements.
• Use the First Person: Avoid using “I,” “me,” or “my.”
• Include Irrelevant Information: Focus on relevant skills and achievements.
• Be Too Long: A lengthy summary can lose the reader’s attention.

86 powerful resume summaries for every profession

Use the following professional resume summary examples to inspire and guide you as you create your own. No matter what field you’re in, you should be able to find a summary that resonates with your career goals and experiences.

Each example is crafted to showcase key professional skills, achievements, and the unique value you bring to potential employers.

Accounting resume summary examples

Highly analytical and detail-oriented accounting professional with over 5 years of experience in financial reporting, tax preparation, and audit support. Proven ability to improve financial processes, enhance accuracy, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Skilled in leveraging accounting software and analytical tools to provide key financial insights and support business decisions.

See the full accounting resume example here.

Dedicated Accountant with 4 years of experience in managing accurate financial records, budgeting, and tax filing for diverse clients. Demonstrated expertise in streamlining financial processes, reducing errors by 20%, and enhancing operational efficiency. Proficient in GAAP, financial analysis, and software such as QuickBooks and SAP.

See the full accountant resume example here.

Motivated Staff Accountant with 3 years of comprehensive experience in financial statement preparation, general ledger management, and variance analysis. Successfully contributed to financial audits, resulting in a 15% reduction in discrepancies. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve financial accuracy and organizational goals.

See the full staff accountant resume example here.

Administrative and office support resume summary examples

Versatile Administrative Professional with over 6 years of experience in supporting daily operational and administrative functions across various industries. Known for improving organizational processes, enhancing workflow efficiency by 25%, and maintaining utmost confidentiality. Expert in managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and implementing office management systems that support business objectives.

See the full administrative resume example here.

Dynamic Executive Assistant with 5 years of experience providing high-level support to C-suite executives. Specializes in managing complex calendars, coordinating international travel, and facilitating effective communication between executive offices and internal departments. Increased office efficiency by 30% through the implementation of new organizational procedures. Exceptional problem-solving skills and dedication to confidentiality.

See the full executive assistant resume example here.

Experienced Office Administrator with a strong track record in managing office operations, financial bookkeeping, and HR duties within fast-paced environments. Implemented an inventory management system that reduced supply costs by 20%. Skilled in streamlining administrative processes, enhancing productivity, and fostering a positive work environment through excellent interpersonal and team management abilities.

See the full office administrator resume example here.

Proactive Office Assistant with 3 years of experience in supporting office administration, enhancing organizational efficiency, and providing exceptional customer service. Played a key role in reorganizing the filing system, leading to a 40% improvement in document retrieval times. Adept at managing multiple priorities with a keen attention to detail and a strong work ethic.

See the full office assistant resume example here.

Experienced Operations Manager with 7 years in streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency, achieving a 20% improvement in productivity. Expert in supply chain management, team leadership, and lean techniques. Proven track record in driving operational excellence and profitability.

See the full operations manager resume example here.

Experienced Office Manager with 8 years of expertise in optimizing operations and reducing costs by 30%. Skilled in team leadership, budget management, and improving office efficiency. Committed to supporting business goals with meticulous organization.

See the full office manager resume example here.

Organized Personal Assistant with 5 years of experience supporting C-level executives. Expert in managing schedules, coordinating travel, and handling confidential tasks. Successfully organized a major international conference, showcasing exceptional event planning skills.

See the full personal assistant resume example here.

Efficient Receptionist known for enhancing customer experiences through prompt service and a positive attitude. Managed a busy front desk with over 50 daily visitors and a 95% satisfaction rate. Excelled in multitasking and problem-solving to support office needs.

See the full receptionist resume example here.

Dedicated Secretary with 4+ years in high-demand environments, improving office workflows and document management. Implemented a new filing system that increased retrieval efficiency by 40%. Adept at scheduling, minute-taking, and providing comprehensive administrative support.

See the full secretary resume example here.

Proactive Administrative Assistant with 3 years of experience in fast-paced offices. Streamlined administrative processes, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency. Skilled in data management, scheduling, and supporting team logistics with a keen eye for detail.

See the full administrative assistant resume example here.

Business and analysis resume summary examples

Detail-oriented Business Data Analyst with 4 years of experience in translating complex data into actionable business insights. Led a data analysis project that increased revenue by 15% through targeted marketing strategies. Expert in statistical analysis, data visualization, and making data-driven recommendations.

See the full business data analyst resume example here.

Strategic Business Analyst with over 5 years of experience in optimizing business processes and improving profitability. Successfully implemented a new CRM system, increasing customer retention by 20%. Skilled in requirements analysis, project management, and stakeholder communication.

See the full business analyst resume example here.

Analytical Data Analyst with 3 years of experience in interpreting and analyzing data to drive successful business solutions. Developed a dashboard that reduced report generation time by 30%. Proficient in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools.

See the full data analyst resume example here.

Innovative Data Engineer with 4+ years of experience in designing and building scalable data pipelines. Enhanced data processing speed by 40% through the implementation of efficient ETL processes. Skilled in big data technologies, database management, and cloud computing platforms.

See the full data engineer resume example here.

Technology and engineering resume summary examples

Skilled Engineer with 5 years of experience in designing, developing, and implementing innovative solutions across various engineering disciplines. Demonstrated success in project management, leading to a 15% reduction in project timelines and a 10% decrease in costs. Proficient in the latest engineering software, analytical problem-solving, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project specifications and deadlines.

See the full engineering resume example here.

Innovative Computer Science Engineer with 5 years of experience in developing robust software solutions. Led a team to develop an app that received 100,000+ downloads within the first month. Specializes in algorithm optimization and system security.

See the full computer science and engineering resume example here.

Creative Android Developer with 3 years of experience in building user-centric mobile applications. Increased user engagement by 40% through intuitive app redesigns. Proficient in Kotlin, Java, and Android SDK.

See the full Android developer resume example here.

Detail-oriented Front-End Developer with 4 years of experience in creating responsive and visually appealing websites. Improved website speed by 33% for a major e-commerce platform. Expert in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.

See the full front-end developer resume example here.

Versatile Full Stack Developer with 5+ years of experience in developing scalable web applications. Led a project that resulted in a 50% increase in website traffic through performance enhancements. Skilled in both front-end and back-end technologies.

See the full stack developer resume example here.

Experienced Java Developer with 6 years of experience in building high-performance applications. Developed a Java-based system that reduced processing time by 25%. Expert in Spring Framework and microservices architecture.

See the full Java developer resume example here.

Dedicated Network Engineer with 4 years of experience in designing and maintaining secure network infrastructures. Achieved a 99.9% network uptime rate by implementing robust monitoring strategies. Skilled in Cisco systems and network security protocols.

See the full network engineer resume example here.

Skilled Programmer with 3 years of experience across multiple programming languages. Automated internal processes, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency. Proficient in C++, Python, and JavaScript.

See the full programmer resume example here.

Dynamic Python Developer with 4 years of experience in web development and data analysis projects. Enhanced data processing speeds by 35% through optimized Python scripts. Expert in Django and Flask frameworks.

See the full Python developer resume example here.

Innovative Software Developer with 5 years of experience in developing scalable software solutions. Contributed to a project that increased company revenue by 18% through software optimization. Proficient in multiple programming languages and agile methodologies.

See the full software developer resume example here.

Detail-oriented SQL Developer with 4 years of experience in database design and optimization. Improved data retrieval times by 40% through advanced query optimizations. Skilled in SQL Server, MySQL, and database administration.

See the full SQL developer resume example here.

Creative Web Developer with 3 years of experience in designing and implementing user-friendly websites. Increased conversion rates by 30% through A/B testing and website redesign. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.

See the full web developer resume example here.

Results-driven Civil Engineer with 5 years of experience in infrastructure project management. Led a bridge construction project completed 3 months ahead of schedule and 10% under budget. Specializes in structural design and project coordination.

See the full civil engineer resume example here.

Innovative Electrical Engineer with 6 years of experience in designing and implementing electrical systems. Increased system efficiency by 20% through the development of a new circuit design. Expert in power systems and electronic hardware development.

See the full electrical engineer resume example here.

Eager Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer with a strong foundation in mechanical design and analysis. Internship project contributed to a 5% increase in the efficiency of a manufacturing process. Proficient in CAD software and thermodynamics.

See the full entry-level mechanical engineering resume example here.

Experienced Mechanical Engineer with 7 years of experience in product design and optimization. Led a team that improved product durability by 30%, significantly reducing warranty claims. Expert in 3D modeling, finite element analysis, and materials science.

See the full mechanical engineering resume example here.

Customer service resume summary examples

Dedicated Customer Service professional with over 4 years of experience in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Implemented a feedback system that increased customer satisfaction scores by 25%. Known for exceptional communication skills and the ability to resolve issues efficiently.

See the full customer service resume example here.

Results-oriented Customer Service Manager with 6 years of experience leading service teams to exceed customer expectations. Increased team efficiency by 30% through targeted training and development. Expert in strategic planning, team leadership, and customer relationship management.

See the full customer service manager resume example here.

Committed Customer Service Representative with 3 years of experience in fast-paced environments, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate. Reduced call handling time by 20% without compromising service quality. Skilled in problem-solving, communication, and providing high-quality customer support.

See the full customer service representative resume example here.

Education resume summary examples

Passionate Educator with over 5 years of comprehensive experience in developing curriculum and teaching strategies that foster student engagement and learning. Successfully raised student literacy rates by 20% through innovative teaching techniques. Committed to creating an inclusive and stimulating learning environment.

See the full education resume example here.

Creative Elementary Teacher with 4 years of experience in fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for diverse classrooms. Implemented a differentiated learning approach that increased student math scores by 15%. Specializes in creating interactive and inclusive lesson plans.

See the full elementary teacher resume example here.

Dedicated High School Teacher with 6 years of experience in delivering high-quality education in science subjects. Led a student science fair project that won 1st place in a state competition. Known for inspiring students through hands-on learning and critical thinking exercises.

See the full high school teacher resume example here.

Compassionate Preschool Teacher with 3 years of experience in early childhood education. Developed a language immersion program that improved children’s language skills by 30%. Specializes in creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for young learners.

See the full preschool teacher resume example here.

Visionary School Principal with 10 years of leadership experience in improving school performance. Increased school graduation rate by 25% through strategic initiatives and community partnerships. Expert in educational leadership, staff development, and curriculum planning.

See the full principle resume example here.

Analytical Research Assistant with 2 years of experience supporting academic research projects. Contributed to a research study that was published in a top-tier academic journal. Skilled in data collection, analysis, and academic writing.

See the full research assistant resume example here.

Experienced Research Associate with 5 years in academic and field research, specializing in environmental studies. Led a research project that contributed to a 10% reduction in local water pollution levels. Proficient in statistical analysis, project management, and grant writing.

See the full research associate resume example here.

Finance resume summary examples

Detail-oriented Finance Professional with 5 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning. Successfully managed a $5M budget, reducing costs by 15% while optimizing resource allocation. Known for strong analytical skills and precision in financial forecasting.

See the full finance resume example here.

Reliable Bank Teller with 3 years of experience in fast-paced financial environments, maintaining a record of 100% accuracy in transaction processing. Implemented a customer service initiative that increased customer satisfaction ratings by 20%. Skilled in cash handling, customer service, and financial software.

See the full bank teller resume example here.

Trustworthy Financial Advisor with over 6 years of experience in helping clients achieve their financial goals, increasing client portfolio returns by an average of 10% annually. Expert in retirement planning, investment strategies, and risk management. Committed to providing personalized financial guidance.

See the full financial advisor resume example here.

Analytical Financial Analyst with 4 years of experience in financial modeling, variance analysis, and forecasting. Played a key role in a team that achieved a 5% reduction in operating costs through strategic financial planning. Proficient in Excel, SQL, and financial reporting tools.

See the full financial analyst resume example here.

Healthcare resume summary examples

Compassionate Healthcare Professional with over 5 years of experience in providing top-notch care in various medical settings. Improved patient satisfaction scores by 30% through dedicated patient advocacy and care coordination. Skilled in patient assessment, treatment planning, and healthcare administration.

See the full healthcare resume example here.

Efficient Medical Assistant with 3 years of experience in fast-paced clinic environments, supporting patient care and administrative duties. Increased clinic efficiency by 20% through the implementation of an improved patient scheduling system. Proficient in clinical procedures, patient education, and electronic health records.

See the full medical assistant resume example here.

Friendly Medical Receptionist with 4 years of experience in managing front-office duties and patient flow for busy healthcare facilities. Enhanced patient check-in process, reducing wait times by 25%. Known for excellent communication skills and a strong ability to manage patient inquiries and appointments.

See the full medical receptionist resume example here.

Detail-oriented Phlebotomist with 2 years of experience in performing venipuncture with a 98% first-attempt success rate. Contributed to a 15% increase in laboratory efficiency by improving sample processing times. Committed to patient comfort and accuracy in specimen collection.

See the full phlebotomist resume example here.

Dedicated Nurse with 6 years of experience in providing comprehensive patient care in hospital settings. Reduced readmission rates by 20% through effective discharge planning and patient education. Specializes in acute care, patient advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

See the full nursing resume example here.

Experienced Nurse Practitioner with 5 years of practice in primary care, delivering patient-centered solutions that improved patient health outcomes by 40%. Expert in diagnosing and managing chronic conditions, health promotion, and disease prevention.

See the full nurse practitioner resume example here.

Compassionate Registered Nurse with 4 years of experience in critical care units, achieving a patient satisfaction score of 95%. Led a quality improvement project that decreased medication administration errors by 50%. Skilled in emergency care, patient education, and team leadership.

See the full registered nurse resume example here.

Human resources resume summary examples

Strategic Human Resources Professional with 6 years of experience in developing and implementing HR strategies that support business objectives. Enhanced employee retention by 25% through targeted development programs and benefits optimization. Expert in talent management, employee relations, and compliance.

See the full human resources resume example here.

Motivated Entry-Level Human Resources Graduate with internships and academic projects demonstrating strong foundations in HR principles and practices. Led a university project that improved student engagement in career services by 30%. Eager to apply knowledge in talent acquisition, employee onboarding, and HR analytics.

See the full entry-level human resources resume example here.

Versatile HR Generalist with 4 years of experience managing a wide range of HR functions, including recruitment, performance management, and employee relations. Improved overall employee satisfaction by 20% through the implementation of a comprehensive wellness program. Skilled in HR policy development and workforce planning.

See the full HR generalist resume example here.

Dynamic Recruiter with 5 years of experience in sourcing and attracting top talent, filling over 100 positions annually in a competitive market. Increased hiring efficiency by 35% through the development of a streamlined recruitment process. Proficient in candidate screening, interview techniques, and employer branding.

See the full recruiter resume example here.

Legal resume summary examples

Skilled Attorney with 7 years of experience in [specialization, e.g., family law], achieving a 90% success rate across 200+ cases. Streamlined case preparation processes, reducing time to trial by 30%. Expert in negotiation, litigation, and client advocacy, committed to delivering exceptional legal outcomes.

See the full attorney resume example here.

Detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 3 years of experience supporting attorneys in high-volume law firms. Enhanced document preparation efficiency by 25% through improved organization and workflow management. Skilled in legal research, document drafting, and case management software.

See the full legal assistant resume example here.

Experienced Legal Secretary with over 5 years of expertise in managing complex legal administrative tasks. Streamlined office operations, reducing paperwork processing time by 20%. Known for exceptional organizational skills, fast typing speed, and maintaining confidentiality in sensitive matters.

See the full legal secretary resume example here.

Dedicated Paralegal with 4 years of experience in litigation and corporate law, contributing to a 15% increase in case efficiency. Specializes in legal research, drafting legal documents, and case preparation. Proven track record of managing multiple cases simultaneously with high attention to detail and accuracy.

See the full paralegal resume example here.

Marketing resume summary examples

Dynamic Marketing Professional with 5 years of experience in developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies that increased brand awareness by 40%. Expert in market analysis, campaign management, and cross-functional team leadership. Proven ability to drive market growth and enhance brand positioning.

See the full marketing resume example here.

Results-driven Account Manager with 4 years of experience in managing client portfolios and strengthening relationships, resulting in a 25% increase in client retention. Skilled in negotiation, strategic planning, and customer service excellence. Committed to maximizing client satisfaction and revenue growth.

See the full account manager resume example here.

Innovative Digital Marketing Specialist with 3 years of experience in driving online presence and engagement through targeted digital campaigns. Achieved a 50% increase in social media traffic and a 20% conversion rate improvement. Proficient in SEO, PPC, and content marketing strategies.

See the full digital marketing resume example here.

Creative Marketing Specialist with 4 years of experience in developing and implementing effective marketing strategies, leading to a 30% increase in leads. Expertise in market research, brand management, and event planning. Known for exceptional analytical skills and creative solutions.

See the full marketing specialist resume example here.

Strategic Product Manager with 5 years of experience in leading product development cycles and launching products that increased market share by 15%. Specializes in user experience, competitive analysis, and product lifecycle management. Adept at working with cross-functional teams to achieve product goals.

See the full product manager resume example here.

Engaging Social Media Manager with 3 years of experience in growing online communities and enhancing brand presence, resulting in a 40% increase in follower engagement. Expert in content creation, social media analytics, and influencer partnerships. Known for innovative social media strategies and a deep understanding of digital trends.

See the full social media manager resume example here.

Pharmaceutical resume summary examples

Dedicated Pharmaceutical Professional with 6 years of experience in medication management, patient counseling, and clinical research. Led a team in a successful clinical trial that resulted in a 20% improvement in patient outcomes for a new medication. Committed to advancing pharmaceutical care and patient health.

See the full pharmaceutical resume example here.

Experienced Clinical Pharmacist with 5 years of expertise in acute care settings, optimizing medication therapy to improve patient outcomes by 25%. Specializes in therapeutic drug monitoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Recognized for exceptional patient education and advocacy.

See the full clinical pharmacist resume example here.

Detail-oriented Pharmacist with 7 years of experience in retail and hospital pharmacies, increasing prescription volume by 30% through efficient service and patient care. Expert in pharmacology, drug interactions, and regulatory compliance. Dedicated to providing high-quality pharmaceutical care and support.

See the full pharmacist resume example here.

Skilled Pharmacy Technician with 3 years of experience in fast-paced pharmacy settings, supporting pharmacists in medication dispensing and inventory management. Contributed to a 20% reduction in medication errors through meticulous attention to detail and protocol adherence. Proficient in pharmacy software and customer service.

See the full pharmacy technician resume example here.

Project management resume summary examples

Strategic Project Management Professional with over 5 years of experience in leading projects from conception to completion across various industries. Successfully delivered projects 20% under budget and ahead of schedule, enhancing operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction. Expert in aligning project objectives with business goals, risk management, and team leadership.

See the full project management resume example here.

Innovative Agile Project Manager with 4 years of experience in facilitating agile practices and improving team performance in fast-paced environments. Achieved a 30% increase in project delivery speed by optimizing agile methodologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Skilled in Scrum, Kanban, and cross-functional team leadership.

See the full Agile project management resume example here.

Experienced Construction Project Manager with a track record of completing multi-million dollar projects on time and within budget, resulting in a 15% increase in profitability. Specializes in contract negotiations, resource allocation, and quality control, with a strong focus on safety and compliance.

See the full construction project manager resume example here.

Dedicated IT Project Manager with 6 years of experience in managing complex IT projects, including software development and system implementations. Delivered a company-wide ERP system upgrade, enhancing operational efficiency by 25%. Expert in project lifecycle management, stakeholder communication, and IT infrastructure.

See the full IT project manager resume example here.

Organized Project Coordinator with 3 years of experience supporting project planning and execution in dynamic project environments. Contributed to improving project tracking mechanisms, reducing project delays by 20%. Adept at resource scheduling, documentation, and facilitating effective communication between project teams and stakeholders.

See the full project coordinator resume example here.

Versatile Project Manager with 5 years of experience in delivering projects on time and under budget across various sectors. Led a portfolio of projects that resulted in a 40% improvement in productivity for clients. Expert in developing project scopes, coordinating teams, and managing stakeholder expectations.

See the full project manager resume example here.

Certified Scrum Master with 4 years of experience in guiding teams on Scrum practices and enhancing team agility. Improved team velocity by 35% through effective backlog management and sprint planning. Passionate about fostering a collaborative environment and resolving impediments to team progress.

See the full scrum master resume example here.

Seasoned Senior Project Manager with over 8 years of experience in overseeing large-scale projects from inception to completion. Achieved a 95% project success rate by implementing best practices in project management and leadership. Specializes in strategic planning, risk management, and enhancing team productivity through expert guidance and mentorship.

See the full senior project manager resume example here.

Sales resume summary examples

Dynamic Sales Professional with 4 years of experience in driving revenue growth and exceeding sales targets in competitive markets. Achieved a record 40% year-over-year sales increase through strategic client engagement and innovative sales tactics. Expert in relationship building, market analysis, and negotiation, with a proven track record of closing deals and fostering customer loyalty.

See the full sales resume example here.

Results-oriented Sales Manager with 6 years of leadership experience, overseeing sales teams to achieve a 50% increase in annual sales revenue. Specializes in developing sales strategies, coaching sales professionals, and penetrating new markets. Demonstrated ability to lead by example, motivate teams, and drive significant revenue growth through effective management and innovative sales initiatives.

See the full sales manager resume example here.

Writing and content creation resume summary examples

Creative Writer with 5 years of experience across various genres and mediums, including digital content, fiction, and technical writing. Successfully increased web traffic by 40% for several online platforms through SEO-optimized articles and engaging content. Known for a versatile writing style, meticulous research skills, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

See the full writer resume example here.

Dynamic Copywriter with 4 years of experience in creating compelling marketing and advertising copy that increased customer engagement by 30%. Specializes in brand storytelling, product descriptions, and targeted email campaigns. Proven track record of boosting brand awareness and conversion rates through creative and persuasive copy.

See the full copywriter resume example here.

Experienced Grant Writer with a strong history of securing funding for nonprofit organizations, achieving a success rate of over 80% on submitted proposals. Specializes in researching grant opportunities, writing persuasive proposals, and managing grant submissions. Contributed to securing over $3 million in funding for various projects and initiatives.

See the full grant writer resume example here.

Detail-oriented Technical Writer with 6 years of experience in creating clear and concise technical documentation, user manuals, and help guides across various industries. Successfully simplified complex technical information, resulting in a 50% reduction in customer support queries. Skilled in collaborating with technical teams to ensure accuracy and usability of documentation, with a strong focus on enhancing user experience and product adoption.

See the full technical writer resume example here.

Key takeaways

• A resume summary is a brief, punchy statement that highlights your skills, experience, and achievements.
• It’s recommended for all job seekers, from entry-level to executives and career changers.
• Consider using a resume objective instead of a summary if you’re a recent graduate, entry-level job seeker, or returning to the workforce.
• Your summary should be tailored to include keywords for ATS optimization.
• Your summary should be positioned near the top of your resume, under your contact information and headline.
• Effective summaries are 2-4 sentences long, offering a snapshot of your professional profile.
• Start with your professional title, followed by years of experience, major achievements, key skills, and unique strengths.
• Including measurable achievements in your summary can significantly enhance your resume’s impact.
• Tailoring your resume for each job application increases your chances of passing through ATS and getting noticed by employers.
• For career changers, a resume summary can highlight transferable skills and the value you bring to the new field.
• Writing your resume summary after completing the rest of your resume ensures it accurately reflects your most relevant qualifications and achievements.

The resume summary is a brief paragraph that showcases who you are, how you can help the employer with your skills, work experience, and expertise, and why you are the best person for the job.

A resume summary should be written in the first person, but with the pronouns (e.g., “I,” “me,” “my”) omitted. This style keeps the resume professional and focused on achievements and skills rather than reading like a personal narrative. For example, instead of saying “I am a skilled project manager,” you would write “Skilled project manager.” This approach maintains a professional tone while making the summary more concise and impactful.

The resume summary comes directly after your name and contact information. If you’re using a resume headline, the summary should come after that.

No. A resume summary should be tailored for each job application. If you want to apply to five different job applications, then you need to prepare five different resumes tailored to a specific job posting.

A resume summary can be one to four sentences long. It can be written as a short paragraph or listed in bullet points.

A summary of qualifications is the same as a resume summary. It emphasizes key accomplishments, qualifications, and certifications while presenting you as the best candidate for the job.

A resume summary statement is often referred to by other names, including: • Career summary • Career synopsis • Personal statement • Professional summary • Summary of experience • Summary of qualifications • Qualifications summary • Competencies

A good summary for an entry-level resume should focus on educational achievements, relevant coursework, soft transferable skills , and any related internships, volunteer work , or extracurricular activities.

Starting a resume summary effectively means grabbing attention fast. You can lead with your experience, skills, or top achievements to immediately show you’re the right fit. Use exciting action verbs to introduce your skills and experience.

When crafting a resume summary with no experience, focus on your educational achievements, relevant coursework, and transferable skills from activities like volunteering. Emphasize your eagerness to learn, dedication, and how your background aligns with the position you’re seeking. If you’re building your resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free resume builder . There are no hidden costs and it allows you to build an ATS-compatible AI resume in no time!

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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30 Resume Summary Examples + How to Write One in 2024

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

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

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

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

Real Estate Agent Resume

What is a Summary on a Resume?

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

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

Is a resume summary the same as a career objective?

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

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

Summaries are great if:

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

Objectives are better if:

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

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

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

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

Know When to Use a Resume Summary

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

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

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

Indicators that a summary would fit nicely on your resume:

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

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

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

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

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

How to Write a Resume Summary

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

Follow our resume summary formula

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

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

Consider this resume summary for a programmer:

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

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

Our best resume summary tips

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

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

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

The good, the bad, and the ugly resume summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 Resume Summary Examples to Inspire You + Why They Work

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

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

1. Accountant resume summary

Accountant job description  key points :

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

Accountant resume summary :

Why this resume works

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

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

2. Attorney resume summary

Attorney job description  key points :

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

Attorney resume summary :

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

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

3. Business analyst resume summary

Business analyst job description  key points :

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

Business analyst resume summary :

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

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

4. Customer service resume summary

Customer service job description  key points :

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

Customer service resume summary :

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

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

5. Data analyst resume summary

Data analyst job description  key points :

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

Data analyst resume summary :

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

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

6. Data engineer resume summary

Data engineer job description  key points :

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

Data engineer resume summary :

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

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

7. Data scientist resume summary

Data scientist job description  key points:

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

Data scientist resume summary :

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

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

8. Graphic designer resume summary

Graphic designer job description  key points :

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

Graphic designer resume summary :

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

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

9. Human resources (HR) resume summary

Human resources (HR) job description  key points :

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

Human resources (HR) resume summary :

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

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

10. Nursing resume summary

Nursing job description  key points :

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

Nursing resume summary :

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

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

11. Operations manager resume summary

Operations manager job description  key points :

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

Operations manager resume summary :

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

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

12. Product manager resume summary

Product manager job description  key points :

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

Product manager resume summary :

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

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

13. Program manager resume summary

Program manager job description  key points :

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

Program manager resume summary :

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

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

14. Project manager resume summary

Project manager job description  key points :

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

Project manager resume summary :

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

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

15. Recruiter resume summary

Recruiter job description  key points:

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

Recruiter resume summary :

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

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

16. Sales resume summary

Sales job description  key points :

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

Sales resume summary :

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

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

17. Scrum master resume summary 

Scrum Master job description  key points :

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

Scrum Master resume summary :

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

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

18. Social media manager resume summary

Social media job description  key points :

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

Social media manager resume summary :

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

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

19. Software engineer resume summary

Software engineer job description  key points :

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

Software engineer resume summary :

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

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

20. Teacher resume summary

Teacher job description  key points :

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

Teacher resume summary :

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

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

21. Server resume summary

22. Nanny resume summary

23. Data Entry resume summary

24. Marketing resume summary

25. Teacher Assistant resume summary

26. Caregiver resume summary

27. Social Worker resume summary

28. Dental Assistant resume summary

29. Front-End Developer resume summary

30. Web Developer resume summary

Resume Summary Recap & Your Next Steps

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

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

X + Y + Z = Success!

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

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

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

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

Senior Financial Analyst Resume

Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

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

🔍  Search for a summary by job title

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

☞  or choose from popular keywords:

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

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

Who needs a resume summary?

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

People with a lot of experience

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

People who are changing careers or job titles

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

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

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

If the job is looking for something specific

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

Do you need a resume summary?

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

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

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

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

How to write a resume summary

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

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

Search Results

Resume summary examples.

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

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

Resume summary templates by career level

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

Template 1: Executive Resume Summary

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

Template 2: Conventional Resume Summary

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

Resume summary examples by job title

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

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

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

Resume Summary Example #2

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

Mid-Level Jobseeker Resume Summary Example #1

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

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

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

Career Changer Resume Summary Example

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

Resume summary tips

Keep it short.

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

Tailor your resume summary

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

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

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

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

Avoid buzzwords

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

Write your summary last

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

People applying for remote jobs

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

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How to Write a Resume for Today's Job Market

Posted on 03 sep 2024.

According to Gitnux, recruiters spend less than 15 seconds on 55% of job applications. This makes it crucial to build an eye-catching resume that effectively conveys your skills and qualifications to keep recruiters reading. This guide explores what to write in a resume to make it stand out, a resume sample, and additional tips.

How to Write a Resume for a Job

It's important to understand how to present yourself as the ideal candidate by highlighting key aspects of your professional background. Follow these eight steps to make a resume that stands out to hiring managers.

1. Gather the Relevant Information

Gathering information relevant to your desired job enables a smooth resume-writing process and the inclusion of all important details. Carefully review your qualifications and create a comprehensive list that includes:

• Soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills
• Job titles, dates of employment, and key duties
• Impressive measurable accomplishments
• Educational credentials that demonstrate your expertise
• Volunteer work that helped you develop skills and experience relevant to the job
• Notable awards and honors you received

Once gathered, you can sort through them and exclude information less relevant to your desired job.

2. Choose the Right Format

There are three different resume formats you might use, each organized differently to best highlight your selling points.

• Chronological : This resume format emphasizes an individual's work experience, making it ideal for those with a strong work history and professional achievements.
• Functional : The functional resume format focuses on the individual's skills, training, and education. It is an excellent formatting choice for those entering the workforce or changing careers.
• Combination : A combination or hybrid resume combines the functional and chronological styles to highlight your skills and work experience if you want to advance in your career.

3. Add Your Contact Information

Clearly display your name and contact information at the top of your resume so recruiters know exactly how to contact you for a job interview. Contact information should include your phone number and email address. Your name and job title should be in a bolder and larger font than the rest of the document text. You may also include a link to your professional online portfolio.

4. Write a Compelling Resume Summary

Write a concise and impactful resume summary that gives an overview of your skills, qualifications, and career goals and conveys your professional personality. Hiring managers may only review your resume briefly — display your most attractive qualities as a candidate so recruiters feel compelled to explore your resume further.

5. Add a Persuasive Work Experience Section

A persuasive work experience section should include a comprehensive summary of your past job roles. Each job role included in your work history section might include some of the following features:

• Dates of employment
• Company location
• Primary job responsibilities related to the job you're applying for
• Noteworthy work accomplishments during your employment

6. List Your Education History Accurately

If you have recent education credentials, you may also make a comprehensive and accurate education section. Each listing might include:

• The name of the school, college or university
• Location of the school
• Year and month of graduation or the expected graduation date
• Degree received
• Relevant coursework
• Relevant achievements, such as awards, scholarships, and honors

7. Use a Skills Section to Highlight Your Strengths

There are three categories of skills you might include on your resume, including:

• Hard skills : Hard skills are typically gained through coursework and work experience, such as computer forensics skills, email and social media marketing, or risk management and identification.
• Soft skills : These cannot always be taught and are generally traits that help individuals excel in the workplace. Examples include attention to detail, creativity, and adaptability.
• Technical skills : Technical skills include specialized knowledge and expertise in certain areas that allow you to perform specific tasks well. These skills may include using specific tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Java extremely well.

8. Highlight Accomplishments in Optional Resume Sections

If you have relevant accomplishments that might catch the recruiter's attention, include them in a section on certifications, licenses, and training. Specify its title, when you received it, and a brief description. You can also create an awards, honors, and volunteer work section if you have achievements relevant to the desired job.

Sample Resume Example

Here is one of the best sample resume examples following the combination resume:

Chanelle Cooper Certified Project Management Professional Los Angeles, CA 90058 555-555-5555 [email protected]

Highly reliable, result-oriented project manager with four years of experience in product and project management involving implementing, developing, and supporting complex infrastructures for fast-growing startups. As an eager and hardworking individual, I adapt to changing project requirements well and have a proven history of solution-oriented problem-solving.

Professional Experience

Project Manager

[Company name] 2022-Present | Los Angeles, CA

• Led a team of developers to build a proprietary CRM system
• Curated a $2 million business implementation project that helped save around $3 million in operational inefficiencies between the development and sales departments
• Optimized the company's sales process and increased sales revenue by 20%

Customer Success, Product Support

[Company Name] 2021-2022 | San Francisco, CA

• Streamlined post-sales support and increased customer retention rate by 28%
• Researched user behavior and led a strategic product roadmap across multi-functional teams
• Integrated a reporting system into BI sales workflow, increasing post-meeting inquiries for the technical sales department
• Technical skills: Tableau, SQL, JIRA and Python
• Hard skills: Process management, project initiation and planning, risk management, and documentation
• Soft skills: Critical thinking, leadership, prioritization, and coaching

University of California, Berkeley | 2016-2020 | Berkeley, CA Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering, 3.8 GPA

Resume Writing Tips to Help You Land the Job

Here are a few valuable resume-writing tips on how to put together a compelling resume.

• Include keywords related to your target job : Recruiters typically use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through resumes and narrow them down to applicants that meet the job position's needs. To help ensure the hiring manager sees your application, include keywords related to your desired job , often found in the job description itself.
• Dedicate time to form and proofread your resume : You may make a good impression on the company by proofreading your work and dedicating time to tailor your resume for each job.
• Make the resume scannable and ATS-friendly : You can make it easier for the ATS to understand your resume by incorporating good formatting , such as using consistent spacing and alignment; avoiding complex headers, tables and graphics; and using words and headings that are easily recognizable to the ATS.
• Get help from a professional resume writer : If you lack time to work on a resume or need assistance forming a compelling one, professional resume writers may help you create one that accurately and appropriately outlines your professional background.

Leverage Resume-Writing Services From Resumeble

Do you need assistance writing a resume that portrays you as a reliable professional? Resumeble offers premium resume-writing services. Our certified resume writers work to understand your unique qualities, work background, and career goals and craft a personalized ATS-optimized resume that accurately reflects your specific skills and experiences. For more information, review the perks of our resume service and place an order today.

• 7 seconds: this is how long your resume has either to impress or be ignored by the recruiter
• 300+: average number of applications one corporate job opening posted online receives
• 3%: number of sent resumes that result in interviews

Transform your career and beat the odds!

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How to outline work experience in a resumé

You’ve got the job experience to back up your suitability for a role – but what’s the best way to add it to your resumé ? To stand out against other qualified applicants, it’s important that your work experience section highlights your strongest points. 

In this article, we explore how you can effectively display your professional journey, highlighting past positions, key responsibilities and relevant achievements. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, wording your resumé experience correctly can make all the difference in landing your next role.

How to include work experience in a resumé

How to format your resumé work experience section, resumé work experience examples, why is work experience in a resumé so important.

A well-written work experience section can be one of the most important elements of your resumé . It gives the hiring manager a quick look into your employment history, including previous employers, dates of employment, skills and responsibilities.

Detailing your work experience is important as it demonstrates how you use your qualifications, skills and level of experience handling various tasks. It can also help showcase your work ethic and commitment, and highlight your career progression. 

The work experience section should be the main focus of your resumé. Here are some quick steps on how to write experience in a resumé. 

Step 1. Identify your resumé format

The right resumé format depends on the job and what’s normal practice in your industry, so it’s worth taking time to decide which one best suits this application. Having a consistent format ensures your resumé looks professional and presents your information clearly,  while showcasing your attention to detail and organisation skills. 

The 3 most commonly used resumé formats for your work experience section are:

1. Reverse chronological format 

This is the most commonly used format, where you list your jobs in reverse date order. Start with your most recent job first, then the job before that second, and so on. It’s a great option if you’ve got at least a few years of job history in a related field.

2. Functional format

This format focuses on what you do rather than where you’ve worked. Your skills and abilities are grouped into categories (rather than spread out across different jobs) with quantitative examples of how you demonstrated these qualities in previous roles. The categories can be tailored to the role you’re applying for by using the keywords and skills listed in the job description. 

For example, categories could include:

• Complaint-resolution skills
• Management skills
• Leadership skills
• Sales skills

A skills-based resumé is a good format to consider if you have gaps in your work history, are changing careers, or have limited work experience. 

3. Combination format

A hybrid of chronological and functional formats, the combination format highlights both work history and relevant skills. Start with a summary of your most relevant skills first, before listing your work history. This format is useful for those who want to emphasise specific skills, while also showing a steady work history. 

Choose the format that best highlights your skills and experience for the job you’re applying for.

Step 2. Discuss achievements instead of responsibilities

To give insight into what makes you the best choice for an employer, highlight your achievements that had a positive impact on the business. This lets an employer know how well you performed your job, not just the mechanics of the role itself. When giving examples of your accomplishments, make sure to use action verbs and quantifiable achievements (backed by numbers) whenever possible.

Here are some examples of responsibility-based vs achievement-based sentences, so you can see the difference:

• Responsibility based : sales of travel products
• Achievement based: increased sales revenue by 20% in the first quarter
• Responsibility based:  managed customer enquiries and resolved issues in a timely manner
• Achievement based:  increased customer satisfaction by 20% through efficient issue resolution
• Responsibility based:  developed marketing campaigns for new product launches
• Achievement based:  lead marketing strategy, resulting in a 30% increase in product awareness year on year

Tip:  Don’t list every job duty you’ve had. Stick to transferable skills relevant to the role you want, and use bullet points to keep your resumé clear and concise.

Step 3. List relevant job titles 

When putting together an employment history , it’s common practice to start with the most recent position, following a reverse-chronological order. This puts your most recent experience upfront, while allowing your resumé to be easily read by ATS software used by hiring managers. 

You should also include:

• Specific job titles (especially ones relevant to the role you’re applying for)
• Company names
• Company locations (city and region)
• Dates of employment for each position

An example of this might look like:

01/2018–11/2023     Manager at ABC Company, Auckland

Always use the full name of each organisation, be as specific as you can regarding job title, and use the MM/YYYY format so the dates can be easily read by an ATS.

Step 4. Begin each bullet point with an action verb

Your accomplishments speak volumes about your work ethic, commitment and abilities. Make your accomplishments impactful by starting each bullet point with an action word. Use words like:

• Implemented
• Streamlined

Avoid industry jargon and overly complex terminology.

Instead of: Responsible for workplace safety  Say:  Implemented comprehensive safety protocols, reducing workplace incidents by 20%. 

The latter sounds more active and engaging, highlighting the impact you had on your company.

Step 5. Highlight quantifiable achievements 

Your resumé speaks on your behalf, so you want it to be as persuasive as possible. Using quantifiable achievements helps prove your successes by adding measurable results like numbers, percentages or other metrics. It’s a great way to clearly demonstrate your ability to deliver above and beyond the KPIs set. 

Instead of:   Video production and editing   Say:   Produced 25 x 2-minute videos per week

Here are more quantifiable achievements examples:

• Increased social media following by 30% by creating more engaging content.
• Decreased production costs by 15% by implementing new efficiency measures.
• Boosted sales revenue by 25% through a targeted marketing campaign.

Step 6. Tailor your bullet points to the job you want

Before submitting your resumé, read through the job description and make note of the specific skills and work experiences that are mentioned. With this in mind, tailor your work experience descriptions to highlight these same key skills and qualities, while choosing workplace achievements that demonstrate your ability to put these skills into action.

Here are some tips on how to format your work experience on your resumé.

1. Create a dedicated section for your professional experience

Create a clear section entitled Work Experience or Professional Experience underneath the Resumé Summary part of your resumé. This makes it easy for the hiring manager to quickly see where you’ve worked. You can also add a section called Additional Experience or Volunteer Experience if you have relevant knowledge or transferable skills from outside the workplace that you want to highlight.

2. List your most recent work experience first

While there are different ways you can format your resumé, most ATS and employers tend to prefer reverse chronological order. So list your most recent experience first, followed by your previous positions in descending order. This allows hiring managers to quickly see your most relevant and up-to-date experience.

3. Consistent formatting and clear concise points 

Maintain consistent formatting throughout your work experience section. This makes it easier for the hiring manager to read, while also making your resumé visually appealing. Use the same professional font , font size, spacing and bullet point style for each entry, and ensure your bullet points are clear and concise.

If you don’t know where to start, it can help to see how others in your line of work put together their work experience. To give you a head start, below are work experience resumé examples for a variety of different work backgrounds. Use this as a base to form your own work experience section in your resumé. 

Example resumé work experience for fresh graduates with no experience

As a graduate, you may not have any relevant work experience yet. If you’re applying for your first job, you can include things like volunteer roles or extracurricular roles you had at school. Below is an example of how you can list these roles on your resumé.

02/2023–present    Intern at The Bridge Company, Wellington

Organising events and meetings as assistant to the PR manager.

Analysing e-commerce data in the developer team.

07/2020–12/2022     Volunteer at Helping Hands Charity, Wellington

Managed social media accounts, boosting engagement by 20% on 6 months.

Organised fundraising events as assistant to team leader

Example resumé work experience for a mid-career switch 

If you’re making a career change from one industry to another, it’s important to focus on showing transferable skills. You can also highlight the parts of your previous experience that are relevant to the new role. For example moving from a career in sales to a role in human resources.

06/2021–present     Account Executive at Salesby Ltd, Christchurch

Develop marketing campaigns and promotions with ad sales team

Negotiate client contracts to consistently meet revenue targets

08/2017–03/2021     Business Development at Sei, Christchurch

Develop proposals and presentations to pitch products and services to potential clients.

Identify new business opportunities and partnerships, expanding the client base by 40%.

Example resumé work experience for professionals

If you’ve been working in your industry for awhile, you may have multiple relevant roles to add to your work experience section. Make sure you avoid adding too many previous roles , instead stick to the most relevant. 

02/2022–present     Marketing Manager, Biotech, Auckland

Develop and execute marketing campaigns to increase customer engagement by 25%.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to launch new products, driving a 15% increase in sales.

06/2019–02/2022      Communications Specialist, Treehill, Auckland

Managed internal communications, improving employee engagement by 20%.

Strategised content for the company website and newsletters, increased website traffic by 40%.

Example resumé work experience for managers 

Leadership and management roles will often require some level of management experience. It’s important to highlight your experience in similar roles, or skills that may be transferable from other roles. 

05/2023–present     Hotel Manager at Brydges Hotel, Wellington

Manage hotel budget and expenses, achieving a 15% cost reduction.

Implement training programs for staff, resulting in improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%.

08/2019–04/2023     Assistant Manager at Oaks Inn, Wellington

Co-managed day-to-day hotel operations, including guest check-in/check-out and room reservations.

Resolved guest complaints in a timely and professional manner.

Showcasing your work experience in your resumé is more than simply listing previous job titles. It’s highlighting your achievements, skills and career progression , relevant to the job you’re going for. Make a strong impression by using action verbs and including any quantifiable achievements, and choose a format that best highlights your skills and experience, keeping it consistent throughout. With the above in mind, you can create a work experience resumé that stands out and gets you to the next step in the hiring process.  

Can I just put years on my resumé?

Yes, you can just put years on your resumé. However, it’s best to also include the months, preferably in MM/YYYY format. This provides a clearer picture of your work history for the hiring manager, and matches the format that ATS software is programmed to read.

How long should a resumé be for a job?

Your resumé should be one page , or two pages at most, if you have a lot of relevant experience. If your resumé is in multi-page territory, consider whether you have gone for quantity over quality. Check if you’ve been clear and concise, removing experience not relevant to the role, and consider limiting quantified achievements to two to three bullet points per job or skill category.

What jobs should you put on a resumé?

Include relevant jobs and experience that showcase the skills and qualifications required for the position you’re applying for. Focus on roles that demonstrate your ability to perform the job you're wanting to get.

What order should work experience be listed on a resumé?

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. This format highlights your most recent and relevant experience first and is the most commonly used. Other format types include functional and combination formats.

Can you leave jobs off your resumé?

If they’re not relevant to the position you’re applying for, there’s no need to include every job you’ve ever had. If you have a long work history, only include the most relevant roles. If an employer wants an explanation about any employment gaps, then they may ask you this during the interview.

How to address maternity leave on your resumé?

Maternity leave can simply be included in the date range you worked for a company. If however you were not employed during your maternity leave, then the best approach is to list this in your work experience section as ‘Parental Leave’.  

How to overcome an employment gap in your work history?

Be upfront about gaps in your employment by including these as you would a jobs in the work experience section of your resumé. There can be many reasons for gaps in your work history, such as health problems, job loss, study, caring responsibilities, or taking time off to travel. You don’t need to give an explanation, but you can include any relevant skills or experience you gained during your employment break.

How many years of work experience should be on a resume?

You should include all work experience relevant to the job you’re applying for, but focus on the most recent 10–15 years unless earlier experience is highly relevant to the position. Highlight accomplishments and skills gained throughout your career, remembering to keep it clear and concise so your resumé is only a page or two long.

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Tableau Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Tableau Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)

• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Tableau Resume

• Tableau Developer
• Tableau Business Analyst
• Tableau Data Analyst

Tableau Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

John Bergsen (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Seattle, WA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A results-driven Tableau developer with six years of experience, specializing in R, Python, SQL, data visualization, and business intelligence. A proven track record of executing complex technical projects to enhance data-driven decision-making for enterprise businesses.

Professional Experience

Lead Tableau Developer , Guardian Insurance Inc., Seattle, WA | February 2020 – present

• Develop and implement business intelligence solutions for a major insurance firm to support data-driven decision-making and drive automation of manual processes, contributing to a 19% increase in revenue growth over three years
• Run a team of seven junior developers to create, maintain, and optimize over 40 Tableau dashboards and reports to enhance data visualization across all departments
• Collaborate effectively with non-technical users to identify business needs and present data analytic findings in an engaging manner

Tableau Developer , Roland HR Solutions, Seattle, WA | June 2018 – February 2020

• Executed a wide range of technical projects to improve the integrity of data reporting for an HR software solutions company, including validating and auditing large data sets
• Developed Tableau dashboards and reports for internal business users to automate manual data entry, which saved over 120 work hours per month
• Data visualization
• Technical project management
• Business intelligence
• Process improvement

Certifications

• Tableau Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) | 2019
• Tableau Desktop Certified Professional (TDCP) | 2018

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Intelligence University of Washington, Seattle, WA | 2018

This Tableau resume example communicates the candidate’s professional achievements in a concise yet engaging manner. The bullet points clearly illustrate how they leveraged their technical knowledge to enhance data reporting and facilitate business growth.

Allison Rosenberg (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Miami, FL 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A Tableau business analyst with seven years of experience building and developing dashboards for multi-million-dollar manufacturing companies. A strong history of collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify data analytic needs and uncover cost-saving opportunities.

Tableau Business Analyst , Coulthart Manufacturing, Miami, FL | May 2019 – present

• Design and build Tableau dashboards to provide real-time data reporting for a $15 million dollar supply chain and enhance data visualization for users, contributing to a 19% reduction in operating costs
• Coordinate cross-functionally with logistics, supply chain management, and manufacturing teams to evaluate data analytic needs and requirements
• Create and maintain comprehensive Tableau reports and perform queries on large data sets to gather actionable insights

Tableau Business Analyst , Garland Manufacturing, Miami, FL | June 2017 – May 2019

• Developed and implemented impactful Tableau dashboards and reports to aid business intelligence efforts and enhance data analytic capabilities for a large manufacturing firm
• Spearheaded initiatives to improve data visualization and uncover inefficiencies in supply chain management, which generated $1.2 million in cost savings
• Data science
• Data reporting
• Tableau Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) | 2018
• Tableau Desktop Certified Professional (TDCP) | 2017

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Data Science University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | 2017

This resume example demonstrates the candidate’s experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to support business intelligence efforts. It also makes good use of numbers and data to establish a sense of scope for the job seeker’s achievements.

Yaling Zhang (123) 456-7890 [email protected] New York, NY 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A Tableau data analyst with 10 years of experience specializing in business intelligence, data visualization, and technical project management. A proven track record of building advanced dashboards to support data-driven decision-making for multi-million-dollar businesses and investment portfolios.

Senior Tableau Data Analyst , Highland Financial, New York, NY | February 2018 – present

• Develop Tableau dashboards and reports to transform data into actionable insights for a premiere financial consulting firm with client accounts valued at up to $3 million
• Perform comprehensive analysis of complex data sets to identify financial trends, improve data visualization, and facilitate data-driven decision-making for client businesses
• Manage and build a team of 10 Tableau analysts and developers, provide coaching and mentorship, and identify opportunities to enhance project workflows

Tableau Data Analyst , Roland Consulting Firm, New York, NY | June 2014 – February 2018

• Created scalable Tableau dashboards to facilitate business intelligence efforts and develop strategies to support long-term financial objectives for client accounts valued at $300,000 to $2 million
• Communicated data insights to both technical and non-technical client stakeholders using a wide range of data visualization strategies
• Data analytics
• Stakeholder management
• Tableau Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) | 2016
• Tableau Desktop Certified Professional (TDCP) | 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Data Science University of Syracuse, New York, NY | 2014

This Tableau resume example captures the candidate’s capabilities as both a team leader and data science professional. The content effectively communicates the applicant’s ability to lead business intelligence initiatives and analyze complex data sets for high-value clients.

To pursue Tableau analyst and developer roles on the open market, you need an accomplishment-driven resume that highlights your comprehensive technical knowledge and career achievements. Show potential employers how you’ve successfully enhanced the way data is visualized and utilized for business intelligence. We’ll walk you through each step of the resume-building process and help you land your next big job opportunity.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

Grab the hiring manager’s attention with a powerful opening summary that provides a snapshot of your professional career. Start by listing your title, years of experience, and relevant skill sets that match the job description. Paint a concise yet compelling image of your experience executing complex technical projects to improve data reporting. Emphasize your unique ability to create value for clients, team members, and organizations.

Strong Profile Example

A results-driven Tableau developer with six years of experience specializing in R, Python, SQL, data visualization, and business intelligence. A proven track record of executing complex technical projects to enhance data-driven decision-making for enterprise businesses.

Weak Profile Example

A hard-working Tableau developer with years of experience analyzing complex data. Seeking a developer position with your company to continue to expand my technical knowledge and skill sets in a high-level company.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

The professional experience section is a key component of your Tableau resume. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how your contributions have positively impacted previous organizations. As you craft your bullet points, provide appropriate context and eye-catching numbers to help the reader visualize your technical achievements.

For instance, you might mention that you led a business intelligence project to aid the marketing department in evaluating the success of digital advertising campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in return on investment (ROI). By illustrating how you’ve generated value throughout your career, you’re also demonstrating that your expertise would be a strong asset to future employers.

Strong Professional Experience Example

Lead Tableau Developer, Guardian Insurance Inc., Seattle, WA | February 2020 – present

• Collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences to identify business needs and requirements

Weak Professional Experience Example

• Develop technical solutions and execute ad-hoc projects as needed in a timely manner
• Delegated responsibilities and tasks to junior developers and enforced policies and procedures
• Interface with various team members and departments to gather requirements

3. Include relevant education and certifications

Provide an overview of your education and industry certifications to show potential employers that you’re a qualified candidate. For Tableau developer or analyst positions, companies will usually require a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, such as business intelligence, data science, or information technology. Also, consider obtaining a Tableau Certified Data Management Professional or Tableau Desktop Certified Professional designation to demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge of the platform.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Data Science
• Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2020
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• Tableau Desktop Certified Professional (TDCP) | 2016

4. List pertinent key skills

In today’s job market, most companies rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to identify qualified candidates. To pass the initial screening process and get your resume into the hiring manager’s hands, you need to incorporate key skills that align with the job description. For example, if a company mentions Python multiple times in the posting, this would be a clear indicator to feature this keyword prominently in your profile, skills, and professional experience section. Below, you’ll find a list of skills you may encounter while pursuing Tableau analyst or developer roles:

How To Pick The Best Tableau Resume Template

To make a positive impression on the hiring manager, you need a professional resume template that is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Avoid cluttering your resume with graphics and other distracting visual elements to keep the reader’s attention firmly fixated on your qualifications and experience. Select a template that captures your personal brand and tells your story in a compelling and engaging way.

Frequently Asked Questions: Tableau Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for tableau resumes -.

It’s easy to get stuck when building the professional experience section of your Tableau resume. Often a limited number of action verbs accurately describe your career achievements and experience. That said, diversifying your usage of action verbs is important so each bullet point feels fresh and distinct. We’ve compiled a list of verbs to craft your content:

How do you align your resume with a Tableau job description? -

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for management analysts are expected to grow by 10% over the next decade. Financial analyst positions are also experiencing high growth rates, with over 29,000 new openings by 2032. Although these projections are encouraging, you still need to align your Tableau resume with each role you apply for to maximize your odds of landing the interview.

As an experienced analyst, you understand the importance of presenting relevant data and business insights in a compelling manner. The same is true for your resume. For example, say that a company is seeking an analyst with a strong background in business intelligence. In this situation, provide tangible examples of you leading complex projects to enhance data visualization and facilitate data-driven decision-making.

What is the best Tableau resume format? -

Reverse chronological is the most suitable format for Tableau resumes. This presents your most recent and relevant work history directly below the summary, allowing your professional experience to stand out more prominently. A combination format should only be considered at the entry level, as this approach prioritizes skills, education, and industry certifications over your work experience.

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After completing your Tableau resume, consider pairing it with a strong cover letter to further enhance your job application. The key is to craft an engaging document that conveys your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the company you’re targeting. For more insights, visit our business analyst cover letter guide .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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