How do I write a Summary section?The summary should be 3-5 sentences in paragraph form. It should capture your career history and the most valuable skills and experience you offer. It’s the first thing a potential employer sees, so it’s your chance to sell yourself quickly. Here are some things to include in a Summary Statement:
- Your current field, years of experience and career focus
- The most relevant part of your background for the position you are applying for.
- The most impressive result you’ve achieved in your career
- What you offer the potential employer.
Example: “Bi-lingual Customer Service Manager with 10 years experience in a high-volume call centre. Energetic and organized team lead with a history of successful on-boarding of regional support teams. Achieved 10% reduction in refund requests and 15% increase in sales over a 2-year period. Seeking a position in a company expanding its support operations into English-speaking countries.”
Can I use “I” in my resume?"I," "me," or "my" should never be used in a resume. “I” may be used in a cover letter, but sparingly. Example: Correct: “Managed 4 team members”. Incorrect: “I managed 4 team members"
I’m a student and don’t have much work experience. What goes in the Summary Statement?There’s nothing wrong with stating up-front where you are in your education or career. If you’re a student or recent graduate, you may want to focus on skills and school accomplishments instead of your work history.
Do I need to include a summary?We recommend always having a summary on the top of your resume. Consider it your “elevator pitch,” or what you would say if you had 30 seconds to sell yourself for a job. If your summary doesn’t sound convincing, the hiring manager may not read further.
How do I write a summary if I’m applying to several different types of jobs?We recommend adjusting your resume to each job you are targeting. Review the job description, look at your background, and pull keywords from the job description and incorporate them into your resume examples. Show them you are the perfect fit.
I don’t have much work experience. What goes in the Summary Statement?There’s nothing wrong with stating up-front where you are in your education and career. If you’re a student and don’t have a lot of work experience, your Summary Statement should focus on your most compelling skills and attributes, whether gained on the job or through your education.
Where does Career Objective go?Including a “Career Objective” section is no longer considered a best practice. You may include a statement of the type of work you are seeking in the Summary section but it isn’t necessary. We recommend including a Career Objective in your cover letter.
