3 Steps to Crafting a Resume Summary That Gets Noticed
The professional summary is the most valuable real estate on your resume. In just two or three sentences, you have the chance to grab a recruiter's attention and convince them you're the right person for the job. A weak summary can get your resume tossed in the 'no' pile in seconds. A strong one makes them eager to read on.
Forget the outdated "Objective" statement. A modern summary focuses on the value you bring, not what you want. Here’s how to craft a compelling one in three steps.
Step 1: Start with Your Professional Title and Experience
Lead with a strong statement that clearly defines who you are and your level of experience. This immediately orients the reader.
Formula: [Adjective] [Your Job Title] with [Number] years of experience in [Your Industry/Field].
Example:
A results-driven Senior Software Engineer with over 8 years of experience in developing and scaling SaaS applications in the fintech industry.
This is clear, concise, and packed with relevant keywords.
Step 2: Highlight 2-3 Key Skills or Achievements
What are you best at? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Pick two or three key skills or quantifiable achievements that align directly with the job you're applying for.
Formula: Proven ability in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3].
Example:
Proven ability in full-stack development, cloud architecture on AWS, and leading agile development teams.
This adds substance to your title and shows how you've been successful. If you can make it an achievement, even better:
Achievement-focused Example:
Proven ability to increase application performance by 50% through code optimization and database restructuring.
Step 3: Connect Your Skills to the Company's Needs
This is the final touch that shows you've done your research. Briefly state what you hope to achieve for the company, using language from the job description.
Formula: Seeking to leverage [Your Skills] to [Company Goal or Value from Job Description].
Example:
Seeking to leverage expertise in building secure and scalable systems to contribute to the development of innovative financial products at Acme Corp.
Putting It All Together
Now, let's combine the three steps into a powerful, cohesive summary.
Final Summary:
A results-driven Senior Software Engineer with over 8 years of experience in developing and scaling SaaS applications in the fintech industry. Proven ability to increase application performance by 50% through code optimization and database restructuring. Seeking to leverage expertise in building secure and scalable systems to contribute to the development of innovative financial products at Acme Corp.
This summary is:
- Concise: Straight to the point.
- Relevant: Packed with keywords from the job description.
- Impactful: Uses a quantifiable achievement to show value.
- Tailored: Mentions the company's goals.
Take 15 minutes to rework your summary using this three-step formula. It might be the most valuable 15 minutes you spend on your job application.