How to Write an Engaging Resume Summary in 2024 (+ Examples)

Hiring managers spend just seven seconds reviewing resumes. In that blink of an eye, you need to capture their imagination. Since the resume summary is likely the first thing they’ll read, start there. Writing a captivating blurb is a surefire way to have your reader hooked. So, how do you perfect this art?

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about writing your resume summary. We’ll also be looking at how you can use AI in your summary writing and answering some frequently asked questions.

What is a resume summary?

A resume summary is a snapshot of your professional background. Think of it like the highlight reel of your career. This short paragraph gives the reader an introduction to your skills, expertise, and history. Since recruiters tend to skim this resume section, it needs to get their attention fast.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your resume summary stand out from the crowd. Using the right language, adding specific evidence, and tailoring it to the job description are all good places to start.

Let’s take a look at a bad resume summary example to kick things off:

The above resume summary example is poor to put it lightly. It uses first-person language, which isn’t appropriate for a resume. It also doesn't give the hiring manager any valuable information or specific evidence.

Here’s a much-improved entry for you to take a look at:

This resume summary is far more likely to win over the hiring manager. Nailing this part of your application is all about attention to detail. We’ll show you how to take your summary to the next level.

Is a summary the same as an objective?

The short answer is no. A resume summary isn’t the same as an objective or a career profile or a resume profile. 

Take a look at our quick descriptions below to learn more:

• A resume summary is a snappy overview of your professional background, skills, and accomplishments. It needs to grab the reader’s attention immediately.
• An objective is a statement that details your career goals and aims. If you’re new to a sector, you might choose to use this instead of a summary.
• A career profile is a more in-depth summary of your professional history. It’s often longer than either a summary or an objective.

A resume profile is an umbrella term that applies to all of the above. Now that you understand what a summary is all about, let’s take a look at how to write yours.

How to write a resume summary

Are you unsure where to start? Creating your summary is one of the most challenging parts of resume writing. You need to make sure it’s clear, concise, and impactful. Here’s how to do it.

Use AI to generate your resume summary

Luckily, AI can help you write a captivating resume summary. At Resume Mentor, our resume builder features an AI generation tool. At the click of a button, you can create the perfect summary for your needs.

Powered by ChatGPT, the tool tailors your summary to the job position you’re applying for. The result is an AI-generated summary based on the job ad and a title optimized for relevant keywords.

Take all of the guesswork out of writing! Simply share the job details with our builder tool, and the ChatGPT Assistant generates amazing suggestions to highlight your strengths and value.

Use keywords from the job posting

Next up, make sure to sprinkle keywords throughout your resume. Go back to the original job posting and pick out any job-specific or industry-related terms. These are the words the hiring manager will be looking for, which means your resume will quickly pique their interest.

Stick to the same terms as the job posting rather than synonyms. This not only helps you catch the reader’s eye but also boosts your resume's chances if the company uses an ATS (Applicant Tracking System).

Use active language

Looking for a speedy way to improve your writing? Using active language puts you in the driving seat. This approach is far more powerful than passive language.

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples below:

• Active language example: "Increased sales by 20% through targeted marketing strategies."
• Passive language example: “Sales were increased by 20% via targeted marketing strategies.”

As you can see, using active language allows you to communicate the impact you have on a business. If your current summary includes passive language, it’s time to switch things up.

Show how you can be valuable

Hiring managers want to know one thing: What value do you have? Answer that question quickly and succinctly in your resume summary. You can do this by including evidence of your past accomplishments. List any awards you have, add statistics, and be specific about the results you achieved.

Do all of the above, and instantly let the hiring manager know what they can expect from you professionally.  

How to tailor your resume summary

Resume tailoring is all about aligning your resume to fit the vacancy. Tweaking your resume summary to match the job advert means highlighting the skills and experiences that matter most for the role. When the hiring manager sees your resume, it will immediately be clear you’re a great fit.

This also boosts your ATS ranking. While it’s not necessary to worry too much about "beating the bots," aligning your resume with the job description helps ensure it ranks well in any ATS. Essentially, matching your resume to the job ad increases your chances of ranking well and getting noticed.

To get started, review the original job posting. Ensure your resume summary mentions any criteria from the advert you meet. This tweak instantly makes your application more attractive to the reader.

When to write a resume summary

Thinking of writing a resume summary? If you’re not sure whether it’s right for your application, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s when you should write a resume summary.

When you want to be noticed faster

A strong resume summary can grab the reader’s attention. As we’ve already mentioned, you don’t have long to make the right first impression. Give the hiring manager a reason to read your entire resume by enticing them with this short and captivating paragraph.

When you want to highlight key skills and experience faster

Hiring managers don’t have all the time in the world. Deliver the information they need quickly and make their job easier. Share your key skills and experience at the top of your resume. When the reader looks at your resume, they can swiftly see whether you have the right background for the role.

When you want to include keywords early in your resume

We’ve already covered the importance of keywords. Featuring them in your resume summary means you can include them early on the page. Whenever the hiring manager is skimming your resume, these words are one of the first things they see.

Resume summary examples

Looking for some inspiration? Before you start working on your own, take a look at our resume summary examples for leading professions.

Resume summary writing formula

Want to know the secret to writing a great resume summary? We’ve created a simple formula you can use to help you get started.

Take a look at our adaptable template below:

Career change resume summary

If you’re changing careers, your resume summary should highlight your transferable skills and value. This is your chance to let the hiring manager know why you’re making this move.

This career change resume summary stands out with strong action verbs and persuasive language. It gives the hiring manager all the key details they need, like how your past experience lines up with your new career goals. Reading it, they'd quickly see your transferable skills and understand why you're a great fit for the role.

Teacher resume summary example

Shaping young minds is no easy task. Let the hiring manager know you have what it takes with an engaging teacher resume summary. Be clear about the value you bring and your teaching style.

This resume summary would get top marks! Including key details, such as how much experience you have and the teaching style you use, will get you far. It doesn’t end there. This summary also includes formal and powerful language, which is likely to make a real impression on the hiring manager. It concludes with a statement of intent as well—letting the reader know what they can expect in the future.

Executive resume summary example

You’ve reached the highest heights. When you’re aiming for a top job, you need a summary that effortlessly conveys your value. Make sure it highlights your track record and experience.

Here’s our executive resume example for inspiration.

Short and impactful, the above resume summary example shows off the candidate's key achievements. It features results-based points that will wow the hiring manager. This level of detail shows the reader what they can expect if they employ you. It also highlights the candidate’s efficiency which is likely to save the business money—it’s always a real bonus.

IT resume summary example

If you’re a technological whiz, it can be tricky to put your expertise into words. You need to highlight your area of experience while also letting your personality shine through, which can be a real balancing act. Your IT resume summary needs to do it all with style.

This resume summary quickly highlights key achievements and skills, giving a clear picture of what you bring to the table. By including metrics, like “reducing downtime by 35%,” it shows concrete results. As a bonus, it emphasizes leadership in areas like cybersecurity and cloud computing. This approach makes it obvious the candidate can take on complex challenges.

Nurse resume summary example

You’re the backbone of the healthcare service. Conveying your sense of compassion alongside your expertise is a tall order. However, with the right nurse resume summary, you can perfect this art.

This example gets straight to the point. It clearly shows the candidate is dedicated and caring, which are key in healthcare. Plus, by mentioning "over seven years of experience," it gives a solid sense of their background. The summary also offers results-based points show the reader the candidate’s value.  Overall, it paints a picture of someone who’s got the experience and skills to make a real difference.

Lawyer resume summary example

It’s time to make your case. Why are you the perfect candidate for the job? Your lawyer resume needs to include an impactful opening line and then supporting evidence to boot.

Take a peek at our legal resume example.

The opening line of this summary gets straight to the point. Highlighting that you have “over 12 years of experience” is sure to win over the hiring manager. The summary also includes the legal niche and results-based points throughout. This gives the reader a load of information in a short paragraph.

Surgeon resume summary example

Precision is everything in the surgical world. Your surgeon resume summary should accentuate your talents while showing your accuracy. Slice through the competition and gain the reader’s attention fast.

This surgeon's resume summary is a cut above. Including specific stats like "over 2,000 successful surgeries" and a "98% patient satisfaction rate" provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s track record. Mentioning you’re “board-certified” is also certain to put the reader’s mind at rest.

Manager resume summary example

Do you have what it takes to lead a team to success? If so, show off your talents with an effective manager resume summary. Share details of your proven track record to win over the reader.

While this is a brief resume summary, it offers a load of value. The paragraph includes statistics that prove the candidate has a long and impressive track record. It also clearly defines when these results were achieved by stating “within two years”. Reading this, the hiring manager would have a clear view of what type of manager the candidate is.

Engineering resume summary example

You’re a technical genius. But how can you let the hiring manager know that? Writing an engineering resume summary which delivers real value is the answer.

This resume summary example is a winner. It answers any pressing questions the hiring manager is likely to have. By specifying that they work with “full-stack web applications and cloud infrastructure,” the candidate has made things easy. They’re also upfront about the coding languages in which they’re proficient. Finally, the statistics showcase the candidate’s track record.

Developer resume summary example

The demand for software developers is growing globally. Writing a developer resume summary that encapsulates your abilities is the first step toward landing a job.

This resume summary includes a wealth of important information. Not only does it start by telling the hiring manager exactly how experienced the candidate is, but it’s also specific about the coding languages they use. The use of statistics throughout gives the reader all of the evidence they need.

Banking resume summary example

Seeking a banking position? If so, make sure you perfect the banking resume summary. Include a selection of facts and lead with your unique selling proposition in this paragraph.

This paragraph clearly defines the candidate's unique selling proposition: they “manage portfolios exceeding $500 million”. The formal tone of voice matches the nature of this high-end job. What’s more, there are plenty of details and facts, too.

Retail resume summary example

How can you beat the competition if you’re working in retail? If you want to stand out among a sea of similar candidates, let your retail resume summary do the talking.

Featuring quantifiable achievements and powerful language, this resume summary is sure to make an impression. The paragraph lists some of the candidate’s top skills. It ends with an engaging line that’s a promise to the hiring manager. Put simply, the reader knows what they can expect from the candidate.

HR resume summary example

If you work in HR, you already know the importance of a well-written HR resume summary. But do you have a case of writer’s block? Make sure that your opening paragraph hits the mark.

This resume summary quickly shows off the HR pro’s impressive track record. It also mentions their knack for using data to drive results and improve productivity. This tells the hiring manager what motivates the candidate. What’s more, is that it includes a commitment to fostering diversity and shows the reader that the candidate has strong morals and values.

Attorney resume summary example

The legal field is fierce with competition. If you want to land your next dream job, you need to make sure that you write a stellar attorney resume summary.

At a glance, the hiring manager knows that this candidate can win cases 95% of the time. That’s a major selling point. The resume summary also goes on to include details of the type of cases the attorney covers. The paragraph also includes professional language that works for this type of vacancy.

Data science resume summary example

When writing a data science resume, it’s important to get your facts straight. This snapshot needs to give the reader a load of information quickly and succinctly. Check out our data science resume examples.

This resume summary goes in strong, detailing the experience the candidate has. This approach gets straight to the point, wasting no time. The emphasis on being able to collaborate with cross-functional teams is also a hit. This is vital for professionals working in the data science industry.

Machine learning resume summary example

A branch of artificial intelligence, Machine Learning (ML) is the future. If you have the skills to make it in this fast-changing sector, show them off by writing a clear, concise ML resume summary.

Packed with evidence and statistics, this resume summary is a world away from being a wrong example. The paragraph starts by honing in on the candidate’s exact skills. It includes references to the various tools the candidate uses and also details the results they can deliver. Reading this, a hiring manager would instantly understand the level of value the candidate can bring to the business.

Sales resume summary example

As a gifted salesperson, you should already know how to use persuasive language. Sell your skills and experience to the hiring manager by writing a captivating sales resume summary.

When hiring a salesperson, recruiters want to see results. Starting a resume summary with experience in “driving revenue” is a smart move. This nugget is certain to hook the reader’s attention immediately. This resume summary also details what the candidate is known for and includes references to their skills.

Marketing resume summary example

Your resume is one of the most important marketing materials you will ever create and it all starts with a well-positioned summary. Ensure that the paragraph is strong, professional, and fit for purpose. Take a look at our marketing resume example now.

Boasting concrete numbers and achievements, this marketing resume summary is sure to make an impact. The fact that the candidate managed a “ $5M annual budget” shows that they can be trusted. But it’s not all about the numbers—the paragraph includes information about teamwork and creativity too. These are skills that are essential to success in the competitive marketing world.

Project manager resume summary example

Project managers take on a gigantic amount of responsibility. These professionals are at the forefront of projects, ensuring that a team hits the deadline and the quality is top-notch. When writing a project manager resume summary for this role, it’s important to include the right details that highlight your abilities.

Taking the opposite approach, this example is crystal clear. The paragraph includes results-based points, evidence, and powerful language. The hiring manager would learn all that they need to know from this paragraph. It’s direct, offering them a detailed snapshot of the professional.

Product manager resume summary example

Similarly, product managers need to have a diverse skill set and logical mind. Your product manager resume summary should emphasize these traits while serving up real-world experience.

The above resume summary wastes no time getting to its point. Including choice details, such as having “over eight years of experience” and using “strategic initiatives” gives the reader a taste of what they can expect. The summary also lists how many products the candidate has launched. This level of precision lets the hiring manager know the candidate is experienced and ready for the challenge.

Finance resume summary example

Are you looking for a job in finance? This industry is highly competitive, so you’ll need a finance resume summary that hooks the reader in an instant.

Leading with powerful, action verbs—such as “optimizing” and “analyze”—this resume summary is on point. It includes how many years of experience the professional has, the type of budgets they manage, and their ability to reduce overheads. Since hiring managers care about the bottom line, this type of summary is likely to pique their interest.

Accounting resume summary example

When you’re applying for an accounting role, grabbing the reader’s attention can be hard. It’s not simply about facts and figures. Use dynamic language to ensure your accounting resume summary has an impact, too.

This persuasive resume summary packs a load into a short paragraph. Not only does it state the candidate has a “proven track record,” it offers evidence to support this claim. There are plenty of action verbs in here and the language is jargon-free, yet professional.

Conclusion

Crafting an effective resume summary can help you make the right first impression. Use our guide to help you create a professional snapshot that turns the hiring manager’s head. Be sure to highlight your skills, achievements, and unique value proposition in this paragraph. Use AI smartly to perfect this art form. You should also tailor your summary to align with the job and target company.