Summary Statements and Worksheet

What is the purpose of a summary or profile?

Your summary or profile is an essential part of your resume. It is placed at the top of the resume, right under your contact information and before your education. It highlights your skills, experience and personal characteristics.  Most resume screeners make a decision within about 30 seconds whether or not to invite the candidate in for an interview. A well-written summary invites the reader to keep reading, and the more they read, the better your chance of being selected for an interview.

Additionally, according to resume expert Wendy Enelow, "most large companies and recruiting firms use electronic resume scanners to store and sort resumes on internal computer databases. When a position becomes available, the employer can retrieve resumes by using key words that describe job responsibilities and requirements as search parameters. So that your resume pops up during searches in your field, make sure your resume uses as many critical key words as possible to describe your experience, skills and qualifications." Your summary statement is a perfect place to do this.

Generally speaking, key words are "buzzwords" (usually nouns) used in a field or industry to describe specific actions, projects, processes, technologies or software.  A good place to find key words is in the position description.

How do I create my summary statements?

Throughout your resume, maintain parallel structure and be certain that every word moves your case forward. In other words, use the same verb tense and aim for consistency between your resume, cover letter and the job description. Read the phrases out loud. Ask yourself:

• Do the phrases follow the same basic structure?
• Does the content address the job description?
• Will the reader form an accurate mental picture of who I am and the specific skills and attributes that I have to offer the company or organization?

Decide on the 3-5 summary statements to include on your resume. Finish revising the entire resume. Proofread.

Examples of summary statements, by category

Personal qualities and skills:

• Strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting wellness and preventing disease
• Proven effectiveness working independently and as a team player
• Detail-oriented and accurate
• Genuine concern for and sensitivity to patients
• Relates easily and establishes positive rapport with all ages and personalities
• Accurate and reliable record keeping
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Serious and dedicated employee who is able to work a flexible schedule

Technical knowledge:

• Knowledge of long-term care, managed care, and Medicare/Medicaid
• Experience with statistical analysis, using SPSS and SAS
• Working knowledge of computer software including Word, Excel, and Access
• Obtained the Smith Grant for continuing health care education issues
• Ability to identify specific health care issues of a population
• Experience recruiting and supervising student volunteers to aid in research projects
• MPH degree and over five years of experience in public health administration
• Multi-lingual; fluent in Spanish and French, conversant in German

Interests or specializations:

• Certified Nursing Assistant with experience in direct patient care
• Sincerely enjoy developing and promoting software training modules
• Experienced in many facets of financial record keeping
• Strong belief in continuing education and training to improve the workplace and individuals

Do I need an objective if I use a summary?

For internships, graduate assistantships, and other employment or experiences while you are a student, an objective may be helpful in identifying the type of employment you desire.

For regular, full-time employment, the objective statement is not necessary. It is often so vague it offers no substantial information, or it is written for a specific position and thus needs to be re-written each time you submit a resume. Your cover letter will offer that information, so you may omit the objective on your resume.

How do I construct my summary?

Look at a copy of a job description or advertisement of your targeted job. In the order they list it, what are the required or desired qualifications of their ideal candidate? (Usually, companies list the most important qualifications first.)

(1)__________________________________  

(2)__________________________________  

(3)__________________________________  

(4)__________________________________  

(5)__________________________________  

(6)__________________________________  

(7)__________________________________  

(8)__________________________________  

(9)__________________________________  

(10)_________________________________