How to Write a Career Summary on Your Resume

How to Write a Career Summary on Your Resume How to write a resume career summaryA career summary can help make your resume stand out. Hiring managers are busy people. A single job posting might attract thousands of resumesimagine having to read through all of them to plattl out the best-looking candidates. Newsflash Hiring managers dont read the entirety of every single resume that hits their desk. Theres just no time.Instead of going line by line through each resume, hiring managers will often look for the career summary to determine whether or not they should keep reading. Whats a career summary, you ask?Itsa hard-hitting introductory paragraph packed with your most sought-after skills, abilities, accomplishments, and attributes. In short, your career summary is key to getting noticed. Take these six steps to create a winning career summary that can put your resume on top.Conduct research on your ideal jobThe more closely you can target your profile to the employers needs, the better your results will be. Start by searching jobs for your ideal position. Compare the ads and write a list of common job requirements and preferred qualifications.Assess your credentialsBased on your research, how do you measure up? How would you help potential employers meet their goals? Besides the qualifications described, do you offer any added bonus? If you are lacking in one area, do you make up for it with other credentials?If you are having a hard time assessing your skills, get help. Ask your colleagues, instructors, and supervisors what they landsee as your key qualifications. Review your performance evaluations. What do others say about the quality of your work? Then write a list of your topmarketable credentials.Relay the value you bring to the tableThe next step is to weave your top credentials into your summary. Keep in mind that the summary helps the hiring manager determine if you should be called for an interview. Include a synopsis of your career ach ievements to show that your dedication to results is transferable to your next employer. Explain how you would help solve their problems. Ask yourself, How will the employer benefit from hiring me?Add a headlineA headline, or resume title, hooks your readers and compels them to continue reading. A headline should include your job target as well as the main benefit of hiring you.Focus on your goalThe most effective summaries target one career goal. If you have more than one possible objective, consider drafting different versions. Your profile can also include a bulleted Key Skills section, which provides an easy-to-read listing of your core capabilities.Proofread, refine and perfectFirst impressions are lasting impressions. Is your summary persuasive and free of errors? Is your tone appropriate for your career field? Avoid empty, generalized statements such as excellent communication skills.The finished productHere is an example of an effective career summaryCorporate Real Estate Ex ecutiveIncreasing Bottom-Line Profitability Through Real Estate StrategiesProfessional ProfileAccomplished executive with a proven ability to develop and implement real estate strategies that support business and financial objectives. Have led key initiatives that reduced operating budget by $32 million and contributed to 550 percent stock increase. Recognized as an expert in applying financial concepts to asset management decisions.Respected leader, able to build highly motivated management teams focused on achieving revenue goals. Keep up-to-date with changes in the industry through continuing professional development (earned an MBA in finance/real estate and master of corporate real estate designation).Areas of ExpertiseHigh-Volume, High-Dollar NegotiationsStrategic/Tactical PlanningMultimillion-Dollar Operating and Capital Budget AdministrationAnalytical and Financial SkillsStatistical Modeling and ROI AnalysesResume ready? Do this nextHaving strong, well-organizedresume is one of the most important elements of the job search, so you want to make sure your resume isdoing everything possible toget a recruiters attention and land an interview. Could you use some help fine-tuning the details?Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression. From career summary to your workplace experience to adding impressive accomplishments, Monsters experts will show you how to stand out from the crowd.