If you still have an objective statement perched at the top of your resume, it’s time for some serious updating.
That formal (and, honestly, totally useless) blurb of the past has since made way for something way more helpful: a resume summary statement.
So…uhh…what exactly is a summary statement? It’s a few short lines that go at the top of your document and make it easy for the hiring manager to quickly understand your experience and qualifications. Basically, it gives the highlights of what you bring to the table.
It sounds simple in theory. But when you sit down to actually pull one together, you’ll quickly realize that distilling your skills, experience, and ambitions into a few short sentence fragments is way easier said than done.
Fortunately, a little inspiration can get your creative juices flowing. These 20 resume summary examples (and expert tips) will help you get started—and hopefully keep you from staring at that menacing, blinking text cursor for a half hour.
5 tips for writing your own resume summary statement
Before we get into the actual resume summary examples, let’s set the scene with some more general advice for writing your own professional summary. Here are five tips to keep in mind as you work on this blurb for yourself.
1. Determine if you actually need one
There are certain things you absolutely have to include on your resume—like your name and your contact information. But a summary statement? It’s not necessarily a prerequisite.
Summary statements can be more impactful for certain types of candidates. For example, if you have years of professional history, several disparate experiences that need to be tied together, or an untraditional background that could warrant some explanation, a summary statement can help you set the scene.
If you’re stuck on whether or not to write one, ask yourself this: Is this adding value or is it simply restating things that are said elsewhere on your resume?
2. Say exactly what you do
Your summary statement is included directly at the top of the document, so don’t forget its primary purpose: to introduce you to the hiring manager.
To make a solid introduction, you need to plainly state what you do (without any vague terms or clever phrasing). Are you a software engineer? Say that. A customer support specialist? Use those exact words.
It might seem basic, but explicitly spelling out your job title gives some important context as the hiring manager reviews your history and other qualifications. Plus, it helps them more readily understand what position you’re applying for, just in case your resume gets bounced around or separated from your application.
3. Tailor your summary to the job description
We know you’ve heard the classic “tailor your resume” advice before, but it’s oft-repeated for a good reason: It’s important.
Your resume summary is one area that you should be prepared to tweak and rewrite with every single new job you apply for. Take a fine-tooth comb to the job description and pay close attention to certain skills or responsibilities the employer emphasizes.
Are they specifically looking for someone with Salesforce experience? Do they want someone with at least five years of work history under their belt? Incorporate those heavy-hitting qualifications into your summary so that the hiring manager sees them right away without any scrolling or searching.
4. Get specific
To make the most of your summary statement, you need to go beyond buzzwords and resume fluff and provide tangible, impressive qualifications and experiences.
That could mean quantifying your accomplishments where you can—whether that’s your years of experience or an aggressive target you met in a previous position.
Even if you can’t include numbers, skip the generalities and get specific with the value you have to offer. Have you worked with Fortune 500 companies? Are you a whiz with a certain type of industry software? Those could deserve a mention in your summary.
You might find it helpful to sit down and brainstorm a long list of your experiences and accomplishments before trying to write your summary. Whenever you apply for a new job, you can sort through your list and pull out the ones that are most relevant to that specific position. Plus, it’s a solid confidence booster.
5. Keep it short
Your resume summary statement should pack a punch without a lot of wordiness. Remember, it’s a statement and not a full-blown career memoir, so you need to keep it short.
Try to stay as close to three sentences as possible. Any longer than that and you’ll likely lose the interest of the hiring manager before they’ve even made it to your skills or professional history.
Now that you have the lay of the land with regard to summary statements, let’s look at 20 different resume summary statement examples sorted into several categories:
- Resume summary examples based on experience level
- Resume summary examples based on industry
- Miscellaneous resume summary examples
Resume summary examples based on experience level
The summary statement (not to mention the entire resume) of someone with 20 years of experience will inevitably look different from someone who’s looking for an entry-level or early-career role. Here are some helpful resume summary examples for all different experience levels.
Internship
1. Eager and enthusiastic digital marketing student working toward a BS in Business Administration at Boston University. Extensive coursework and project-based experience with social media content creation, keyword strategy, and GA4. Driven team player with a growth mindset and a can-do attitude.
Entry-level
2. Dedicated and detail-oriented finance graduate with internship experience in financial analysis with a Fortune 100 company. Skilled with financial modeling, data analysis, and Microsoft Excel, with a solid understanding of financial principles and investment strategies.
Mid-level
3. Experienced recruiter with four years of experience in successfully identifying and attracting top talent for diverse organizations. Proficient with full-cycle recruitment, from sourcing and screening candidates to conducting interviews and negotiating offers. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, combined with a data-driven approach to optimize recruitment processes and shorten time-to-hire by 20%.
Manager level
4. Accomplished software engineering manager with seven years of experience and a solid background in leading cross-functional teams at Deloitte and Capital One. Expert-level proficiency in database management as well as Python, Java, SQL, and C#. Proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget while nurturing the professional growth of engineering teams.
Senior level
5. Highly accomplished and strategic senior-level VP of Human Resources with a decade of progressive leadership in driving HR excellence within diverse organizations. Proven expertise in developing and implementing innovative talent acquisition, employee development, and workforce relations initiatives. Passionate about fostering a culture of inclusion, engagement, and organizational growth.
Executive or C-suite level
6. Results-driven Chief Financial Officer with an extensive, 16-year track record of successfully optimizing financial operations and driving profitability for both leading corporations and expansion-stage startups. Adept at strategic financial planning, risk management, and cost control measures, resulting in substantial revenue growth. Proven ability to lead high-performing finance teams and collaborate with executives to shape and execute long-term financial strategies.
Resume summary examples based on industry
Different industries value different qualifications. If you’re applying for a marketing position, you’ll emphasize your creativity. But if your career’s in finance, you’ll likely prioritize compliance and your attention to detail. Here are a few industry-specific resume summary examples to give you some more targeted direction and inspiration.
Engineering
7. Results-oriented mechanical engineer with eight years of experience in product design and development with Siemens. Proficient in designing and optimizing mechanical systems, with a track record of improving product efficiency and reliability. Eager to leverage technical expertise and leadership skills to manage and mentor engineering teams in achieving organizational goals.
8. Creative and inquisitive software developer with two years of experience in designing, developing, and debugging software applications. Proficient in Python, Java, and C++ and committed to writing clean, efficient code that meets client and project requirements. Quick learner, dedicated team player, and relentless problem solver.
Finance
9. Motivated and detail-oriented entry-level financial associate with one year of internship experience at BlackRock. Proficient in financial data analysis, portfolio management support, and client relationship building. Recognized by professors and internship managers for a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.
10. Accomplished financial controller with an impressive 22-year career in property and casualty insurance. Adept at overseeing financial operations, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance to ensure the financial stability and growth of organizations. Proven track record of implementing effective financial strategies, leading high-performing teams, and providing invaluable insights to drive informed decision-making within the insurance sector.
Human resources
11. Experienced HR manager with over a decade of experience overseeing HR operations, fostering a positive workplace culture, and driving organizational growth. Skilled at employee development and HR policy implementation, with a strong commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing.
12. Passionate HR assistant with one year of experience at Bombas and proficiency in Workday. Skilled at providing administrative support for all types of recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations activities. Conscientious communicator, empathetic listener, and driven problem solver.
Marketing
13. Editorial-minded marketer and communications strategist transforming the way brands interact with audiences through content. With over seven years of experience at consumer startups, media companies, and an agency, brings a thoughtful perspective and blend of creative chops and digital data-savvy. Entrepreneurial at heart and a team player recognized for impassioned approach and colorful ideas.
14. Award-winning journalist and digital producer offering extensive experience in social media content curation, editing, and storytelling. Adept at transforming complex topics into innovative, engaging, and informative news stories.
Sales
15. High-achieving enterprise software account manager driven to increase sales in established accounts while reaching out to prospects. Help Fortune 500 companies gain a competitive edge and increase revenue by identifying customer needs, providing recommendations, and implementing technology products that solve problems and enhance capabilities.
16. Results-driven sales manager with four years of experience driving revenue growth for high-performing B2B software sales teams. Skilled at developing and executing strategic sales plans, nurturing client relationships, and achieving sales targets through effective leadership and collaboration.
17. Eager sales associate with a keen focus on new business development, leveraging strong interpersonal and communication skills to identify and pursue sales opportunities. Proven track record of expanding client bases, building lasting customer relationships, and exceeding sales targets by at least 10% every quarter.
Miscellaneous resume summary examples
Whether you’re making your comeback from a longer career break or are making a jump to an entirely new role or industry, there are certain situations that require a bit more explanation. Fortunately, your summary statement allows you to go beyond the confines of bullet points and add a little more color to your professional story. Here are a few examples to see that in action.
Returning from a career break
18. Experienced customer support specialist with five years of proven expertise in delivering exceptional service and resolving customer inquiries across industries. Returning to the workforce after a rewarding three-year break focused on family. Unwavering enthusiasm to contribute strong communication and organizational skills to a dynamic, customer-centric team.
Making a career change
19. Content marketing professional with three years of experience, now transitioning into the user experience field. Strong background in data-driven decision making, content strategy and design, and customer engagement. Dedicated to leveraging unique skills and non-traditional experiences to create user-centered digital experiences that drive business growth.
Making an internal move within your company
20. Over three years of experience as an administrative support specialist with Allstate. Eager to leverage organizational skills, attention to detail, and deep familiarity with company culture to transition into an HR assistant role.
Stop sweating over your resume summary statement
Your resume summary statement seems simple enough in theory. It’s just a few quick sentences, right?
But that’s exactly what makes it so challenging. It feels impossible to condense all of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments into a couple of powerful and punchy sentence fragments.
The above resume summary examples will help you get your own wheels turning. And if you’re really struggling, ask yourself this: If you could only tell the hiring manager three to five things about yourself, what would they be? Those belong in your summary statement.