Checklist: Write A Strong Professional Summary For your Resume

What is a Professional Summary?

A professional summary for a resume is a brief statement or overview that highlights an individual’s qualifications, skills, and experience.

It is typically included in a resume or CV and is used to give a potential employer a quick overview of the candidate’s qualifications and how they align with the job requirements.

It should be concise and easy to read and should be tailored to the specific job or industry the individual is applying for.

Checklist: How to write a professional summary in a resume?

When writing a professional summary in a resume, it’s important to keep a few key points in mind:

1. Keep it brief: A professional summary should be a brief statement, typically no more than 3-4 sentences long.
2. Highlight your qualifications: Use specific examples of your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
3. Use keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job listing into your summary to demonstrate your qualifications to the employer.
4. Tailor it to the job: Customize your professional summary to the specific job or industry you’re applying for.
5. Use action verbs: Start your sentences with action verbs to show that you’re a proactive, results-driven professional.

Example:

“Results-driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in developing and implementing successful marketing strategies. Skilled in digital marketing, branding, and market research. Proven track record of increasing brand awareness and driving sales growth. Adept at using data analysis to inform and improve marketing efforts.”

You may also read: How to Create A Professional Resume With NO Writing Experience

How do you write a professional summary for freshers?

Writing a professional summary for freshers can be a bit challenging as they may not have much work experience. However, here are some tips to help you write an effective professional summary:

1. Highlight your education: Mention your degree, major, and any relevant coursework or academic achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
2. Emphasize transferable skills: Even if you don’t have much work experience, you may have developed transferable skills through internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that are relevant to the job.
3. Include any relevant certifications or training: If you have any relevant certifications or training, include them in your summary to show that you have the knowledge and skills required for the job.
4. Use action verbs: Start your sentences with action verbs to show that you’re a proactive, results-driven professional.
5. Tailor it to the job: Customize your professional summary to the specific job or industry you’re applying for.

Example:

“Recent college graduate with a degree in Computer Science and strong problem-solving skills. Skilled in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++. Completed internships in software development and have experience in Agile methodologies. Demonstrated ability to work well in a team and to adapt to new technologies. Seeking a Junior Software Developer role to apply my skills and knowledge in a professional setting.”