writing qualifications on resume

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Summary of Qualifications for a Resume (With Examples)

11 min read · Updated on March 27, 2024

Learn how a summary of qualifications can boost your job search

To capture an employer's attention and compete for a fantastic job, you need a truly compelling resume that conveys your qualifications in the best way possible. But how can you maximize your chances of ensuring that employers spend more than five or six seconds skimming your resume? The answer is simple: you need a great resume profile that can capture your reader's attention! And when you need a profile that really stands out, a summary of qualifications can be a great option.

In this post, we'll explain this type of resume profile and examine how it differs from a resume summary or objective statement . We'll also provide the tips you need to learn how to write a summary of qualifications for your resume and some useful examples that you can refer to for inspiration and guidance.

What is a summary of qualifications for a resume?

If you're familiar with objective statements and resume summaries, then you should readily understand the purpose of a summary of qualifications in a resume. Like those other types of resume profiles, a summary of qualifications - also sometimes referred to as a statement of qualifications - serves as an introduction to your resume. It is also exactly what the name suggests: a summary of the qualifications highlighted in your resume.

An effective summary of qualifications will provide key details about your skills , experiences , and accomplishments . Done properly, this brief summarization of those qualifications should spark enough interest in the reader's mind to entice them to read the rest of the document.

Resume summary, objective statement, and summary of qualifications: how they differ

It's also important to understand the differences between a summary of qualifications for a resume and the other two main resume profile options - the objective statement and resume summary. Each of these profile types is designed to introduce you to an employer. However, they each do that in a unique way:

The objective statement

The resume objective statement has been around for many decades. These statements tend to focus on the job seeker's career goals and how the desired job aligns with those objectives. Though the objective statement remains popular with many recent graduates, it is increasingly viewed as obsolete by job seekers who want to focus their profiles on how they can meet the employer's needs.

The resume summary

The resume summary fulfills that goal by emphasizing the job seeker's relevant skills and experiences. In addition, an effective summary also highlights how the job seeker used those skills to achieve measurable results for past employers. In short, it focuses on the type of value that you can provide to a prospective employer by citing specific examples of your notable achievements, using real numbers.

Summary of qualifications

As great as a resume summary paragraph can be, there may be times when you need a profile that can pack an even greater punch. That's where the summary of qualifications can be your best option. Like the resume summary, this profile option focuses on the skills, experiences, and achievements that make you a great candidate for the job. However, it does it in a different way.

You see, it doesn't use the same formatting that you see in standard objective statements or resume summaries. Those two profile types are written as three to five-sentence paragraphs. The summary of qualifications uses a different format altogether. Instead of being written in paragraph form, with complete sentences, it presents your qualifications in bullet point form, using achievement statements like those you would include in your professional experience section.

Related post : Resume Profile Explained (with Examples)

How do you write a summary of qualifications for your resume?

To create your own summary of qualifications for a resume, it's helpful to have a step-by-step guide for creating those bullet point details. The following tips and strategies should provide you with all the information you need to know to draft your own summary.

Select the details you want to include

Before you can create your bullet point summary, you need to decide which information you want to highlight. It's usually best to stick to your most compelling resume details and rewrite them for this summary. You should always start with a bullet point listing your professional title and length of experience in that role, and then include several bullet point examples of notable achievements.

Align your achievements with the role's qualification requirements

When you pick those accomplishments, make sure that they relate to the job you're seeking. Each achievement needs to demonstrate that you have what it takes to not only perform the job's duties, but to do so in a way that adds real value to the organization.

Use numbers to quantify results

To show value, you should ensure that your achievements show measurable results. Some possible examples of quantifiable achievements can include:

Revenue that you brought in for the company

The value of client accounts that you worked with

The number of customers you served

The size of any budget or project that you managed

Numbers related to increased profits, productivity, efficiency, and so on

Use your active voice for these bullet points

Each achievement should be described using an active voice to ensure that your resume summary of qualifications is as compelling as possible. To do that, you should use action verbs and make sure that the reader can understand that your actions produced the results. Consider the differences between these two achievements:

Passive : Inefficiencies were reduced by 12% over three years

Active : Implemented new workflow process that reduced inefficiencies by 12% over three years

The passive example is unclear about how those inefficiencies were reduced. The active example not only ensures that the reader knows you reduced those inefficiencies but also explains how you did it. While both examples do a great job of including real numbers to highlight measurable results, the active example is a far more compelling way to convey that information.

Note also that neither example uses first-person words like “my'' or “I” to describe the job seeker's actions. When it comes to resume writing , you should never begin your bullet points with that first-person emphasis. Instead, start each example with an action verb.

Related post : 100 + Keywords, Verbs and Action Words for Your Resume

Use keywords from the job posting

Your resume profile can be the perfect place to use the keywords your resume needs to get past any applicant tracking systems that the company may be using to screen applicants. You'll need a reasonable concentration of those keywords in your resume if you want your resume to be found in searches. 

To identify likely keywords, review the job posting to find any words or phrases related to specific qualifications - like needed skills, educational credentials, and experience. You can insert those keywords into your achievement bullet points to ensure that the ATS can find the words and phrases it's looking for.

Make sure that your achievements highlight your unique value

Finally, you should always strive to ensure that the summary of qualifications in your resume accurately reflects your personal skills, experience, and value as a potential hire. Don't be afraid to boast about your accomplishments here, as long as you're not stretching the truth. Remember, it's up to you to sing your own praises - none of your rivals are going to do it for you. Focus on the actions you took and the results you achieved.

At the same time, you want to be relatively brief. This is, after all, a summary of qualifications, not a comprehensive essay. Try to limit your bullet points to no more than five or six important statements. That should be enough to capture the hiring manager's attention and make them want to read on to learn more about you.

Summary of qualifications for a resume: examples

We'll end this by looking at some summary of qualifications examples to see how these tips can be used to craft your own summary. We've included examples for several distinct job roles. You can use or customize them to fit your employment needs.

1.     Salesperson summary of qualifications example

• Sales Account Representative with eight years of experience in product sales and client management

Led sales team campaign, doubling sales revenue each year for four consecutive years

Expanded seven major accounts, boosting combined revenue by $2.3 million

Developed and implemented training program, reducing team onboarding time by 43%

Recognized as Salesperson of the Year for 2019 - 2023

2.     Marketing Manager summary of qualifications example

• Dynamic marketing manager with six years of experience in brand enhancement

Led effort to rebrand ABC Corp, increasing market share by 12% and boosting profits by 12%

Designed and implemented digital marketing campaigns for client accounts valued at $15 million

Reorganized DeltaOne's marketing department, reducing costs by 19%

Launched more than two dozen social media advertising campaigns, increasing client customer engagement by an average of 75% per client

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Anytown College, Anytown (2017)

3.     Software Engineer summary of qualifications example

• Creative Software Engineer with seven years of experience in game and app design

Led seven-person team that designed three of the most popular idle hero games for mobile

Designed characters and locations for definitive version of Big Dog console game

As Mega Media Head Designer, created concept art for company's online and television advertisement campaign, expanding market reach by 16%

Master of Arts, Graphic Design, Pretty Pixels University (2015)

4.     CPA summary of qualifications example

• Data-driven CPA with ten years of experience in payroll management, tax filing, and accounts auditing

Implemented new payroll system that reduced administrative costs by $10,000 annually

Streamlined tax filing process, while identifying more than $30,000 in unused deductions

Executed audit that identified $8,000 in monthly waste and redundancies

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Money University (2011)

5.     Summary of qualifications example for entry level workers

You may be wondering whether newcomers to the workforce can use this type of resume profile to summarize their qualifications. After all, what achievements can they point to if they've just graduated from school and lack any meaningful work experience? Well, we've put together a summary of qualifications example for students that shows how recent graduates may be able to use this option too.

• BS in Marketing, Marketing Experts University (2024)

Creative marketing specialist, specializing in digital marketing and eCommerce

Partnered with ABC Corp for lab project, revamping their branding and contributing to 23% increase in customer outreach and sales

Internship with ABC Corp, serving as understudy to firm's Marketing Director

Three summers active in Search Engine Marketing bootcamp

You can also employ a similar technique if you're a career changer - even if you lack any direct experience in the industry you're trying to join. All you need to do is focus on transferable skills - skills that you've used in your previous career that can also prove valuable in your desired job - and identify achievements that used those skills. You can think of them as transferable accomplishments, or simply achievements that demonstrate your capability to do the job you're trying to land.

When choosing transferable accomplishments, focus on past achievements that demonstrate vital transferable skills. Those skills can include things like collaboration, leadership, conflict management, communication, and other broad interpersonal skills that are invaluable across a wide array of industries and job roles.

Related post : Make the Perfect Resume for a Career Change

Use a summary of qualifications to capture employers' attention!

To break out of a crowded field of rival candidates, you need to make sure that your resume quickly earns the attention it deserves. Using a summary of qualifications for your resume can be a fantastic way to ensure that employers see your best qualifications laid out right at the beginning of your resume, capturing their interest and increasing the chances of an interview and eventual job offer.

Need more tips on using a summary of qualifications for your resume? Get your free resume review from our team of experts today and find out how we can help you create the resume you need for job search success.

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• Resume Tips

Writing a Compelling Qualifications Summary for Your Resume

10 min read

You have different options in terms of how you kick off your resume to grab the attention of prospective employers and help you land interviews. One of those options is a qualifications summary. 

If you choose to include a summary of qualifications on your resume, you want to ensure it’s written in such a way that it grabs an employer’s attention. In this post, we cover:

What is a qualifications summary?

Why include a qualifications summary on your resume, what’s the difference between a resume summary and a qualifications summary, under what circumstances should you include a qualifications summary, how do you format a qualifications summary.

Tips to write a resume qualifications statement

Qualifications summary template

Qualification summary for resume examples

A summary of qualifications concisely represents your key skills, achievements, and experience. Unlike other required resume sections, a qualifications summary is optional, though it can be an excellent way to show hiring managers you’re a viable candidate for the job. It’s generally placed at the top of your resume, just below your contact information and includes your top qualifications for the position. 

We know recruiters and hiring managers only spend seconds on a resume before deciding if they want to learn more. A strategic summary of qualifications allows resume readers to quickly assess whether you’d be a good fit for the job based on the first round of screening criteria. This increases your chances of landing in the “yes” pile vs. your resume going into the trash, assuming you’ve included the best information possible with the proper formatting. 

Many confuse a qualifications summary with a resume summary. The confusion is understandable since a qualifications summary and a resume summary are both essentially a summary of your qualifications. However, how they're written differs, and what they include can also vary slightly. 

A resume summary is three to five brief sentences that highlight your key skills, education, and experience that align with the job description. It's written in paragraph form and placed at the top of your resume, just below your contact information. A resume summary should include at least one key accomplishment and three to five skills from your relevant work experiences. For more information about writing a resume summary with examples, refer to “ 30 Resume Summary Examples that Work in 2024. ”

A qualifications summary also summarizes your key skills, education, and expertise, primarily focusing on the critical qualifications required for the job. The goal is to highlight a diverse range of examples to showcase your abilities and skills. You do this using a bullet-point list with three to seven direct and concise statements. These statements provide room for a few more details front and center on your resume compared to a resume summary. As discussed in more detail later, a qualifications summary includes at least two key accomplishments and relevant skills. It can also include awards, education, and more. 

Now that you know you have options to kick your resume off with a bang, like a resume summary and qualifications summary, which should you choose? Great question.

You might opt for a qualifications summary if you fall under any of these scenarios:

You’re changing careers. When changing careers, a qualification summary is a great way to highlight transferable skills and achievements. Include examples that highlight transferable skills like communication, leadership, problem-solving, project management, and conflict resolution.

You’re a recent college graduate. Sometimes, as a recent college graduate, you don’t have a lot of work experience to include on your resume. As a result, a summary of qualifications can help you grab the attention of employers by highlighting key academic skills and achievements pertinent to success on the job. You can highlight things like academic projects, awards, internships, industry-related memberships, and roles in extracurricular activities.

You have a lot of work experience. If you have an extensive work history, a qualifications summary can serve to highlight the most relevant and highest of achievements so they don’t get lost in other areas of your resume. When choosing what items to incorporate, select the accomplishments and skills you possess that are top requirements for the position. 

Using a qualifications summary is also a personal choice. If, for some reason, you believe that a summary of qualifications stands out better or adds more value to your resume than a resume summary, that's ok, too. Or, if you're on the fence, you can also seek guidance from an expert resume writer . 

A bulleted list is the standard formatting for a qualifications summary. Each bullet should include a significant detail or qualification, like a certification , skill, accomplishment, or project. At most, one to two lines should be used for each bullet, and you don't need to use complete sentences.

Tips to write a resume qualifications summary

So, how do you craft a stellar summary of qualifications to land interviews? Consider the following strategies to help.

Select the right qualifications

The first step in crafting your qualifications summary is selecting which items you’ll include. To do this, first review the job descriptions and make note of the required qualifications - skills, education, experience - that you have. From there, make a list of your achievements, awards, education, and anything else that you might want to include on your resume that’s relevant to the job and highlights your uniqueness. It’s from this list that you’ll pull items to include in your summary of qualifications. 

As you develop your list of three to seven items to incorporate, you’ll want your final list to be a combination of:

A description of your overall expertise and years of experience.

Relevant skills and abilities.

Pertinent awards.

Relevant education , certifications, and training.

At least two top work accomplishments using quantifiable data, when possible, as discussed in the next section. At a minimum, you should include the results achieved from the actions you took. 

Use numbers

It’s one thing to say you did something, and it’s another to actually show what you did with results. As with your Work Experience section that outlines your historical achievements and accomplishments, you want to use as much quantifiable data as possible when crafting your qualifications summary. 

Results backed by data show the value you added in the past and the value you have the potential to add in the future. Include numbers that indicate things like how many you led on a team, the percent increase you achieved for a particular result, the dollar amount saved through an activity, the value of a project, the level of the budget you worked with, and so on.

Begin each achievement with power verbs

Use powerful action verbs to begin your qualification statements that outline achievements. Power verbs, like created, designed, and led, speak to resume readers and showcase your confidence. 

Examples of power verbs include:

Spearheaded

For an extensive list of power verb examples, refer to “ 101 Resume Power Verbs .”

Incorporate keywords

Keywords are beneficial to include in your summary statement for two primary reasons:

They help to increase your relevance to an employer’s ATS, or applicant tracking system , meaning it’s more likely to actually land in the hands of a human reader.

They grab the attention of human readers since the keywords you use should align with key job requirements.

To identify keywords to incorporate in your qualifications summary:

Refer to the job description and highlight the necessary qualifications. Include some of the ones you align with in your qualifications summary. 

Consider industry lingo that might make sense to include. When using acronyms, use both the abbreviation and the spelled-out word. 

Be careful not to overuse keywords, as an ATS might read this as keyword stuffing and shun your resume vs. moving it forward through the application process.

Be active vs. passive

It’s generally better to use active vs passive language for any type of writing, and the same holds true for your resume. Active voice speaks to what you do, is direct, and clearly highlights your accomplishments. Using a passive voice tends to speak to what happens to you, is indirect, and comes across as weaker than the active voice in terms of accomplishments. Here are a couple of examples of each:

Active Voice: Reduced costs by 18% over six quarters

Passive Voice: Costs were reduced by 18% over six quarters

Active Voice: Led team of 10 HR Trainers and achieved 10% increase in training engagement within six months

Passive Voice: A 10% increase in training engagement was achieved within six months while leading a team of 10 HR Trainers

In each example, both sentences convey the same information, but which ones sound more powerful and “active?” The active voice examples include clearer, more concise language and stronger verbs. 

Include what makes you unique

 As you craft your qualifications summary, ensure you incorporate factors that highlight the unique career history and achievements you bring to the job. For example, if you were a teacher, instead of saying something like you’re a “dedicated teacher with five years of experience,” say something like, “Five years of experience educating over 1000 students with a combined 22% increase in standardized test scores in English and Math.” 

In this example, anyone can be a dedicated teacher with experience, but only the individual submitting the resume has the ability to lead and educate 1000 students to achieve a 22% increase in test scores. 

Qualification Summary for resume sample template

Below is a qualifications summary template to guide your list development. You’ll want to begin your list with a description of your expertise, followed by any of the following items listed in the template. Aside from including a description of your expertise and listing at least two accomplishments with the results you achieved, the rest are optional. It’s up to you to determine what is relevant and will speak most to the hiring team based on the guidelines provided above. We also have qualification summary examples to help guide you in the next section.

Qualifications Summary template

[Description of expertise]

[Accomplishment with quantifiable result]

[Relevant skills and abilities]

[Relevant training, education, or certifications]

[Relevant awards]

Qualification Summary for resume examples

Below are some qualification summary examples to help you get creative and craft your own. 

Example 1: HR Generalist 

Eight years of experience in HR operations enhancing employee relations and compensation design

Master of HR in Human Resources and Industrial Relations

SHRM-CP and PHR certifications

Spearheaded and launched new performance appraisal program, resulting in a quicker turnaround time and 15% improvement in satisfaction ratings

Designed and presented 10 monthly employee reports for executive team focused on employee retention, recruitment, morale, and career development

Example 2: Sales Representative

Seven years of high sales experience in regional B2B sales for IT sector

Certified Sales Development Representative

Led region in corporate software package sales by 9% over a 12-month period

Landed the two highest-value accounts, increasing company’s revenue by 17%

Managed portfolio of 76 software clients, holding a 95% client satisfaction rating

Elected Sales Representative of the year for two years in a row

Example 3: Communications Manager

10 years experience navigating organizations’ internal and external communications challenges, presenting innovative solutions for brand growth and awareness

Launched first sales funnel for organization, generating a 33% increase in leads over a 5-month period

Managed team of 7 to support marketing department’s communications efforts

Corporate Communications Certification from University of Kansas

Example 4: Qualifications summary for students and recent college grads

Graduated with a Bachelors in Counseling, earning a 3.9 GPA

Administered over 50 clinical assessments and counseled 20 young adults under supervision during behavioral health internship 

Secretary of Alpha Chi Omega sorority

A qualifications summary can add value

Depending on your circumstances, as noted above, including a qualifications summary on your resume might add that final boost you need to land those sought-after interviews. Use the tips and guidance found here, along with the many examples provided, to help you craft a qualification summary that grabs the attention of hiring managers.

Wondering if a qualifications summary is right for your resume? Or are you unsure if your current resume has all the necessary elements? Why not submit it for a free resume review ?

Recommended reading:

How to Tailor Your Resume to Different Positions

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Ronda Suder, Professional Writer

With a drive to foster safety and expand possibilities through writing, performing, and working with others, Ronda brings 25 years of combined experience in HR, recruiting, career advice, communications, mental and behavioral health, and storytelling to her work. She’s a certified career coach and holds a Master’s in Human Resources, a Master’s in Film and Media Production, and a Master’s in Counseling and Development. As a writer, she’s covered topics ranging from finance and rock mining to leadership and internet technology, with a passion for career advice and mental-health-related topics. When she’s not at her computer, Ronda enjoys connecting with others, personal growth and development, spending time with her beloved pooch, and entertainment through movies, television, acting, and other artistic endeavors. You can connect with Ronda on  LinkedIn  and through her  website .

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How to write a qualifications summary on a resume

The achievements that make you stand out

As an introduction to your resume, the  qualifications summary is a an excellent option to make sure your application stands out  and grabs the attention of a potential employer.

Hiring managers or human resource staff spend hours looking through resumes when they have a vacancy, this can become very tedious when all of the applications they receive have similar work experience or skill sets. That is why learning  how to write a winning qualifications summary for your resume  could be the key to earning you a chance at an interview for your dream job.

Having an attractive,  optimized resume introduction  like a  qualification summary , also known as a  professional profile  or  summary of qualifications , which showcases your strengths in a short, clear section right at the beginning of your resume is a surefire way to capture the reader’s interest.

Read on for a  simple guide on what to include in a qualifications summary on your resume , tips on how to write it and practical qualification summary examples to help you create one of your own.

The qualifications summary tends to be used more often in  functional or combined resume structures  as opposed to the classic  chronological format  but this is not always the case and can be a great addition to any resume.

What is the Qualifications Summary?

Knowing  how to write a qualifications summary for a resume  can mean the difference between an average application and one that stands out from other candidates.

A  qualifications summary is one of three options for a resume introduction  that begins by  showcasing the most relevant and influential aspects of the candidate’s experience,  such as their major achievements, skills and qualifications.

Contrary to the  resume objective  or  summary statement , a qualifications summary is written in  bullet point format , highlighting the most impressive elements of your professional profile ensuring to  focus on the position  being applied to.

There are  different ways to start a resume  and the qualifications summary is an optional section which can be added or replaced depending on each candidate’s needs. The  resume format  you choose to employ and your level of experience, whether you are writing a student, entry-level or  professional resume , will influence your decision to use the qualifications summary or another of the possible resume introductions.

The  qualifications summary on a resume  is a useful tool for candidates whose resumes will likely be reviewed by Applicant Tracking Systems. The reason for this is that ATS software is designed to read through resumes in order to discard any that do not include the keywords that have been programmed for that particular position. This is a subtle reminder for jobseekers to ensure they  use keywords taken from the job description  etc. to detail their abilities and knowledge.

To  write a qualifications summary  which presents the most inviting information about your professional profile, you must ensure that this section  concentrates on the benefits that you can bring to the company or position  in question. That means that it will include your most outstanding achievements and skills which are  relevant to the sector  and role to which you are applying.

A qualification summary on a resume often attracts attention from potential employers  because it makes their life easier. Hiring managers save time and energy usually spent reading through the entire resume by reading the  highlighted qualifications in the summary  and are able to get a basic understanding of what that candidate can offer the business.

Key qualifications to include on your resume

Whether you use a resume template or not, it is worthwhile to have an idea of some of the  key qualifications to include in your resume  to use as a guide.

The following is a  step-by-step guide to help you get a better understanding of how to write a qualification summary for your resume  using these 6 different points:

1. Start with your expertise : Begin by introducing your  years of experience  in the field or in similar positions for  professional resumes . You can indicate a general overview of your responsibilities in these jobs. Mention here any  special courses or training  you have undertaken. For  students or entry-level candidates , you will  include your highest degree  and can emphasize majoring or minoring in a subject, any projects, or your final thesis, as long as it is relevant to the vacancy.

2. Show off your creative side : Explain an instance in which you have  introduced, implemented or created a program or practice  or found a new solution which has been beneficial to the company or association in some way.

3. Prove your efficiency : Include an  example of when you have increased productivity or revenue for the company  by any means such as using resources well, personal effort, saving time or energy, updating, renewing or improving practices.

4. Acknowledgements : Mention any  awards or honors  you have received for your work or collaboration. If you have been commended in any  publications  or been praised for your actions in any way  related to the position or industry  you are applying to, state the source and the reasons for the recognition.

5. Management : Describe any  positions of leadership  you have held, including the number of people under your supervision, any specific management styles you pertain to, or ways in which you have  managed a project or assignment  and seen it through to the end.

6. Interpersonal skills in practice : Finally, also  include an explanation of your interpersonal skills  and communication. This can allude to relationships with coworkers, junior or senior staff, customers, clients or suppliers. Or you could demonstrate your skills in terms of public speaking or giving presentations.

As well as these 6 points which should be addressed as fully and clearly as possible, you can also introduce any other aspects that are  relevant to the position  and you feel would  benefit your application  or would be advantageous to offer the company.

Although it is highly recommended to  focus your attention on quantifiable examples  and the basic information from these points, you can also  include other soft or hard skills or certificates which may be unique to your application , whilst still tailoring your information the position in order to stand out in the process. Learn more about how to include  professional certificates on your resume .

Following these rules and remembering to  tailor your qualification summary to the position  on offer will help you to create a resume that will get noticed for the right reasons.

Remember, if you need a little extra guidance, you can also use an  online resume builder  to help you  construct an effective resume for your ideal job  with an outstanding qualification summary to boot.

Tips for writing a good qualifications summary

Whether you’re just learning  how to write a qualifications summary for your resume  or you just need to give it a new spin, these top tips will help you make the most of this all-important resume tool.

The  qualifications summary on a resume is a very effective tool  for candidates who have an extensive work history either as a professional in that sector or as a  career changer who has transferable skills .

Examples of Qualifications Summaries

To be able to  create an effective qualification summary introduction , check out some of these examples to grasp the structure and style of qualification summaries.

Key Account Manager Qualifications Summary Example

• Sociable – Organized – Goal-oriented
• 5 years experience in customer and client relationship building.
• Exceeded sales targets by more than 60% two years running.
• Landed and managed several individual client accounts worth $100,000+.
• Effectively trained and led team of 8 Sales Executives.
• Received Top Sales Award from company 3 consecutive years.
• Spearheaded new marketing plans with research and media strategies which have improved profits by $2.6 million gross per annum.

Executive Chef Qualifications Summary Example

• Creative – Team player – Excellent time management
• 12 years experience in Michelin star restaurants in NYC and Paris.
• Expertise in French haute cuisine.
• Prepared between 700-1000 covers daily.
• Reinvented menu to improve attendance by 110% and profits.
• Specialist knowledge of FDA requirements.
• Catered for a wide range of 3 and 5-course fine dining galas, fundraising events and festivals.

Entry-Level IT Associate Qualifications Summary Example

• Analytical – Resourceful – Flexible
• Two years experience in Library Helpdesk Technical Assistance.
• Graduate of BSc in Computer and Information Technology with 3.50 GPA.
• Proficient in several programming languages, software applications, operating systems and database management.
• Exceptional troubleshooting skills resulting in an improvement of 30% in issue-resolution.
• Accustomed to fast turn-around times for maintenance and technical tasks.

The qualifications summary on a resume differs from the summary statement simply by the manner of formatting the information included. As seen in these  qualification summary examples , the general layout is what makes the  difference between the summary statement and the qualification summary  as opposed to the content or focus.

If you prefer to offer a paragraph format for your summary or to get extra  resume help with your summary statement,  you can take a look at our guide to writing one to ensure you create the best possible introduction to your resume for your job search.

If you need help putting together your qualifications summary,  ResumeCoach  also offers an  online resume maker  which gives you professional advice and clear, practical examples to follow, to ensure you get the most out of your resume.

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How to Write a Summary of Qualifications on a Resume

Quick Navigation:

What is a summary of qualifications?

Why include a summary of qualifications, how to write a summary of qualifications, examples of a summary of qualifications, summary of qualifications faq.

A summary of qualifications gives your resume a personality. It tells your story in more detail and makes your resume stand out from the rest. However, they are more beneficial to those in specific situations. Learn what a summary of qualifications is, follow some steps to write your own and view a list of examples and frequently asked questions.

A summary of qualifications or qualifications profile is an optional section often placed at the top of a resume. Within a summary, you can list your achievements, skills and other qualifications and define them in a more in-depth manner. The format of a summary of qualifications uses brief statements to highlight some of your most relevant skills for your industry or field.

Including a summary of qualifications within your resume adds a creative and personalized feeling, making it stand out. This section can generate interest for hiring managers, encouraging them to read further. Summaries are most beneficial to individuals who require an additional explanation for their job search. For example, recent graduates with little experience use this section to explain their focus on studies. Those with transferrable skills might seek a new career in a different industry and their summary explains that in detail.

1. First, collect and include quantifiable data

The first step is to collect quantifiable data that makes your resume stand out. Use percentages or other numerical measurements to explain your previous experience. Some of your options include revenue amounts you saved, time you spent in a position, budget sizes you handled or any simple percentage of increase or decrease you created for improvement. Include this information within your summary of qualifications.

2. Second, summarize your education and experience

The second step involves summarizing your education and overall experience. Introduce your degrees and discuss programs you excelled in. If you’re a recent graduate, include if you earned any recognition such as valedictorian or salutatorian. If you earned any awards throughout your college or professional career, include them as well with a brief summary of details.

3. Third, summarize your skills, licenses or certificates

The third step involves summarizing your skills, licenses, certificates or other noteworthy information. Discuss both hard and soft skills learned during college, internships or an official employment capacity. This includes anything from generic communication skills to specific industry applications and machinery. Introduce any additional training courses you graduated from and special certifications.

4. Then, include job-specific keywords

The fourth step is to include job-specific keywords. Keywords are important on any resume for pleasing applicant tracking systems (ATS). An ATS is a software application that handles recruitment for employers by identifying the best resumes that fit their criteria. Research the position you’re interested in and study the job posting. Identify specific keywords that come up frequently and spread them throughout your resume and your summary. Avoid keyword-stuffing and only place them as essential details to complement your own skills and qualifications.

5. Finally, personalize it

The final step is to personalize it by telling your story. Explain what makes you unique or why you’re an ideal fit for the role. If you’re switching careers, a recent graduate or need an additional explanation, be sure to introduce it thoroughly. The more creative, unique and personal you make the section, the more interesting your resume becomes for employers. Careful editing and rewording may be necessary until you add the right character for the role.

The following list outlines examples of qualification summaries:

Example of a general summary

• Three years of agency experience in digital marketing
• Creative, determined, fast-paced and strategic
• Skills in critical thinking, problem-solving
• Specialized training in Facebook ads, LinkedIn ads and web design
• Four-year degree in marketing with a focus on digital spaces 

Example for a career change

• Award-winning casting manager with 10 years of experience now seeks management in human resources
• High-performing, strategic-thinking, detail-oriented professional with expertise in identifying and recruiting talent
• Four-year film school graduate with a minor in Psychology who effectively communicates with diverse populations
• Excellent skills in assessing needs, generating options and implementing solutions
• Earned certification in HR management as it pertains to the casting career field

Example for advanced experience

• Five years of experience assisting project managers in the field
• 15 years of experience in the construction industry
• Advanced skills and knowledge in team building, building codes, construction laws and budget analysis
• Four-year degree in construction engineering and certified first-aid professional
• Earned additional certification in accounting and bookkeeping

Example for a recent graduate

• Recent graduate with a four-year degree in graphic design
• Creative, determined, dependable
• Works well under pressure with tight deadlines
• Advanced experience with Photoshop and InDesign
• Advanced skills in storyboarding, concept art, logo design and character art

The following list answers some of the most common questions relating to qualification summaries:

Do qualification summaries negatively impact ATS ratings?

A summary of qualifications gives you the opportunity to add more detail and personalization to your resume. Since ATS tracks specific keyword usage, using your summary as a way to express many of those keywords positively impacts ATS ratings. As mentioned previously, however, avoid keyword-stuffing as it may negatively impact your score. 

Can I omit a skills section if I include a summary of qualifications?

Only omit a skills section from your resume if you include all relevant skill information in your summary. If you cannot include or expand upon all of your skills, then keep your skills section for all information you were unable to include. 

Is there a difference between a resume objective and a summary of qualifications?

Resume objectives are often short, including no more than three sentences. They’re meant to be a very brief introduction of the candidate. A summary of qualifications allows you to add more detail and clarification, usually taking more space than the average objective section. You should identify which section has greater benefits for you and your situation but avoid including both sections on your resume.

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How to List a Summary of Qualifications on a Resume

• Resume Templates
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• Resume Header
• Work Experience On Resume
• Irrelevant Work Experience
• Listing Languages On Resume
• Volunteer Work On Resume
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• Resume Title
• Summary Of Qualifications
• Resume Picture
• Python Project On Resume
• Google Docs Resume Template
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• Multiple Positions At Same Company
• Relevant Coursework Resume
• Where And How To Put Internships On Your Resume
• Professional Resume Formats

Even though every section of your resume is valuable, you might be wondering how to really emphasize your skills to a potential employer.

Often, there are important details about your achievements, performance, or personality that you want to put front and center for a hiring manager to see. Therefore, simply putting these qualifications in your work experience descriptions may not have the impact you’re looking for.

The best way to emphasize details about your qualifications to a potential employer is by listing them as their own separate section on your resume. This section of your resume is called a Summary of Qualifications, and will give you the opportunity to share what makes you a great employee.

Key Takeaways:

A summary of qualifications presents your most qualifying traits in a section tailored for your potential employer.

Use bullet points in your summary of qualifications.

Things you can address in your summary of qualifications include years of experience you have in a select field, any specializations or unique skills you were trained in, and critical achievements.

As with most of your resume, use quantifiable data when possible in your summary of qualifications.

What Is A Summary Of Qualifications

How to format a summary of qualifications, what is in a qualifications summary, other examples of qualification summaries, why is a summary of qualifications important, should i use a summary of qualifications.

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A Summary of Qualifications presents your most defining achievements or personality traits in a way that is meant to maximize your perceived value as an employee.

A Summary of Qualifications should be tailored to the employer you are applying to. Therefore, a Summary of Qualifications should only include information relevant to the job. It is located at the top of a resume to direct the reader’s attention and introduce your most important qualifications.

A Summary of Qualifications is optional, however it can be very beneficial, especially if you meet certain criteria, such as exceptional and extensive qualifications.

How you format a Summary of Qualifications is just as important as what you say. To format a Summary of Qualifications:

Keep it brief. Like other important sections of your resume , such as your education and work experience, your Summary of Qualifications should aim to be brief, while also highlighting important details.

Place it at the top of your resume. As mentioned previously, this section of your resume serves as a way to highlight your value, and should leave a memorable impact. Therefore, you should place your summary of qualifications at the top of your resume.

Avoid first person language. You should also keep in mind that the way in which you write is important. Avoid I or me statements, and instead focus on an active voice with action verbs .

Instead of writing “I was awarded for completing 85% of my group’s graphing and paperwork”, start your statement with an action verb, and keep an active voice by saying:

Awarded by the team for completing over 85% of the group’s graphing and paperwork post-excavation

Use bullet points. Additionally, in talking about impact and readable formatting, it’s important to note that the most effective way to present Qualifications Summary is through the use of a bullet list. This formatting works in favor of you and your potential employer for a few reasons:

Focus. The bullet list style will make each qualification stand out as an individual merit.

Direct. The bullet style conveys a directness that will highlight the importance of your words.

Easy to read. The hiring manager will be able to skim the summary without missing out on the critical details

Ideally, you should limit your bullet list to no more than 6 or 7 qualifications, and those qualifications shouldn’t be more than 2 lines long. In keeping to this formatting, you will maximize the benefits mentioned above.

Even though you know how to format your Summary of Qualifications, maybe you aren’t sure what to include. Perhaps you feel too average, or like you lack some of this incredible experience that some of the samples convey.

However, you shouldn’t fear. There are always clever ways to make yourself seem extraordinary, and a Qualifications Summary will only help on that front.

Here is an general template for a Summary of Qualifications:

Years of experience you have in a select field Highest degree you’ve achieved, including your major, school and graduation year Leadership experience, including how many people you worked with or worked for you Critical achievement or major project you completed, ideally including numerical data Any specializations or unique skills you were trained in Important daily tasks or responsibilities you had in a previous role Professional recognitions, including certifications or awards you received

As you can see, a Summary of Qualifications should be crisp and clean. All of the bullet notes are easy to skim without losing their punch, and this will benefit you immensely in your pursuit of that shiny new job. Though, keep in mind that this is a template, and if you feel you lack any of the items listed, you do not need to include them.

Here is an example of a Summary of Qualifications using some of the items on the template:

Summary Of Qualifications Ten years of experience working as an ER nurse and midwife Achieved a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Boston (2018) Five years of experience leading a team of 15 nurses Reduced patient mortality rate in the ER by 11% Managed up to 20 patients a day, including recording and monitoring their condition

Even if you can’t hit all of the key points on the template, there is always something you can include as a qualification you have. No matter what, those qualifications will make you stand out above another applicant.

Additionally, regardless of what you choose to include, easy details to start with are how long you’ve been working in a certain field, and your highest education level. These qualifications are especially valuable if you’re applying to a position that requires relevant experience in these fields . You should also keep in mind that the most beneficial way to present these skills is through quantifiable data, showing exactly what you have achieved. Instead of saying that you have many years of experience, say:

7 years of experience working in X field

When in doubt, some key skills you should display in your summary are: authority, creativity, efficiency, management, and communication.

Here are some powerful words you can use to display those skills:

Authority and Management: mentored, supervised, administered, coordinated, delegated, trained

Creativity: envisioned, conceptualized, designed, performed, customized

Efficiency: maintained, organized, prepared, arranged, updated, scheduled

Communication: collaborated, persuaded, discussed, presented, clarified, facilitated

All that being said, you’re more than ready to write a glowing Summary of Qualifications.

Worked at Tom’s Groceries for nearly 2 years Achieved a high school degree from Franklin High with a GPA of 3.7 Complemented by grocery staff and teachers alike as being extremely patient and eager to learn Trained as a cashier and a cart attendant Skilled in multitasking, due to balancing a part time job at Tom’s Groceries and honors classes in high school at the same time

Volunteered for a field archaeology project in Pompeii every summer for 4 years Graduated Anthro University with a Masters in Anthropology and a 3.8 GPA Worked with 5 other Archaeologists in a unit, requiring intense communication and passionate teamwork Completed a 70 page research project, which studied the civilian life at the height of the Roman Republic Finished 14 projects before their due date, while maintaining professional quality Awarded by the team for completing over 85% of the group’s graphing and paperwork post-excavation

Over 10 years of experience in customer service Achieved a high school degree from Samson High (2010) Trained 7 newly hired sales associates, and mentored them so they could adapt to their new responsibilities Set a Black Friday record at Bob’s Electronics for checking out 287 customers Well-spoken and easy to talk to, often utilizing a proficiency in English and Spanish to communicate with customers Awarded Employee of the Month on two separate occasions, including November 2019 and July 2020.

Experience working as a Realtor in the capital region for over 6 years Graduated from Housing College with a Masters degree in Business Administration (2017) Adept at networking, and licensed to work as a realtor in New York and Connecticut Increased housing sales by 22% while working at Realtor Co. Gave 72 sellers renovation advice that resulted in a return on investment of at least $15,000 Helped 60% of buyers receive offers that were over asking Received Top Realtor of the Month for 7 months in a row from August 2019 through March 2020

Having this section as a part of your resume is not required, however, that’s what makes it stand out. If someone is competing for the same position as you, and submits a resume that lacks a Summary of Qualifications, you will gain a step up by including one. By displaying your value front and center, a hiring manager should not only be confident in your individual merit, but also your potential as a new employee.

Using a summary of qualifications depends on your circumstances. You should strongly consider providing a Summary of Qualifications if:

You have extensive professional experience. If you have a lot of experience, a Summary of Qualifications can help to summarize your most important traits. A Summary of Qualifications brings those traits to the attention of the reader a lot faster.

You are a recent graduate or have little professional experience. Conversely, you may have little experience but plenty of transferable skills and accomplishments you want to highlight, which a Summary of Qualifications can do for you.

You are changing careers. When changing careers, your resume at first glance may look like its filled with irrelevant job experience. A Summary of Qualifications helps you show you have the desired traits.

You have the space. If you find you still have space on a one page resume, a Summary of Qualifications can be a nice way to bring to the reader’s attention your most important abilities.

Remember, a Summary of Qualifications is optional, so it is up to you to decide whether or not you want to provide one.

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Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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Writing a Summary of Qualifications: Examples & Action Words

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 25, 2023 — 3 minutes to read

A qualifications summary is a statement at the top of your resume that showcases your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. This snapshot is your chance to make a strong first impression.

Key Components:

• Relevant Skills: Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. This could include technical skills, languages, or leadership abilities.
• Experience: Summarize your professional experience that demonstrates your qualifications for the position. Stick to impressive stats and achievements.

Crafting Your Summary:

Start strong with a punchy opening line that captures your professional identity. Think about what makes you a great fit for the role. Maybe you’re a ‘seasoned marketing specialist with a knack for driving engagement’ or an ‘efficient project manager known for meeting tight deadlines.’

Tailoring It:

Make sure to tailor your qualifications summary for each job application. Pinpoint keywords from the job description and weave them into your summary. This tailored approach shows you’re a perfect match for the role.

Summary of Qualifications: Examples

Crafting a summary of qualifications can be smoother with a few examples to get you rolling. Here’s a template to start off with:

Your Professional Title Years of Experience in Industry/Sector

• Proficient in Skill #1 , Skill #2 , Skill #3
• Experienced with Tool/Software #1 , Tool/Software #2
• Adept at Task or Responsibility
• Proven track record of Achievement or Outcome
• Effective communicator with Type of Communication Skill skills
• Committed to Value or Goal

Example 1: Customer Service Supervisor Over 7 Years in Retail Management

• Skilled in team leadership, conflict resolution, and customer relations
• Experienced with CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite
• Adept at managing multiple priorities and delivering exceptional customer service
• Proven track record of increasing customer satisfaction rates by 20%
• Effective communicator with bilingual (English/Spanish) skills
• Committed to improving team performance through hands-on coaching

Crafting a summary of your qualifications allows you to demonstrate your strengths and highlight your professional achievements. Tailor this snapshot to align with the job description of your targeted role. Focus on the most relevant skills and experiences that will catch the eye of hiring managers.

Example 2: Digital Marketing Specialist 5 Years in Online Branding and Campaign Management

• Proficient in SEO, content marketing, and social media engagement
• Experienced with Google Analytics, AdWords, and Hootsuite
• Adept at developing and executing online marketing strategies
• Proven track record of increasing web traffic by 30% year-over-year
• Effective communicator with strong writing and editing skills
• Committed to leveraging analytics to drive brand growth and ROI

Each qualification should be a beacon, shining a light on your unique skill set and experiences. Use action verbs to give your points energy and clarity, and quantify achievements to provide a scale of your impact.

50 Powerful Action Verbs to Elevate Your Qualifications Summary

1. Achieved 2. Advanced 3. Amplified 4. Analyzed 5. Built 6. Collaborated 7. Created 8. Delivered 9. Designed 10. Developed 11. Directed 12. Drove 13. Enhanced 14. Established 15. Executed 16. Expanded 17. Expedited 18. Facilitated 19. Formulated 20. Generated 21. Guided 22. Implemented 23. Improved 24. Innovated 25. Integrated 26. Launched 27. Led 28. Managed 29. Mentored 30. Navigated 31. Optimized 32. Orchestrated 33. Overhauled 34. Pioneered 35. Planned 36. Produced 37. Programmed 38. Projected 39. Promoted 40. Redesigned 41. Reduced 42. Refined 43. Rejuvenated 44. Resolved 45. Spearheaded 46. Streamlined 47. Strengthened 48. Transformed 49. Unified 50. Yielded

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you craft a standout qualifications summary for your resume.

Start with your years of experience and top skills. Follow this with any notable achievements or recognition you’ve received. Tailor each point to reflect the job description you are targeting, ensuring you emphasize how your skills match.

How do you tailor your qualifications summary to a specific job description?

Review the job posting closely and match your qualifications with the keywords used there. Your summary should mirror the most important qualifications from the job description. This demonstrates you are attentive and specifically fit for the role.

What are some effective strategies to highlight your qualifications in a CV as a student?

Focus on academic achievements, projects, and coursework related to the field you’re interested in. Include any internships or volunteer work that demonstrate your skills. This approach shows your dedication and potential to grow in your desired industry. Related: Impressive Resume with No Work Experience (for Students)

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How to Write a Summary of Professional Skills on a Resume?

If you want to have a truly great resume, you need an introduction that leaves the reader wanting more. It’s the first thing the hiring manager is going to read, and we’ve got a guide on writing a good resume that offers you some important tips.

In the flow of a resume, at the top of it, you may have your resume objective , a resume headline , and a professional summary.

We’ve got the first two covered, so now you’re probably wondering how you deal with writing a summary of your professional skills. You’ve probably got questions like:

• What is a professional skills summary?
• How should this section look?
• Is this section really needed in my resume?

Now, we’re going to and these, and some other burning questions you’ll have. Once they’re all answered, we’ll show you some really strong examples of the “Summary of professional skills” section in your resume.

Let’s jump right in…

Looking for some inspiration? Browse our professionally written & ready to use samples! Browse samples 👈

A Summary of Professional Skills Section - What is It?

This section has a few different names. It’s usually called a summary of professional skills, but you may also know it as a “Qualifications Summary” or “Career Summary”. This part of your resume is optional and is customized and inserted near the start of your document.

When you decide to include this section, it’ll normally have 5 or 6 bullets that draw attention to how

• Authoritative
• Managerially effective
• Communicable

Meaning that…

The primary goal of your summary of professional skills is to show the recruiter your skills and achievements at a glance, without delving into everything else you’ve written.

How you order your bullet points is up to you, but it makes sense to add the points most relevant and most impressive first , depending on the role you’re going for. By putting things pertinent to the job you want first, you’re more likely to draw in your reader.

To break it down for you…

The professional summary on your resume has in it:

• The key things you’ve achieved in your career
• Your hard-earned skills
• Details about your experience
• The relevant qualifications for the job you’re applying for

It’s the highlights of your professional life; your skills, experience, and achievements that show you’re perfect for the available job.

When you’ve got great experience to talk about, this section is perfect to make your resume stand out. However, if you’re changing the direction of your career, you’re probably going to want to use a resume objective instead.

That’s coming later…

Pro-Tip Your summary of professional skills and resume objective aren’t to be confused. The latter is a simple statement in one-two sentence that demonstrates your value and job-getting motivation, whilst your career summary is a bulleted list of your top achievements, skills, experience, and qualifications that are relevant to the job at hand.

Writing a Summary of Professional Skills For Your Resume

There is one key rule…

You use your professional summary to show off the most exciting and interesting elements of your resume.

It’s really that simple.

Well, it may be simple, but there’s still some skill to it, so we’ve got some tips on how to write this section well.

To make it easier, we’ve put together this table as a guide to writing your summary of professional skills depending on whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced professional, or looking to switch up your career path.

It’s ok to have pride in the things that you’ve achieved! Make sure that you really grasp how what you’ve done before intersects with what your next potential role wants from you.

Pro-Tip In the same way you make your cover letter match each job you apply for, you want to match your professional summary to every job you’re going for. Make your career summary a strong match to the job description. You can also learn how to make your resume education history shine.

Examples for Summary of Professional Skills

The qualifications summary needs to include a variety of your achievements to impress the recruiting manager. A strong and targeted qualifications summary will make your resume really stand out against the other applicants and make your resume a lot better.

Check out these examples to see what it should look like.

Restaurant Manager Qualifications Summary Example:

• Managed restaurant with 60 covers, increasing customer feedback scores from 4.2 to 4.7 within 6 months
• Overhauled supplier list and inventory management, reducing costs by $3,000 per month
• Lead a team of 16 waiters staff and four bartenders, with reduced staff turnover covering a two year period
• Implemented a new cash management system, improving the customer journey and decreasing cash write-offs by 7%
• Winner of “Best Regional Restaurant 2019” from Best Regional Restaurants Magazine

It’s useful to know that…

Including a summary of qualifications on your resume means it’s more likely to get through Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software.

To give you a brief idea of what an applicant tracking system (ATS) is…

ATS is a system that companies use to filter through irrelevant applications by assessing the content of submitted resumes. So, whenever you apply for a job online, your cv doesn't go directly to a recruiter or a hiring manager. It's actually being processed by an ATS first.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software filters relevant resumes based on different criteria, one of which is the right keywords.

So it may be a good idea to use specific phrases and keywords from the job description in your resume to increase its chances to get noticed.

That’s why whether or not your resume will end up in that human recruiter's hands depends on how well it's optimized for ATS algorithms.

Remember that it is crucial to have a well-thought-of professional summary on your resume.

To give you some more ideas, here’s another example of a strong, well-structured professional skills section.

Customer Contact Center Advisor Qualifications Summary Example:

• Recognized as “Best Sales Person” with 300 loyalty card sign-ups in 2018-19
• Selected as brand ambassador to attend Best Contact Center awards, a statewide industry competition
• Strong problem-solving skills, with first contact resolution levels maintained at 85% or higher month to month
• Customer focussed, with multiple social media comments and a customer satisfaction score of 94% or more each month, with 15% of all contacts surveyed
• Rated as Exceeding based on KPI scored every quarter over three years

Pro-Tip Your qualifications summary fits into the bigger picture that is your resume. Keep focus across the whole document, check out how to write a resume work history section to keep up the momentum you build in this section.

What’s the Difference Between Qualifications Summary and Resume Objective?

The key differentiator between these two parts of a resume is in how long they are, as well as how they are presented. They serve the same basic function; to give the hiring manager an at-a-glance understanding of what you’re going to be able to add to their company.

For a resume objective , you write one or two sentences about why you’re an outstanding candidate for the job you’re applying for.

When you’re just starting out in your career path, whether getting on the first rung, or a year or two in, use a resume objective. They make it clear what you want and what you can do.

Slightly differently, a qualifications summary is written in bullet point form and puts emphasis on your most important skills and achievements.

Someone with lots of strings to their bow should use this, or if you’re looking to change careers. It helps the hiring manager by saving them from looking through your full work history section to get the measure of you. You’re making their lives easy, and who doesn’t like that?

Put in the hard work to make a great resume objective or qualifications summary, and take the weight off the shoulders of the recruiter. They’re going to appreciate your effort and probably call you in for an interview.

Pro-Tip Need to hit the job market yesterday? Use our resume builder to get yours whipped into shape in no time.

What About the Resume Profile?

Instead of a Qualifications Summary, you may also use a resume profile to give a clear and concise overview of why you’re well-qualified for the job. It’s like a short and sweet version of your cover letter.

Your resume profile can include:

• Professional experience
• Relevant skills
• Key projects

Does this seem like it’s come from leftfield? If this feels like a curveball and you’re wondering what the difference is between a resume objective , professional summary, and resume profile, worry not!

Here’s everything you need to know…

• Compared to a resume objective, a resume profile is longer and is there to tell the hiring manager why you’re perfect for the role they’re advertising. Your resume objective is there to show what your goals are when you get the job and with the help of which of your skills you are going to fulfill the goals.
• A professional summary is showing the recruiter your skills and achievements at a glance, without delving into everything else you’ve written. A resume profile also includes this, plus your professional goals too.

Think of it this way; your resume profile is your cover letter if you had to Tweet it.

You can write it as a paragraph, a list with bullets, or mix up the two.

Check out these resume profile examples:

A bulleted resume profile example

• Reduced asset downtime by 19% at Moving Ways Ltd
• Sourced and rolled out new planning software with efficiency savings of $1.2million in the first year
• Recruited new clients by demonstrating better planning solutions

A resume profile example as a paragraph

Location, location, location…

Your resume profile is important and it needs to be positioned somewhere easy to see for the recruiter.

It needs to be one of the first things they see so put it up at the top of the page, higher than your work history.

Pro-Tip Write your resume profile to be customized and targeted at the job you’re applying for. You want your profile to be informative and to the point.

By adding a summary of qualifications or career summary to your resume, you’re making it more personal and directed at the job you’re looking to land.

Show off your unique career path, tell your next employer exactly what you’re capable of, and highlight the skills you’ve worked hard to attain. Doing this is going to grab the reader’s interest and make them want to know more and hopefully get you through the door for an interview.

The most important thing to remember is to use the absolute best examples of what you can do from your work history. Figure out what you’re really proud of and use these to write your summary of the professional skills section.

Some guidelines of what you can make a bullet point about are:

• Show the direction your career has gone so far and where it’s heading
• Point out how many years of relevant work experience you have
• Highlight the qualifications you’ve achieved that other candidates may not have

What’s really key is getting your research done before you jump headlong into writing up your professional skills section.

Read up on your ideal job and what it entails.

There’s no point in writing a resume for a job when you don’t know what its functions are.

Write out a list of everything that is generally required of someone in the role and what employers want to see in terms of qualifications, these are what you link your career summary to.

Here are four golden rules to follow…

Once you’re done, put on your hiring manager's head, read through your career summary, and ask yourself, “why do I want to hire this person?”

If the answer seems obvious based on the information, you’ve achieved what you set out to do!

Always make sure that you do a thorough proofreading of your resume to pick up on small errors like spelling, grammar, incorrect details, etc.

In a world of text speak and social media, you might not think spelling and grammar are as important as they once were. These little details do count, it shows you care enough about the job to get it right and you’ve not rushed through the process.

Get a second, and even third, set of eyes to look at your resume. Ask someone who’s really hot on their spelling and grammar to check it through for you too, they’ll find every detail!

Finally, our Resume Builder will help you get a great structure and form to your resume and let you focus on getting your words right! Quick registration 👈

Wondering what a career objective is? Guessing how it’s different from a resume summary? Check out our quick run-down of the two and pick the right one for your CV!

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December 13, 2018

How to Write the Qualifications Summary for Your Resume

The Qualifications Summary section of the resume is, in theory, the first section of the resume that the admissions reviewer will read: it sits at the very top of the resume after the  applicant’s name and contact details, exactly where the eye is naturally drawn. However, if it is a bulky paragraph filled with ambiguity or wordiness, the reader may just skip right over it. For that reason, it is essential that your Qualifications Summary remains short, sweet, and to the point.

What is particularly fun about the Qualifications Summary is that there really are no rules for its appearance (other than being short, sweet, and to the point). The general purpose of the section is to highlight the most impressive details, which may otherwise not stand out. That way, examples of the applicant’s exceptional impact immediately strike the reader, enticing them to continue reading out of interest and not out of obligation.

What to Include in Your Qualifications Summary

Here are some suggestions of elements you can include in your Qualifications Summary, depending on the length of your resume and the space you have to work with (a longer resume will eat away at the space set aside for your QS):

• A short personality summary and/or career history

For the former, you’ll be offering a snapshot of WHO the person is behind the WHAT of what you’ve done; for the latter, you’ll be using this space truly as a summary of what’s to follow in the rest of the resume – a little taste of what’s to come.

• Core competencies or skills

Keep in mind that for a one-page document, this is most likely an unwise use of space. If you do decide to include these, highlight the keywords that recruiters in your field will be seeking, not a slew of technology acronyms.

• Achievement highlights

Include a few notes about some highlights from your professional life – not where you’ve worked, necessarily, but the impact you’ve had. This is a very effective use of this space.

• Anything notable in your past that is relevant to the role or program you are applying for

This is especially useful for projects and impacts that occurred further in the past and would otherwise be buried near the end of the resume.

• Testimonials or endorsements

You can include snippets of testimonials from written recommendations or employment reviews by superiors and peers. This is not generally appropriate for an admissions resume but does often generate interview invitations in a professional job application.

How to Get Started Writing Your Qualifications Summary

To create your Qualifications Summary, first put together the rest of the resume: the professional experience , education, extracurricular activities, etc. Then go through and manually highlight the accomplishments and details that you think are especially relevant to the position or program you are applying to.

For instance:

• If you earned three promotions in two years – four years in advance of the traditional path for your company – this is something that will particularly interest the admissions committee or HR team.

• If you initiated and successfully led a new venture from within your organization, then the effort and its impact are worth bringing to the top of the page.

• If you feel you have a unique attribute that will position you to succeed in the role for which you are applying, differentiating you from all the other applicants , then insert that as well.

• If there are a set of skills that you have gained that are essential to your target role, list them here.

Choosing What to Write and Making It Look Good

The challenge is deciding among the multiple items that could fit here to choose what will truly captivate the reader. As you decide what to include, remember to change the text in the sections below so that the document is not repetitive. For instance, if you highlight a project from your current work in a couple of lines in the Qualifications Summary, use only one line – and perhaps alternate statistics about it – to summarize it in the Professional Experience section.

Finally, play with the layout to make this section readable and appealing. You can use text boxes, bullets, indentations, bold text, or titles to divide the material into short, legible “sections within the section.” Remember the key elements of including white space, keeping bullet points concise, and including numbers to quantify the size and scope of your projects. These will help your Qualifications Summary do the heavy lifting it is meant to!

Do you need help with your Qualifications Summary, your full resume, or any other element of your application? Check out our Admissions Services and work one-on-one with an expert advisor who will help you get ACCEPTED!

Related Resources:

•  Fitting In & Standing Out: The Paradox at the Heart of Admissions , a free guide •  Aligning Your Resume With Your Application Essays • 6 Fatal Resume Flaws to Avoid

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