Your professional summary is one of the most important parts of your resume. It's also an essential part of your LinkedIn profile, and your About Me profile on the company website.
Regardless of whether you're looking for a new job or not, it's important for your personal brand and professional reputation to get this right!
Is your summary doing its job of making a great first impression? If not, don't worry - we're here to help! Here's 10 tactical tips and examples to help you write a winning professional summary:
1. Keep it brief: Your professional summary should be no more than 2-3 sentences. Use concise language and avoid unnecessary words.
Example: "Results-driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in the technology industry. Skilled in developing and executing successful campaigns that drive business growth."
2. Highlight your strengths: Use your professional summary to showcase your most impressive skills and accomplishments.
Example: "Award-winning graphic designer with expertise in creating visually stunning designs for print and web. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and experienced in collaborating with multiple stakeholders."
3. Tailor it to the job: Customise your professional summary to match the requirements of the job you're applying for.
Example: "Experienced project manager with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and under budget. Skilled in stakeholder management and experienced in leading cross-functional teams."
4. Use keywords: Include keywords relevant to the job to increase your chances of getting through automated screening. You can identify keywords by reviewing the job description and searching on LinkedIn.
Example: "Sales professional with a proven track record of exceeding targets and driving revenue growth. Proficient in CRM software and experienced in managing a large sales territory."
5. Focus on results: Use your professional summary to highlight your achievements and the impact you've made in your previous roles.
Example: "Human resources manager with 7+ years of experience in talent acquisition and retention. Skilled in developing and implementing innovative HR programs that have reduced turnover rates by 25%."
6. Be specific: Use quantifiable, concrete examples to show what you've accomplished, rather than using vague or generic language.
Example: "IT manager with a focus on improving operational efficiencies and reducing costs. Successfully implemented a new cloud-based system that saved the company over $100,000 in annual maintenance fees."
7. Avoid buzzwords: Starting your sentences with strong, action-oriented verbs is important, but be careful not to use buzzwords or overused phrases that have lost their impact. Example: Instead of saying "Innovative marketing professional with a passion for disrupting the industry," try "Marketing professional with a track record of developing creative campaigns that increase brand awareness and drive revenue."
8. Emphasise your value proposition: Explain how you can add value to the company and solve their problems.
Example: "Experienced customer service representative with a passion for solving customer problems and exceeding expectations. Committed to providing exemplary service that results in high levels of customer satisfaction."
9. Be consistent with your brand: Use a genuine tone and language that aligns with your personal brand. Example: "Passionate marketer with experience in both B2B and B2C marketing. Skilled in developing marketing strategies that drive brand awareness and customer acquisition."
10. Make it easy to read: Formatting matters! Use bullet points, proper spacing, and font size to make your professional summary easy to read.
3 Stand Out Examples: To get you thinking, here's a few great examples I've come across recently, and what makes them so effective:
1. "Accomplished Executive Assistant with over 10 years of experience supporting senior level executives. Possess excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously."
This statement is effective because it highlights their impressive track record of experience in supporting senior executives. It also emphasises their ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously, which is a key skill essential for success in executive assistant roles.
2. "Detail-oriented Office Manager with extensive experience in managing administrative tasks, scheduling appointments, and coordinating meetings. Skilled in managing complex travel itineraries and providing exceptional customer service."
This is a strong example because it highlights the specific skills that makes this person so great at their job. It also emphasises their ability to provide exceptional customer service, which is a highly valued skill and transferrable across industries.
3. "Strategic human resources leader with a track record of developing and implementing innovative HR programs that drive employee engagement and retention. Skilled in talent acquisition and experienced in managing complex HR projects."
I like this one because it emphasises specific skills and achievements. This invites the reader to want to know more about the specific impact they have made. It also highlights their ability to drive employee engagement and retention, which is a current pain point in today's businesses, and an essential skill for a successful HR manager.
When crafting your own professional summary statement, take inspiration from these examples and make sure to emphasise your own specific skills and achievements. Keep it concise and use strong language to make a great first impression.
I hope we've sparked some ideas for your professional summary. Your dream job is possible!
As always, if you need help crafting your resume, don't hesitate to contact us. We offer a range of services to help you stand out in a competitive job market and would love to assist you.