Let Your Resume's Career Summary Snag You a Job

When searching for a job, the resume-writing process can be very confusing. You don’t know what type of objective to add, how many jobs to list, or even which accomplishments and skills to include. Of course, you know the idea of writing the resume is to make sure that you can snag a job with the information you’ve listed. But sometimes it’s hard to know just what to list that will actually work.

Some experts have found that writing a really clean career summary is a great way to snag the job you’re looking for. By adding it toward the top of your resume, you could catch the reader’s attention immediately and let them know just why they’re the right person for the job.

What is a Career Summary?

A career summary is slightly different for an objective, which tells the hiring manager why you’re applying for the job. The career summary tells the manager what you’ve accomplished and why you’re perfect for the job in a nutshell. So in the summary, you’ll want to highlight your strongest qualities, as well as what you’ve done in the past that makes you a great fit for the job you’re applying for.

How to Write a Career Summary

Very often, the career summary can come in a lot of forms. Some choose to write it in two to three brief paragraphs; however, some argue that this looks more like a long objective. Others suggest that it’s better to create a “Career Summary” section and list 5 to 6 bullet points that showcase the highlights or strengths in your career.

In your summary, you might list some specific moments in your career that make you stand out, bringing in record revenue for the company or leading an award-winning marketing campaign. Also, you could list some extraordinary daily tasks that show incredible organization or multitasking abilities.

Don’t Forget to Do Your Research

Before you write your career summary, it’s important to keep in mind that it may have to change some depending on the job you’re applying for. Different jobs have different needs, so you may need to focus on different aspects of your career to make sure you’re matching their desires. This means, not only will you need to do your research before writing the summary, you will need to research yourself to fit your accomplishments to their goals. That’s right, no blanket career summary for you.

It’s good to know that there is a way to grab a hiring manager’s attention at the beginning of your resume. Now it’s up to you to actually get the job done. So if you’re not interested in working with someone who offers assistance with resumes then it’s up to you to get started on and successfully complete your own career summary.