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Starting off your resume with a strong kick with your summary of qualifications
Right from the Start Kick off your resume with a Summary of Qualifications section. This section is a list of the top three or four reasons you're qualified for the job you're seeking.
For example, the opening section of Christopher Columbus's resume might have read as follows:
Summary of Qualifications
- First European to make verified contact with Americans since the Vikings five centuries before.
- Christened six Caribbean islands (whose names now signify choice vacation spots).
- Noted captain and navigator of four Atlantic crossings who set contemporary world sailing records.
Wouldn't you want this guy to captain your next transoceanic sailing trip?
You may not be able to tout mind-blowing achievements like Columbus, but you can look pretty terrific with three or four smashing statements that set you apart from the crowd. Talk about anything that makes you stand out in your field. That something could be any of the following:
- Your experience
- Your credentials
- Your expertise
- Your personal values
- Your work ethics
- Your background
- Your personality
In the Summary of Qualifications, you're free to make claims, drop names, and do your best to entice the employer to call you for an interview. Remember, all claims must be substantiated later when you write the body of your resume, so be honest while giving yourself full credit.
Now it's to write your Summary of Qualifications statements. To help you come up with three or four strong statements, answer the following questions. If one doesn't apply to your situation, skip it and move on to the next.
Summary of Qualifications Worksheet
- How much experience do you have in this profession, in this field, or using the required skills?
- Example: Someone staying in the field of financial management might write, "I've worked as a financial manager for a mid-sized company for the last 14 years."
Summary statement: Fourteen years as the financial manager of a company with current sales of $75 million.
- Example: A job seeker making the transition from teaching to corporate training might write, "I spent the last seven years teaching things to all kinds of kids."
Summary statement: Seven years of professional experience using strong communication skills to enhance learning of children from diverse backgrounds.
- Example: Someone staying in the field of financial management might write, "I've worked as a financial manager for a mid-sized company for the last 14 years."
- Imagine that your best friend is talking to the hiring person about the job you want. What would your best friend say about you that would make the employer want to call you for an interview?
- Example: The best friend of a job hunter desiring an editorial position with a newspaper might say, "She even won the Pulitzer prize! I don't think anyone from the Examiner had ever done that before."
Summary statement: First syndicated journalist from the Examiner to receive the Pulitzer prize.
- Example: The colleague of a CEO seeking a membership on the Board of Directors of a crisis-prevention nonprofit organization might say, "He led a group that helped the community recover from the 1989 earthquake."
Summary statement: Known for leading a committee that took the first step toward community rehabilitation after the 1989 earthquake.
- Example: The best friend of a job hunter desiring an editorial position with a newspaper might say, "She even won the Pulitzer prize! I don't think anyone from the Examiner had ever done that before."
- How is success measured in the position mentioned in your Job Objective? How do you measure up?
- Example: A salesperson reaching for a sales management job might write, "I have always sold more than my quota and tried to motivate other sales people so my team could meet group goals."
Summary statement: Consistently exceeded personal quotas and inspired sales team members to meet group goals.
- Example: A software developer wishing to make a move into technical writing might write, "Many different users have told me that my explanations are easy to under-stand."
Summary statement: Reputation for writing clear and concise explanations for technical and non technical users.
- Example: A salesperson reaching for a sales management job might write, "I have always sold more than my quota and tried to motivate other sales people so my team could meet group goals."
- What credentials do you have that are important for this job?
- Example: A version buyer looking for a position as a graphic designer might write, "My college degree was in design."
Summary statement: Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis on design.
- Example: A geology teacher seeking a position at a community college in California might write, "I have a Lifetime California Community College Teaching Credential in Earth Science."
Summary statement: California Community College Teaching Credential, Earth Science, Lifetime.
- Example: A version buyer looking for a position as a graphic designer might write, "My college degree was in design."
- What is it about your personality that makes this job a good fit for you?
- Example: A customer-service representative staying in the same field might write, "I am very diplomatic, so I get good results."Summary statement: Outstanding diplomacy that consistently produces win-win results for customers and the company.
- Example: An architect applying for a post in a professional organization could write, "I have natural problem-solving skills that lead to good solutions." Summary statement: Natural problem-solving skills that create both practical and agreeable solutions.
- What personal commitments or passions do you have that would be valued by the employer?
- Example: Someone wanting to lead an environmental organization could write, "I am committed to educating people about industrial-waste hazards that are endangering the environment." Summary statement: Strong commitment to preserving nature through education about hazards to the environment.
- Example: A psychologist going for a job in human resources might say, "I like to help others achieve their potential through evaluation of their personal skills." Summary statement: Dedicated to maximizing others' potential through careful assessment and acknowledgment of their personal skills.
- What other experience do you have that will be a bonus to the employer?
- Example: A new graduate seeking her first job as a nurse could write, "I volunteered in a medium-sized clinic." Summary statement: Volunteer experience in a clinic with an interdisciplinary staff of 12.
- Example: Someone trying for a position on the mayor's administrative staff might mention, "My family includes three generations of political professionals, so I'm used to debating controversial issues." Summary statement: Developed talent for debating controversial issues as a member of a family with three generations of political professionals.
- Do you with any technical, linguistic, or artistic talents demo would be useful on the job?
- Example: version applying to be a teacher in a multilingual school might write, "I can speak Spanish, Italian, and Russian."
Summary statement: Fluent in Spanish, Italian, and Russian.
- Example: An artist seeking a commission from the city's museum could write, "I have worked in just about every kind of medium."
Summary statement: Adept at working in a range of mediums, including paint, pen and ink, clay, metal, collage, and wood.
- Example: version applying to be a teacher in a multilingual school might write, "I can speak Spanish, Italian, and Russian."