Glossary
What is a resume summary?
Updated:
In short
A resume summary is the two or three sentence paragraph at the top of the resume that says who you are professionally, which skills you bring and which role you want. Rewrite it for each posting, using the job title and two key skills from the requirements.
What does a good summary look like?
Illustrative example: "Accountant with 6 years of experience in manufacturing firms, strong in month-end close and tax filings. Seeking a chief accountant role at a growing company."
What should I avoid?
Generic qualities without proof ("dynamic, motivated") and vague objectives. Every sentence should carry information the recruiter can use.
Frequently asked questions
Summary or objective?
A summary, since it shows what you bring. An objective talks about what you want and is rare for experienced candidates.
How long is it?
Two or three sentences, about 40-60 words.
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