On your resume, the summary of qualifications section is meant to outline your skills and accomplishments. An employer will usually only look at a resume for a few seconds, so it is essential that you highlight your most marketable skills so that a potential employer notices them immediately. In this article, you will find out how to write a summary of qualifications so that you make the best possible impression on an employer.
Before you begin
It is smart to make a list of all of the skills and talents you possess before you begin the summary of qualifications for your resume. Think of all of the things you have accomplished in past jobs. Were you #1 salesperson? Did you help decrease customer complaints? Perhaps you were an office manager and helped to increase productivity. Maybe you are the one who is never sick, and on time every day of your life. Whatever it is, write it down. Later, you can go through and narrow the list down to a few of the most important details.
Why your summary of qualifications will change occasionally
When submitting your resume to a potential employer, you want your summary of qualifications to target the job in question. So, if you list your exceptional typing skills on one resume in your summary area, that doesn’t mean it will be suitable when applying for a position as a sales representative or retail clerk. The qualifications you list should be directly related to the position you are applying for.
How to write your summary of qualifications
When you are ready to complete this section, make sure you have narrowed down your list to the top 3 to 5 most impressive skills and attributes. Once you have chosen which you will use, state the information in bulleted points. Include the years of experience/expertise in that field, followed by your greatest achievements over that time period. This information goes toward the top of your resume, following your name and contact information. This way, an employer notices your strong points at once and realizes how your skills/talents will benefit the company.
Always include “excitement” or action words, such as accomplished, exceeded, executed, developed, initiated, enhanced, motivated, etc. This makes your sentences “pop” and catch the eye of the employer, instead of sounding mundane and boring. Here is an example:
Do NOT say “Experienced sales professional.” What you do want to say is that you “Surpassed sales goals in 9 months out of 12.” See how much more impressive that looks?
By writing your summary of qualifications in the right manner, your chances of securing the job will multiply dramatically. You can also find many examples and resources online that will help you write this section so that it makes the greatest impact.
