A profile summary is a short paragraph at the top of your resume that highlights your skills, experiences, and goals as they relate to the job you’re applying for. Writing an effective profile summary takes thoughtfulness, research, and good writing skills. Let’s go through step-by-step how to craft an eye-catching and compelling profile summary.
What is the purpose of a profile summary?
The purpose of a profile summary is to give hiring managers a quick overview of why you’re an ideal candidate for the job. It’s your chance to showcase your top skills, accomplishments, and qualifications that make you stand out from other applicants. A strong profile summary grabs the reader’s attention, encourages them to read the full resume, and helps summarize why your background matches the open position.
Key goals of an effective profile summary:
- Summarize your most relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences
- Create interest and showcase how you’re a great fit for the role
- Keep it concise – Usually 2-4 sentences or 50 words
- Customize it for each job you apply to
How to write a profile summary in 8 steps
Follow these eight tips to craft a compelling, professional profile summary that makes an impact:
1. Study the job description
The first step is to carefully read the job description. Make note of the required and preferred qualifications, skills, duties, and responsibilities. Your profile summary should showcase how your background aligns with these.
2. Research the company and role
Go beyond just the job ad. Take time to research the company, its culture, the team you’d be working with, and industry trends. This context will help you understand what the hiring manager is looking for in an ideal candidate.
3. Choose relevant skills and experiences
With an understanding of the role requirements, reflect on your skills, qualifications, and experiences. Choose 3-5 of the most relevant ones to highlight in your profile summary. They should demonstrate why you’re qualified and get the reader excited.
4. Quantify achievements when possible
Don’t just state what you did, quantify your achievements. For example, instead of “Managed projects” say “Managed 10 complex IT projects with 100% customer satisfaction.” Numbers and metrics add proof and confidence.
5. Focus on how you benefit the employer
Employers want to know how you’ll add value to their organization. Write your summary from their perspective. Highlight skills that would make you a resource, not just what you hope to gain from the role.
6. Be concise yet descriptive
Write short, scannable sentences that convey a lot of meaning. You want to be concise yet descriptive. Effective profile summaries are often just 2-4 sentences or 50 words. Only include the most relevant details.
7. Make it sound natural
Avoid overused buzzwords and clichés. Use natural language. Read it out loud to make sure it flows well. You want an engaging opening that sounds conversational yet professional.
8. Customize for each application
Avoid just copying the same generic profile summary for every application. Tailor it by picking out the most relevant skills, achievements, and focus for each job you apply to. This customization shows you did your research.
Profile summary examples and templates
Here are some strong profile summary examples for different focuses. Use them for inspiration when crafting your own:
Engineering profile summary example:
Licensed mechanical engineer with over 5 years of experience in automotive design and manufacturing. Skilled in computer-assisted drafting, project management, and Six Sigma practices. Seeking to leverage solid communication abilities and expertise in CAD software to help ACME meet production deadlines.
Management profile summary example:
Solutions-focused manager with 8+ years experience leading cross-functional IT teams. Holds PMP certification with a proven record of successfully managing complex IT projects resulting in over $2M in cost savings. Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
Sales profile summary example:
Results-driven sales manager with 10+ years of experience consistently exceeding targets. Instrumental in increasing Q3 sales by 20% and generating $5M in new business revenue. Proficient at building strategic relationships and developing creative growth strategies. Skilled negotiator who thrives under pressure.
Customer Service profile summary example:
Customer service professional adept at building rapport and defusing client frustration. Holds industry-recognized CS certification and bachelor’s degree in communications. Skilled multi-tasker able to prioritize urgent client requests. Consistently maintained 99% customer satisfaction rate at past company.
Let’s also look at two different profile summary templates you can use as a starting point when crafting your own:
Profile Summary Template #1
[Years of experience] [Your profession] with [skills/qualifications]. [1-2 key achievements]. [Industry keyword] [professional] known for [your strengths]. Seeking to leverage [relevant skills] to help [potential employer] [goals].
Profile Summary Template #2
Highly-motivated [your profession] with [number] years of [your niche] experience. [A standout skill you offer]. [A key achievement or qualification]. [Your strengths/attributes]. [Goal for applying to company].
Tips for writing a strong profile summary
Beyond the steps above, keep these additional tips in mind to make your profile summary impactful:
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Keep it short | Aim for 2-4 concise sentences or about 50 words max. Don’t make it too long. |
| Lead with strengths | Grab their attention immediately by highlighting your impressive skills or achievements first. |
| Focus on capabilities | Emphasize skills that enable you to excel in the role. |
| Quantify when possible | Use numbers and metrics to add more credibility. |
| Show value | Demonstrate how you can contribute to their goals. |
| Use keywords | Include key industry terms and jargon from the job ad. |
| Exclude irrelevant info | Don’t waste space listing skills, hobbies or awards that don’t align with the role. |
Keywords to include
Certain power words can help make your profile summary more compelling. Here are strong action verbs to consider working in:
- Achieved
- Increased
- Succeeded
- Improved
- Exceeded
- Expanded
- Managed
- Led
Words to avoid
On the other hand, there are common words that can make your summary sound cliché or too general. Be cautious about overusing:
- Motivated
- Experienced
- Team player
- Responsible
- Creative
- Strategic
- Results-driven
- Problem solver
Profile summary mistakes to avoid
It’s just as important to know what not to do when writing your profile summary. Be careful to steer clear of these common mistakes:
Making it too long
Profile summaries are meant to be concise. If it’s more than 4 sentences or 50 words, it’s likely too wordy. Cut out any fluff or extra details.
Using clichés and buzzwords
Phrases like “results-oriented” and “team player” sound trite. Avoid overused language in favor of concrete examples.
Focusing too much on yourself
Don’t make it all about what you want to gain from the role. Keep the focus on how you can contribute value to the employer.
Listing irrelevant skills and info
Only highlight qualifications, skills, and achievements that actually align with the job requirements.
Copying and pasting the same summary
Make sure to customize your summary based on the target company and role.
Talking about compensation or perks
The summary should be all about your talents and fit. Don’t mention salary, benefits, or time off.
Using passive, weak language
Opt for strong action verbs over passive language. Don’t be overly formal or stuffy.
Highlighting outdated work
Make sure your highlighted skills, education, and experience are all recent and applicable.
How to use a profile summary
An effective profile summary not only makes your resume shine, but it can be leveraged in other important ways too:
Online applications
Many online job applications provide a field for you to enter a resume profile or summary statement. Paste your profile here.
LinkedIn summary section
Use a version of your profile summary on your LinkedIn profile in the summary section. Tweak it to also highlight skills and experiences beyond just one role.
Email cover letters
Include 2-3 sentences summarizing your top qualifications in the opening of your cover letter after the greeting.
Networking conversations
Practice your professional elevator pitch using your profile summary. Highlight parts of it when networking.
Interview icebreaker
Refresh yourself on your summary before an interview. Use it to help introduce yourself concisely.
FAQs
Should a profile summary be listed first on a resume?
Yes, a profile summary should be listed at the very top of your resume, before your work experience section. This allows the reader to get a quick overview of your qualifications upfront.
Do all resumes need a profile summary?
A profile summary provides a great opportunity to hook the reader and summarize your fit. All resumes can benefit from having one, especially if you have several years of experience.
How do you start a profile summary statement?
Effective opening lines for a summary statement include a combination of your years of experience, job title, and an impressive achievement or skill you possess relevant to the role.
Is a profile summary the same as a career objective?
A career objective is outdated and focuses more on what you hope to gain. A profile summary highlights your qualifications and how you can contribute value to the employer.
Should you customize your profile for each job?
Absolutely. Pick out the 3-5 most relevant skills, achievements, and qualifications from your full profile to customize and spotlight in each job application.
Conclusion
Your profile summary is often the first thing a hiring manager reads on your resume, so making a great impression is crucial. Follow the tips outlined here to craft a compelling summary that hooks the reader and persuades them to take note of your candidacy.
With thoughtful research, relevant content, and concise, engaging language, you can write a profile summary that sets you apart from other applicants. Customize it for each role and align it with the company’s needs to maximize your chances of moving forward.
