Resume summary examples: how to write a strong opening
The summary is the first thing a recruiter reads. In two or three lines it should say who you are, what you do well and one result that proves it. Skip the vague objective statements.
A simple formula
Write one sentence for your role and experience, one for your strongest skills, and one for a result or goal. Keep it under 50 words and use plain words.
Example for an experienced professional
“Sales executive with 5 years of experience in consumer durables. Skilled in dealer management and new-market entry. Grew territory sales by 32% in two years and met target in 11 of 12 quarters.”
Example for a fresher
“B.Tech computer science graduate with two internships and a project used by 800 students. Comfortable with Java, SQL and REST APIs. Looking for a junior backend developer role.”
Example for a career changer
“Teacher with 6 years of experience moving into corporate training. Designed and delivered lessons for 300 students a year and trained 12 new teachers. Strong in presentation and learning design.”
Mistakes to avoid
These make a summary forgettable.
- Vague lines like “hard-working team player seeking a challenging role”.
- Writing in the third person.
- Claims with no proof, such as “excellent leader”.
- The same summary for every job.
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Keep reading
- How to write a resume that gets shortlistedA step-by-step guide for Indian job seekers: what to include, what to leave out and how to order it.
- Action verbs for your resume, by type of workStrong verbs to start your resume bullets with, grouped by what you did, and how to use them well.
- Resume for freshers: how to write one with no experienceHow to build a strong first resume from projects, internships, college work and skills.