How to Write a Resume Summary That Gets You Read

Resumes with a professional summary are 20% more likely to be viewed favorably.

A movie trailer has 90 seconds to convince you to watch a two-hour film. The first page of a novel has to grab you, or you’ll put the book back on the shelf. The summary at the top of your resume has the same job: it’s your trailer, your opening page.

This small block of text—just three or four lines—is the most valuable real estate on the entire document. It's the first thing a recruiter sees, and it determines whether they keep reading or move on.

If your summary is a generic, sleepy statement, you’ve already lost them. But if it’s a sharp, compelling pitch tailored directly to them, it forces them to pay attention. Here's how to write a summary that makes them want to see the rest of the movie.

First, ditch the "objective"

Let's get one thing straight: unless you are a brand new graduate with zero experience, you should use a "Professional Summary," not an "Objective." An objective talks about what you want. A summary talks about what they need. Companies don't hire people to fulfill their objectives; they hire people to solve their problems.

The formula for a killer summary

You don't need to be a professional writer. You just need a simple, repeatable formula. For every job you apply to, your summary should answer three questions:

1. Who are you? (Your professional identity)

2. What’s your key qualification? (Your most relevant skill for this job)

3. What’s your proof? (A major achievement that shows you're great at it)

Let's look at it in action. Imagine you're applying for a social media manager job that emphasizes "increasing community engagement."

• Before (generic summary):
  An experienced and creative social media professional with a passion for building brands online. Looking for a new role where I can apply my skills in content creation and strategy.
  This is okay, but it's generic. It could be on anyone's resume.

• After (tailored summary):
  Data-driven Social Media Manager with 6 years of experience specializing in building and nurturing online communities. Proven ability to increase community engagement by over 300% on Instagram for a B2C fashion brand by launching a successful user-generated content initiative.
  This is a direct hit. It uses their language ("community engagement") and provides concrete proof of success.

Your step-by-step guide

1. Identify your title: Start with your professional title, adjusted to match the job ad. If they're hiring a "Content Strategist" and you're a "Marketing Writer," use their title.

2. Scan the job description: Find the #1 most important skill or outcome they are looking for. Is it "driving sales," "improving user experience," or "managing projects"?

3. Dig for your proof: Look at your career history and find a specific, quantifiable achievement that relates directly to that skill. A number, percentage, or dollar amount is your best friend here.

4. Put it all together: Combine these elements into 2-3 powerful sentences.

Doing this every single time

This formula is simple, but applying it consistently is hard work. Crafting a unique, compelling summary for every single application takes time and mental energy. It's often the part of tailoring that feels the most like writing a difficult essay for school.

Under pressure, it’s easy to get lazy and fall back on the generic summary that you know doesn't work.

The ghostwriter in your pocket

What if you had a professional writer who could craft that perfect, tailored summary for you in seconds? That’s what the TailorMyResume iOS app does.

Our app reads the job description to understand exactly what the employer is looking for. Then, it helps you rewrite your summary to reflect those needs, suggesting ways to frame your experience and highlight your most relevant achievements. It automates the formula, taking the pressure off you.

Stop letting your trailer spoil the movie. Start every application with a summary that demands attention.

Ready to write a summary that opens doors? Download TailorMyResume from the App Store and let us handle the pitch.