Are you in the process of updating your resume? If it’s a been a while, you may have some questions on what to include, what not to include, and – of course – how to put your best foot forward to get through this first crucial round of the hiring process.

As a career mentor, resumes are a necessary part of the work I do with my clients. Looking for a job is no easy feat, with a lot of moving parts and emotional and mental strain. But the thing I always like to remind my clients is that success in your job search will ultimately come down to three things:

1. Knowing WHAT you want – having clarity on your ideal new role, and knowing how that ideal translates to actual job titles you can search for
2. Knowing WHERE to look for these roles – having reliable, consistent sources for finding these jobs, or getting some help in finding roles that fit what you’re looking for
3. Being clear on your unique value proposition as a candidate – having a clear understanding of your strengths, what sets you apart, and what YOU bring to the table that will you memorable, hirable, and desirable in a prospective employer’s eyes. And making sure your Application Materials reflect this unique value proposition clearly and concisely.

I could go on and on about this process (and I’m happy to!), but for today’s purposes I want for focus on your Application Materials – specifically your resume, and the importance of having a Professional Summary on that resume.

What is a Professional Summary?

A Professional Summary is a short 2-3 sentence paragraph at the top of your resume that “connects the dots” in the brand story and ALL your different work experiences, and highlights YOUR unique strengths & Unique Value Proposition as a candidate. A Professional Summary sets the tone for your resume and helps your prospective employer get a clear idea what to expect from you and your experience. Especially since most recruiters look at resumes for an average of 5-7 seconds, having this clear summary above the fold helps make an impact right away. 

According to career development website, The Ladders, your professional summary is “the most effective place on your resume to communicate to future employers what roles you’re skilled in, your expectations about your next job, and what expertise you bring to the task.”

What Should I Include in My Professional Summary?

Your Professional Summary should to communicate to future employers your “big picture” takeaways, and highlight your Unique Value Proposition.

A good Professional Summary includes:

• What role(s) you’re skilled in, with applicable titles
• A rollup of your total number of years of experience
• Your core skillsets and areas of expertise
• Your expectations for your next role – what are you looking for and why?

If you possess any relevant, important certifications (like a Six Sigma certification, a PMP, or something similar), it’s important to include those qualifiers in your Professional Summary as well.

Overall, your Professional Summary should tell your story – it’s your 30 second elevator pitch and your opportunity to FRAME your skills and experience in the way you want your prospective employer to view them.

Professional Summary Template for Your Resume

Here’s a “fill in the blank” template to help you get started adding comprehensive, clear, impactful professional summary to your resume. This a three sentence template, and this is how it works:

Sentence 1: Explains your general title/area of expertise and your number of years of experience

Sentence 2: Explains three core strengths/skill areas that set you apart – how you make an impact in your work

Sentence 3: Explains what you are looking for at this point in your career (also an opportunity to lightly address any “gaps” or major transitions in your resume)

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank template for how these three sentences come together to create an impactful Professional Summary.

I am a [adjective 1] and [adjective 2] [general title/role name] with [# of years of experience] years of experience in the [industry name] field . I excel at [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3]. I am seeking a new role that allows me to employ my passion for [role focus] and [role skills] to contribute to a team with a focus on making a difference.  

Here’s a example of this template in use:

I am a determined, detail-oriented Account Manager with over 10+ experience in the technology industry. I excel at setting and exceeding sales goals, building strong client relationships, and collaborating across teams to accomplish organizational goals. I am seeking a new role that allows me to employ my passion for creating connections, and my revenue generation skills to contribute to a new team with a focus on making a difference.

I always bold the “bottom line” – who you are and what you bring to the table for readability.

Give this template a try as you update your resume to add in this crucial Professional Summary section. Or, if you want some help with your resume, you can sign up for a free resume audit, right here!