Whether you’re looking for a new position through employment agencies in Princeton, NJ, or on your own, having a well-crafted resume is a must. While you may assume that since your last resume landed you a position, using it as a guide is wise, that isn’t always the case. Resume trends and expectations change over time. If yours now seems outdated, it could cost you opportunities.
One prime example is the resume executive summary. This is a relatively new addition, taking the place of the now antiquated resume objective. With a solid executive summary, you can capture the hiring manager’s attention, highlight key capabilities, and otherwise stand out from the pack. If you want to write a winning resume executive summary, here’s what you need to know.
What Is an Executive Summary?
A resume executive summary is a short paragraph that summarizes essential qualifications and professional experiences. You use the section to showcase why you’re an excellent candidate for a particular job, tailoring the content to the specific role you want to land.
Why You Need an Executive Summary
When a hiring manager receives a resume, they don’t usually read it word-for-word. Instead, they skim the document quickly, looking for key pieces of information.
In many ways, your resume executive summary works like an elevator pitch. It’s a way to put your critical capabilities and relevant achievements front and center. You’re letting the hiring manager know immediately that you’re worth considering, enticing them to read your resume in its entirety.
Where to Put Your Resume Executive Summary
Since your resume executive summary is a synopsis of your career and capabilities, make it the first section on your resume after your contact details. Usually, you’ll use a simple header, like “Resume Summary” or “Professional Summary,” followed by a short paragraph.
While some people use bullet points for their executive summary, that isn’t the norm. Additionally, if you follow your summary with a “Skills” section featuring bullet points, it may overload the document with bullets, which isn’t ideal. As a result, it’s usually best to go with a single, short paragraph.
How to Write a Resume Executive Summary
When you write a resume executive summary, you use the same approach as you do with the rest of a resume. There are no “I” statements, and even sentence fragments are allowed.
Usually, you want to limit yourself to just a few sentences. In the first one, you need to showcase must-have expertise and the requested experience level based on what’s listed in the job description. Next, discussing a relevant achievement and the skills you used to accomplish it, is wise. After that, you want to highlight other relevant technical capabilities and soft skills, putting the best of what you have to offer on display.
Get Noticed by More Employers Hiring
Ultimately, whether you’re looking for a job with employment agencies in Princeton, NJ, or going a different route, having a standout resume executive summary is a must. If you want to learn more about how you can stand out from other candidates, the team Alpha Consulting wants to hear from you. Contact us today.
