Picture this: you've applied to the college, summer program, or job that you know you're the perfect candidate for, but the admissions officer, program head, or employer has gone through 50 resumes already and by the time they get to yours, they're just skimming through them. How can you ensure they don't miss your key points? Lucky for you, you've read this article and learned how to write the perfect resume summary to catch their eye.

What is a resume summary? 

A resume summary encapsulates your skills and experience into a brief statement that precedes the rest of your resume. It allows the reader of your resume to get a quick sense of who you are.

How do I write a resume summary?
The idea of a resume summary is to keep a reader's attention and get your point across, therefore it should be short and sweet. Here are steps you should follow:

1. ​Start with your title. Ex: "High school senior", "Honor roll student"
   
2. Include your experience. Ex: "Extensive writing experience"
   
3. Finish with your notable skills and awards. Ex: "Known as an energetic team leader with exceptional communication skills", "Pacemaker award recipient"
   
4. Put it all together! "High school honor roll student with a passion for journalism. Extensive writing and journalism experience, including working as editor of school paper. Known as an energetic team leader with exceptional communication skills. Pacemaker award recipient."
   

More Examples

Independent and self-motivated high school junior with a variety of dance experience. 10 years of experience on Drama Dance team. 2015 Team Dance National Champion.

High school junior and member of National Honor Society. Experience with research in reproductive biology lab. Self-directed learner, well-versed in human anatomy, excellent at time-management and meeting deadlines.

High school honor roll student with a passion for helping others. 4 years of hospital volunteer experience working with a variety of patients. Completed mini-med scholar course. Ability to work under pressure, fast learner, and a dynamic team leader.

Whether you're building a resume or resume summary, you'll need to have a list of all of your achievements, experiences, and lessons learned from them. Don't lose track of anything, make an automatic portfolio on KudosWall today.