How to write a resume summary

The resume summary (or professional profile) is the short paragraph under your name. It's the first thing read and it decides whether the recruiter keeps going. Its job is to answer in a few lines: who you are, what you do well and what you're looking for.

1. 1Who you are: your role or specialty and years of experience.
2. 2What sets you apart: 2–3 concrete strengths (industry, tools, an achievement).
3. 3What you're looking for or bring: the kind of role or challenge you want.

• Server: “Server with 5 years in high-volume restaurants and cocktail bars. Fast on the floor and great with guests. Available nights and weekends.”
• Nurse: “Registered nurse with 5 years in emergency care. Skilled in triage and life support, with a strong focus on patient safety.”
• Developer: “Front-end developer with 5 years in React and TypeScript. I care about performance and accessibility. Experienced in agile product teams.”
• Sales: “B2B sales rep with 8 years in industrial supplies. Manages a $2.6M portfolio and wins new accounts. Open to travel.”
• No experience: “Business graduate with a finance internship at a small company. Advanced Excel and fluent Spanish. Looking for my first role in administration or finance.”

• Two to four lines. If it fills half a page, it's no longer a summary.
• Tailor it to each job: it's the easiest part to change and the one that shows most.
• Use the job's keywords (the job title, the tools).
• No adjectives without proof: if you're organized, your experience will show it.
• Write it without “I” (“Looking for…”) or in the third person — just be consistent.