The formula
[Job title] with [X years] of experience in [specialty]. [Top achievement with a number]. [Key skills or what you bring to the next role].
Examples by career level
Entry level
- Business student with hands-on marketing experience from leading a 400-member student club. Doubled event attendance through targeted social campaigns. Skilled in Canva, Excel and Google Analytics.
- Recent nursing graduate with 800 clinical hours across med-surg and pediatrics. BLS certified, calm under pressure and committed to patient education.
Mid-level
- Data analyst with 4 years of experience turning complex data into decisions. Identified $1.2M in savings through supplier analysis. Advanced SQL, Python and Tableau.
- Customer service representative with 4 years in high-volume support and a 96% CSAT score. Bilingual English/Spanish with strong de-escalation skills.
Senior and executive
- Product leader with 12 years building B2B SaaS. Grew ARR from $10M to $45M by launching three new product lines. Builds high-performing teams and data-driven roadmaps.
- Finance director with 15 years in FP&A for manufacturing groups. Led a cost program saving $18M annually and a successful ERP migration.
Career changers
- Former teacher transitioning to instructional design. 8 years creating engaging curricula for 25+ learners; certified in Articulate Storyline and adult learning principles.
Tips
- Keep it 40–90 words.
- Write in implied first person (no “I”).
- Tailor the job title to the role you are applying for.
- Use our AI summary writer to generate a first draft, then personalize it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a summary the same as an objective?
No. An objective states what you want; a summary shows what you offer. Summaries are preferred today.
Should a summary be in first person?
Use implied first person — drop “I” and start with your title or a strong adjective.
Can AI write my summary?
Yes, as a draft. Add your real numbers and specifics so it sounds like you.