Resume summary – practices that will catch a recruiter’s eye

When writing a CV, many people focus on a very detailed description of their experience. They forget a very important part of the document; the summary. A well-written CV is essential, but this element of the CV can make it stand out and grab the recruiter’s attention right from the start. The summary, although short, will be the first paragraph that will make your candidature stand out from the others and encourage further reading. So how do you prepare it in such a way as to make it interesting to the recruiter? Here are tips and practices to consider.

What is a career summary and why is it important?

The professional summary is the first part of the CV. It provides a few sentences about who we are, our key skills and we can add what we are looking for in our next job. Placed at the beginning of the document, it acts as an introduction that should encourage you to read further. It is worth remembering that many recruiters spend only a few seconds reviewing a CV. A well-written summary can make the difference between a first impression and whether or not a candidate moves on to the next stage.

How do you write aVC summarythat will grab attention?

A well-written summary should be concise and specific. It must capture the essence of our experience and career aspirations. A few key principles can be highlighted that are worth considering:

Highlight your professional experience

The professional summary is to include key information about your past experience. If you have many years of experience in one industry, write this in the first sentence. If you are new to your career, write about the skills, for example, acquired during your studies or courses, that may be useful for the job.

Tailor the summary to the position

When writing your CV summary, try to tailor it to the specific job offer. If you are applying for a sales position, include your sales skills, relationship skills and sales performance. An example summary for a salesman CV could read: Salesman with 5 years’ experience in the FMCG industry, regularly achieving sales results above targets. Successfully building customer relationships and developing partnerships in key markets.

Include key skills

The career summary is the ideal place to briefly highlight the key skills you possess that are relevant to the position. If you are applying for a sales position, list qualities such as your ability to build relationships, negotiate or knowledge of sales techniques. This will make it easier for the recruiter to assess whether your competencies align with the requirements of the job.

Show enthusiasm and define your goals

Your CV summary should also indicate your career goals. A brief statement of what you are looking for in your future career will help the recruiter better understand what your expectations are for the future position. For example: I am looking to develop into a sales position where I can use my sales skills and deepen my relationships with customers.

What mistakes should I avoid in my CV summary?

Although the aim of the professional summary is to arouse the interest of the recruiter, beware of certain mistakes. These can affect a negative impression. Here are some of the most common pitfalls:

• Overly general wording: Avoid phrases like I am ambitious, hard-working and responsible, as they are not specific. Instead, use examples or figures that highlight your strengths.
• Lack of a precise objective: Your summary should clearly communicate what you expect from your career and future position. Writing generalities about development can make the recruiter misunderstand what specifically is important to you.
• Lack of personalisation: Make sure your summary is tailored to the specific position before you send out your CV. This will show that you care about that particular offer.

What kind of career summary will work at different career stages?

When writing your CV summary, it’s a good idea to consider the career stage you are at. This influences its content and style.

An entry-level summary

If you’re just starting out in your career and don’t have much experience, you’re bound to be wondering how to become a sales person and what to write in your CV summary. Focus on your skills that could be useful for the position you are applying for. Describe your motivation, career interests and any internships or apprenticeships. Example: Management graduate with a passion for sales and market analysis skills, looking for an entry-level sales position to develop customer relationships and gain sales experience.

Summary for professionals with experience

Those with several years of experience should focus on key achievements and successes. Highlight your results and areas of expertise through which you will bring value to your new job. Example: Sales specialist with 5 years’ experience in the financial sector, specialising in corporate client acquisition. Regularly performing above targets, I am looking for new challenges in a sales role to develop my competencies in a more complex business environment.

Summary for leaders and managers

If you are a manager or executive. You need to focus on your team management skills. Also highlight what benefits you brought to your previous job. Also remember that proper presentation at an interview, including how you dress for a job interview, can make a big difference to your first impression. Example: Manager with 10 years’ experience managing a sales team. He successfully implemented measures to increase revenue by 30% in two years. I am looking to implement effective sales strategies and support the development of a dynamic team.

The resume summary plays an important role. It is the first element a recruiter sees. A few sentences about the candidate’s experience, skills and career goals can attract attention. To create an attractive summary, it should be tailored to the position. Concreteness in the description of experience and enthusiasm for new challenges is very important. You also need to avoid generalities and be precise in your career goals. Depending on the stage, the content of the summary should be adapted to emphasise the relevant competences.