Is Your Resume Missing an Executive Summary

Is Your Resume Missing an Executive Summary Is Your Resume Missing an Executive Summary Objective vs. SummaryTrends in resume writing change over time. Objectives used to be the must-have accessory for your resume, but their popularity has gone the way of pet rocks and slap bracelets. Old-fashioned objectives focus on you- your needs and wants for your new job. Competition for jobs is fierce in this economy, so instead of focusing on how the company can benefit your career, demonstrate how hiring you will help the company. Lets take a look at an example objective statementDetail-oriented, results-driven accounting professional seeks a position to utilize my organizational and communication skills.The objective above is vague, full of clichd statements- everyone thinks that theyre detail-oriented and results-driven- and, aside from the word accounting, it could be written on anyones resume for any industry. Compare it to the following summaryAccounting executive in search of the nex t challenge after four years of progressively responsible leadership at a busy college campus. Lowered campus expenses by 50 percent above mandated goal in FY 2012. Scored highest rating in company-wide internal audit of 29 campuses for the same year. Dynamic, civic-minded, and proficient in both Works and Lawson systems. If you were a hiring manager, which applicant would you rather interview?The Qualities of a Good Executive SummaryYour statement should be two- to four-short sentences. The goal is to summarize your experience, education, competencies, achievements, and personal attributes in as few words as possible. Sound challenging? Dont worry its not as difficult as it seems.First, jot down a list of your most impressive accomplishments (winning a pie-eating contest does not count, unless the job youre applying for involves competitive eating). Be as specific and measurable as possible if you increased production efficiency, state the percentage of improvement. If youre profic ient in any relevant software, list those programs as well, but dont bother with emaille or Microsoft Word. At this point, all employers expect a baseline level of computer skills. Finally, write down a few of your best qualities as an employee. If youre uncomfortable tooting your own horn, it may help to imagine that youre introducing a valued colleague to an acquaintance.Next, highlight keywords in the vacancy notice. If theyre looking for an executive chef, dont call yourself a lead cook. Often, your resume will need to pass an automatic computer scan, and including keywords that correspond with the original job posting can help you land on the hiring managers desk. Work the keywords into your statement as organically as possible. For mora help with resume keywords, check out this article from The Wall Street Journal.Writing the SummaryWhile the summary should be grammatically correct, there is a distinctive style to these statements. You should avoid referring to yourself in the third person or using the pronoun I instead, structure the sentences with an implied subject. The reader will know that youre talking about yourself.Heres a Mad Libs-style templateAdjective, adjective job title with experience. Accomplishment. Accomplishment. Quality, quality, quality.If you were a party clown looking for work, this is what your summary might look like after filling in the templateGentle, friendly clown with more than twenty years of experience as a childrens entertainer. Winner of the National Balloon Animal Award in 2007 and 2009. Performed for the Governor of Louisianas children and their guests in 2012. Dependable, hilarious, and a proven hit at parties. While your summary might be organized differently, the important thing is to make sure that it tells the reader, as succinctly as possible, who you are and what you do.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pa ce during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.