The short answer
Write two to four lines at the top of your resume that say who you are professionally, what you're best at, and one or two results that prove it, using the wording of the job you're applying for. Leave out "I", leave out adjectives with no proof, and adjust it for each kind of role.
Updated September 30, 2026
What the summary is for
The summary is often the only paragraph a recruiter reads in full. Its job is to make them read the rest with the right idea in mind: this person is a fit for this role.
It isn't a life story or a list of what you want from an employer. It's the two or three strongest facts on your resume, pulled to the top.
A simple formula
- Who you are: your title and level ("Customer support specialist with 4 years of experience").
- What you're good at: two or three specialisms the job ad asks for.
- Proof: one or two results, with numbers if you have them.
- Optional: what you're aiming for, if it isn't obvious from your history.
Motivated professional with excellent communication skills and a proven track record of success.
Customer support specialist with 4 years in SaaS. Handled 60+ tickets a day at 96% satisfaction and wrote the help articles that cut repeat questions by 30%.
Summary or objective?
A summary looks back at what you've done; an objective says what you're looking for. With experience in the field, write a summary. If you're a graduate or changing careers, combine the two: one line on what you bring, one on where you're heading.
Seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company.
Secondary school teacher moving into instructional design. Built 40+ online lessons used by 600 students and completed a certificate in e-learning design.
Tailor it to each job
Keep a base version and change two things per application: the title, so it matches the job you're applying for where that's honest, and the specialisms, so they echo the ad's main requirements. It takes five minutes and changes the first impression.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adjectives with no evidence: "dynamic", "results-driven", "passionate".
- Writing in the first person ("I am a…"). Start with your title instead.
- More than four lines. A long summary gets skipped.
- Years of experience that your work history doesn't cover.
- A certification or degree that isn't listed further down the page.
Checklist
- Two to four lines, no "I"
- Opens with your title and level
- Contains at least one concrete result
- Uses the job ad's wording where it's true
- Every claim is backed up further down the resume