If you’ve been working on your resume recently, you’ve probably pondered including a beginning paragraph. These few sentences are known by a few aliases: resume summary, resume statement, resume objective, etc. Many years ago, the resume objective was popular. It positioned where you stood in your career and the type of job you were looking for. Now however, the summary is more popular, for a few reasons. Wondering if you’ve set up the beginning of your resume correctly? Read on to find out.

Rethinking the Objective

The traditional mindset behind the opening paragraph was that it would state what type of position you were looking for. However, what is considered correct has changed. Instead of discussing what you are looking for, it is better to appeal to the company’s needs. This paragraph should establish your qualifications and the value you would add to the company you are sending it to. Also, it should have numbers that show results. This is the difference between a summary and an objective. While an objective is from your perspective, a summary is from the company’s perspective.

Also, be sure to avoid general statements on the opening objective/summary. Anything too broad will sound as if you’re not sure what you want to do with your life, or what type of company you want to work for. You should be bringing together all of your experience and skill into a succinct few sentences. Currently, summaries are more popular and impactful to use.

What’s in a Resume Summary?

Although no template is perfect, there is a basic way to set up a summary that will make you look good. You want to show the company how you will solve their problems, and fill their need. Instead of writing it from your own viewpoint, look at it from the company’s perspective. Check out the job descriptions that you are going to apply to. Take a close look at the qualifications and requirements. If you meet those, showcase it in your summary. List your strengths, educational background, and indicate what is is you can do for their company.

In doing this you’ve positioned yourself as an asset for the company. This will get your resume more looks than the more traditional objective. Instead of asking for a job from the company, you’ve shown them why you’re right for the job. This is a more powerful negotiation tactic. We hope this helps your applications get more responses. If you have any other questions about how to best write a resume summary, ask away and we’ll be sure to clarify.