How to Write a Qualifications Summary

How to Write a Qualifications Summary How to Write a Summary of Qualifications A well-written summary of qualifications can make your resume extremely attractive to hiring managers. Learn how to write one with this comprehensive guide. Build My Resume Now 1. What is a Summary of Qualifications? A summary of qualifications (or qualifications summary) is one of four main resume introductions used by job seekers. The other three styles include the traditional resume objective, the concise but informative resume profile, and the statistics-heavy resume summary. A summary of qualifications comprises four to six bullet points that highlight an applicants crowning work achievements, skills, and experiences. Theyre also known by several other names, so to avoid confusion weve listed them here for your convenience: Summary of Qualifications Synonyms Qualifications Summary Resume Qualifications Statement of Qualifications Skills Summary For many people, writing a summary of qualifications is the simplest way to increase their chances of landing an interview.  Thats because it shouldnt take long to assemble, and it will immediately boost your resume to another level if done well. First, lets take a look at what they look like. Four Statement of Qualifications Examples: Server Open Gallery Welder Open Gallery Sales Clerk Open Gallery Substitute Teacher Open Gallery Why a Summary of Qualifications is so Effective How is it that this particular resume introduction can improve your chances of getting an interview so dramatically? Well, there are several reasons. Its Fresh and Clean Even in 2019, summary of qualifications are fairly unusual â€" generally being omitted in favor of the more standard resume objective. Using one will give your resume a nice, tidy feeling (who doesnt love some nice, bullet points?). Hiring managers whove been deep-diving into job applications will appreciate your choice, and may even reward you with an interview. It Highlights Your Potential Value Having a statement of qualifications draws the readers attention  because it packs loads of valuable information into a small space.  Plus, since such introductions shouldnt be filled with fluff, if yours is written correctly youll instantly score points with the hiring manager. At the end of the day, your resume must  make a statement  as to why  you specifically  are the best candidate for a job opening. This type of introduction achieves that beautifully. Its Built to Appease ATS Software Finally, a summary of qualifications gives your resume a higher chance of passing through Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software, which is used to screen out irrelevant candidates based on the content of their resumes. In short, it allows you to put a higher concentration of relevant keywords and key phrases into your application, ensuring that it earns a “passing grade” and actually reaches human eyes. Tip The qualifications summary is just one piece of the puzzle. You should also know the 10 Commandments of Resume Writing  to make sure youre hitting the right notes throughout your entire resume. 2. INFOGRAPHIC: How to Write a Qualifications Summary A qualifications summary is similar to a gem, and its structure is similar as well. For instance, gems have many different shining facets, and so do your skills and achievements. Presenting the best of each facet, combined into a unified whole, completes the gem. Use this infographic as a guide for writing your own. Consider each category a facet of your gem. Try to think of examples from your work history that fall under each major heading. Everything you need to write an incredible Qualifications Summary The key here is to take THE BEST examples from your work experience, and put them in the qualifications summary. 3. Summary of Qualification Examples (Text Versions) To reiterate, a  qualifications summary  (which goes by several monikers) is a list of 6 bullet points displaying a range of your most impressive achievements. It acts as a skills summary that provides hiring managers a glimpse of what you bring to the table as a potential employee. Furthermore, its a powerful tool specifically designed to satisfy Applicant Tracking System software. By writing a qualifications summary, you can vastly improve your resume and stand out among the competition. Tip Still cant decide if you should use this particular resume introduction? Check out our resume introduction flow chart. Here are two more examples (written out for your convenience) from different industries. One is written for an executive secretary, the other for a waiter. We chose these two industries based on their popularity across our website: Executive Secretary Qualifications Summary Example EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Managed 4 employees in an executive office, maintaining an atmosphere of exactness, efficiency, and attention to detail Designed and implemented efficiency programs aimed at streamlining direct office services, saving $150,000 per year in labor costs Analyzed and condensed incoming data from various clients and customers, writing 1,500 word reports twice a week for our CEO Organized company outings, dinners, and retreats, increasing company satisfaction by 9% according to our yearly employee satisfaction survey Earned the 2013 “Outstanding Achievement Award” in a company of 200+ people Waiter Qualifications Summary Example WAITER Managed a 3 table section totaling 25 seats in a fast-paced Italian diner, requiring quick thinking, efficient planning, and strong people skills Leveraged a depth and breadth of wine knowledge to up-sell $150 in wine sales nightly on average, by explaining to customers ideal wine and entree pairings. Consistently received 5 star reviews from an online rating system, with accompanying praising comments about my service Alleviated customer disputes throughout the restaurant with strong communication and listening skills Earned Employee of the Month six times in two years 4. Qualifications Summary vs Resume Objective Whats the Difference? The difference between these two lies mostly in their length and form. Their purpose is the same: they are meant to give the hiring manager a quick understanding of how your skills and experience can help his/her company. Resume Objective The resume objective is a 1-2 sentence explanation of what would make you a strong candidate for the job. It provides a very general overview of your work experience and skills. Heres a great example: Hotel Housekeeping employee with  over 9 years of experience  in the provision and management of timely housekeeping service. Possesses a knock for achieving and maintaining elegance and a strong ethical foundation. The problem with the career objective is that it’s too short to properly convey your experience and ability. Summary of Qualifications You may be wondering, “Isn’t a qualifications summary too long to hold the hiring manager’s attention?” The answer is no. Despite being longer, it actually saves the hiring manager time because they don’t have to sift through your work experience to find your true abilities. Essentially, you’ve done that work for them. They’ll show their appreciation by calling you in for an interview. 5. Qualifications Summary vs. Professional Experience Whats the Difference? A common criticism of the qualifications summary is that it looks and feels like an additional professional experience section. However, there are major differences that should be pointed out. Professional Experience Written in reverse-chronological order Explains finer details of each job Gives the hiring manager a deeper understanding of your experience Qualifications Summary Presents a summary of your greatest achievements and qualifications Written in any order Does not include basic responsibilities and tasks Tip You should be careful to  not  repeat any bullet points that you used in your summary of qualifications. 6. I’m A Student: Should I Write a Summary of Qualifications? This will be controversial, but we say go for it especially if you’re a very productive and active student. If you’re a student, what are the facets that you can show to a potential employer? Critical/relevant coursework and your GPA Greek life and club activities Student government Internship experience Volunteer experience Major academic accomplishments Awards and honors received Generally speaking, resume experts will insist that only professionals with years of experience under their belts should write a qualifications summary. I disagree for the following reasons: No matter who you are, and what your age is, there are aspects of your experience and skill sets that qualify you over other candidates. If that were not true, everyone would easily find employment. Therefore, you should display your qualifications prominently. The general format of a qualifications summary is objectively superior to a career objective, because it saves the hiring manager time and effort. There’s no point in handicapping yourself just because you’re not an experienced professional. To be fair, there is a good reason that students are not encouraged to write a statement of qualifications, which I’ll cover in the next section. 7. When Should You NOT Write a Summary of Qualifications? You should avoid writing one if you are lacking in skills, experience, and activity. That is the primary reason that students are discouraged from writing a them â€" because yours is naturally going to look weak and fragile compared to a seasoned professional with substantial concrete experience. If you fall into the category of unskilled, uneducated, and not active, you need not worry. There are other strategies that you can use to solidify your resume and convey your employability. You can get tips to do so by exploring  our guide on how to write a resume. 8. Resume Genius Resume Builder If you’re unclear about how to go about writing your summary of qualifications, we encourage you to try Resume Geniuss comprehensive resume builder, which will help you write a resume in minutes. Finally, if you want to write your own resume, consider downloading one of Resume Genius  free and professional resume templates  and filling in the information yourself. If you need guidance, find a specific resume sample from your industry, and take inspiration from its bullet points and formatting.