How to Add a Summary of Qualifications to a Resume [+Examples]

January 17, 2024
By Katie Green
In Resumes & Cover Letters

The summary of qualifications, or highlight of qualifications, is one of the most critical sections, and you will want to ensure that you get it right. Potential employers need to look at your resume and see all the information required to form a judgment about you without the unnecessary waffle.

When it comes to adding a summary of qualifications to a resume, knowing exactly how to present the list and what order to put things in will help ensure that your resume provides the best possible first impression of you and your skills.

What is a summary of qualifications?

In most cases, a summary of qualifications is a section placed at the top of your resume. It would help if you used this section to list all of your most important achievements, qualifications, certifications, and experience. You will often need to adjust your summary of qualifications to the job you are applying for to be as relevant as possible for each role.

What to include in a summary of qualifications?

A summary of qualifications is a section on a resume that highlights important work achievements, skills, and experience. It provides a concise overview of your qualifications and serves as a snapshot of your abilities for potential employers.

Key Skills: List the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. These can include technical skills, soft skills, and industry-specific skills.
Work Experience: Highlight your most significant work experiences and accomplishments. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your skills and qualifications for the job.
Education: Include your educational background, such as degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework.
Industry Knowledge: Mention any specific industry knowledge or expertise that you possess.
Achievements: Highlight any notable achievements or awards that are relevant to the job.
Keywords: Use keywords and phrases that are commonly used in the industry or job description to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS)
Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, include specific numbers, percentages, or metrics to quantify your achievements and demonstrate the impact of your work.
Relevance: Tailor your summary of qualifications to the specific job you are applying for. Focus on the qualifications and skills that are most relevant to the position.

Remember to keep your summary of qualifications concise and focused. It should provide a quick overview of your qualifications and entice the employer to read further into your resume.

How to write a summary of qualifications

When writing a summary of qualifications, you should include the following:

1. Write your summary of qualifications after completing the rest of your resume

Your summary of qualifications is supposed to be an overview of the key points held within your resume, so it makes sense to write it once the rest of your resume is complete.

2. Consider your strengths

The idea of your summary of qualifications is to highlight the skills and abilities which make you the best person for the job. Take some time to write down the things you are good at and the skills you have learned in previous positions. This could be the targets you have achieved, the technology you have mastered, or your featured publications.

3. Use quantifiable numerical data wherever possible

When speaking about your achievements, you should include information such as the number of years you worked within a role, the number of people in a team, and the budgets you worked with.

4. Check out industry and employment websites for keywords and phrases

When applying for a new job, you should always make sure to thoroughly read the job description and check the company’s website. The information you can gather from these places offers insight into keywords commonly used terms and the skills that are often desired. Using keywords can help your resume stand out and catch recruiters’ interest.

5. Personalize your summary of qualifications wherever possible

Although you should avoid statements like “I” and “we,” your summary of qualifications should be unique to you. Take the time to consider the things which emphasize your role.

6. Keep your summary of qualifications brief

Try to avoid unnecessary words and keep your statements as short as possible.

Summary of qualifications examples

Here are some examples of resume summary statements for different types of experience and qualifications:

Summary of Qualifications for Students

Completed a 2-year course in (relevant qualification) with honors
Voted student ambassador for senior year
Proficient in Microsoft Office and similar systems
Three years of voluntary experience with a local soup kitchen

Examples of Qualifications Summary for Entry-Level Roles

Four years experience working as a volunteer for a church youth group, assigning roles and completing tasks.
Worked as part of a team of 8 volunteers to successfully run an easter holiday camp for 60 children aged 5-12.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and similar systems, able to work with both Excel and Word
Completed (name of degree) at (name of college) in (year)
Studied for first aid certification and completed required assessments

Examples of Qualifications Summary for Accountants

Completed Bachelors Degree in Accounting at (relevant college)
Experienced and familiar with a variety of data entry systems and accounting software
Five years of experience working within a large accounting firm, achieving deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Promoted to team leader within my department after six months
Five years of experience working with a variety of accountancy software
Experienced in taxation and regulatory compliance

Summary of Qualifications for Administrative Assistants

15 years working with a team of administrative assistants
Experience with a variety of different record-keeping and data-entry systems
Introduced a new method of data entry which helped to reduce clerical errors by 25% and streamlined processes
Collaborated with a team of 5 others to liaise between different departments and clients

Examples of Qualifications Summary for Project Managers

Experience leading a team of 12
Seven years of working with the same team of staff members
Grew profits from 5% to 12% annually within my department
Met deadlines for every project within the last five years

Summary of Qualifications for Teacher

Ten years of experience working with special needs children
Five years experience as the lead teacher in the English department
Successful completion of special needs training, ASL, and disability handling courses
Five years working as head of the English department in a high school setting

Examples of Qualifications Summary for Medical Assistants

Seven years of experience working within a medical environment
Two years working in an Emergency Department
Experienced in organizing and handling patient charts and documentation
Trained in techniques required to collect patient vitals and the best ways to document this
Excellent communication skills and ability to liaise between patients and doctors where required
Experience working within a fast-paced and highly demanding working environment which required fast reactions and attention to detail

Examples of Qualifications Summary for Financial Analysts

Completed Master’s Degree in Accounting from (relevant college)
Registered and licensed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Three years experience working as a trainee financial analyst

Summary of Qualifications Customer Service Roles

Six years of experience working in retail
Completed relevant training to become a designated first aider
Promoted to Duty Manager after 12 months
Awarded employee of the month on five separate occasions
Trained in cash handling and balancing

Examples of Qualifications Summary for Management Positions

Successfully led a team of 25 to increase growth and revenue by 30% over ten years.
Reduced staff turnover by 59% by implementing a range of staff satisfaction measures
Increased department profits by 7% in the first 12 months
Implemented growth and sustainability measures which were adopted company-wide

In conclusion

Your resume will often be the first impression a potential employer has of you, so it is crucial to get it right. Making sure you include a summary of qualifications tailored to the role you are applying for can help you stand out from the crowd, promoting your strengths and the skills that make you the best candidate for the job.