Qualifications Summary
An objective can be a great way to start your resume if you know exactly what you are applying for. However, if you aren't sure (or you want to apply for a range of jobs) a qualifications summary can be a great way to start. It is generally two or three phrases in length and used to highlight specific skills that are relevant to the potential job.
A qualifications summary appears near the beginning of a resume, after the header. If you choose to use both an objective and a qualfications summary, the objective appears second; however, it is usually best just to use one or the other.
Examples of Summaries:
"Completing a degree in journalism with a minor in marketing. Interned as assistant account executive with copywriting responsibilities at local advertising agency. Sold advertising space for college newspaper."
"Sixteen years of editing and writing experience. Three years of experience managing advertising sales, promotion, production, and circulation. Winner of the Jesse H. Neal Award for Journalistic Excellence."
Should I have a qualifications summary or a career objective?
As stated in the career objective section, if you know what job you're applying for, the career objective is better. However, if you're not sure what positions a company has to offer or what you're applying for, the qualifications summary is better.
Advantages
- Clearly outlines the fit between your expertise and the employer’s needs.
- Adds up the sum of all experiences. For instance, stating that you have 5 years of budget planning experience may be more impressive than listing it individually under each job, and hoping that the employer realizes that you are an expert in this area.
- Provides the employer with a clear indication of what you have achieved and where you have been
Disadvantages
- For new entrants into the workplace, you likely have not had enough experience to warrant a summary.
- Stating a summary will only be useful if you indeed have something relevant to the position requirements.
- Some employers find these summaries redundant.
Can I make a resume with neither a qualifications summary nor a career objective?
This is probably a bad idea. The qualifications summary and career objective are fast, effective ways to hook the reader into looking at the rest of your resume. Employers will have to sift through your resume otherwise to find out what you are good for. Additionally, both methods give your resume focus.