Many of our career coaches advocate for a “summary” or “profile” at the top of your resume. This is where the person reading your resume is going to get the most pertinent information about you and decide if he/she should continue reading. However, sometimes the most difficult part of writing a summary is getting started.

A recent blog post from Idealist suggests a handy formula that might help you get things going:

[Adjective] [noun] with [number] years of experience in [special skill], a proven ability to [relevant, measurable skills], and a strong background in [relevant contexts in which you have worked], seeks a position as [relevant objective].

But remember, this is merely a sample formula. You should edit yours so it sounds like your voice and fits your specific skills and experience. A good summary/profile is:

• Written with the audience in mind
• A succinct and interesting roundup of your capabilities and accomplishments
• Focused on the kind of work you are looking for

Don’t forget to also include keywords on your resume. Click here for a list of Sample Keywords and other job-search tools.

After you’ve tried these tips, submit your resume to our Resume Review Service to have it reviewed by one of our career coaches!