How to Write a Summary of Qualifications: Sample & Guide [+Examples]

You need a summary of qualifications if you want the fastest way to get more interviews without a ton of work.

Why?

Picture a hiring manager. Her name's Kelly.

She's got 300+ resumes to read. That's about the size of a Stephen King book, right? But a lot more boring.

Some don't even make it past her Applicant Tracking Software. Others ramble, so she skims a couple bullet points and moves on.

But not your resume. It uses a summary of qualifications to hook her right away.

This guide will show you:

• How to write a summary of qualifications that gets more interviews.
• What to put in a qualifications summary.
• Why (and how) you must quantify a summary of qualifications.
• How to make a qualifications statement drastically more effective.

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Here's an example summary of qualifications on a resume made with our fast online resume tool. Use our templates and build your version here.

That qualifications summary template shortcuts your best accomplishments to Kelly's brain. Now let me show you why it works, and how to do it perfectly.

1

What Is a Summary of Qualifications?

A qualifications summary is a list of 4-5 bullet points that prove you qualify for the job with measurable accomplishments.

Most resumes get the six second skim treatment and are never heard from again.

That's actually good news. Why?

Because if you write yours differently, you can be the lone Marvel hero in a pile of couch potatoes.

You can instantly see why a resume with a summary of qualifications works so well.

Look at the qualifications summary example below.

Sample Summary of Qualifications

This example of a customer service qualifications summary is like a mini-resume.

That's impossible to skim. On the contrary, it'll make the manager slow down and read the rest of your resume with care.

It's powerful. It slips past Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) like a career ninja. Why?

Because it puts so many relevant resume keywords right up top.

It's a little longer than a typical resume objective. Yet it actually saves time by giving the manager exactly what she needs, and fast.

Resume Summary vs Qualifications Summary vs Resume Objective

Compare that summary of qualifications example to the traditional resume objective.

By comparison, that just falls flat. Kind of like saying, "I can run really fast" vs, "I ran in the 2016 Olympics."

Now you know what a statement of qualifications looks like. Next let me show you how to make the perfect one and get more interviews.

Want to make sure your summary of qualifications will hook every recruiter and get you that interview?

Get our free ebook and see samples of job-winning summaries that match real job posts: Resume Summary Examples for Every Profession.

Pro Tip: Don't think you've got enough material to write a good qualifications summary? Give yourself more credit. See the next section for a helping hand.

Not sure a resume qualifications statement is the best choice? Want to know how to write a summary for a resume the old way? See our guides: How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See and +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them On Your Resume (Tips). 

Think of a statement of qualifications like a fireworks finale.

It's got all your best shots in one place to guarantee a lot of oohs and ahhs.

Here's how to write the best qualifications summary:

First, pick the strongest 4 parts from your resume and reword them. Make them as short and snappy as possible.

Add a top bullet point that best describes your title. Include your number of years of experience.

Tie each bullet point directly to what the job offer wants most. Make sure each achievement is measurable.

This great resume summary of qualifications example lights the way:

Wow, right? The hiring manager is like a kid on the 4th of July.

That's especially true if the job offer seeks someone who can cut costs, and who knows a lot about Lean Health Care.

So how is that a fireworks finale? Take a look below at the resume example it came from. The key bullet points are outlined in yellow.

Pretty simple, right? Just take the highlights from your resume and recast them into a statement of qualifications torpedo.

Not sure what to put in a professional resume qualifications summary? I'll give you some great examples in the next section.

Pro Tip: A qualifications summary works great with all resume formats.

Having trouble knowing what to put in a good summary of qualifications? That comes down to why you'd be a great employee. See this guide: "Why Should We Hire You?" Best Answers (6 Proven Examples)

What goes into a great summary of qualifications?

Basically, anything guaranteed to electrify the hiring manager.

That's any achievement, win, or kudo that tops all your others by a mile. The list includes:

• Metrics You've Improved
• Problems Solved
• Money Saved
• Efficiencies Created
• High Key Performance Indicators
• Awards
• Honors
• Media Mentions, Publications
• Numbers of People Trained or Managed
• Certifications, Licenses, Degrees

In short, anything you've done that makes the hiring manager's eyes pop out. Anything that makes her say, "Wow! If he can do XYZ, he can definitely help us here!"

Need examples of how to write a good resume statement of qualifications? Below are 22, from all different jobs.

Sample Summary of Qualifications Bullet Points

These examples come from account qualifications summaries, cashier qualifications statements, office manager resumes, and more.

Let them inspire you to sell your own achievements to your next employer.

Any of those examples look great in a resume summary of qualifications.

Pro Tip: Build a master list of all your best achievements in a spreadsheet. Then, cherry-pick the most fitting for each qualifications summary you write.

Need more suggestions for what to put in a great qualifications statement? See this guide: Achievements to Put on Resume - Complete Guide (+30 Examples)

How do you pick the right achievements to knock the hiring manager's socks off?

That comes down to custom fit.

You can't write your best qualifications statement in a vacuum.

You must fit it to the job offer.

The sample job description and accountant statement of qualifications below shows how.

Qualifications Summary Example [With Job Description]

Job Description:

Looking for a licensed CPA.

• Must have 5+ years of experience working in films with revenue of over $3 million per year.
• Very detail-oriented person.
• Tech/IT skills required.
• Deep knowledge of A/R systems a must.

With the above information in hand, you pick the achievements that fit best.

Can you see why that summary of qualifications would spin the hiring manager's head around?

The error-spotting shows a detail-oriented mindset. The other resume skills are equally well-represented.

The first time you do this, it'll take a lot of time. After a couple job applications, you'll be custom-fitting qualifications summaries in a few minutes.

Pro Tip: Don't write a qualifications summary. Write one for each job. Sound like a lot of work? Save each one as a summary of qualifications template to reuse later.

Before you tailor your qualifications statement, tailor your resume. See our guide for pointers: 6 Proven Tips on How to Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description

Here's the final tidbit that'll put your summary of qualifications over the top.

You've got to quantify each point as much as possible.

Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes again.

It's one thing to tell her you can hit a target.

But can you hit it from 100 feet away, or half a mile? And can you do it in the rain, or in the dark? The details matter.

Example Qualifications Summary [Well Quantified]

Those bullet points are measured. They'll get a lot more interviews.

Compare them to this sample qualifications statement below.

It's still not bad, but that statement of qualifications will get a lot less interviews.

Pro Tip: Having trouble quantifying your achievements? Google search your career name + "KPIs." You'll find lists of Key Performance Indicators for your career.

Don't just quantify your qualifications summary. Use action words to engage the hiring manager's attention. See our guide: 80 Examples of Resume Action Words for Every Profession

Can an entry-level candidate even write a qualification summary?

After all, the idea is to cram it with impressive achievements.

If you've got no experience, what can you put in your qualifications statement?

If you're angling for an internship, or an entry-level job right out of school, pick your best academic achievements.

That's guaranteed to make the hiring manager start looking for your contact info.

Stuff a student entry-level qualifications summary with:

• Coursework relevant to the job
• Student groups
• Volunteer accomplishments
• Extracurricular activities
• Honors
• Awards

No experience? Targeting an entry-level position? Need a little more help with writing a student resume? We’ll show you how to nail them:

• First Resume with No Work Experience
• Entry-Level Resume: Sample and Complete Guide [+20 Examples]
• Complete Guide to Writing a Student Resume [13 Tips, Examples]

Not a student? Writing a junior summary of qualifications for career changers?

If you're seeking a new niche, you won't have achievements in that field. So, pick transferable achievements.

That means anything that proves you can handle the duties listed in the job description.

Pro Tip: Transferable achievements prove interpersonal skills, leadership, communication, teamwork, work ethic, and other universal skills for resumes.

This guide shows how to write a summary of qualifications that gets a ton more interviews. Remember these key points:

• A resume with a great qualifications summary works because it gets your best achievements to the manager as fast as possible.
• Pick the best 4 achievements from your resume and reword them into four short bullet points. Add a bullet point that shows your title and how long you've done the job.
• Custom fit your bullet points to the job offer by first reading the offer carefully. You can't build a winning statement of qualifications in a vacuum.

Need more info about how to build a great qualifications summary? Got a great tip you want to share? Give us a shout in the comments! We'll reply fast!