how to make a resume sound professional

How to Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting on Your Resume

You’ve finally found it: The job listing that appears on your computer screen with a glowing beam of light and a rousing rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus” playing on repeat.

Alright, maybe that’s a little bit dramatic. But, the point remains the same: You’ve found an open opportunity that sounds like it could be the perfect fit for you. There’s nothing you want more than to land this job, and you know you have the qualifications to make it happen.

But, every time you return to your resume to make those oh-so-necessary tweaks, you’re confronted with the same glaring issue: All of your experience sounds so boring .

You assisted clients. You made cold calls. You analyzed data. Blah, blah, blah. Yes, it’s all important information. However, when your main goal is to stand out from the competition and grab that hiring manager’s attention, you wish there was a way to make it all sound a little less snore-worthy.

The good news? There is! As with anything, it’s not so much about what you say—it’s about how you say it.

A Quick Word of Caution

First things first, be forewarned that there’s a big difference between making your experience sound better and blatantly lying.

While there are some clever tactics you can implement to spice up the way your qualifications are presented, the content itself should always be truthful. Your mom was right—honesty really is always the best policy.

1. Focus on Achievements

One of the biggest faux pas I see is that the summaries of past positions read like straight up job descriptions. They detail the daily duties that person completed (think answering phones or planning marketing initiatives), rather than the things that person accomplished while in that role.

Remember, hiring managers don’t only want to see what you’ve done—they also want to see how good you are at it. So, make sure to set your sights on your achievements, rather than just your daily tasks. And, as always, quantifying your bullet points is highly recommended!

Instead of: Cold called prospective clients to increase sales of Dunder Mifflin paper.

Say this: Increased sales of Dunder Mifflin paper products by 23% in the first quarter through effective relationship building and cold calling.

2. Include Examples

Admittedly, this tip will work better for some people than others. However, anytime you can show rather than tell, that’s a great opportunity to separate yourself from the pack and make a powerful impression.

This doesn’t need to be anything complicated—no, you don’t need to mail a USB full of presentations or a leather-bound portfolio after you’ve submitted your application.

But, if there are natural places where you could include a real example (whether it’s a website or the specific name of a project you worked on that the hiring manager could Google) directly on your document, that’s a surefire way to add some flair and added context.

Instead of: Created, planned, and executed various community events.

Say this: Spearheaded the creation of St. Louis’ first ever “Restaurant Week” promotion.

3. Remove Cliché Words

Managed, led, communicated, assisted.

They’re all words that appear at the front of nearly every single bullet point on nearly every single resume that has ever been written. In fact, these verbs are so oft-repeated that most people’s eyes just skip right over them.

As you might guess, using the same language as every other resume that’s in that ever-growing pile isn’t a great way to stand out and make your mundane experience sound a little zippier.

This is why it’s smart to go through your document with a fine-tooth comb, identify those cliché words you’ve used numerous times, and find a more creative way to replace them. Need some help? This list of 185 powerful verbs will be your lifesaver.

Instead of: Managed a team of 10 customer service associates.

Say this: Directed a team of 10 customer service associates to provide outstanding service to clients and increase repeat business by 48%.

4. Include Testimonials

Alright, the idea of including testimonials might seem a little strange. However, rest assured that this doesn’t need to mean listing an entire page of glowing recommendations from past supervisors. In fact, there’s a relatively easy way to incorporate positive reviews from past employers without being over-the-top about it.

The secret to doing it? Think back on any compliments or recognition you received from a boss—whether it was done in passing or in a formal performance review. Then, include that as a bullet point.

“Most people don’t know you can use the praise and positive feedback they’ve gotten from their superiors on your resume. But you definitely can,” says Muse writer, Aja Frost, in her article on how to best describe entry-level positions .

Add this to your resume: Recognized by manager for ability to take complex technical topics and distill them to a broader audience in a manner that’s easier to comprehend.

You know there’s a lot of competition in your job search. And, feeling like your experience is so dry and dull that only a Ben Stein voiceover could do it justice is definitely discouraging.

However, you don’t need to resign yourself to having a resume so boring it makes the hiring manager’s eyes instantly glaze over. Instead, roll up your sleeves, get to work, and use these tips to transform your past positions from humdrum and tiresome to engaging and attention-grabbing.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• How Can You Make Yourself...

How Can You Make Yourself Sound Better on Your Resume?

3 min read · Updated on December 17, 2021

If you want to impress a hiring manager, it starts with a resume that sells you at your best.

Your resume is your primary personal marketing tool in the job search. You very well may have the chops for whatever role you've set your sights on, but you can still come up short if your resume is missing the mark on reflecting your skill set. These five tips will provide essential marketing flair while ensuring you never have to exaggerate or bend the truth when it comes to your career.

Convert accomplishment numbers

Decreasing spending by $10,000 in a quarter might sound like a lot of money in your current role, but you may be applying for a role where $10,000 is a fairly insignificant amount. However, updating your resume to reflect that you were able to reduce spending by 20% is a much more digestible statement, regardless of the sample size. Converting all dollar amounts, page views, or revenue gains to percentages that reflect growth or year-over-year change will make all of your accomplishments sound much more impressive to hiring managers.

Don't be afraid to brag

Think of your resume as an abbreviated quarterly report or project debrief that you'd deliver at work: It needs to provide context, details, and results to reflect the hard work that went into making something a success. Therefore, being your own cheerleader is essential. So is making sure your responsibilities or day-to-day tasks don't outweigh the measurable accomplishments throughout your most recent roles. If tooting your own horn isn't something you feel particularly comfortable with, hiring a professional resume writer can help take the pressure off.

Stand out from the crowd

Rewriting your resume is the perfect time to think about what makes you unique as a professional. Hiring managers see tons of cookie-cutter resumes with bland objective statements on a daily basis; identifying a few specific points about your individual skill set will set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Are you a marketer with HTML skills? An operations manager with a background at Fortune 500 companies? A multilingual analyst? Once you've found your specific edge, don't be afraid to highlight it in your resume and cover letter (and LinkedIn profile summary, while you're at it!).

Address specific points from the job posting

A common mistake job seekers make is not customizing their resume for every application they make. Remember that a recruiter or hiring manager is looking for incredibly specific qualities in a candidate, and if your resume doesn't address those points, it's likely to end up in an application black hole. For example, if a role will focus heavily on P&L or developing a loyalty program or managing a large team of cross-functional direct reports, make sure your experience tied to these focus areas are front and center on your resume when you send in your application.

Related:   How to Avoid the Resume Black Hole

Don't leave gaps in employment

Periods of under- or unemployment are not uncommon in our current workforce, and there are several techniques to address employment gaps effectively on your resume . If you're stumped on how to work with these gaps yourself, a professional resume writer can work to equip you with the tools you need for your specific set of circumstances.

Click on the following link for more resume and career advice .

Professional resume writers know how to make a resume that presents you at your best. Learn more about TopResume's professional resume-writing services here .

Recommended Reading:

How We Helped This Jane of All Trades Focus Her Resume

5 Signs You Need a Professional Resume Review

How to Brag on Your Resume Without Sounding Like a Jerk

Related Articles:

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful Resume

8 Tips to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

See how your resume stacks up.

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How To Make Your Skills Sound Better On Your Resume

Published on:

• April 16, 2023

Writing your resume for the first time or editing it for the 100th can both be incredibly daunting experiences.

With today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving corporate environment, hiring managers are consistently searching for unique candidates in an oversaturated market.

This makes resume writing so much more integral to landing a job that you want.

Most hiring managers utilize applications called “Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS),” which help electronically filter through candidate resumes searching for keywords, required skills, and overall competency.

For example, if a job required Slack as a hard skill, and you fail to mention your proficiency within your resume, your resume will automatically be sorted out of potential applicants immediately.

That being said, making a point to highlight your skills effectively is essential to passing through the ATS successfully.

Keep in mind that hiring managers are sent hundreds to thousands of resumes per job advertisement. After making it through the ATS, your resume will have approximately 6-8 seconds to prove your worth.

This means that you should ensure it looks professional and highlights the key information in bite-size pieces for quick reading and digestion. Your goal is to provide information and make the hiring process as painless as possible for the employer.

The following part of this article will walk you through several suggestions to better your skills section so that it will pass inspection and highlights you as a strong and capable candidate for the jobs you are applying.

These suggestions are: (1) Do not list given skills, (2) Spotlight key skills, and (3) Highlight your knowledge by separating hard and soft skills.

By incorporating these 3 modifications to your resume, you’ve already created a great start to passing through the ATS and getting the hiring managers’ attention.

Resume Template

Tip #1: Do not list given skills

It’s in our nature to want to name each and every skill we have in order to show that we are qualified, if not overqualified, candidates. Though this approach worked in the past, now it’s more necessary to omit skills that would be assumed.

For example, previously it was necessary to indicate proficiency with technical skills including Microsoft Office and Google, however, now it seems redundant. In today’s technical climate, it is assumed that all applicants applying for positions have these commonplace skills.

Keep in mind that your goal of listing skills is to showcase your attributes, not bog down the hiring manager with information they already assume to know.

Tip #2: Spotlight “key” skills

The next suggestion is to spotlight “key” skills on each resume. This means that when applying to multiple jobs, ensure that you are adjusting your skills section based on the needs of the individual job.

It’s a great idea to use keywords and specific skills from the job description itself. If a requirement or specific responsibility is listed or has an apparent theme throughout the job description, use your skill section to highlight your ability to accomplish those tasks.

An effective way of doing this would be to rephrase their needs into your own voice and then adding that to your resume. For example, if the job description stated, “a strong background in CRM systems,” you could add, “Proficient with CRM system,” within your skills section.

However, avoid copying and pasting only the skills outlined in the job description, as this could be seen as unimaginative and hurt your chances of candidacy.

Tip #3: Emphasize the difference between soft skills and hard skills.

Previously, it was simple to add a single skills section and be content with your resume. Now, it is necessary to emphasize both hard and soft skills.

Hard and soft skills are equally important to create a compelling resume. An ideal way to include both skills is to create two separate lists. This allows for a hiring manager to easily read through both skillsets.

Remember, you have 6-8 seconds to convince the hiring manager that you’re a worthy candidate for the job.

In order to ensure balance across your resume, try to keep the number of skills on each list the same. For example, if you have 5 hard skills, ensure that you have 5 soft skills too.

In Conclusion

This article highlights 3 suggestions that you can incorporate into your skill section to make your resume stand out from others.

This includes: (1) do not list given or assumed skills, (2) take time to spotlight “key” skills, especially those that are discussed within the job description, and (3) emphasize the difference between your hard and soft skills by giving each their own section.

Marissa Letendre, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Marissa Letendre is a senior HR leader and resume expert with over 12 years of experience. She has worked for both startups and Fortune 50 corporations and has helped thousands land jobs at top companies. Marissa has written on a wide range of topics, including employee engagement, career development, resumes, job searching, recruiting, and organizational effectiveness and has been featured on sites such as Slack and The Undercover Recruiter.

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Tried-And-True Ways to Confidence-Ify Your Resume

• May 8, 2023

Fact : Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them. 

But why is this the case?

It boils down to confidence—a quality that many women (yes, even me) struggle with when applying for a job. If you struggle with confidence while searching for jobs, you’re not alone.

However, one way to build and show off your confidence is through your resume. Learning how to make your resume sound better can be a great start to improving your confidence.

Why is Confidence Important in a Resume?

A solid resume is key for anyone on a job hunt, since it’s the first thing a potential employer sees about you. 

That’s why it’s important to make a good first impression with a resume that not only demonstrates your experience and qualifications, but that shows your confidence in your ability to do the job better than anyone else.

Below, we discuss how to make your resume sound better by adding some confidence!

1. Customize Your Resume to Fit the Job Posting

Hiring managers are scanning for specific qualities in job candidates. So, if your resume doesn’t match those qualities, they may just toss it and move on to the next candidate.

Customizing your resume to address points that relate to the job you’re applying for is a great way to stand out among other candidates. This lets the employer know that you’re able to do the job, and that you cared enough to really study the job description and demonstrate interest.

2. Remember: It’s Okay to Brag

When you’re looking for a job, you have every right to talk about everything you’ve done that you’re proud of—whether it be experience, awards, or skills, you should give them the details!

If you’re not proud of your work or you don’t go above and beyond describing your achievements, then it’s very difficult to stand out among others. Showing off these aspects show that you’re both capable and trustworthy.

3. Include Examples

It’s important that you back up your statements with examples. For instance, if you have on your resume “planned company events,” you should elaborate on that. Include a brief description of one of these events and how it helped the company grow.

Note: Don’t add too much detail. No one wants to read a resume that has excessively long descriptions. Find a way to cut out any unnecessary wording and focus on making your point in 1-2 sentences.

4. Use the “XYZ Formula”

The XYZ formula is a way to format elements of your resume to make it easy-to-read and concise, while also providing context and flow. 

In one sentence, it includes what you’ve accomplished (X) + the qualitative results (Y) + the skills or experience you utilized to achieve the outcome (Z). This use of both facts and numbers helps add credibility and gives insight into your strengths! 

A sentence structure in the XYZ format should look like this: action verb, achievement, measurement, detail of what you did to achieve your goal. Here’s an example: 

“Grew revenue for 15 small business clients by 10% quarter-on-quarter analysis through mapping new software features as solutions to their business goals.”

5. Avoid Cliché Words

There are several words that many people tend to use on their resume. Using the same cliché words that thousands of other people use on their resumes tends to get boring, and won’t help you stand out whatsoever.

Below is a list of words and phrases that are overused on resumes:

• Detail-oriented
• Team player
• Self-motivated 
• Hardworking 
• Innovative 
• Responsible for

Try to find different words that portray the same meaning. For example, instead of “team player,” try “team-oriented” or “collaborative.” 

This way, you still describe yourself with the same attributes. However, it won’t look like the same cookie-cutter resume sections that the hiring manager has probably seen many times before.

Want to Learn How to Make Your Resume Sound Better? Enlist the Help of a Professional Performance Coach

Before you display your confidence on paper, you need to find it within yourself.

At Stiletto, we provide professional performance coaching to help individuals and organizations find confidence and clarity in the workplace. 

We work with individuals and organizations to create deep self-awareness and effective actions to make positive changes. We hope that these efforts are reflected in all of our clients’ everyday lives so that they can eliminate vulnerability and intimidation in order to achieve their goals.

If you want to feel more empowered in your professional life, contact us today!

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How to Make Your CV Sound More Impressive

Last Updated: January 12, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Katrina Georgiou . Katrina Georgiou is a career coach and the founder of Katrina Georgiou Coaching based in Silicon Valley. Katrina helps individuals find new careers as well as career advancement, including resume writing, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and performance reviews. Trained in the co-active method from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), Katrina uses personalized communication and leadership strategies to support her clients in building successful and fulfilling careers. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 81% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 88,102 times.

Getting a good job these days is harder than ever. With dozens or even hundreds of applicants for every position, it is difficult to make your resume stand out above others and get that first interview. Have you ever wondered how to improve your chances? It may take time for the results to show, but there are definite methods you can use in formatting, presentation, and content to make your resume more competitive.

Improving Format

• For example, a business resume is often about one page long. It is meant to summarize your skills and qualifications and to introduce you to an employer. An academic CV on the other hand is comprehensive. It is meant to provide all or most of your past education, experience, writing, and professional development.
• You should also tailor the resume to the job itself. You can do this, firstly, by carefully reading the ad. As you get ready to put together a resume, mark the skills that are mentioned with a pen. Note anything – your qualifications, personal talents, experience – that you can link directly to these needs. An employer should be able to see from the information you give and from your structure that you are a good “fit.”

• In the header, make your name slightly larger than the other information. Include below your name your current mailing address, telephone number, and the email address that you most frequently use.
• Give education and work experience in a reverse chronological order. That is, start with the most recent positions and work backwards. For each job under work experience, employers will expect you to give the company’s name and location, your job title, dates (i.e. when you worked there), and three to four short lines describing your duties. [4] X Research source
• The interests section is a chance for you to include extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or other community involvement. Use this strategically if you can, particularly if you have outside experience relevant to the job at hand. Skills can include things like languages, proficiency in computer programs, social media skills, or other training specific to the job. [5] X Research source
• As always, an academic CV will be different. Along with the usual header and education, work history will usually focus on teaching, research, and/or editing experience. Depending on the job, employers may also want to see publications, a list of public lectures and presentations, and your grant history. [6] X Research source

• In an academic CV, the format will again depend on the type of job. If you are applying for a research-oriented position, for example, employers will want to know more about your publications, grant history, and research impact. For a teaching-oriented position, they will want to know about you previous experience – where, what, when, and how successfully you have taught before.

Improving Presentation

• Spell correctly, for one thing. Use capital letters appropriately. Do not rely entirely on spell-check to catch all of your mistakes, moreover. Use it, but then have a friend read through the resume to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.

• Try to avoid confusing language and jargon, as well. You might think that big words or complicated sentences make you seem more serious or smarter. You might actually end up seeming pompous, annoying an employer. It is better to choose simple, to-the-point words when you can. [11] X Research source

Improving Content

• There are many skills that you have picked up in your education or previous job experience that can be useful, even if they don’t seem immediately related to the job you’re applying for. Do you have past experience in public speaking? Can you read Spanish? Did your previous job in sales require you to work in a team? These can all be marketable skills.

• To better highlight internships, you might try creating a subsection under your personal info or before your education called “Internships and Work Placements,” or something similar. This formatting will highlight your experience and show an employer that you have more than just a degree. [17] X Research source
• Remember to note your relevant volunteer work, as well. In some sectors like non-profit organizations this kind of work is highly desirable. If you are applying for a job with a women’s advocacy charity, for example, include the fact that you volunteered at a local women’s shelter.

• For an academic CV, awards and honors are even more important, as they show that you have been recognized by peers in your field for excellence. Here you will want to provide the name of the award and granting institution. In some fields it is also usual to include the amount of money, if you received any.

• Try to get inside the classroom. Some graduate schools give you experience as a teaching assistant or even in teaching your own course. Others do not. Make the most of your opportunities. Talk to your professors and mentors. See whether they will let you give a guest lecture in one of their courses.
• Talk to your advisor. Advisors can be “gateways” to your first publications. They might be able to recommend you to a journal editor for a book review, or ask you to contribute to a volume that they are editing. Let them know about your desire to publish. At the very least, they can advise you on how to turn your research into your first published article.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Katrina Georgiou. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 June 2020.
• ↑ http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm
• ↑ https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/resumes-cover-letters/resume-formatting-tips
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/03/
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/641/1/
• ↑ http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2012/03/06/how-to-enhance-your-resume
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/644/1/
• ↑ http://www.businessinsider.com/10-words-and-phrases-you-should-never-use-on-your-resume-2015-7
• ↑ http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/actionverbs.htm
• ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/09/15/ten-cliches-to-ditch-on-the-job-hunt/
• ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2012/mar/15/cv-tips-first-arts-job
• ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/seven-ways-to-improve-your-cv
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/719/04/
• ↑ https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/professional-development/career-strategies/improving-your-curriculum-vitae

About this article

To fill all of the space and make your CV sound more impressive, break it into multiple sections, such as “Education,” “Work Experience,” and “Technical Skills.” In each of these sections, use action words, such as “performed” or “created,” and strong verbs, like “coordinated” and “built,” to tell employers what you’ve done. Additionally, emphasize the skills you have, such as expertise in excel or experience with public speaking, especially if they’re in the job description. For more tips, such as how to stay honest yet positive, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Make Your Resume Work History Look Better

How to Make Your Resume Sound Better

Tips for writing your resume job descriptions, an example of a revised job description, what to include in the revised description.

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How can you make your resume sound better? When you’re writing the work history section of your resume, there are a few goals to consider. It’s important to get your resume noticed by the hiring manager and to show a strong career record, presented in reverse chronological order.

However, your resume isn’t just a list of what you did when. Rather, it’s your most valuable tool in landing an interview—a “sales pitch” for your candidacy. Thus, the experience section needs to highlight your best qualifications for the job for which you’re applying.

You can  write job descriptions  that will make your  work history  sound better, get  past the applicant tracking system , and impress the hiring manager. Even if you had a boring job, you can focus on your best skills and highlight them on your resume.

Don’t make stuff up, because hiring managers do check. Instead, filter your responsibilities and focus your resume on the attributes the employer is seeking.

Review these tips for improving your resume job descriptions, as well as a “before and after” version of a revised position description.

• Edit your resume for every job . It can be time-consuming, but the more time you invest in your resume, the more you’ll get out of it. Take the time to  review and decode the job posting , so you know what the company wants in applicants. Make a list of what the organization is looking for, and highlight those qualifications on your resume.
• Prioritize . Take the time to  tweak your resume  for every job you apply to. List your most relevant duties first, being sure to  connect your accomplishments to the job description . Move your other responsibilities down the list. You’ll be able to “mix and match” based on the job opening, so your top qualities are always listed first.
• Use bullets in addition to narrative paragraphs . To highlight your work achievements, format them in a bulleted list immediately following a short narrative description of your specific work responsibilities. This will allow the accomplishments to “pop” on the page, setting you apart from your competition.
• Quantify your accomplishments.  Numbers work well on resumes. They are informative and noticeable. For example, “Increased fiscal year revenue 25%” sounds much better than “Improved revenue.” Use percentages, dollars, and numbers instead of words to show what you achieved at the positions you have held, and selectively boldface these figures so that they immediately catch the hiring manager’s eye.
• Show what you have accomplished on the job . Include actionable achievements, not just descriptions of your daily tasks. Hiring managers want to know why you were a stellar employee, not what you did at work. Use action words to describe your duties. Here’s a list of  resume action verbs and power words  to get you started.
• Keep it concise . You don’t need to include everything you did at every job you’ve ever had on your resume. Three or four sentences for each description, followed by a few bulleted achievements, is plenty. Include your most valuable contributions to the organization. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss your other duties in-depth when you interview.

Here’s a “before and after” version of a job description, written to highlight the candidate’s best attributes for the job.

Before:  I was responsible for website design and development for a variety of clients. I oversaw data optimization, product uploads, and product management, and diagnosed and repaired product issues. My responsibilities included implementing and managing projects from design through launch. I managed search engine marketing, SEO, and online advertising for several clients including strategizing solutions for optimizing visibility.

After:  Created, developed, launched, and managed websites for a variety of clients with an emphasis on state-of-the-art, responsive, and user-focused designs. Implemented data, product, and design enhancements. Managed search engine optimization and marketing and monitored site statistics to optimize visibility.

• Increased search engine traffic by 25%, pages per session by 18%, and doubled site revenue over the past year.
• Trained and mentored 5 new team members in effective client relations strategies.
• Implemented enhancements to employer’s website that increased client list by 45% between FY 2020 and FY2021.

Do you see the difference? By using active verbs and tangible bulleted achievements, the “after” example delivers a more persuasive argument for the candidate’s suitability for the job.

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How Can You Make Yourself Sound Better on Your Resume?

by Career Guide on Jan 5, 2023 12:21:35 PM

If you want to impress a hiring manager, it starts with a resume that sells you at your best.  

By Rachel Fletcher

Your resume is your primary personal marketing tool in the job search. You very well may have the chops for whatever role you've set your sights on, but you can still come up short if your resume is missing the mark on reflecting your skill set. These five tips will provide essential marketing flair while ensuring you never have to exaggerate or bend the truth when it comes to your career.  

Convert accomplishment numbers  

Decreasing spending by $10,000 in a quarter might sound like a lot of money in your current role, but you may be applying for a role where $10,000 is a fairly insignificant amount. However, updating your resume to reflect that you were able to reduce spending by 20% is a much more digestible statement, regardless of the sample size. Converting all dollar amounts, page views, or revenue gains to percentages that reflect growth or year-over-year change will make all of your accomplishments sound much more impressive to hiring managers.  

Don't be afraid to brag  

Think of your resume as an abbreviated quarterly report or project debrief that you'd deliver at work: It needs to provide context, details, and results to reflect the hard work that went into making something a success. Therefore, being your own cheerleader is essential. So is making sure your responsibilities or day-to-day tasks don't outweigh the measurable accomplishments throughout your most recent roles. If tooting your own horn isn't something you feel particularly comfortable with,  hiring a professional resume writer  can help take the pressure off.  

Stand out from the crowd  

Rewriting your resume is the perfect time to think about what makes you unique as a professional. Hiring managers see tons of cookie-cutter resumes with bland objective statements on a daily basis; identifying a few specific points about your individual skill set will set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Are you a marketer with HTML skills? An operations manager with a background at Fortune 500 companies? A multilingual analyst? Once you've found your specific edge, don't be afraid to highlight it in your resume and cover letter (and LinkedIn profile summary, while you're at it!).  

Address specific points from the job posting  

A common mistake job seekers make is not customizing their resume  for every application they make. Remember that a recruiter or hiring manager is looking for incredibly specific qualities in a candidate, and if your resume doesn't address those points, it's likely to end up in an application black hole. For example, if a role will focus heavily on P&L or developing a loyalty program or managing a large team of cross-functional direct reports, make sure your experience tied to these focus areas are front and center on your resume when you send in your application.  

Don't leave gaps in employment  

Periods of under- or unemployment are not uncommon in our current workforce, and there are several techniques to  a ddress employment gaps effectively on your resume .  If you're stumped on how to work with these gaps yourself, a professional resume writer can work to  equip you with the tools you need  for your specific set of circumstances.  

Content sourced from  Talent Inc. 

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Essential Tips: How To Make Waitressing Sound Good on a Resume

If you’re a hospitality professional wondering how to make waitressing or serving sound good on a resume, we have you covered in this step by step guide with examples.

2 years ago   •   6 min read

Anyone who's ever worked in customer service knows it's not an easy job. You're on your feet all day, constantly multitasking, and singlehandedly responsible for keeping customers happy. But how do you translate all of that to a resume?

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to make serving sound good on a resume, including:

• What to put on a waitressing resume
• How to come up with measurable, resume-worthy bullet points
• Tips for highlighting transferable skills
• Ready-made resume templates
• Sample bullet points you can copy and paste

Want to dive right in? Here's a quick-start guide.

How to put waitressing or server on a resume

• Look at the description of the job you’re applying for.
• Make a list of the key skills and responsibilities they're asking for.
• Brainstorm your own skills and accomplishments — everything from "fantastic at conflict resolution" to "turned over 100 tables on our busiest night without a single complaint."
• Now try to match up the two lists. It's okay to think outside the box on this one — for example, if a job requires event planning, think about how many functions have been held at your restaurant, or how you handled overlapping reservations.
• Work each of these examples into a bullet point focusing on what you accomplished.
• If possible, add a number or metric to show measurable results.
• Once you're done, upload your resume to our free ATS resume scanner for more tips and personalized suggestions.

Waitressing resume template

Here's an example of how to put waitressing accomplishments on a resume:

To get a headstart on your own resume, download one of our free ATS resume templates .

Tips for how to make serving sound good on a resume

Want to really level up your customer service resume? Here's how to:

Consolidate your waitressing experience

Highlight transferable skills.

• Come up with concrete metrics

Target your resume

The nature of hospitality, waitressing and similar gig work means that you may have held several similar positions over a relatively short amount of time. Instead of having to find new ways to describe waiting tables for every job on your resume, consider using a single job heading that covers similar serving jobs at different restaurants.

How To: In your work experience section, create a single heading like “Professional Wait Staff” and group all your related positions underneath.

Professional Wait Staff , [Dates] Company #1, Location, Dates - Bullet point - Bullet point Company #2, Location, Dates - Bullet point Company #3, Location, Dates - Bullet point

Here's how it might look on a resume:

More Tips: Read our guide on how to list work experience on your resume for a detailed breakdown of what your work experience section should look like and when it’s appropriate to bundle different positions together.

Related: How To Put DoorDash or Uber Eats on Your Resume

The good news is, serving jobs require a lot of in-demand skills you can use in other industries, like teamwork , adaptability , strong communication and interpersonal skills . But before you list “excellent customer service skills” on your resume, you should know that these are soft skills — not hard ones.

What does that mean? When it comes to soft skills, self-assessments are basically meaningless. To show a hiring manager that you have what it takes, you need to prove it.

How To: Instead of listing soft skills outright, choose accomplishments that demonstrate those skills in action.

DON'T: “Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.” DO: “Recognized as employee of the month on 10/2020; awarded to one person out of 50 employees.”

More Tips: Read our guide on how to include soft skills on your resume for all the do’s and don’ts when it comes to highlighting transferable skills.

Use metrics

Metrics are the key to making any resume look good. The trick is to quantify everything — even things you’ve never thought about in measurable terms.

How To: Use numbers to describe the number of customers you served, the size of your team, or the scale of the work you did.

Before: “Served food and drinks to customers in popular establishment.” After: “ Served 100+ customers daily in 20-table restaurant.”

More Tips: Our guide on how to quantify your resume has 50+ examples you can choose from on how to add meaningful numbers to your resume.

The first step to writing any successful resume is to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. If you’re looking for professional jobs with a hospitality background, this may seem like a stretch, but it’s easier than it sounds.

What hiring managers are really looking for is somebody who will be successful in the position. That doesn’t have to mean that you have experience in a similar role — instead, match your accomplishments to the job you’re applying for and focus on highlighting relevant skills.

How To: If a job description lists “planning and scheduling meetings and appointments” as a key responsibility, think about a time when you had to plan or schedule something as a waitress or waiter at work. This might be organizing a weekly roster, suggesting extra staff to cover a holiday weekend, or organizing a staff function.

If the job description says: “Planning and scheduling meetings and appointments.” Your resume could say: “Scheduled 20+ staff on weekly roster to ensure full coverage on all shifts.”

More tips: For extra help in creating a targeted resume, use the tool below to get a list of skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Polish it to perfection

Once you’re done updating your resume, upload it to the tool below to check if you’ve shown enough relevant skills and quantifiable accomplishments. It’ll also identify any mistakes and give you suggestions for improvements.

Waiter and waitressing resume bullet point examples

If you’re ready to get started, here are some sample bullet points you can use to make serving sound good on your resume — no matter what job you're aiming for next.

Training others

• Trained 6 new waiters and developed repeatable onboarding process; reduced onboarding time of new staff by 15%.

Training new employees is an in-demand skill in just about any profession. If you've ever helped out with training — whether that's showing a new hire around the restaurant or creating onboarding materials — highlight that accomplishment in your bullet points.

Scheduling and planning

• Scheduled 20+ staff on weekly roster to ensure full coverage on all shifts, including extra coverage at short notice.

Scheduling is another transferable skill that you'll use in just about any industry. If you created rosters, handled shift changes, or arranged coverage for other staff, use a bullet point like this to emphasize those skills.

Business operations and development

• Part of core team involved in transition to delivery/takeaway options to help restaurant survive during Covid-19; increased customer base by 10%.
• Reduced unnecessary inventory and maintained a 3 percent over/short ratio, reducing waste by almost 4 percent.

Ultimately, what employers care about most is whether you can contribute to the bottom line. Highlight accomplishments that you can tie to measurable results like revenue growth and cost savings.

Sales and marketing

• Collaborated with marketing team to redesign menu and increase revenue by 10%.
• Spearheaded initiative to gain new customers; handed out 400+ promotional materials and grew revenue by 20%.

Looking to pivot to a different industry? Pick out examples of accomplishments that show different types of skills, like this one.

Financial handling

• Balanced all transactions daily with credit card machines, cash registers and check scanners.

Even the smallest tasks can become resume-worthy accomplishments with the right spin. Focus on exactly what you did and any tools you used to emphasize technical skills as well as soft skills like attention to detail and trustworthiness.

Going above and beyond

• Recognized as employee of the month in 10/2020; awarded to one person out of 50 employees.

As a server, you're probably used to going above and beyond — so don't let that go to waste. Even better if you can point to something concrete, like a major award or promotion.

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How to list a bootcamp on a resume (and other resume tips), how to remove fillers from your resume, keep reading, how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), oops what to do if there’s a mistake on your resume, getting the basics right: resume line spacing, subscribe to our newsletter.

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How to make normal things sound better on resume.

Professionals whose job descriptions include reading and sorting through resumes for a company consistently say that most resumes are ineffective. The most common offenses relate to boring job descriptions written in drab language that fail to adequately convey the value that the job seeker offers. For job seekers, making normal things such as mundane tasks or routine assignments sound better can give their resume a much-needed jolt. It can make a crucial difference on the way to landing a job.

Write in a vibrant style to make mundane tasks sound more impressive. Avoid the recital of boring lists in favor of pointing out duties that demand responsibility and a sense of purpose. For instance, instead of: "I answered phone calls at the front desk each morning," write: "I actively managed incoming verbal communication for the firm."

Highlight the results of your ideas and suggestions, not just that you had them and submitted them. Anyone can spout off a series of ideas. Focus on the outcome instead. For example, don't write: "I suggested our magazine should start a theater-review column." Instead, write: "My idea for a theater-review column raised the profile of our publication in the community and led to hundreds of dollars per quarter in new advertising revenue."

Use dynamic verbs to make normal tasks sound better. For example, "I was a teacher for two years" does not convey much of anything. Instead, write: "I actively engaged with students, kept learners on task, managed divergent learning styles within a classroom and presented material in a creative way."

Write in specifics instead of relying on overused terms and phrases such as "team player" or "self starter." For example, "team player who makes valued contributions to office projects" sounds normal, at best. Make it sound better by writing: "Worked with public and private fund-raising officials, doctors and cancer researchers to raise donations by 70 percent year over year."

Add a splash of color to your resume if you work in a field such as entertainment, marketing or promotions. This will not work in conservative lines of business, but if you are in a creative field, change the color of headings or key words from traditional black to maroon or gold. This tactic will make normal-sounding elements shine.

• Never lie or exaggerate on a resume. Simply use your writing and organizational skills to create a better presentation of the facts.

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• "Happy About My Resume: 50 Tips for Building a Better Document to Secure a Brighter Future"; Barbara Safani; 2008
• "One Hundred and One More Best Resumes"; Jay A. Block and Michael Betrus; 1998
• "Resume, Application and Letter Tips for People With Hot and Not-So-Hot Backgrounds: 185 Tips for Landing the Perfect Job"; Ron Krannich, Caryl Krannich and Caryl Rae Krannich; 2006

Steven Wilkens has been a professional editor and writer since 1994. His work has appeared in national newspapers and magazines, including "The Honolulu Advertiser" and "USA Today." Wilkens received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Joseph's University.

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How to Write a Professional Resume Summary? [+Examples]

Do you want to land more job interviews? The easiest way to achieve this is by attracting a recruiter’s attention straight away by summarizing the highlights of your career right at the start of your resume — in a section called the resume summary. 

The purpose of this resume section, which is also known as a professional summary or resume statement, is to create a good first impression. It sums up your work experience , skills, and achievements into a short and concise sales pitch where you are the product. 

Do it well, and your future employers will be more inclined to read the rest of your resume.

Without further ado, let’s show you how to write an exceptional professional summary that will not only get you to more job interviews but will also help you land a job. 

This guide will show you:

What is a professional summary?

Why do you need a professional summary, how to write a professional summary.

• What to do when you don’t have any experience in the field?
• What are a resume objective and a resume profile?
• Examples of professional summaries from real professionals.

TL;DR video guide: How to write a professional summary for a resume 

A professional summary gives the hiring manager a quick overview of your skills and achievements without them having to dive into the rest of your resume. It sits at the top of your resume, beneath your name and contact information. You can think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume.

It should sum up your top skills, experiences, and achievements as they pertain to the job description.

Take a look at the sample below to see what it looks like in practice: 

The professional summary section is also known as a:  

• Resume summary 
• Qualifications summary 
• Resume statement 
• Heading statement 
• Competencies 
• Career summary
• Experience summary
• Personal statement 

However, don’t mistake a professional summary for a resume objective or profile . We’ll discuss the differences between them later in this guide. 

How long should a professional summary be? 

Generally speaking, a resume summary should be quite short. The most common length is 3-5 sentences or bullet points. It shouldn't be longer than 5-6 concise bullet points , but it also shouldn't be shorter than 2 bullet points. 

You can also replace the first bullet point with a short introductory paragraph that includes your job title, years of experience, and specialization. 

While many people still don't include the resume profile section in their resumes, it's a mistake. But why is it a mistake?

• You want to grab the recruiter's attention from the get-go.
• You'll make their life a bit easier because you'll immediately tell them who you are.

The thing is, recruiters are busy people , they go through dozens, sometimes hundreds of resumes before they can find a few qualified candidates. 

Do you know what this means? Shortcuts. At first, recruiters will be skimming resumes in search of specific keywords and phrases that align with what the company is searching for.

That’s why you want to include the best resume summary you can come up with because a good summary section consists of nothing but these juicy bite-size phrases and keywords that a recruiter can spot at a glance. 

In short, a professional summary allows you to turn a recruiter's time limitation into an advantage. 

Christy's word of advice

While recruiters are indeed busy, did you know that the information that recruiters only give each resume 6 seconds of their time isn't true? 

“This one's a little bit of a myth. It takes about six seconds to screen the resume for the key information that I'm looking for, such as location, summary, keywords, or if there's a skills section. Within this time frame, I should be able to get a feel for who you are and what you're looking for. But it's mainly about six seconds for me to pick out the basic information I need. It doesn't mean that I'm going to spend just six seconds on it or that I won't continue reading after. ” —   Christy Morgan , Kickresume's Resident HR Expert

As we said before, a good professional summary should compel an employer to read the next section of your resume — that’s all. If it manages to do that, then it has accomplished its purpose. 

However, doing this is easier said than done, as it can be tricky to cram the most exciting bits of your career into a 3-5 bullet points summary. 

Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to craft an impressive resume summary.

Before you start writing:

• Write other resume sections, and then write your professional summary last. It’s surprisingly easy once you’ve already written other sections of your resume. All you have to do is cherry-pick the most impressive facts and stats.
• Pick the essential keywords from the job listing, so you can tailor your summary. Start with the job listing that made you apply for the job. Carefully reread it and find the most important keywords. These are the nouns or phrases that best describe the job position, related skills, as well as the ideal candidate. Before you begin to write, think about how they intersect with your own skills and experiences. In this way, you also have a higher chance to get through the ATS systems which companies use .

Once you start writing:

• In the first bullet point, write your professional title. Don’t forget to add the number of years of experience. You want to communicate your professional identity immediately. You can also write it in bold. It can look something like this: “Certified Project Management Professional with over 4 years of experience”.
• Pick the 3-4 most impressive parts of your resume and reword them into snappy bullet points. Tease your potential employer into reading further. Did you earn a recognition for the best customer service? Or hit 95% of sales targets for five consecutive years? These are the things that deserve a mention at the top of your resume!
• Translate each achievement into numbers. Each bullet point should contain at least one piece of quantifiable data. Use percentages, numbers, or impressive sales figures. It gives the hiring manager a better idea of how you performed in your previous jobs. Numbers attract attention. Take advantage of that.
• Sum up what you have to offer. Instead of saying what you want, keep in mind what they want. Make clear what values you can bring to the company. Look for common threads in your work history and for skills that apply most to the job.

How to use keywords in a resume summary

A professional summary can do more than catch the attention of the recruiter. It can also make your resume more ATS-friendly. 

It's a great place where you can squeeze in one or two ATS-friendly keywords , and it will still look natural.

Such keywords can be your industry-relevant hard skills, previous job positions, notable clients, certificates and courses from notable institutions, or a note-worthy university (if you recently finished your degree). 

Moreover, you should add keywords and relevant skills from the job listing.

Don't get too creative with the heading, though. While replacing the professional summary headline with “Snapshot” sounds great, ATS doesn't know what it means and therefore wouldn't recognize it.

Pro tip: Remember, while it's important to incorporate keywords into your resume summary, it's crucial to ensure these keywords align with your abilities and experiences. The ATS might shortlist your resume, but the hiring manager will quickly realize in an interview if those keywords were merely resume filler. Always maintain honesty and authenticity while drafting your summary.

Professional resume summary examples for most common careers

Now that you know the ins and outs of writing a resume summary, here are a few examples that can inspire you when writing your summary:

Professional summary example for customer service

Performance-driven and motivated customer service rep offering 4+ years of relevant experience. Eager to join the Techia team and contribute to the growth of the company. In the previous role, the ability to make customers comfortable and relaxed allowed for 98% customer service survey results and had 25% more sales than the average employer. 

Professional resume summary example for retail

Dedicated and hard-working storekeeper with a Business Administration degree. Eager to bring my strong attention to detail and accuracy to J&R inc. Adept at communicating with vendors and suppliers, coordinating various business operations, and maintaining documents and files in order. In the past jobs brought an extra $50k of sales per quarter and increased customer satisfaction by 20%. 

Professional summary example for nursing resume

Motivational and resourceful Orthopedic Nurse with 10 years of experience with in-depth knowledge in trauma recovery, aggressive pain management techniques, and post-surgical recovery. Especially proficient in providing external fixation care and continuous motion therapy along with neuromuscular status monitoring. Committed to work as an orthopedic nurse for people who are struggling with mobility issues due to accidental injuries and degenerative disease affecting bones and muscles.

Professional summary example for administrative assistant

Self-driven and accurate Executive Assistant skilled at performing various office/administrative duties, such as coordinating meetings, maintaining calendar and schedule, filing documents, and managing company correspondence. Highly self-motivated with a solid work ethic and multitasking abilities.

Professional summary example for data analyst

A graduate in Information Systems with two years of hands-on data analytics experience. Passionate about working with large amounts of data and to turn this data into information, information into insight and insight into business decisions. I also have a keen interest in the field of data visualization and am fascinated by the power to compress complex datasets into approachable and appealing graphics.

Professional summary example for warehouse worker

Hard-working and dedicated Warehouse Worker with 2+ years of extensive experience in inspecting incoming shipments, preparing and processing orders, and performing various administrative duties. The Employee of the Month Award winner with a strong attention to detail and accuracy and determination to achieve exceptional results. Offers excellent time management skills and important ability to work independently or in a team.

Professional summary example for receptionist 

Customer-oriented and performance-driven Front Desk Assistant skilled at performing various administrative tasks, improving all office processes and procedures, and providing support to Office Managers. Great communicator with a Business Administration degree from a well-known university and an exceptional ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Possess well-developed communication skills and excellent time management abilities.

Resume summary example for management

A Project Manager with 16 years of experience in IT projects. Responsible for the management of teams of up to 15 direct and 7 indirect employees. Has High level knowledge in project execution using best practices of waterfall and agile methodologies. High level knowledge of Jupyter Notebook, MS Project, MS Excel, MS Word. 

Professional summary example for project manager

Logistics & Planning PMO for Anheuser-Busch InBev with +7 years of experience in Supply Chain Operations & Project Management. Lived and worked for ABI in 6 cities in past years, managed +300 direct & indirect employees and +0.5 billion BRL over the years. At ABI experienced the routines in breweries operations & urban distribution. As Project Manager build the Zone Logistics Project area for ABI LAN, being responsible for 4.0 Supply Chain, integrating the technologies WMS, YMS, TMS and Tracking.

Resume summary example for stay-at-home mother

Performance-driven and knowledgeable Stay At Home Mother skilled at conducting detailed market research, developing new sales tools, creating reports, and promoting products and services. Certified Marketing Management Professional with an extensive knowledge of multiple marketing software programmes, great communication skills, and excellent teamwork abilities. Currently looking for any Marketing related remote part-time job.

Professional summary example for student

Self-driven and knowledgeable computer science student with demonstrated experience in developing user-friendly software applications, coding and testing features, and providing engineering support. Oracle Certified Professional with extensive knowledge of multiple programming languages and software development tools, excellent problem-solving skills, and ability to perform well in a team.

How to write a resume summary if you're a fresh graduate/student?

If you’re a student or a fresh graduate, you probably don’t have much to brag about in your resume yet.

But that’s true only to some extent. Even as an entry-level candidate, you already have at least some experience and skills. You just have to find the right way to articulate them.

What’s more, it’s quite likely that the other candidates are just as inexperienced as you are. After all, experienced professionals rarely apply for entry-level positions. 

Because of that, your primary goal is to stand out and make the employer remember you . And you can do that even if your experience is limited.

It’s not like you’ve just spent most of your life at school and learned nothing. You just need to understand how your studies intersect with the job’s requirements.

 Here’s how you can write your professional resume summary as a student/fresh graduate:

• State your field of study, degree, and GPA (if it’s above 3.0).
• Mention relevant skills gained in internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work.
• Add related coursework or school projects.
• Also, try to translate your most notable achievements into numbers. Maybe you were on the student council. You can mention how you received 800 votes and helped organize 5 large school events that were attended by 2,000 students.

In the end, a fresh graduate resume summary should look a bit like this: 

Hired by Bupa — Business Administration Intern

• An adaptable and responsible graduate seeking an entry-level position in the Business Analytics market, Business Consultancy or Financial market.
• My double degree in Business and Law and my previous job as a financial controller have provided me with a well-rounded background and enabled me to develop an analytical/logical approach to tasks, software skills, and the ability to work under pressure.
• In short, I am reliable, hard-working with strong attention to detail and eager to learn about new technologies and business issues. I am able to work well both on my own initiative and as a part of a team. I’m also able to travel abroad.

How to write a resume summary as an experienced professional?

If you have 10 to 15 years of professional experience under your belt, you’ve probably developed a long list of job-related accomplishments. Your qualifications summary is the ideal place to showcase the most impressive of them. 

On the other, with that extent of experience, it may be quite challenging to pick and choose the right information for your professional summary. 

So what should you do? 

• Start by carefully rereading the job advertisement.
• Highlight any skills you already possess that match this job offer.
• See if you can think of any past accomplishments that show how you successfully used those skills in your previous job.

For instance, are you an experienced sales and customer service professional? Sell it. Mention how you developed strategies that resulted in an over 15 % increase in new customers. Or how your rewards program reached a customer success rate of over 45 %. Numbers can be much more persuasive than words . 

Also, always remember to use action words and relevant keywords.

Here’s a professional summary resume example from an experienced professional: 

HubSpot — Director of Business Development Resume Summary Example

• Passionate Business Amplifier.
• Thrives in complex market segment entry and sales and marketing launch plans for technical products and services. Founder of the highly-impactful "HubSpot for Veterans" initiative. 
• Proven Growth Consultant and Entrepreneurial Coach for over 200 organizations. Advocate of lean startup and data-backed strategy. 
• Leadership spans career with direct application towards startups, Techstar accelerators, corporate business development, and government. ROI-focused relationship builder.
• Lifelong teacher and learner: Startup Institute, Techstarts, HubSpot Partner programs.

How to write a professional summary if you’re changing careers?

As a career changer , try to show how your past experience relates to the position you’re applying for or how it can help your future employer grow.

Are you a software developer who wants to work with a new programming language, let’s say Python? You can mention how you’ve already developed 7 mobile apps using JavaScript and HTML. Even something as small as completing a Python online course on CodeAcademy can work wonders.

But if you still feel like you don’t have any relevant job experience, consider writing a resume objective instead. Instead of past achievements and experiences, it highlights your transferable skills and motivation. Moreover, it explains why you seek to switch to a different industry.

On the other hand, make sure that you have absolutely no other solution, as a resume summary always makes a better impression than a resume objective . To learn more about a resume objective just scroll to the following chapter. 

Here’s an example of a professional summary for someone changing careers:

• Marketing professional with over three years of experience in digital advertising, aiming to transition from marketing to human resources
• Certified Human Resources Assistant with a working knowledge of all software programs needed for the position such as Bamboo HR and Zenefits.
• Was in charge of recruiting and supervising summer interns and co-managing marketing budgets.
• Won the Employee of the Month Award for completing all assigned tasks and projects in a timely manner.

How to write a professional summary for a resume with no work experience? 

A lot of people with no work experience default to writing a resume objective because they think they have nothing to summarize.

However, this usually ends up backfiring as the resume objective brings little to the table. That’s because the resume objective’s main focus is on you as opposed to a professional summary which focuses on solving the needs of a company.

Also, writing a summary objective can make you appear more inexperienced than you truly are. 

Instead, as someone with no work experience, you can write a professional summary by including: 

• Your education level;
• Adjectives that emphasize your work ethic (such as competent, decisive, and accountable);
• Relevant skills gained at school, volunteering , or internships; 
• Professional hobbies (for example if applying for an IT position, include that app side project you worked on). 

In addition, if you have volunteered or interned, know that regardless of whether they were paid or not, they're still considered work experience. As the skills and knowledge gained as a volunteer or intern can be quite valuable to an employer. 

With that said, here’s an example of a professional summary for someone with no work experience:

People United Foundation – Fundraiser Volunteer 

• Resourceful and talented fundraiser who uses new forms of technology and existing techniques to help raise money for organizations and groups. 
• Experienced in raising funds for various charitable and nonprofit institutes. 
• Adept at researching and presenting an array of innovative fundraising ideas to a variety of donor audiences. 
• Keen negotiator with exceptional communication time management and networking abilities. 

Resume summary vs resume objective and resume profile

While these terms are often interchangeable, a resume summary, a resume objective, and a resume profile are all slightly different things. Scroll below to see how. 

What is a resume objective?

First of all, a resume objective isn't the same thing as a resume summary. They share several common features but each serves a different purpose.

Like a resume summary, a resume objective also sits at the top of your resume. Though, it’s a bit shorter — usually about one to two sentences long . 

The biggest difference is that instead of your past accomplishments, it details your future goals.

Although a resume objective might not help hiring managers decide whether you’re qualified enough to solve their company’s problems, it may help you shift their attention away from your lack of experience.

With that said, resume objectives are a bit old-fashioned as they used to be more common in past. So it should only be written as a last resort.

What is a resume profile?

Most people think that the resume profile and resume summary are the same exact thing. And they aren't that wrong. 

However, there are some slight differences between the two. 

A resume profile tends to be a little longer than a resume summary. Still, you should try to keep it under 500 characters. Additionally, while a resume summary is simply a condensed version of your resume placed at the top of it, a resume profile focuses more on your professional accomplishments and successes. 

Still — a resume summary and a resume profile are basically the same thing. So don't worry too much about the difference between the two. Just make sure you'll include either of them in your resume. 

Final tips and tricks

We've already mentioned almost everything you need to write an effective professional summary. These are some of the final tips that didn't fit anywhere else in this guide:

• Emphasize proven experience. Instead of simply listing your skills , mention your previous accomplishments. For example, it’s much more impactful to say that you had your articles published in Forbes than to plainly claim that you’re a skilled writer.
• Try to avoid using the word “I” . It's not really necessary, especially if you write in bullet points. 
• Structure it well. Take it from a professional writer — bullet points are a godsend when you need to structure your text clearly without giving it too much effort. Not only will they naturally order your resume statement into clearly delineated logical parts, but they'll also make it look good and read well. Also, make sure to write your current job title in bold.
• Keep it short. Your summary shouldn’t be longer than 5 short sentences (or bullet points). Having a long summary sort of defeats the point of having a resume summary at all. Don’t add random things. The key is to be specific.
• Read it after yourself. When you’re finished writing, read through your summary from the perspective of a hiring manager, asking “Why should we hire you?” .

Oh, and if you want to turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume with just one click, we've got you covered.

How to write a resume summary?

Write your professional summary last. It’s surprisingly easy once you’ve already written other sections of your resume. In the first bullet point, include your job title and years of experience. Then cherry-pick the most impressive achievements and cram them into 4–5 bullet points.

There are some slight differences between a resume profile and a resume summary. A resume profile tends to be a little longer than a resume summary. Still, you should try to keep it under 500 characters. A resume profile also focuses more on your professional accomplishments and successes than a resume summary. 

Kaja Jurčišinová

Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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More From Forbes

How to make your most boring jobs sound more interesting on your resume.

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You’ve finally found it: The job listing that appears on your computer screen with a glowing beam of light and a rousing rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus” playing on repeat.

Alright, maybe that’s a little bit dramatic. But, the point remains the same: You’ve found an open opportunity that sounds like it could be the perfect fit for you. There’s nothing you want more than to land this job, and you know you have the qualifications to make it happen.

But, every time you return to your resume to make those oh-so-necessary tweaks, you’re confronted with the same glaring issue: All of your experience sounds so boring .

You assisted clients. You made cold calls. You analyzed data. Blah, blah, blah. Yes, it’s all important information. However, when your main goal is to stand out from the competition and grab that hiring manager’s attention, you wish there was a way to make it all sound a little less snore-worthy.

Watch on Forbes:

The good news? There is! As with anything, it’s not so much about what you say—it’s about how you say it.

A Quick Word Of Caution

First things first, be forewarned that there’s a big difference between making your experience sound better and blatantly lying.

While there are some clever tactics you can implement to spice up the way your qualifications are presented, the content itself should always be truthful. Your mom was right—honesty really is always the best policy.

1. Focus On Achievements

One of the biggest faux pas I see is that the summaries of past positions read like straight up job descriptions. They detail the daily duties that person completed (think answering phones or planning marketing initiatives), rather than the things that person accomplished while in that role.

Remember, hiring managers don’t only want to see what you’ve done—they also want to see how good you are at it. So, make sure to set your sights on your achievements, rather than just your daily tasks. And, as always, quantifying your bullet points is highly recommended!

Instead Of:

Cold called prospective clients to increase sales of Dunder Mifflin paper.

Increased sales of Dunder Mifflin paper products by 23% in the first quarter through effective relationship building and cold calling.

2. Include Examples

Admittedly, this tip will work better for some people than others. However, anytime you can show rather than tell, that’s a great opportunity to separate yourself from the pack and make a powerful impression.

This doesn’t need to be anything complicated—no, you don’t need to mail a USB full of presentations or a leather-bound portfolio after you’ve submitted your application.

But, if there are natural places where you could include a real example (whether it’s a website or the specific name of a project you worked on that the hiring manager could Google) directly on your document, that’s a surefire way to add some flair and added context.

Created, planned and executed various community events.

Spearheaded the creation of St. Louis’ first ever “Restaurant Week” promotion.

3. Remove Cliché Words

Managed, led, communicated, assisted.

They’re all words that appear at the front of nearly every single bullet point on nearly every single resume that has ever been written. In fact, these verbs are so oft-repeated that most people’s eyes just skip right over them.

As you might guess, using the same language as every other resume that’s in that ever-growing pile isn’t a great way to stand out and make your mundane experience sound a little zippier.

This is why it’s smart to go through your document with a fine-tooth comb, identify those cliché words you’ve used numerous times and find a more creative way to replace them. Need some help? This list of 185 powerful verbs will be your lifesaver.

Managed a team of 10 customer service associates.

Directed a team of 10 customer service associates to provide outstanding service to clients and increase repeat business by 48%.

4. Include Testimonials

Alright, the idea of including testimonials might seem a little strange. However, rest assured that this doesn’t need to mean listing an entire page of glowing recommendations from past supervisors. In fact, there’s a relatively easy way to incorporate positive reviews from past employers without being over-the-top about it.

The secret to doing it? Think back on any compliments or recognition you received from a boss—whether it was done in passing or in a formal performance review. Then, include that as a bullet point.

“Most people don’t know you can use the praise and positive feedback they’ve gotten from their superiors on your resume. But you definitely can,” says Muse writer, Aja Frost, in her article on how to best describe entry-level positions .

Add This To Your Resume:

Recognized by manager for ability to take complex technical topics and distill them to a broader audience in a manner that’s easier to comprehend.

You know there’s a lot of competition in your job search. And, feeling like your experience is so dry and dull that only a Ben Stein voiceover could do it justice is definitely discouraging.

However, you don’t need to resign yourself to having a resume so boring it makes the hiring manager’s eyes instantly glaze over. Instead, roll up your sleeves, get to work and use these tips to transform your past positions from humdrum and tiresome to engaging and attention-grabbing.

How To Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting On Your Resume was originally published on published on The Muse .

Kat Boogaard is a freelance writer, covering topics related to careers, self-development and the freelance life. Say hi on Twitter @kat_boogaard.

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How To Make Waitressing Sound Good On A Resume

In This Guide:

Example of how waitressing experience looks good on a resume..

Waitressing experience can be presented positively on a resume by highlighting key skills and responsibilities that are transferable to other job positions. These may include:

• Customer service: Mention how you have experience dealing with customers and resolving any issues they may have had.
• Cash handling: Highlight any experience you have handling cash, making change, and balancing a cash drawer.
• Multi-tasking: Waitressing often requires juggling multiple tasks at once, such as taking orders, delivering food, and cleaning tables.
• Teamwork: Emphasize any experience you have working as part of a team, especially in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility: Waitressing often requires being able to work varying shifts, weekends, and holidays. Highlight your ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Sales and upselling: Highlight any experience you have with suggestive selling and upselling menu items to customers.

It's also important to use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments, such as "Provided excellent customer service to over 100 customers per shift" or "Implemented a new upselling strategy that resulted in a 20% increase in sales".

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• • Handled cash and credit card transactions and balanced cash drawer at the end of each shift.
• • Worked as part of a team to keep the dining room clean and organized during busy hours.
• • Implemented a new upselling strategy that resulted in a 20% increase in sales.
• • Worked flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• • Trained new servers on customer service, cash handling, and menu knowledge.
• • Contributed to the team effort by completing side work and other tasks as needed.
• • Assisted in maintaining inventory and placing supply orders.

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How can I make a resume sound professional when all I have done is cosmetology?

Looking to get into something different now and tired of doing cosmetology. The problem is, I’ve done that all my life and I wouldn’t know what to put in a resume. I don’t have a degree higher than a associates. So I’m asking what input would you were me, if I was trying to impress a job ?