The Power of Diction: Ten Strong Summary Statements for Resumes

Resumes are one of the most important pieces of the application process, but employers only spend an average of six seconds perusing them. Thus, it is absolutely imperative that your resume stands out from the crowd — and does so in a stellar way — very quickly.

Generally, the best way to get the employer’s attention is through a brief sentence or two — the summary, the objective, the statement of purpose, the headline, the profile, the branding statement — found just below your contact information. In this section of your resume, you should highlight your skill set while emphasizing how you will benefit the company.

The best way to achieve this is by using strong language that highlights your key qualities. Choosing your words carefully is important for several reasons: it grabs the attention of resume reviewers, distinguishes you from other candidates, and helps you avoid being filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems, which remove resumes lacking specific terms before a person even sees them. You can check your ATS Score for free using KudosWall’s ATS Score Checker and improve your resume based on the feedback you receive.

There are many types of strong words you can include to make your resume as impactful as possible. First, consider the action verbs you choose: these should be detailed, descriptive, and effective. Second, sprinkling in the company’s values can be a smart marketing move: read through the company’s information and identify their mission statement, their core beliefs, etc., and tailor your objective statement accordingly. Third, incorporate skill words that quality employees possess (i.e. responsible, punctual, good leader, etc.). And finally, integrate key jargon and technical lingo for the position for which you are applying.

For additional help, The Balance offers an extensive list of powerful words to include in your resume and cover letter. You can also use a modern ai resume builder free to achieve this easily.

When developing your own stellar summary statement, consider the following examples:

Paralegal: Self-driven, detail-oriented professional leveraging advanced analytical and research talents to excel within an intellectually demanding Paralegal role with an established law firm.

Account Manager: High-achieving Enterprise software account manager driven to increase sales in established accounts while reaching out to prospects. Help Fortune 500 companies gain a competitive edge and increase revenue by identifying customer needs, providing recommendations, and implementing technology products that solve problems and enhance capabilities.

Engineer/Recent Graduate: Engineering Graduate with leadership training and experience with academic training at the University of Montana. Proven skills in project management, organization and research with a background in office administration and organization. Able to provide employers with administrative support and professional communication skills.

Writer: A versatile and creative writer fuses a background in journalism and academics with expertise in business writing to deliver quality, customized material spanning news, marketing, web content, curriculum, and career development. Provides sales support and highly-rated client service and excels in meeting deadlines in quick-turnaround settings.

Journalist/Digital Producer: Award-winning journalist and digital producer offering extensive experience in social media content curation, editing and storytelling. Adept at transforming complex topics into innovative, engaging, and informative news stories.

IT: Search engine optimization position where I can use my SEO skills and experience to increase site traffic and search engine placement, and apply my 15 years of IT experience.

Benefits Manager: Cost-conscious benefits manager who has creatively tailored plans to employee needs at below average employer cost.

Student: Detail-Oriented History Student with Curatorial Experience

General: Versatile skill set with experience in customer service, sales, and written and oral communication. Received multiple awards for excellence in customer service. Recognized skills in mentoring, mediating between employees, and in leading team projects.

General: An organized, detail-oriented, and conscientious self-starter, able to strategize and prioritize effectively to accomplish multiple tasks and stay calm under pressure.

Notice that the style of each of these examples varies, as does the length and structure, but regardless of the position or the experience, each incorporates powerful and descriptive language that will catch the attention of the resume reviewer, giving these applicants a leg up on the competition.