Survey data shows that many hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds on a resume, so a qualifications summary makes sure that they see your strongest qualifications first.
What is a summary of qualifications?
A summary of qualifications is a concise resume introduction that lists 4–6 bullet points showcasing your key skills, relevant experience, and major accomplishments.
You should consider using one if you:
- You have a lot of experience and want to showcase specific achievements
- Have earned major awards, certifications, or leadership roles that are directly related to your target job
- Want to highlight your transferable skills
How to write a summary of qualifications
Follow these steps to write one a summary of qualifications that lands you an interview:
1. Choose your most impressive and relevant qualifications
Your summary of qualifications should be tailored to each job description, so you should write a different one for every application.
Carefully review the job description to understand what the employer is looking for. Pay attention to the key skills, experience, and qualifications mentioned in the listing, and think about which ones that align with your background.
Next, select 4–6 of your most impressive and relevant achievements. Choose a mix of hard skills, major accomplishments, and career highlights that align with the job requirements.
You should always highlight the following (if applicable):
- Years of experience
- Key skills
- Successful projects
- Awards and recognitions
- Leadership positions
2. Use hard numbers to quantify your achievements
Numbers help bring your accomplishments to life. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements using hard numbers to show the impact you had in previous roles. For example, instead of saying you “improved efficiency,” specify by how much you improved efficiency.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some common ways to showcase measurable results:
- Cost savings
- Revenue growth
- Efficiency improvements
- Productivity increases
- Customer satisfaction ratings
- Lead generation
- Conversion rates
- Employee retention
- Hiring and onboarding metrics
- Social media engagement
- Website traffic
- Quality control improvements
- Compliance and risk reduction
- Team size
3. List your qualifications as bullet points below your header
Once you’ve selected your most relevant and impressive qualifications, list them as bullet points directly below your resume’s header. Keep each point concise, specific, and results-driven, avoiding long sentences or unnecessary details.
Aim for four to six bullet points, making sure each one highlights a key skill, achievement, or measurable impact that aligns with the job you’re applying to.
Summary of qualifications examples
Here are examples of strong summaries of qualifications tailored for different experience levels:
Entry-level example
A summary of qualifications is typically best for experienced professionals, but if you’re asked to include one as an entry-level candidate, focus on your education, transferable skills, internships, and academic achievements. Here’s how to write one even without formal work experience:
Entry-level candidate
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a 3.9 GPA, specializing in digital marketing and consumer behavior
- Completed a six-month internship at InnoTech, contributing to a campaign that increased social media engagement by 15%
- Strong analytical and research skills, demonstrated through a capstone project that analyzed market trends for a startup
- Proficient in Google Analytics, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Photoshop with hands-on experience in SEO optimization
- Recognized as a top-performing team leader in a university consulting project, delivering recommendations adopted by a local business
Mid-level example
At the mid-level stage of your career, your summary of qualifications should highlight achievements that demonstrate your growing expertise, leadership, and ability to take on increasing responsibility.
Mid-level candidate
- 4+ years of experience in project management, specializing in process improvement and cross-functional collaboration
- Successfully led a team of 12, delivering projects 10% ahead of schedule while reducing costs by 15%
- Implemented a new workflow system that increased team efficiency by 25% and streamlined operations
- Strong expertise in data analysis, budgeting, and stakeholder communication to drive business success
- Recognized with the “Outstanding Leadership Award” for exceeding performance targets and mentoring junior employees
Senior-level example
As a senior-level professional, your summary of qualifications should highlight your most significant accomplishments, from revenue growth to process improvements. Focus on leadership experience, business impact, and industry expertise that set you apart.
Senior-level candidate
- 8+ years of leadership experience in operations and business strategy, overseeing teams of 50+ employees
- Spearheaded a $50M business expansion, increasing market share by 20% within two years
- Led a company-wide digital transformation, reducing operational costs by 10% and improving efficiency
- Expertise in strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, and high-level stakeholder engagement
- Recognized as “Top Regional Director” for exceeding growth targets five years in a row
Career changer example
When transitioning to a new career, your summary of qualifications should focus on transferable skills, relevant achievements, and experiences that align with your target industry.
Career changer
- 10+ years of experience in retail management, now leveraging leadership and operations expertise in project management
- Skilled in team leadership, budgeting, and process optimization, with a proven track record of improving efficiency by 25%
- Successfully led a cross-functional team of 20, overseeing training and development programs that increased employee retention by 30%
- Completed a Project Management Certification (PMP) to strengthen skills in scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder communication
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, demonstrated by implementing cost-saving initiatives that reduced expenses by $200K annually
Frequently asked questions about writing a summary of qualifications
Still have questions about writing a summary of qualifications? We’ve answered a few common queries here:
1. What’s the difference between a summary of qualifications and a statement of qualifications?
A summary of qualifications is a concise, bullet-pointed section at the top of a resume that highlights key skills, achievements, and experience relevant to the job. It’s designed to quickly grab a hiring manager’s attention and show why you’re a strong candidate.
A statement of qualifications, on the other hand, is typically a longer, narrative-style document often required for government jobs or specialized roles. It provides a detailed response to specific qualifications listed in the job posting, explaining how your experience aligns with each requirement.
2. Is a summary of qualifications the same as a professional summary?
No. A professional summary is a short paragraph about your career. A summary of qualifications is a focused list of specific achievements and skills formatted as bullet points.
3. Can my summary of qualifications be a list of bullet points?
Yes, you should format your summary of qualifications as short, impactful bullet points.
Bullet points make your qualifications easy to scan, which helps busy hiring managers quickly identify your key strengths.
4. Can a summary of qualifications replace the resume introduction?
Yes, a summary of qualifications can replace the traditional resume introduction, such as a resume summary or objective, but it depends on your career level and the job you’re applying for.
A summary of qualifications is ideal for experienced professionals who want to highlight their most impactful achievements, skills, and experience in a concise, scannable format.
However, for entry-level candidates or those with limited experience, a resume summary or objective would be a better choice, unless you’re specifically asked for a summary of qualifications.

Lauren Mastroni
Digital Content Writer
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer dedicated to crafting engaging content and providing actionable advice that empowers people in their job searches. An enthusiastic contributor to the Resume Genius team, Lauren has a passion for developing valuable resources for job seekers. Lauren holds an M.S. in Psychology from University of Derby and currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan. She enjoys learning all she can about the career space, and is committed to helping job seekers of all experience levels navigate the job hunt and advance their careers. You can reach Lauren at lauren@resumegenius.com.
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