Highlights of Qualifications

The  �Summary of Qualifications� or the �Highlights of Qualifications� section is optional.  It will not ruin a resume if it is not present, but properly done, it can be an effective tool!  A definition of the Summary might be as follows:

Short statements that highlight your most
impressive qualifications and achievements

* The purpose of the summary is to immediately grab the employer�s attention and impress them.  It can be customized to fit the job you are pursuing.
* An effective summary will generate serious attention.
* To be effective, the statements must be concise, written with impact (action verbs), and be result oriented.

Generally speaking, the following points hold true:

DO NOT INCLUDE A SUMMARY IF�..

* You do not have an impressive lists of skills and achievements
* You have already highlighted your most impressive skills in your objective.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE A SUMMARY IF�.

* Your resume is in chronological format.  Since the focus of such a resume is on dates of employment and job titles, you should utilize the summary to highlight your skill areas as well as any major achievements that may get buried in the body of your resume.
* You have made a significant achievement to a past employer.
* You have a unique combination of skills.
* You have received prestigious awards or honors.

Your summary is very much like an advertisement.  It announces what you have to offer.  Like an advertisement, each statement must be concise, full of punch, and be impressive.

Remember that you must sell yourself; put plenty of �sell� into the �Summary of Qualifications�:

1. List your most impressive qualifications � those that will be used to solve problems for your employer.
2. List your most important accomplishments � problems that you have solved or results that you were directly responsible for in your past work experience.
3. List personal qualities that would impress any employer.  Highlight those qualities that will grab the employer�s attention, such as �more than 15 years experience,� �ability to work well under pressure,� �scored 97% on Manager�s Training Test.�

BUT�.

       Limit yourself to five or six statements, at the most.

Listen to the following example of a �Summary of Qualifications� for a Manager.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
* Hired and trained twenty-four assistant managers in a one-year period.
* Created successful questionnaire for evaluating work activities of numerous personnel.
* Under my supervision, turnover was cut by more than 60%.
* Received �Manager of the Year Award�, 1991.
* Ability to handle pressure and get the job done on time.

The preceding summary statements are effective and help to summarize the manager�s most salient qualities.

We hope you have enjoyed today�s podcast and invite you to listen to others in our series.  Thank you for listening.