The summary or profile is actually a summary of a summary. It serves as a teaser to whet the appetite of the reader and hopefully intrigue him to read on. It is a sound byte that, in a few carefully composed lines, shows the employer that you understand his needs, and have the goods he is looking for. A profile is probably not necessary if you are an undergraduate, but it can be a powerful tool for grad students and alumni with a few years of experience. To create your summary you must know what the prospective employer is really looking for in a candidate. More importantly, you must have the qualifications they are seeking. The rest is easy. Try to come up with two to four sentences or bulleted statements that communicate your most relevant credentials. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to modify your summary depending on the requirements of each position for which you are applying.
The following examples should help get you started:
The Objective
Over sixty percent of the recruiters surveyed favor the inclusion of an objective. If you choose to list an objective, it should be focused and concise. This is an opportunity to demonstrate to your prospective employer that you really know what you want in a job. Your objective should also be employer-oriented. Don't emphasize what you want to get out of the job, but rather what you can offer the employer.
Although your objective should be focused, if you make it too specific you run the risk of limiting your range of employment options. Occasionally your resume may end up in the hands of an employer who doesn't have a suitable opening but knows a colleague who does. If the objective on your resume isn't too constraining, the employer may pass your resume to a colleague for consideration. On the other hand, if your objective is so broad that it's not saying much of anything, it's better to omit it.
Education
For most of you, this section is a major selling point. It should be placed at the top of your resume, just below your objective or summary statement, if you have one. The exception is if you have a great deal of experience in your field, as with "returning students" or recent alumni who have already made their professional debut. In this case, your experience section should come first. You might also want to deemphasize education if it is irrelevant to the field you are entering, or could in some way be considered a liability. For example, if you are seeking a position in restaurant management, it is likely that employers in this field will be more interested in your hands-on restaurant experience than the fact that you have an M.A. in philosophy.
The education section consists of the following: the institution you attended; the city and state in which it's located (you don't have to list this if it's obvious); the name of the degree, diploma, or certificate you received; your field of study; and the month and year of graduation. If you've been out of school awhile, listing the year of graduation without the month is fine. If you are still in school, don't feel compelled to say "anticipated" or "expected" before you list your degree date. The fact that the date is in the future makes it obvious that the degree is expected.
Minor Consequences
You can also list your minor, as well as any other additional concentration of course work that you think would interest an employer. And for those of you who financed all or part of your education, you can add a line to convey this fact, such as "financed 75% of college expenses through part-time work as a waiter, bartender, and messenger." This demonstrates to employers that you are multi-dimensional and have a strong work ethic.
You Went to Whatchamacallit State?
The order in which you list your school and degree depends on what you feel makes you most marketable. If you went to a big name school that you think might open some doors, then list the name of the institution first. On the other hand, if you went to an obscure school where you received a highly marketable degree, then list your degree first. If you went to an unknown school and received a no-name degree then it really doesn't matter which comes first. Whatever you decide, it is best to consistently follow that sequence throughout your education section.
The School within the School
Many universities are divided into schools or colleges (College of Arts and Science, School of Management, and so forth). The question often arises; should you list the name of the particular school you attended within the university, or just name the university? The answer depends on how high the school ranks on the prestige scale. If it is nationally recognized, then definitely list it. Otherwise, you can skip it.
Multiple Degrees
If you are listing more than one degree, you might want to begin with the one that is most relevant to your objective. There is no law that says you must list your degrees in chronological order. And if you hold a prior degree that you feel is completely irrelevant, you have every right to leave it out. For those of you pursuing a graduate degree, it is usually a good idea to indicate your thesis or dissertation topic, as well as a brief statement describing your research or hypothesis.
