Business writers summarize the main points of long business reports in an introductory section generally of one page or less. This section is an abstract, although sometimes called a synopsis, summary, preview, preface, or overview. The value of this abstract is obvious: to save time for the busy executive by giving all the important points early and quickly.
The business writer uses this important abstracting technique to speed up executive comprehension and save executive time. Similarly, you, the resume writer, can save time for your reader by using an abstract, especially if your resume runs more than one page in length. A very brief nutshell summary following the resume title and job objective can help you achieve a favorable image as well. Unlike the abstract of a business report, which brings together all major points of a business report, your nutshell summary is a power-packed section containing only your strongest credentials.
Most of the resumes have nutshell-summary sections. Some of them are combined with job-objective statements that may help save a few lines of space. But, of course, the decision to develop a distinct section or to combine it with the job objective must be yours alone. When prepared as a distinct section, however, the nutshell summary immediately follows the job objective. Several of the nutshell summaries have formal-looking section headings, while others have no headings at all. Here are a few descriptive nutshell-summary headings that are effective in conveying important credentials: "Capsule View of Current Communication Activities," "Overview of Administrative Accomplishments," and "Marketing-Oriented Experience."
In general, the nutshell summary contains selected significant accomplishments already mentioned in the resume body. In this sense, the nutshell summary is repetitive, thereby giving heightened emphasis to important resume body credentials. In addition, you may want to mention a few notable qualities or personal characteristics that would not ordinarily be listed in the more objective resume body. Whatever you do mention in this introductory section, its overall effect should be to demonstrate immediate value to the employer. The content of the nutshell summary should be very positive, and the words and phrases used to convey that content should emanate capability, self-confidence, and maturity.
The nutshell summary may be constructed in paragraph form using either complete sentences or phrases. It may also be constructed in the form of a list or an informal table. Whichever way it is constructed, however, its content should be arranged according to the order of importance, with the most impressive items leading off the list.
An ideal nutshell summary combines several excellent techniques:
- It represents key accomplishments, already mentioned in the body, in both paragraph and listing form.
- It places the key element of an item at the beginning of that item; underlines key ideas; sets off items of a list with asterisks.
- It refers to several impressive statistics, figures, and action verbs; and uses highly descriptive language that adds to the believability of the nutshell presentation.
The person possessing a somewhat unimpressive record of experience or education may use the nutshell summary to help overcome a weak image. Instead of stressing "hard" accomplishments, such a resume writer can verbally impress readers with
- knowledge of the job, field, and firm,
- key capabilities and potential, and
- positive work attitudes.
The presence of a nutshell summary often adds length to a resume because of the repetition of key credentials already in the resume body. But this need not be the case. Instead of repeating key items mentioned in the experience section, you can simply lift them completely out of the body and display them only one time within the nutshell summary.
The nutshell summary is an excellent opportunity to verbally persuade readers that you are the right person for the job. The application letter that accompanies the resume through the mail is also an opportunity for verbal persuasion. Whereas the nutshell is an optional resume section, the application letter must accompany the resume as part of the initial communication with a firm. Therefore, be certain that any nutshell-summary section used is phrased or slanted somewhat differently from the message in the letter. You may not feel the need for a nutshell summary and may be perfectly justified.
Whether or not you use the nutshell summary and however you plan to construct it, you should take this section seriously. For you are the resume architect whose job is to create the best possible sales presentation for one of the most important sales you will ever make.
