Professional Career Summary Interview Preparation Guide

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The more closely you can target your profile to the employer's needs, the better your results will be. Start by searching jobs for your ideal position. Compare the ads and write a list of common job requirements and preferred qualifications.

It is good to use technical specifics in your descriptions to convey real and relevant knowledge. Incorporate each technical detail into short descriptions of no more than 2-3 words.

It is important to take the time to write a career summary that is a strong match with your jobs of interest.

A professional career summary in a resume exists to attract the attention of employers. It gives a brief summary of your experience and skill, with emphasis on what the employer might want to see first.

Carefully write and rewrite the summary for optimal results. In a few clear words describe your experience, accomplishments, primary and secondary skills, job objectives and personal characteristics.

Write an effective summary and put it right at the top of your resume. Immediately command attention with relevance and vitality.

Use your knowledge of the company you want to work for. Do a bit of research and it will not be time wasted.

The first difficulty with summaries like these is that, being summaries, they will probably not include everything you might at first want to say about yourself.
But this can work to your advantage. In 3 to 4 short sentences, the summary should include that part of your expertise which is most relevant to the specific position.

Here are first quick tips for writing the professional career summary section in a resume:
☛ Keep it short
☛ Know your company
☛ List your technical proficiencies
☛ Rewrite summary

Include a balanced mixture of:
☛ Years of experience, including the scope of your experience.
☛ Relevant educational degrees, certifications, special training, etc.
☛ Specific accomplishments and/or recognition.
☛ Skills and experience that set you apart from the competition.
☛ Areas of expertise in your specific career field.

Employers and recruiters are busy people. Most probably don't have time to read every resume from the beginning to end. What they do is sift through them, short- listing the ones which strike them best in the first few moments.

Example: Customer Service Supervisor
10 years of call center experience including 5 years as a Customer Service Supervisor.
☛ Managed a team of 20 direct reports in a call center environment.
☛ Recognized for improving operational efficiencies by streamlining processes and increasing call service levels.
Extensive experience in recruiting, hiring, and training Customer Service Representatives.
Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.

Example: IT Manager
Results-oriented IT Professional with proven leadership skills. 8 years experience as an IT Operations Manager, plus 5 years as technical and desktop IT support in an enterprise environment.
☛ MBA degree in Computer Science.
☛ Received MCSE, MCSA, and MCSD certification.
☛ Strong knowledge of software architecture, security, and TCP/IP LAN and WAN technologies.
☛ Extensive experience implementing and supporting Microsoft products including: Active Directory, Exchange Server, SQL Server, SharePoint 2007, Office Communication Server, IIS.

☛ 3-6 sentences or bullet points.
☛ It specifies your experience and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job that you want.
☛ Career goals are clearly evident based on your experience and accomplishments.
☛ Avoid the words "I," "me," or "my." These words could be perceived as self-centered. Remember, it's not about you. It's about the company. Tell the company what you have to offer them.
☛ Use resume action words.
☛ Describe specific results using numbers and/or percentages, wherever possible.

Examples of career summary for benefits manager:
☛ Experienced Benefits Manager with over 15 years of experience leading the design, analysis, and implementation of benefit related programs.
☛ Rewarded for reducing Benefits Program costs by 25% which resulted in improved customer experiences.
☛ 8 years of direct benefit management experience with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management.
☛ Received 100% compliance scores in auditing processes, and ensuring compliance with plan provisions and federal, state and local laws and regulations.
☛ SPHR certified.

State your area of expertise if you do not have a professional title but you have experience or training in the field of your career objective.

The summary is the first item on the resume, after your contact information.
The purpose:
☛ Briefly overview your accomplishments that are relevant to the position you want.
☛ Effectively capture your relevant skills and experience.
☛ Match the qualifications that the company is asking for in the job description.

Two Types of career summary statements:
☛ State your professional title
☛ State your area of expertise

State your professional title (which you have earned through experience, education, or training), along with a few relevant points such as how much experience you have or areas you specialize in.

First impressions are lasting impressions. Is your summary persuasive and free of errors? Is your tone appropriate for your career field? Avoid empty, generalized statements such as "excellent communication skills."

A headline, or resume title, hooks your readers and compels them to continue reading. A headline should include your job target as well as the main benefit of hiring you.

The most effective summaries target one career goal. If you have more than one possible objective, consider drafting different versions. Your profile can also include a "Key Skills" section, which provides an easy-to-read listing of your core capabilities.

This step is to weave your top credentials into your summary. Keep in mind that the summary helps the hiring manager determine if you should be called for an interview. Include a synopsis of your career achievements to show that your dedication to results is transferable to your next employer.

If you are having a hard time assessing your skills, get help. Ask your colleagues, instructors and supervisors what they see as your key qualifications. Review your performance evaluations. What do others say about the quality of your work? Then write a list of your top five marketable credentials.

You should take following steps to create a winning career summary:
☛ Conduct Research on Your Ideal Job
☛ Assess Your Credentials
☛ Relay the Value You Bring to the Table
☛ Add a Headline
☛ Focus on Your Goal
☛ Proofread, Refine and Perfect