A CV summary provides recruiters with the first insight into your professional background, skills, and achievements. However, since it’s very short, it can be difficult to decide what information to include in it and how to maximise its impact. As a result, most jobseekers struggle with this section and take hours to write it.
To help you avoid such an issue, we’ll guide you through the CV summary writing process and simplify it for you. Moreover, we’ll also give you some examples of this section for various industries and share some content and formatting tips.
Key Takeaways
A CV summary is a useful section of your application that briefly describes your most important skills and accomplishments.
To write an effective CV summary, you must identify your key skills and achievements, tailor the section to the job description, keep it concise, use active verbs, and avoid cliches.
Include the target career title, add a concise career goal, and proofread your CV summary for maximum effectiveness.
What Is a CV Summary, and Why Do You Need One?
A CV summary is a short paragraph at the top of your application, which gives an overview of your professional skills and accomplishments. Its purpose is to capture a recruiter’s attention and convince them to keep reading.
According to a popular study by Ladders, Inc., recruiters spend only about 7.4 seconds reviewing one CV before moving on to the next. In light of that, summaries become even more crucial, as they are often the only part of the document that is read.
Therefore, you don’t only need one, but you must also put extra effort into creating a compelling summary that highlights your strengths and best achievements.
Before we explain how to do that, we should clarify one thing: CV summaries aren’t the same as CV objectives. The former lists what you bring to the table, while the latter focuses on how the company will benefit your goals.
How to Write a CV Summary: 5 Powerful Tips
To write a powerful CV summary, you must:
CV Summary Tips
Identify your key skills and achievements
Tailor the content to the job description
Keep it concise and specific
Use active verbs and quantifiable results
Avoid cliches and buzzwords
Let’s examine these tips on writing a CV summary in more detail.
#1. Identify Your Key Skills and Achievements
The primary focus of your CV summary should be your skills and achievements, since those are what your potential employer is interested in the most. Skills demonstrate that you have the required abilities and knowledge, while achievements illustrate this by showing specific examples from your professional background.
Therefore, a good first step is to write both down on a piece of paper. Stick to the relevant ones; for instance, your writing expertise for content writing jobs or your knowledge of programming languages for software development.
Once you’ve finished this, select the skills and achievements you want to highlight. Since summaries are very short, you typically won’t have space for more than one accomplishment and two to three skills.
#2. Tailor It to the Job Description
Take a close look at the job description and try to identify the key points mentioned, as these will be vital to creating your summary and the CV as a whole. Notice the traits and requirements mentioned in the description—you should include those or related ones in your summary, too.
For example, if a job description is asking for a creative individual, describe yourself as “innovative” or “inventive”. Similarly, applicants for detail-oriented positions can state that they are “thorough”, “meticulous”, or “precise”.
Following this strategy, you can easily tailor your CV summary to various job descriptions. It’s all about shifting the focus to different aspects of your professional persona and highlighting whatever the employer considers essential.
#3. Keep It Concise and Specific
As mentioned earlier, CV summaries must be short; you can consider them a snapshot of what’s to come in your document and trim them down to 3–4 lines at most.
However, remember to use these few lines to their full potential, packing them with the most relevant and impressive information about yourself. After all, a CV summary stands at the top of your application, so it’s the first section recruiters look at. Depending on how much time they have, it might even be the only section they examine before deciding whether to read further.
#4. Use Action Verbs and Quantifiable Results
The best way to avoid sounding vague in your CV summary is to use action verbs and quantifiable results. These compel you to be specific about your accomplishments, making you sound more professional and proactive overall.
Therefore, include phrases like “increased efficiency by 15%” or “handled 13 projects within a year”. Precise numbers like these make your claims more believable and give recruiters a clearer picture of your efficiency.
Here are some other examples of phrases you can use:
Action Words to Use
“Communicated with 12 clients in the past year”
“Completed a project worth $100,000 in the first quarter”
“Increased customer satisfaction by 25%”
“Decreased costs by 16%”
“Supervised a team of 13 to complete a project ahead of schedule”
#5. Avoid Clichés and Buzzwords
A summary filled with cliches and filler words doesn’t say much or stand out in any way.
So, instead of saying you’re a team player, illustrate this point through an experience or accomplishment you’ve achieved working in a team. The same goes for words such as “organised” or “innovative”, which can be used as descriptors but should always be supported with concrete, quantifiable examples.
Other words, such as “professional”, are unnecessary and should be left out. Your entire CV should demonstrate your professionalism, so there’s no need to additionally emphasise this point.
5 Examples of CV Summaries Based on Your Career Level
CV summaries differ depending on your career level, as your experiences, accomplishments, and skills change as you progress up the ladder. Besides that, requirements change, too; a CV summary good enough to secure an interview for an entry-level position might not perform so well at a senior level.
Let’s take a quick look at examples of CV summaries based on your career level:
#1. Entry-Level
Recent graduate with a degree in design and 5 years of experience working in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Completed 10+ freelance projects during my studies and designed promotional materials for campus events, increasing attendance by 15%. Seeking to bring a fresh point of view to the creative projects in your company.
#2. Associate Level
Highly motivated customer service representative with 4 years of experience resolving client issues and responding to their enquiries. Worked in a dynamic team of 10 and dealt with over 500 customer enquiries in a single month in my previous position. Seeking to further develop my interpersonal skills in a new environment and contribute to your company’s growth.
#3. Mid-Level Professional
Dedicated and innovative educator with 8 years of experience designing dynamic lesson plans and teaching classes of various sizes. Initiated a school-wide project that improved reading comprehension by 17% and mentored new teachers in adapting to different learning styles.
#4. Senior Professional
Results-driven content manager with over 10 years of experience leading content teams and developing strategies to improve brand visibility and outreach. Executed a complex digital marketing campaign for a high-profile client and aligned their messaging with their brand and vision to boost their website traffic by 34%. Knowledgeable about SEO and experienced in training new writers.
#5. Executive
Decisive and data-oriented executive with 15+ years of leadership experience in an international company spanning three continents. Developed and implemented innovative growth strategies that accelerated our expansion into new markets and increased our revenue by 35%. Recognised for data-driven decision-making and excellent communication skills.
29+ Examples of CV Summaries by Industry
In the following section, you will find CV summary examples for different industries, compiled to help you write your own.
Let’s take a look:
#1. IT Support Specialist CV Summary
Solution-oriented IT support specialist with 5+ years of experience troubleshooting hardware and software issues and supporting network infrastructure. Implemented a new security protocol that improved data security by 15% and developed a training programme to educate the staff on the importance of following safe internet practices.
#2. HR Manager CV Summary
Highly organised human resources manager with 7 years of experience guiding employees from recruitment to career advancement or retirement. Developed effective initiatives to boost employee retention by 16% and contributed to a productive company culture by organising monthly cross-departmental training sessions.
#3. Sales Representative CV Summary
Motivated sales representative with a Bachelor's in Business and a background in client communication. Increased sales by 32% in a single quarter by identifying customers’ pain points and developing solutions to their common problems. Received an employee recognition award three times in my previous position.
#4. Electrician CV Summary
Licensed electrician with 10+ years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems. Recognised for a solution-oriented approach that helped me achieve the desired results in more than 100 projects. Detail-oriented and careful to follow all regulations and safety protocols.
#5. Business Analyst CV Summary
Business analyst with a proven track record of identifying issues and delivering insights that can help boost a company’s performance. My data-driven approach was responsible for improving performance and reducing expenses by 20% in my previous position. Experienced with SQL, Excel, and other data management software.
#6. Interior Designer CV Summary
Creative interior designer with 11 years of experience transforming residential spaces to meet or exceed client expectations. Worked on five large-scale projects in the past year and received a client satisfaction rating of 96%. Proficient in SketchUp, AutoCAD, Planner 5D, and other visualisation tools.
#7. University Lecturer CV Summary
University lecturer with 15+ years of experience teaching social and developmental psychology at Oxford University. Wrote 10 papers for peer-reviewed journals and conducted research on adolescent cognitive development, with a focus on gender differences. Recognised for dynamic, interactive lessons that challenge students’ critical thinking.
#8. Tour Guide CV Summary
Engaging and open-minded tour guide with eight years of experience organising and leading tours across Europe and East Asia. Managed a group of 30+ secondary school students on a 10-day trip to Italy and received excellent reviews. Well-versed in the culture, history, and customs of the regions where I conduct my tours, but eager to expand my horizons.
#9. Software Developer CV Summary
Software developer with five years of experience building web and mobile applications using Java, Node.js, and C++. Completed 15+ projects for various clients within a year and gained recognition for delivering high-quality apps on a tight deadline. Also proficient in identifying bugs and fixing broken code.
#10. Chef CV Summary
Seasoned chef with over a decade of culinary experience, eager to apply old tricks to a new environment. Created a menu that improved customer satisfaction and retention rate by 40% at my previous restaurant. Committed to creating both delicious and visually appealing dishes for a fine dining experience of the highest calibre.
#11. Copywriter CV Summary
Motivated copywriter with a proven track record of creating brand-aligned content for email campaigns, blogs, and ads. Participated in 20+ projects in the past year and wrote persuasive landing pages that increased my client’s website traffic by 23%. Worked in a diverse team alongside other writers, designers, and managers.
#12. Editor CV Summary
Meticulous editor with a decade of experience refining content for digital platforms and helping writers reach their full potential. Worked with a team of 10 copywriters and ensured that their pieces' tone, style, and content align with the brand’s vision. Promoted to a senior editor within a year.
#13. Video Editor CV Summary
Detail-oriented video editor with five years of experience in visual storytelling and creating pieces that resonate with large audiences. Collaborated with a YouTuber to deliver daily content for his 1,000,000+ subscriber channel and edited promotional footage for three mid-sized brands. Productive, focused, and highly efficient.
#14. Event Planner CV Summary
Event planner with a six-year background in organising weddings, fundraisers, festivals, and corporate functions. Managed budgets of up to £100,000, collaborated with vendors, and developed contingency plans to ensure a smooth experience for all attendees. Keen to leverage my planning and problem-solving skills to tackle even more challenging venues.
#15. Architect CV Summary
Architect with a decade of experience, combining creativity and practicality in designing residential and commercial housing. Completed five large-scale projects in a year, achieving client satisfaction of 97%. Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM 360 and passionate about introducing sustainability into my designs.
#16. Electrical Engineer CV Summary
Electrical engineer with two decades of experience designing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems in industrial settings. Managed a team of junior engineers on a large-scale project for a multinational corporation that increased my company’s revenue by 43%. Well-versed in AutoCAD, MATLAB, and NI Multisim.
#17. General Practitioner CV Summary
Dedicated general practitioner with an extensive background in providing primary care to various demographics. Skilled in diagnosing, treatment planning, and educating small communities on the importance of preventive care. Recognised for excellent rapport with patients and a high diagnostic accuracy.
#18. Social Media Manager CV Summary
Social media manager with 5+ years of experience growing an audience and creating content for marketing campaigns on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Managed a celebrity Instagram account with over 5,000,000 followers, increasing engagement by 30%. Skilled at recognising brand partnership opportunities and negotiation.
#19. Translator CV Summary
Multilingual translator with nine years of experience providing accurate translations in Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. Delivered high-quality content for 10+ projects before the deadline in a single quarter and received excellent reviews from my clients. Proficient in medical, legal, and technical content and using CAT tools.
#20. Accountant CV Summary
Detail-oriented accountant with a proven track record of managing financial records, handling taxes, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Proficient in Excel, QuickBooks, and Xero and able to quickly master any other accounting software. Eager to help your company stay financially responsible through meticulous reports and analyses.
#21. Receptionist CV Summary
Welcoming and efficient receptionist with a background in handling diverse administrative tasks and creating a warm atmosphere for guests. Implemented a guest registration protocol that improved data accuracy by 25% and streamlined administrative operations. Recognised for a pleasant attitude and the ability to quickly establish rapport with clients.
#22. Lawyer CV Summary
Family lawyer with a decade of experience handling divorce, custody, and mediation cases. Successfully negotiated over 100 custody agreements and earned a 96% customer satisfaction rate. Committed to achieving favourable outcomes for my clients and providing them with emotional support during difficult moments.
#23. UX Designer CV Summary
Innovative UX designer with a strong background in designing intuitive applications and web pages. Led a redesign of an e-commerce app, increasing user retention by 23% and improving its overall appearance and usability.
#24. Veterinarian CV Summary
Compassionate veterinarian with nine years of experience diagnosing and treating small animals. Led several educational seminars on preventive care and recognising illness symptoms in their pets, which led to an increase in client retention by 23%. Recognised for an empathetic approach and exceptional communication skills.
#25. Actor CV Summary
Versatile actor with a proven track record of performing in theatre productions and indie films. Toured the country with an amateur production of Hamlet and won the Best Amateur Actor Award. Recognised for emotional depth and stage presence, but looking to widen my acting range in my future engagements.
#26. Flight Attendant CV Summary
Communicative flight attendant with three years of experience ensuring passenger safety and delivering exceptional in-flight service. Resolved a medical emergency mid-flight and received an award for the top performer that month. Fluent in 4 languages, including English, French, Spanish, and German.
#27. Photographer CV Summary
Photographer with an extensive background in portraiture, commercial, and event photography. Built a successful freelance business with 100+ recurring clients and a satisfaction rate of 96%, and published work in two magazines. Proficient in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
#28. Real Estate Agent CV Summary
High-performing real estate agent with a decade of experience in commercial and residential sales. Generated over £10,000,000 in transactions in a single year, closing five significant deals. Recognised for excellent negotiation skills and an approach that places clients’ needs and concerns first.
#29. Fashion Designer CV Summary
Fashion designer with three years of experience creating seasonal collections and sustainable clothing. Launched a personal fashion line that gained 50,000 followers in a month and was stocked in five boutique retailers. Recognised for creativity, passion, and a unique vision.
#30. Animator CV Summary
Skilled animator with a background in animating short 2D and 3D sequences for films and ad campaigns. Collaborated with 20+ clients and was featured in the credits for two popular children’s movies. Experienced in Adobe Animate, Blender, Animaker, and Biteable.
#31. Video Game Designer CV Summary
Video game designer with seven years of experience developing gameplay mechanics, designing levels, and creating a compelling narrative. Contributed to four successful AAA titles, each selling over a million copies. Proficient in Unity, Unreal Engine, and other development software.
How to Format Your CV Summary
To accurately format your CV summary, you should pay attention to the following features:
CV Summary Formatting Tips
Placement. A CV summary should be placed directly under your contact information, at the very top of the document. As mentioned before, it serves as an introductory segment that briefly overviews what’s to come in your document.
Font. Your summary should use the same font as your CV; having two different fonts in one document would look unprofessional and jarring. The size of the letters should also match and stay in the 10–12pt range.
Bold and italics. You can use bold and italics in your CV summary to emphasise specific accomplishments and skills, but this isn’t necessary. Since the summary is concise and positioned at the top of the document, recruiters are unlikely to overlook any important information.
Paragraphs. Most CV summaries can fit in one paragraph since they are only 3–4 lines long. However, if you write more than that (which we don’t recommend), you can make a paragraph break for better readability.
3 Final Tips for Writing Your CV Summary
We’ve covered most tips for writing your CV summary, but there are still a few details you should pay attention to if you want to ensure your application leaves a great impression.
Here’s what you should do:
3 More CV Summary Tips
Proofread carefully. This advice applies to the entire CV, but it’s even more essential for your CV summary. Having typos and grammar mistakes in your first paragraph won’t leave a good impression on your employer and might indicate a lack of attention to detail.
Include the target job title. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are frequently used to select CVs containing specific keywords before the recruiter examines them. One of those keywords is the target job title, so you must ensure it’s in a prominent position, like the CV summary.
Add your career goals. If you have space left, briefly mention what you want to achieve in your new role. However, phrase it to illustrate how your accomplishment will contribute to your new work environment.
Build a Professional CV With CV.co
If you’re still not sure that you can write an effective summary on your own, use our CV builder to generate one in a few seconds. All you need to do is enter your skills and professional experience; our AI helper will take care of the rest.
Aside from an excellent CV, our builder can generate an accompanying cover letter in just a few clicks. As a result, your application will be completed in less than 15 minutes and look more professional than ever.
Final Thoughts
Writing a strong CV summary isn’t easy; like any hook, it must be impactful and inspire the recruiter to read on. Hopefully, our guide and examples have provided enough material to help you create an effective one on your own.
For further help and inspiration, you can always take a look at our CV templates and CV examples. There are hundreds of them, so you’ll undoubtedly find an option for your industry, too.
