What Is A Resume Summary Statement?

First impressions count.

In today’s competitive teacher job market, you have just a few minutes to grab the attention of a potential employer. This is because, your resume could be one of hundreds on that principal’s desk, which is why it is crucial to make a strong first impression - even before you meet face-to-face.

A resume summary statement is one of the most effective ways to stand out in your job search. In just a few sentences, you allow a prospective employer to get a sense of what you bring to the table and the value you have to offer a school.

However, if a summary statement doesn’t reflect your professional teaching qualifications and fails at capturing the attention of the principal, it can be a waste of space.

Here’s what you need to know to ensure your resume summary statement is a game changer.

What Is A Resume Summary Statement?

A resume summary statement is located at the top of your resume, typically right below your contact information. The summary statement highlights your professional teaching skills and experience, and uses this information to demonstrate what value you bring to the position you’re seeking.

Crafting a powerful resume summary statement is important because it’s often the first section the principal will read. It’s also helpful since they are sifting through dozens of resumes, and may miss key pieces of information that describe why you’re the perfect fit for the job.

That initial look may determine whether the principal wants to know more, or moves on to the next resume. A resume summary statement also may be referred to as:

• Career summary

• Professional summary

• Summary of qualifications

• Competencies

• Personal statement

When Should You Use A Resume Summary Statement?

A resume summary statement is best for teachers who have years of teaching experience and need help organizing or focusing them.

It is especially helpful if:

• You are an experienced teacher and want to tie together an overall theme of your work.

• You have a wide range of experiences, but have a transferable key set of skills.

• You are undergoing a career change even though you have many years of experience. This statement would help you summarize a skill set or highlight accomplishments from your previous career that would be relevant to your new career.

How Does A Resume Summary Statement Differ From An Objective Statement?

A resume summary statement and objective statement are very similar in that they both:

• Are located at the top of the resume

• Offer a way to introduce yourself and your resume to the principal

• Provide three to four lines that highlight why you are an ideal candidate

• Should be tailored to the job description

However, choosing one over the other comes down to what best suits your resume, taking into account your work experience and qualifications.

An objective statement is more focused on the type of teaching position you are looking for. In your objective statement, you may:

• Use keywords from the job advertisement

• Focus on how your skills address the needs of the school or district

• Explain what kind of job you are seeking

A summary statement, on the other hand, focuses more on providing an overview of your work experience and how that makes you the best candidate for the job you currently are seeking. It also gives you a good starting point in crafting your cover letter.

For more help on writing objective statements in a resume, you can read our previous article, The Importance Of A Teacher Resume Objective Statement .

What Should Be Included In A Resume Summary Statement?

If your goal is to stand out from the pack, your resume summary statement should be concise and catching. As a principal sorts through resumes, you want your resume summary statement to be memorable.

Your resume summary statement should:

• Be about one to four sentences in length

• Highlight your most relevant strengths and accomplishments

• Include specific examples or experiences that will impress the principal

• Use action words or active voice

• Be tailored to the specific job listing

Your resume summary statement should not:

• Include overused words that can be underwhelming, such as “team player”

• Address any circumstances such as employment gaps or personal experiences

• Use passive voice

• Be too general or not provide any pieces of information to back up why you’re the best candidate

When crafting your resume summary statement, think of it as though you only have 30 seconds to sell yourself to the principal. Keeping the job posting nearby for reference, start brainstorming words or phrases to describe what value you would bring to the school.

Here are a few other tips to help you compose a resume summary statement:

• Examine your work history. Look for common threads or patterns that you can highlight, whether it’s positions you have held, company type and size, or teaching experience.

• Emphasize your skills, and align these skills with the specific position you are seeking.

• Boast your accomplishments. Your statement should be backed up with examples. However, reserve your most impressive achievements for your resume summary statement.

Bottom line

A resume summary statement can be a persuasive tool in showing a principal and school district what you bring to the table. As a job seeker, you must sell yourself and show the value you offer.

A well-written summary statement on your resume will give school administrators a distinct sense of whether you’re the right person for the job.