How to write a winning Qualification Summary

Your Qualifications section is the one of the most important sections on your resume. This is likely one of the first section that the employer reads, so it should quickly summarize your strongest and most relevant qualifications. Other names for this section are: Summary of Qualifications, Summary, Profile, Professional Highlights, and Highlights.

Qualification Summary Tips:

  1. Write your Qualifications section last, since it’s a summary
  2. Tailor it for each position, and use words that are in the job announcement
  3. Focus on 4 – 8 key skills, areas of knowledge, or accomplishments
  4. Include Power Words to start each bullet and avoid personal pronouns
  5. Be clear and concise, and quantify with numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts whenever possible
  6. Don’t list too many “soft skills,” such as problem solver, team player, and good communication skills
  7. Describe your skills in functional terms using action verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to express your key accomplishments and relevant experience.
  8. Don’t keep repeating the same words over and over.

Formula:

Here’s a formula you can use. Remember, different circumstances may require a different approach.

Position title / line of work (similar to an Objective) and years of experience

1-2 accomplishments or technical attributes

1-2 “soft skills”

Combo Example

Here’s an example of a Tag Line / Skill Set / Qualifications combo for a web design position that requires some programming skills:

Web Designer & Developer

Graphic Design | Programming | Freehand Drawing | User Interface Design

  • Creative and motivated web designer with five years of artistic and technical experience
  • Designed and programmed http://sarahsampleresume.com and http://sarahsampledesign.com
  • Expert user of HTML, CSS, Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and FrontPage
  • Finishes projects on time and under budget; develops excellent rapport with clients

Last Updated February 2, 2023