How to target the summary section of your resume

One of the primary goals when preparing your resume is to quickly communicate your top job qualifications to hiring managers. An excellent way to accomplish this is to include a section that summarizes your professional skills and most marketable abilities. Target your summary section to each company and each opportunity.

If you are applying for a position as a payroll administrator, you would cite your experience using automated payroll processing systems and strong communication skills. But you likely would not, for example, list your knowledge of HTML in the skills summary. Don't leave this skill off your resume, though. You never know when a particular ability might be attractive to a prospective employer.

The following job seekers should have omitted some of their irrelevant or less-than-impressive skills:

"TECHNICAL SKILLS: Use MapQuest and Google to find directions."

A candidate who knows where she's going.

"SKILLS: Eager to learn innate abilities."

That might be difficult.

"SKILLS: Give commands as if I were management."

You must be popular with coworkers.

This next job hunter got off to a good start with his skills summary but then wandered off track:

"SKILLS: I have broad knowledge of accounting procedures. I am a quick learner who is self-motivated and flexible. But above all, I am a jobaholic!"

Sounds like someone needs a vacation.

In addition, always proofread your resume for spelling slip-ups and other typos. Consider this "unsharp" statement:

"SKILLS: I possess great harp-shooting abilities."

We're guessing you're not a fan of stringed instruments.

Finally, watch out for dropped words.

"SKILLS: Super telephone."

A new development in telecommunications.

For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International Inc., 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.

Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., a specialized staffing firm, and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies(r) and Job Hunting For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition.

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