Writing a summary people actually read
6 min read · Updated 18 October 2026
A summary is two lines at the top that tell a recruiter what you do and what you're good at. Most are skipped because they read like everyone else's.
The two-line shape
Line one: your role and the kind of work you do. Line two: one result that shows you're good at it.
BEFOREPassionate, detail-oriented designer with a proven track record of delivering user-centric solutions.
AFTERProduct designer working on payments and logistics. Shipped the Interac flow behind 2.1M monthly transactions.
Words to drop
"Passionate", "results-driven", "proven track record", "team player". They describe everyone, so they tell a reader nothing.
When to skip it
If your most recent role says it all, a summary can go. It's optional; a weak one costs more than none.
Rewrite your summary
Open the builderThe builder suggests a summary from your own experience lines, and you choose what to keep.