Many job seekers underestimate the power of the professional summary section! I compare this to a movie trailer; a trailer gives you bits and pieces of the movie and a general sense of what it’s about—but you have to see the movie to get the full experience. By leading with my client’s career highlights and unique qualifications, I help the reader quickly realize that they are a great fit!

The summary is one of the most overlooked parts of a resume, yet it serves as your elevator pitch. In just a few lines, it can frame your value, highlight career-defining achievements, and set the tone for the entire document. A strong summary can and should quickly grab attention, showcasing your persuasive results that encourage hiring managers to keep reading. The how and the why follow later.

Their letterhead. Not only can one add their phone number and name with degree or certification, adding a middle initial is seen as a more intellectual candidate, per research. A candidate can fish a larger job pool substituting their city’s larger area like, “Greater Los Angeles Area,” to be found by more recruiters in LinkedIn.

Volunteer, unpaid work can be a powerful way to boost your candidacy. Make sure to include a volunteer or relevant experience section that highlights work that ties to the job posting. Whether you oversaw the PTA budget at your child’s school or coordinated community events, include keyword-rich accomplishments that showcase your impact.

Volunteer Service. This experience can showcase soft skills, teamwork, leadership, project management, and impact in the community or organization. On federal resumes, listing the role and dates can earn you experience credit. In the private sector, it can differentiate you. Write it just like employment and front-load it with outcomes. Highlight any training, fundraising, and coalition building.

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