resume summary examples for college students

10 Resume Summary Examples for Students

In this article we'll guide you on how to write a resume summary, and show you 10 resume summary examples for students.

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Almost every college student falls into the same dilemma: “How do I score my dream job out of college with no work experience to put on my resume?”

However, there are many ways a recent college graduate can make themselves attractive to job recruiters, starting with their student resume summary. In this article, we will define what a resume summary is, how to write one, and offer 10 resume summary examples for students to use as a model.

What is a resume summary?

A resume summary is a brief section at the top of your resume that highlights why you would be a good fit for a position. They're typically one to four lines long, and sum up your background, skills, and accomplishments.

A student resume summary presents a snapshot of your strongest attributes and career goals , setting the tone for the rest of the resume.

How to write a resume summary

Here are the 3 steps you should follow as you write your resume summary:

Step 1: Read through the job description carefully

You want to be sure you adapt your resume summary to the job you are applying for.

Carefully read through the skills they list in the job ad, and think about any experiences you may have where you displayed those skills . Just saying you have a certain skill isn’t as powerful as having a concrete example to back it up!

💡 Pro tip: Resume master copy

It's helpful to make a master copy of your resume. You can then duplicate this master copy and tweak it for each job application without having to rewrite the entire resume over and over.

Step 2: Think about your skills and experience

Employers will understand that many people coming from college will have little to no work experience, but there are many other experiences you can mention in your resume summary, such as:

Volunteer experience
Extracurricular activities (clubs, organizations, sports, etc.)
Leadership roles
Peer mentorship/tutoring
Public speaking

For example, if you were applying to be a dog walker and you have previous experience volunteering at an animal shelter, that is experience that could make you a top candidate.

Step 3: Show your willingness and passion to learn

Recruiters for entry-level positions hire based on potential , so it's important to show your willingness to learn. Eagerness for the role will give the impression that you'll be easy to train and work with.

To do this, you can use these words to highlight your enthusiasm and willingness to learn:

Enthusiastic
Open-minded

10 resume summary examples for students

Here you will find 10 student resume summary examples for 10 different common entry-level jobs. Notice how the examples complement the necessary skills listed for the job description.

Human Resources

Skills: organization, communication, adaptability

Resume summary example for HR:

High-achieving communications student with a minor in business administration. Strong writing and organizational skills. Enjoys volunteering for the local community and learning new languages.

Marketing Coordinator

Skills: understanding of marketing fundamentals, project management skills, interpersonal/communication

Resume summary example for a marketing coordinator:

Motivated college student earning a degree in marketing and psychology. Experienced in building advertising campaigns for university clubs and organizations. Eager to learn about new marketing techniques and gain real world experience.

Skills: financial literacy, attention to detail, problem-solving critical thinker

Resume summary example for an accountant:

High-achieving college student pursuing a degree in economics and statistics. Successfully managed organization finances as the treasurer for fraternity. Experienced as a teacher’s assistant for economics courses. Highly skilled in Microsoft Excel and fluent in Java and Python programming languages.

Research Analyst

Skills: Critical thinking, analytical skills, curiosity/independence

Resume summary example for a research analyst:

Business student with an interest in marketing and statistics. A critical thinker with a curious mind and a passion for learning. Extensive experience in large-scale research projects.

💡 According to the Journal of Information Systems Education (JISE) , an increasing number of jobs require applicants to have some programming skills, such as Python. The JISE study also found that general analytics, as a necessary skill, appears in almost 70% of job postings.

Event Coordinator

Skills: organization, strong communication skills, people skills, negotiating skills

Resume summary example for an event coordinator:

Hard-working communications student with strong organization and people skills. Highly experienced in event planning for multiple different school organizations. Successfully planned school wide events for the university recreation organization.

Teacher’s Assistant

Skills: patience, passion for teaching and learning, multitasking/time management, leadership, creativity

Resume summary example for a TA:

Student athlete majoring in education. Experience working with children as a camp counselor and volunteering with Grassroots Heath. Accomplished student with a creative and patient personality with a passion for teaching.

Personal Trainer

Skills: knowledge of exercise science, anatomy, positivity and empathy, sales/marketing/customer service

Resume summary example for a personal trainer:

Ambitious and athletic college student studying exercise science and kinesiology with a minor in business. Four years of experience attending fitness and yoga courses and two years of assistant training experience. Eager to use this passion and knowledge to teach and help others.

Sales Representative

Skills: collaboration, problem solving, data analysis

Resume summary example for a sales representative:

Diligent student pursuing a degree in business with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Highly involved in the Marketing Club and Salesmen for Change. Quick learner eager to master new sales techniques and business practices.

Junior Consultant

Skills: communication, organization, creativity

Resume summary example for a junior consultant:

Accomplished student with an aptitude for economics, business management, and computer science with a creative perspective. Highly involved in the university’s extremely selective Consulting Club. Excited to work for a consulting firm and bring fresh creative ideas to the table.

💡 A study done by McKinsey & Company (a leading consulting firm) predicts that the demand for creativity will rise sharply by 2030.

Investment Analyst

Skills: strong analytical skills, conduct market research, organizational skills, technological literacy

Resume summary example for a junior investment analyst:

Strong finance student with a specialization in economics and person finance. Proven strong organization and communication skills as president of the Investment Club. Highly skilled in Microsoft Excel and moderate fluency in various computer programming languages.

💡 According to a survey done by the World Economics Forum , 54% of businesses in Financial Services will prioritize AI and big data skills in their training for the next five years.

Remember, your resume summary is more than just a list of qualifications; it's your first chance to make an impression and articulate how your unique experiences and skills make you the ideal candidate for the position. By following the steps and examples provided, students can effectively bridge the gap between their academic achievements and professional aspirations, paving the way for successful careers. Whether you're a burgeoning marketer, an aspiring analyst, or a future event coordinator, a compelling resume summary can set the stage for your professional journey ahead. Embrace these tips, tailor your approach, and prepare to make your mark in the world of work.

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resume summary examples for college students

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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.

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