The Summary of Qualifications section of a resume is where you will show what sets you apart from other candidates. Your Summary of Qualifications should be written in 5 statements or less. Bullet formatting is best for this section of your resume, since it is easier to read.
The Summary of Qualifications is not designed to summarize your duties at in your past roles. Instead, this section should include your title and years of experience, the populations that you have worked with, the settings that you have worked at, the treatment modalities you have used, and the skills and/or tasks that you have mastered.
Here is an example:
- LMSW with 5 years of experience as a social worker
- Experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics
- Previously worked at hospital inpatient, outpatient clinic, nursing home, and home care settings
- Facilitated individual and group counseling, case management, crisis intervention, brief therapy, and cognitive behavioral treatment
- Proficient providing psychosocial assessments, developing and implementing treatment plans, linking to wrapped-around services, and discharge planning
If you have just recently graduated and have no post-master’s experience, but have been in the field for a while, you might want to consider revising your first statement to read something like this:
- LMSW with 5 years of experience working within the social services field
Also, if your only experience is from an internship, make sure to highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Make sure that you understand what the requirements are.
These items will allow the employer to quickly review what you have done. This is your first impression, so make sure to include everything that is relevant while still keeping it to a maximum of 5 statements. In addition, if you have included a cover letter with your resume, make sure that your Summary of Qualifications is consistent with what you wrote in your cover letter.
Jess Monterrey
Staffing Coordinator – Social Services
