Overcoming Resume Writer's Block: Build Momentum Before Tackling the Professional Summary
When you sit down to write your resume, one of the most challenging tasks is crafting your professional summary. It’s no wonder—this section sits prominently at the top of the page, making it the first thing hiring managers and recruiters see. It needs to grab their attention, address their needs, and set the stage for the rest of the document. With so much riding on it, many job seekers find themselves staring at a blank page, unsure of how to begin.
But here’s a secret: you don’t have to start with the summary. In fact, you shouldn’t. Write it last.
Why Write the Summary Last?
Writing a professional summary is much easier when the rest of your resume is complete. By the time you’ve drafted your experience, skills, and accomplishments, you’ll have a clear picture of your professional story. This makes it far simpler to distill your key strengths and tailor them to the role you’re targeting. Plus, starting with the easier sections can help you build momentum and avoid the dreaded writer’s block.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Resume Writing
Here’s how I recommend tackling your resume, based on the order I use when creating resumes for my clients:
Education, Certifications, and Memberships: Begin with the factual information that’s straightforward to document. List your degrees, professional development courses, and any relevant memberships or associations. These sections often appear at the end of a resume, but they’re an easy starting point when you’re just starting to write your resume.
Skills/Core Competencies: Create a space for these keywords at the top of your document when you start, and compile a list of skills as you work through each resume section. Pull keywords from job descriptions and weave them throughout the resume to ensure your resume addresses your reader’s needs.
Employer Details: Start with just an outline of your work history by listing employers, job titles, and dates of employment. This step is about creating a basic structure.
Role Descriptions: Write a brief paragraph for each role, summarizing why you were hired, your big-picture responsibilities, and your areas of focus.
Achievements and Contributions: Highlight your accomplishments with bullet points under each role. Focus on business impact, quantifiable results, and above-and-beyond contributions that demonstrate how you have benefited previous employers.
Professional Summary: Finally, craft your resume summary. Now that the rest of your resume is complete, you can succinctly highlight your top skills, career achievements, and what makes you a strong candidate for the position.
Bonus Tip: Save Resume Design for the End
Designing the resume to be easy to read and visually appealing is the fun part. Once the content is finalized, reward yourself by working on the design. Formatting should enhance readability and draw attention to key sections, but it’s best to perfect the content first in a plain Word document. Only then should you focus on fonts, colors, and layout.
Need Help with Your Resume?
Crafting a resume can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. As a professional resume writer, I help job seekers like you uncover accomplishments, highlight achievements, and present their unique value in a way that resonates with potential employers.
Whether you’re actively job hunting, preparing for your next opportunity, or aiming for a promotion, I’m here to help you build confidence, start conversations, and inspire action in your job search.
Ready to kick-start your job search and start landing interviews? Contact me today at Go-Getter Resumes. Let’s create a resume that tells your authentic story and opens doors to your future.