Picture your executive summary as the back cover of a book. It briefly tells the story about your whole journey, quickly highlighting the key part of your story. Unlike the back of a book, your summary should be just a few sentences. The purpose is to catch the reader’s attention, pique their interest, and compel them to read more.
The structure for your executive summary depends on the role you are applying for. Harvard Business Review suggests that you keep these things in mind:
- Tailor your summary to each job application. Highlight your areas of expertise most relevant to that position.
- Then focus on specific results you’ve achieved in those areas of expertise—how other organizations have improved because of you.
- Note the types of organizations and industries you’ve worked in.
- Include years of experience.
- Avoid generic terms such as results-driven, proven track record, excellent communication skills, team player.
Example: Ad sales manager with 8 years of experience leading sales teams in startup, quickly growing, and established companies. Optimize ads across different platforms, including social, web, and mobile for maximum profit. Consistently exceed profit targets while in highly competitive markets.