How do I write a professional summary step by step?

Write it after the rest of your resume is finished, then build it in four parts: identity, experience, strengths and proof.

• Start with your professional identity: your role and field, for example "Registered nurse in critical care" or "Junior data analyst".
• Add your level: years of experience, or "recent graduate" if you are starting out.
• Choose two or three strengths that the target job asks for. Read the job advert and pick the skills that appear most often.
• Add one piece of proof: a result, a scale of work or a notable responsibility.
• Read it aloud and cut any word that does not add information.

Example: "Procurement officer with 5 years' experience in facilities management. Manage purchasing for about 120 active suppliers and lead quarterly tenders for cleaning and maintenance contracts. Known for clear supplier negotiation and tidy, audit-ready records in Oracle."

Finally, check it against each job you apply for and adjust the strengths and keywords so they match that employer's needs.