Resume Objective

What is a Resume Objective?

The resume objective is a brief and concise statement included in a resume to show potential employers an individual’s professional goal(s).

At times, it takes a few months or even years to really figure out what career one wishes to pursue. Employers are often looking to hire candidates who are sure about what they want. It’s a sign that the job seeker is driven and capable. So, whether one is still discovering his career path or is very sure of a specific job, designing a killer resume objective increases their chances of landing a job.

Parts of a Resume Objective

A resume objective can be as simple as highlighting your job title to show the roles. At most, the statement consists of one or two sentences. It’s customarily placed at the top of a resume, right after your name and contact details.

The most effective resume objective is one that takes into account the specific role that is being applied for. It’s a summary of the type of career the applicant is interested in. However, it can also help explain previous positions or companies listed on your resume.

For example, an individual can choose to write about his past accomplishments and the achievements he hopes for in the future. This helps to show what he hopes to accomplish by working for the specific company that he’s applying to.

Stating one’s resume objective is not mandatory. In fact, not many job recruiters expect to see an objective at the top of an applicant’s resume. That said, including the resume objective is important because it shows potential employers that the applicant knows exactly what he wants. It may also establish that the job applicant is familiar with the industry the company operates in.

Who Should Use an Objective Statement?

The fact that only a few job seekers put an objective statement in their resume means that including one can help their curriculum vitae (CV) stand out. There are a few instances where incorporating a resume objective is particularly beneficial:

1. New to the market

Let’s say that an individual is a recent graduate. This means he possesses little to no experience as he enters the job market. In such a situation, including a resume objective is advisable because it’s an indication that the applicant fully understands how his skills align with the company’s job opening.

2. Making a career change

Imagine how confused a human resource manager would be if he was looking to hire an office coordinator and found a resume dominated by 10 years of experience in marketing.

If there is only a limited amount of time for the HR manager to find the right candidate, he may assume that the resume accidentally got mixed up with others and toss it away. However, if this resume includes a resume objective stating that the applicant is seeking a career change into management, then he will be considered. The statement specifically tells the HR manager that, yes, the resume is in the right spot.

3. Relocating

If one intends to move to a new area, then his current address may confuse the hiring manager. However, by indicating one’s plans to relocate in the resume objective, the applicant can avoid getting disqualified solely on the basis of where he lives.

How to Write a Resume Objective

A resume objective is simply an introduction to one’s resume. This means that a job seeker can use the objective statement to make a great first impression on potential employers. Therefore, it should be powerful and straight to the point. Here are a few tips on how to write a killer objective statement:

1. Keep it short

In most instances, the hiring manager is going through dozens, or even hundreds, of resumes at a time. If an applicant were to write a lengthy objective statement, chances are the hiring manager might not have adequate time to read it. In such an instance, the manager may just decide to ignore the resume altogether. A short, powerful resume objective is the best way to grab the recruiter’s attention. If it’s compelling and inviting, the hiring manager will want to read more to get a better picture of who the applicant is.

2. Customize it to the position

Just like every resume doesn’t work for all positions, an objective statement likewise doesn’t work equally well for all potential jobs. Therefore, it should be tailored to fit the context of the company and position being applied for.

A resume objective is a one or two-sentence summary of an applicant’s career goals. The statement is incorporated at the top of the resume, and it serves as an introduction. An effective resume objective is brief and powerful enough to capture the attention of the hiring manager.

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