Why Your Resume Should NEVER Have an Objective Statement

Why Your Resume Should NEVER Have an Objective Statement If youve been perusing resume examples, you might have noticed that some include a resume objective statement and others dont. So what is a resume objective, and, should you use an objective statement on your resume? A resume objective is a statement that says what you wantâ€"what specific position, or what professional goals youre trying to achieve. My advice on writing a resume objective? Dont do it. There are better ways to create an effective resume, so do not waste your time writing an objective statementâ€"at least dont do it the way its poorly done so often. I get the idea behind a resume objective statement; I really do. You want the employer to know what your job search goals and career goals are. But the problem with objective statements is the way theyre written. Ive never seen an objective on a resume that was not broad and unclear. Theyre basically a waste of crucial real estate on your resume. In the spot where a resume objective usually goes, you could be using strong keywords to describe your qualifications and value to a potential employer rather than telling them what you want from them. There are better ways to let an employer know what position or type of employment youre seekingâ€"make it clear in your cover letter, for example. Or put it towards the bottom of your resume rather than at the top where you need to put the most important information about your relevant accomplishments and skill set that will impress the person making hiring decisions. Below, Im going to list a few poorly written resume objective examples. I think youll agree they really dont tell the employer much about the candidate and do absolutely NOTHING for setting the person apart from anyone else applying for a job. Instead, these resume objective examples are self-focused, vague, and boring. And these arent exaggerations from career objective statements I often see on resumes. So here they are, bad sample resume objectives: Bad Objective Statement Number 1: To secure a challenging position with a well-established organization with a stable environment that will lead to a lasting relationship in the field of finance. Bad Objective Statement Number 2: Seeking a position that will enable me to use my strong organizational skills, extensive work experience, educational background, communication skills, and ability to work well with people. Bad Objective Statement Number 3: To obtain a position within an organization that provides the opportunity to use my education and experience to promote the company and myself. During my human resources career, and now, as a professional resume writer, you would be surprised how many resumes I have seen that include these exact statements or something extremely similar. The problem with statements like these (even if youre seeking an entry-level position) is that theyre generic, vague, overused, and they talk about what you wantâ€"not what youre capable of offering a prospective employer. In todays job market, employers dont want to hear about what you want (not at first, anyway). They dont care what your career objective isâ€"they care how your qualifications can help them. Your resumeâ€"especially the first third of itâ€"should not be focused on what youre hoping to gain from an employer. Instead, when you write a resume you should be focused on marketing what you can offer the employer. Sure, your career objective may be helpful to this prospective employer, but dont ever frame it as I want this job because its good for my career. When youre writing a resume, frame it in such a way that you are telling them why you are good for their company. If your resume has an objective statementâ€"or even an ambiguous career summaryâ€"I suggest you take some time to really think about your personal brand, what sets you apart as a candidate, and what value you offer as a professional. Then rewrite this introductory profile so that it is a career summary statement that speaks to who you are, and no one else. Rather than writing an objective statement, write a branding statement that sets you apart from other candidates for the job and gets the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager. For more resume writing tips and general career advice, visit the Great Resumes Fast blog. Here, youll find hundreds of articles offering advice on everything from how to write an effective resume to how to make a great first impression at an interview. You can also find resume examples on our resume sample page. Here, youll find examples of effective resumes across several industries. 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