Do you need a Professional Resume Objective? ...a Good Resume Objective?

A professional resume objective is a short statement at the top of a resume that states the job title you’re applying for. A good resume objective is a short and powerful statement that tells the reader the most important thing they want to know from your resume… WIIFT (What’s In It For Them). Why does it tell them WIIFM rather than what you are seeking? Because Employers really are not interested in what you want, they’re interested in what they want and how helpful you can be in getting them what they want.

A good professional resume objective statement is a short introduction that gives an instant sense of how you would fit into the job you are applying for. And, if the resume objective works, your resume will be looked at more closely.

When should you use an objective?

It's important to use a good resume objective statement when you are targeting a particular job. This helps you to connect your skills and experience directly to an employer's needs.

Who should use an objective?
• People with only one year or two of work experience.
• Applicants for Entry Level jobs and recent graduates should use resume objectives because they give focus to a resume that shows little work experience.
• People changing careers might use an objective to show what they can add to an organization even if they lack directly relevant experience.
• Mothers returning to the work world who need to present a strong case based on their experience.
• People with very diverse work experience could use an objective to give their resume focus.
• Students applying for internships or trainee jobs could use an objective to highlight what they offer an organization despite their having little work experience.
• Applicants submitting a resume for a specific job listing should use an objective. In this case, you would add the job title along with the job code or job number from the listing.

It’s a common practice to have several different versions of a resume that are targeted for different jobs. You could use a resume objective to help you keep track of the different resume versions.

When should you not use an objective?

You do not always need a resume objective. Resume objectives can limit you by making your goal very specific. Using a specific job target might exclude you from consideration for jobs that don’t have the same title.

If there are a number of potential positions that you qualify for in an organization, an objective could limit your options. For this reason, you wouldn’t add an objective or specific job title because you want to be considered for more than one position. Also, it’s possible to highlight skills and accomplishments in a summary rather than in an objective.

It’s better to not use a resume objective on a resume you will use at a career fair because you may be applying for different jobs with different job titles. Also, you might also leave off a resume objective when submitting to job website like Monster. If you do choose to use an objective in these cases, try to write it in a way that will not limit your options.

One drawback to not having an objective is that a busy employer might pass over a resume lacking an objective because it might not be willing to search to figure out the job you’re applying for or to see what job you might be suited for. Of course, you could highlight your skills and experience in a summary on the top of your resume.

Employers on average take only 30 seconds to look at a resume and the objectives section is the first thing that catches their eye. If you have a specific objective written, for example to obtain a managerial position, the manager may pass on your resume if he was looking for some other position.

How NOT to write an objective statement

Never add pointless, “fluff” comments like these to an objective.

...to obtain a responsible and challenging position where my education and work experience…seeking a position with an opportunity for advancement…seeking a challenging career…where I will utilize my skills…seeking a chance for advancement … where my skills will be utilized … where I can further my career… etc.

Statements like these will turn the reader off because they are centered on you, the applicant, and not on them, the employer. Remember that the reader really isn’t interested in your goals or career development; they’re interested in knowing what you can do for them. So, don’t waste their time with fluff, get to the point by telling them what you can do for them.

Here are some important points about professional resume objective statements

• objective statements need to be clear and concise.
• They should create a focus for the resume that tells the reader how all of the following information fits. This is particularly true for the job changer whose resume might not show a logical job progression.
• Objective statements should always reflect the employer's perspective and needs, not the jobseeker's. They should focus on what a jobseeker can contribute and how they can add value to an organization.
• It’s always possible to discuss your objective in a cover letter if you don’t have one on your resume.

What should be in a professional resume objective?

Remember that you improve your chances when you tailor your objective statement (along with your resume and cover letter) to particular positions and the needs of an employer. To do this you would mention both the name of the company and the job title as it is used at that company. Overall, the more closely your objective and qualifications match with those desired by the organization, the more effective your resume will be.

If you use an objective, you would include the job title, maybe the name of the company and, if you’re responding to a specific job listing, the listing number or job code.

Here are some resume objective examples

Applying for a job from a job listing that has a job code or similar identification number

General Manager, Job Code tt8879789

Entry-level positions

A position in Customer Service where excellent communication skills can help to improve the company's profitability

A Data Entry position where spreadsheet development and troubleshooting skills can improve profitability

Account Executive trainee at XXXXX Corporation

Good resume objectives for a Career Changer

Assistant Engineer position where construction knowledge and mechanical aptitude would contribute to profitable operation

Technical Trainer position where equipment experience and customer contact success could be duplicated with company trainees

Other Examples of Good Resume Objectives

Senior Management position where my expertise in project management, human relations, and staff recruitment and retention can improve operations and profitability

Design Engineering position where my experience would improve

Elementary education teacher at small independent school

Sales position where my networking and relationship building skills will increase sales revenues

A Graphic Design position where advanced graphic and creative skills will produce a quality product for agency customers

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Remember that you need more than a professional resume objective, you need an effective resume format too. To see examples of different resume formats, take a look at our Free Resume Examples.