Resume Objectives: How Do You Know if Resume Objectives Are Right for You?

Some experts say NEVER bother with resume objectives.
While others say they should be an essential element on
every resume.

So, how do you know who is right?

The simple answer is... no one is absolutely right.
Your decision on whether to use resume objectives will
depend on your circumstances, job search goals, and—in
some cases—the person who reviews your resume.

We can make recommendations, but you’ll have to make
your own choice, based on your individual situation and
preferences. But first, let’s try to get a better
understanding of the 2 different schools of thought on
resume objectives...

THE NEGATIVE VIEWPOINT

Ask anyone who does not believe in using job objectives
on resumes why, and they’ll tell you it’s because
resume objectives are so often self-serving. In other
words, they say what you want, but they usually fail to
say how this is relevant to the employer. You see, the
company that hires you is more interested in the
potential benefits you’ll bring to the organization,
not how they can help you achieve your goals.

Another problem is that a narrowly stated resume
objective can be limiting. The company may not even
consider you for a position you’d love if you have
clearly stated in your objective that you’re only
interested in one type of job.

Finally, most resume objectives are so vague as to be
meaningless. Why waste valuable resume real estate with
something that will not help (and may harm) your quest
towards obtaining the coveted interview?

ON THE OTHER HAND...

There are many resume writing experts who passionately
believe in using resume objectives. They cite the fact
that employers want to be able to tell — in just a few
seconds — what job you want to do for the company and
what skills you bring to the table.

There is also a school of thought that says the lack of
a written resume objective translates into a job
applicant who doesn’t really know what he or she wants.

Also, if you have a long or diverse job history, resume
objectives can help sharpen the focus of your resume.
This is also true if you are trying to switch to a
career that is not strongly supported by your
experience.

If you do decide to use a resume objective, though, you
must make sure that it is not self-serving or too
limiting, and that it is uniquely stated. Make it
specific and work to reflect the employer’s
perspective, not your own. Demonstrate the value you’ll
bring to the organization.

ONE MORE OPTION An alternative to using resume
objectives is to substitute one of the following at the
top of your resume:

* Power statement. This is a summarization — in 1
sentence — of your most notable skills and
accomplishments, items that are sure to arouse interest
in a prospective employer. For example, "Highly-
motivated, competent, and organized Administrative
Support professional with a proven track record of
teambuilding communications, resourceful problem-
solving, and technical expertise."

* Profile or Career Summary. This is similar to a power
statement, but might be 3 or 4 lines/1 to 2 sentences.
It could even be bullet points. But the main intent is
to highlight your main career accomplishments to date.

In the end, whether or not to use resume objectives is
a highly personalized decision. But if you do use one,
keep in mind that employers are mainly interested in
what you can do for them. So be sure that your resume
objective is employer- oriented and results-focused. Do
this well, and you’ll be on your way to your next
interview!

About the Author

Kathi MacNaughton, a freelance writer and editor, has
years of management and recruitment experience. For
tips & advice on writing powerful resumes, subxcribe to
Resume Power Tips:
http://www.powerful-sample-resume-formats.com/signup
Copyright 2005 Kathi MacNaughton. All rights reserved.
Written by: Kathi MacNaughton