It’s very helpful to employers to include an objective for your resume at the very top to include how your skills align with the role being offered. Your resume objective can include not only your personal talents but also your goals for your profession to show that you have thought about the long-term career path for which you are applying.
A customized resume objective for the specific companies you are applying to can set your resume apart from the competing applicants.
What’s a resume objective?
A resume objective is a short overview of your professional goals that includes an explanation of why you are seeking employment. The resume objectives (also known as career objectives) is different from a cover letter in that it is only one or two sentences long. As a result, the resume objective is usually good to place at the top of your resume to grab the attention of the hiring manager. Career objectives should make your career goals very clear in relation to the job you are seeking.
When should you include a resume objective?
A resume objective is a short overview of your professional goals that includes an explanation of why you are seeking employment. The resume objectives (also known as career objectives) is different from a cover letter in that it is only one or two sentences long. As a result, the resume objective is usually good to place at the top of your resume to grab the attention of the hiring manager. Career objectives should make your career goals very clear in relation to the job you are seeking.
When should you include a resume objective?
It’s always helpful to employers to include a resume objective and it can help your resume stand out from the rest. However, if you are unsure of when to include a resume objective, any of the following are good reasons to include it at the top of your resume:
- I’m new to the job market. If you are a recent graduate and looking to enter the job market for the first time, a resume objective can clear up what your goals are and allow the hiring manager to direct you to the proper job opening.
- I’m making a career change. When you are changing careers, an objective statement can bridge the hiring manager’s understanding of why you are applying to this new industry role. A resume objective makes it easier to clarify your goals and explain why you are making a career change.
- I’m moving to a new geographic area. Sometimes a hiring manager will pass up on a resume if your address is currently out of town, so a resume objective can help make it clear when you are planning to move.
How to write your resume objective
Think of your resume objective as the introduction to your resume. If you only had 30 seconds in an elevator to pitch yourself to the CEO of your dream job, your resume objective would be the two most important sentences you have to say about yourself. It’s important to make this objective powerful and to-the-point, since it is potentially the first thing a potential employer might read about you.
Consider these pointers when writing a resume objective statement:
1. Keep it brief. Hiring manager are often looking through several resumes at a time, so making your resume objective short and impactful will be more successful in capturing their attention. First start by writing out how you would introduce yourself out loud in 30 seconds, next parse down the content to the two most important sentences in that introduction. Then remove filler words, such as articles like “a,” “the” and “like,” to keep only the most important information in regards to your resume.
2. Customize it to the role. Instead of writing a general objective statement for all of your applications, adapt each resume objective specifically to the position you’re applying for. Start with the job requirements, selecting the traits and skills you possess, and focus on the strongest attributes in your introduction. If the resume objective is specific to the position available the hiring manager is more likely to critically read your resume to find out more details about your professional experience.
3. Highlight your strongest attributes. Even if the strengths you possess are not included in the job requirements, write about the attributes you are most proud to share. Sometimes role requirements do not always list the soft skills that would actually be very important for the position, so listing these skills in your resume objective could remind the recruiter what a successful candidate could bring to the table beyond hard technical skills.
4. Note relevant licenses and certifications. Highlighting the relevant licenses and certifications you have received at the top of your resume can help the reader keep in mind your qualifications while reading through the rest of your resume. Your education can be important, but a recruiter might be even more interested in the specific training you have gone through after college to continue learning and progressing in your career.
5. Describe how you plan to add value. The number one thing hiring managers are interested in is how an applicant will add value to the organization. By stating clearly what value you plan to bring to the team, as opposed to another candidate with the same level of experience, you will increase your chance of moving forward in the hiring process. Don’t be afraid to write about your work ethic, ambition, history of success or unique skills, while remembering to keep your resume objective succinct.
How to narrow down your introduction
Consider if this is your 30 second elevator pitch:
“Hi, I’m Amy, a recent graduate from Harvard University looking for a partner position with a law firm like Goldman and Aberforth, that needs someone with experience in political science and is qualified as an immigration paralegal. I have 3 years of experience as a legal assistant which I was able to accomplish while attending as a full-time student at Harvard, at the end of which I graduated with honors as one of the top three in my class at Harvard Law School. I know I can be a huge value add to the G&A team with my experience in immigration law by alleviating some of the case work load for all current partners.”
Now consider the job posting:
“The candidate should have U.S. JD degree. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Should have attention to detail, strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with competing demands needed. Should have ability to contribute to positive work environment.
The Goldman and Aberforth office is a large international firm that practices exclusively in the area of immigration and nationality law. Female attorneys are respected and highly valued members of the firm. This office is particularly interested in outstanding attorneys with foreign language skills.”
Then add or exchange words and sentences that pertain to the job posting:
“Hi, I’m Amy, a JD degree graduate from Harvard University looking for a partner position with a law firm like Goldman and Aberforth, that needs someone with experience in political science and is qualified as an immigration paralegal. As a legal assistant I focused on nationality law and assisted on over 50 cases won by my department. With my strong analytical and problem-solving skills, my experience in immigration law, and my qualification as a Spanish speaker, I know I can be a valuable addition to the G&A team by alleviating some of the case workload for all current partners.”
Last remove words not necessary for understanding your top qualifications:
“ A spanish speaking Harvard University JD graduate with experience in immigration law seeking a partner position where I can lend fast-paced problem solving skills to take on high profile cases that will propel Goldman and Aberforth to the forefront of nationality law.”
More resume objective examples
New graduate/entering the job market for the first time:
“Ambitious business school graduate and entrepreneur seeking full-time marketing position where I can share my knowledge of social media driven marketing to improve profitability of your organization.”
“Highly driven aspiring fashion designer with great communication skills looking to expand my knowledge of the fashion industry while utilizing my conversational tact as a retail associate with your highly respected women’s couture boutique.”
Career or industry change:
“Dedicated leader as a human resources professional seeking a new career path with a nonprofit organization. Looking to use my extensive experience with employee relations and positive communication to help drive positive change within my community.”
“Experienced software developer looking to use my leadership skills across industries to shift my career path to follow my deep interest in toy making. With my software experience as a developer I plan to take your company to new heights in incorporating toys with mobile applications.”
Moving to a new geographic area:
“Restaurant manager with over 10 years of experience seeking a fast-paced restaurant to help lead when I relocate to Los Angeles in August. I am eager to use my mixologist certification and my management skills to improve the customer experience at your well-known establishment.”
“Experienced administrative professional relocating to San Francisco in August and seeking employment with a fast-paced automotive company. I bring more than eight years experience as an office manager and more than ten years experience in the automotive industry.”
Seeking advancement in the industry:
“Driven sales professional with proven communication skills and a history of exceeding goals with high client satisfaction ratings. I am looking for a sales manager position with a fast-growing start-up company where I can grow my enthusiasm for relationship-building and my eye for innovation.”
“A public educator with a decade of experience in K-12, seeking to serve as a middle school principal in my local school district. I am both eager and determined to use my leadership skills to continue improving quality education in order to prepare students for success in their futures.”
Even though a resume objective is only one or two sentences long, it will showcase why you are applying, what value you plan to add, and why the recruiter should be excited to present you as a candidate for hire. By including a compelling objective statement you will make it easier for hiring managers to remember your resume and to proceed with the next steps in the hiring process.
About the Careerbliss Team
Your career happiness is our #1 priority here at CareerBliss. To help you succeed in your career, we offer a wide variety of tools and resources to help you out along the way. Check out company reviews, salary information, career advice and, of course, millions of jobs on CareerBliss and choose happy today!
