If there is one polarizing piece of a resume, it’s probably the use of an objective statement. Some experts say objective statements are essential, while others make the case they are optional. It turns out both sides are correct: A resume objective statement is not necessary for every job seeker, but there are some cases where it is wise to use one.
A resume objective statement can set the tone for your resume if you are:
Seeking your first-ever job.
Returning to the workforce after a long absence.
Changing your career.
Applying for a different job within the same company.
What a Resume Objective Statement IS and What a Resume Objective Statement IS NOT
What a Resume Objective Statement IS
Put simply, a resume objective is an eye-catching statement, placed near the top of a resume, that tells recruiters why you want the job. It introduces you to recruiters and hiring managers in a two-to-three-sentence summary of your professional experience (if you have any), skills, traits and achievements, and — when done well — conveys genuine enthusiasm for the job. A resume objective statement is useful for job seekers with little to no experience in the position for which they are applying and for those with long gaps in their resume.
What a Resume Objective Statement IS NOT
A resume objective statement is not the same thing as a resume summary statement. A professional summary statement focuses on an applicant’s work experience, accomplishments and what they bring to the employer or position. Resume summary statements are ideal for job seekers with a lot of work experience who are applying for a similar job as the one they have or are taking the next step on the career ladder.
The Advantages of an Objective Statement for Some Job Seekers
You Are Seeking Your First-ever Job
According to the career experts at TalentWorks, job applicants with less than one year of work experience who listed an explicit objective got 7 percent more interviews than those who did not use an objective statement. This difference is enough to make an impact on jobs with dozens, if not hundreds, of applicants. The competition is tough, but a stronger resume can help you land an interview.
Another way to think about resume objective statements is that they’re a great way for hiring managers to “meet” candidates new to the workforce. They provide insight into who you are, what you can do, what you want to do and what you offer the company.
Pro Tips for First-time Job Seekers
Volunteer work, part-time gigs and internships count as work experience, so you should mention them in your resume’s objective statement.
If you are a recent grad, any relevant school studies that apply to the position can be highlighted in your resume.
You Are Retired or Took a Career Break
Those who are recently retired or have been away from work for a significant amount of time commonly use resume objectives. A recent study by the nonprofit global policy think tank RAND Corporation shows 39 percent of currently employed workers age 65 and older said they’d been previously retired, and the Harvard Business Review found stay-at-home parents looking to reenter the workforce were half as likely to get interviews as those who were laid off. Those numbers tell us there are large groups of people who need or want to go back to work and require help structuring their resumes to fit their career paths. This is where a great resume objective comes in.
A strong resume objective statement explaining employment gaps or shows enthusiasm for getting back to work after being retired may not only increase the chances of formerly retired job seekers and those away from the workforce getting noticed but it may be just the key to landing an interview. According to Orville Pierson, author of The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search, honesty is the best policy when it comes to explaining why you took a break or why you are returning to work. Pierson says that explaining yourself and giving context upfront can remove doubt from a hiring manager’s mind to see you as trustworthy.
Pro Tips for Formerly Retired Job Seekers and Those With Employment Gaps
Don’t hide your career gaps. Instead, use an objective statement to show how you developed in your time away and how that growth can have a positive impact on the job at hand.
Do highlight appropriate classes, volunteer work, travel experiences or applicable hands-on skills you picked up outside the workforce.
You Are Trying a Different Career Path
Let’s say you’ve enjoyed your career as a sales associate for seven years but want to try your hand on the marketing side of things. You notice an opening for a marketing coordinator at a small company and want to apply, but are hesitant because you don’t have specific sales experience.
Don’t worry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you’re one of many looking to make an in-career switch. The research shows “about 6.2 million workers (or 4 percent of the total workforce) transferred from one occupational group to another” in 2015 and 2016.
Even though the very nature of modern work and online education has made a career change more achievable than ever, you still have to persuade hiring managers you are the best fit out of the hundreds of applicants with similar skills applying for the same job.
A resume objective statement can help you stand out even if your skills are not a 1-to-1 match to the job at hand. Use a resume objective to briefly explain why you want to change careers and to point out how your transferable skills will make you a valuable asset. For example, presentation, negotiation and public speaking are all transferable skills that can help get you noticed.
Pro Tips for Career Changers
Highlight your personal strengths and how they can help you excel at the job.
Back up your skills and successes with data. For example, “Introduced online ordering process, which increased profits by 38 percent in three months.”
You Want to Get a Different Job at the Same Company
Now let’s say you’ve enjoyed being a customer support supervisor for five years but a new ad sales assistant job at your company looks appealing. You’re in good company. CareerBuilder, a global leader in HR technology, found in a recent study that 32 percent of workers wanted to change jobs in 2019. However, without sales or advertising experience, you aren’t sure you can even get an interview. And, yes, you have several connections inside the company, but with hundreds of job seekers outside of the company competing for the same job, you’ll have to update your resume and send it through the system like everyone else.
To be considered for the job, you’ll need a compelling objective statement on your resume that shows you can do it if given the chance.
Pro Tips for a Career Switch at Current Company
Point out how your experiences from your current role can make an impact on the job you’re trying to get.
Leverage your in-depth knowledge of the company to place yourself ahead of the pack.
How to Write an Interview-Winning Resume Objective Statement
The issue many recruiters have with resume objective statements is that they’re often poorly written. They tend to be generic, use inflated language and often are more about what the job seeker hopes to attain rather than what she can do for the company.
But experts agree a well-written resume objective statement can help you stand out. Think of the following as a checklist to make sure your objective statement is structured properly and contains the fundamental elements that will get you an interview.
A great resume objective statement should include:
The name of the company and the position you are applying for.
The number of years of experience you have, if any.
Your goals pertaining to the position.
Applicable traits, skills and measurable achievements.
Any relevant licenses or certifications you have.
Limit your resume objective statement to a maximum of 50 words written in three structured sentences that include:
Who you are.
What you bring to the company.
How you intend to help the company succeed.
Finally, always place your objective statement at the top of your resume, under your contact information. This will help you get noticed right away.
Resume Objective Statement Do’s and Don’ts
Now that you understand the basics, you’re ready to start writing. We’ve compiled a list of final “do’s and don’ts” to help you draft your interview-winning resume objective statement.
DO
- Customize your statement for each position.
- Align your objective statement with your resume.
- Use the right keywords.
- Emphasize what you can do for the position/company.
- Mention your strongest traits and quantifiable achievements.
DON'T
- Mention what you hope to gain from the position.
- Use obvious or generic statements (e.g., “to get [job title] at [company name]”).
- Include interests (e.g., “extreme skiing enthusiast”) or hobbies (e.g., “member of Gamers International”) that are not relevant to the job.
- Rehash the contents of your resume.
- Write in first person (e.g., “I have excellent customer service skills”).
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