A resume objective is a two-to-three sentence introductory statement, placed near the top of a resume, that tells recruiters who you are and why you want to work for them. Some authorities say resume objective statements are essential, while others say they are optional, and still others make the case that they are unnecessary. Read on to learn everything you need to know to determine when and how to use a resume objective statement.
The Objective Statement Versus Professional Summary
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 job similar to the one they have or are taking the next step on the career ladder.
Objective Statement
Communicates applicant’s goals.
Expresses why a candidate wants the role.
Recommended for first-time job applicants and career changers.
Professional Summary
Outlines candidate’s qualifications.
Communicates why an applicant is a good fit.
Recommended for experienced job seekers and applicants seeking the same type of job.
4 Cases for an Objective Statement
Many job seekers often ask, “Do I need an objective statement on my resume?”
Our answer is simple — you need an resume objective statement if you are:
Seeking your first job.
Returning to the workforce after a long absence.
Changing your career.
Applying for a different job within the same company.
You Are Seeking Your First-Ever Job
Job applicants with less than one year of work experience who list an explicit objective get more interviews than those who don’t. That’s because resume objective statements are a great way for hiring managers to “meet” candidates. They provide insight into who you are, what you can do, what you want to do, and what you offer the company.
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
It’s vital to be honest when explaining employment gaps to potential employers, and to show enthusiasm for getting back to work after retirement. Orville Pierson, author of The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search, says that explaining yourself and giving context upfront can remove doubt from a hiring manager’s mind to see you as trustworthy.
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
A resume objective statement can help you stand out even if your skills are not a one-to-one match to the job at hand. Use it to explain briefly why you want to change careers and to point out how your transferable skills will make you a valuable asset.
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% in three months.”
You Want to Get a Different Job at the Same Company
Let’s say you’ve enjoyed being a customer support supervisor for five years but a new sales assistant role at your company looks appealing. 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. Let the hiring manager know you’re a top contender right away with a compelling objective statement.
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.
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How to Write a Great Resume Objective Statement, with examples
The problem that many employers have with objective statements is that they tend to be generic, written in inflated language, and are often centered on the job seeker’s needs rather than what they can do for the company. That’s why, in order to stand out, it’s critical to communicate your goals and objectives for the role in terms of the company’s goals.
Reflect on your career if you have a job history:
What are your top skills?
What are your major accomplishments?
What titles have you held and what has your career progression been?
Take a moment to consider your goals:
What kind of company would you like to work for? What are their values? Goals?
What’s the company culture like?
Do you want to stay in the same type of position/industry or try something different?
The following checklist can help you structure your objective statement properly and ensure it contains the fundamental elements that will help you get an interview:
- Place your objective statement directly under your contact information on your resume.
- Identify yourself clearly as someone who fits the job description.
- Customize your objective statement for the job.
- Tailor your objective to focus on the employer.
- Limit your resume objective statement to three sentences.
- Express your interest in the company.
If you’re applying for your first job.
Career Objective Example:Recent graduate of the University of Kentucky skilled in social media marketing, analytics and copywriting seeking the role of social media marketing associate with Social Marketing, LLC. My aim is to increase social media engagement, enhance brand awareness, and diversify market reach for your firm. I have developed my social media and marketing knowledge and skills as a marketing student and a volunteer working on Lexington’s Habitat for Humanity social media accounts over the last four years.
The above is a strong example of a resume objective because it:
Mentions the name of the company and the job title.
Explains how the applicant gained applicable knowledge and skills.
Shows knowledge of the company and its product.
Details the applicant’s goals for the position.
Outlines the applicant’s intention to help the company succeed.
If you’re returning to the workforce after a long absence.
Career Objective Example: Accomplished and tenacious sales representative with 10 years of experience in the automotive industry, returning to the workplace after a year-long maternity leave. Looking to apply my in-depth knowledge of luxury automobiles, broad experience with diverse markets, and solid prospecting skills to the role of sales consultant for Tesla of Northridge. Impressive track record of closures and knack for developing rapport with customers.
The above is a strong example of a resume objective because it:
Explains how long the applicant has been out of the workforce and why.
Uses name of the company and the job title.
Mentions the job applicant’s number of years of related experience (optional).
Contains a balanced mix of hard and soft skills.
Uses power words such as “Impressive,” “in-depth” and “tenacious.”
If you’re changing careers.
Career Objective Example: Motivated corporate benefits administrator with three years of experience in the financial services industry making a career change to banking. Seeking to transfer my strong financial acumen and demonstrated success in budget analysis and compliance to the position of teller at National Credit Union. I am certain my natural attention to detail and superior customer service skills will be of benefit to your organization’s customer retention goals.
The above is a strong example of a resume objective because it:
Includes candidate’s history in corporate benefits administration.
Emphasizes related and transferable skills and how they apply to the new position.
Uses words such as “certain” and “superior” that convey confidence.
Mentions the organization’s goals and how they align with the applicant’s.
Specifies how the applicant will add value.
Contains power words “demonstrated success,” which invite the reader to learn more.
If you’re applying for a different job within the same company.
Career Objective Example: Dedicated and self-driven residential carpenter with 12 years of experience and commitment to quality seeking to continue service with Smith Property Group, Inc. in a new role as a residential project manager. During my 12-year tenure with the company, I’ve advanced from apprentice to journeyman carpenter and then to lead carpenter, and I have in-depth knowledge of the company’s policies, procedures and client base. I am certain I can harness my successful track record of executing projects on schedule and within budget, solid understanding of construction practices, proven interpersonal skills, and my working knowledge of project accounting and contract management, to help our company maintain its record of excellence.
The above is a strong example of a resume objective because it:
Highlights the job applicant’s long tenure with the company.
Shows a successful rise in rank while at the same company.
Points to applicant’s knowledge of the employer’s procedures, policies and clients.
Details specific trade know-how and relevant soft, hard and technical skills.
Mentions applicant’s goal of using their qualifications to help the company succeed.
Resume Objective Statement Writing Dos and Don’ts
Now that you understand the basics, you’re ready to start writing. We’ve compiled a list of critical “do’s and don’ts” to help you draft an effective resume objective statement.
FAQ
How do I describe my career objective?
Best practices for describing a career objective include:Be concise. Aim for no more than three sentences.
Write a new objective for each job.
Focus on the employer’s needs.
Talk up your most relevant skills.
Mention your experience in the field if you have any.
What can I put on my resume instead of an objective?
If you already have experience in the role and aren’t changing industries or returning to work after a long absence, then you should write a professional summary, to outline your qualifications and show why you are the best match for the job.How do you write a resume objective as a student?
As a student, you should include applicable skills and training you obtained from class projects, internships, or as a volunteer, your desire to work for the company and why, and what you hope to achieve for the company if hired.What should not be included in a resume objective?
Never include the following in a resume objective:Lies. It pays to be honest!
Your hobbies or interests.
What you want to gain from the job.
A repeat of your resume.
More than three sentences.
Grammar and spelling mistakes.
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