How to Use a Resume Objective to Help Your Job Application
A resume objective statement, while an optional section of your
resume, can be a powerful tool for job seekers if it used to its
full potential. Strong objectives indicate how you will be of
value to the company in one clear and concise statement. It
tells potential employers your purpose or goal by applying to
their company, and indicates the direction you want your career
to go.
The decision to include an objective is not one to be taken
lightly, since a weak or ineffectual objective will detract from
the entire resume. In fact, many recruiters feel it is better to
exclude an objective entirely than to include a weak statement
or one that is too generalized. As a rule, individuals who are
applying for non-traditional positions such as internships or
co-ops, those with limited professional work experience, and
those who are seeking to break into a new career or field stand
to benefit the most from the inclusion of an objective statement
on their resumes. In these instances, the objective will allow
employers to immediately identify the type of position you are
seeking and clarify your intent and interest in the
organization. However, if you are using your resume for a more
general purpose such as a job fair, employment agency
submission, or website job board posting, it does not make sense
to include an objective that will limit your options. Other
individuals will need to make a personal decision as to the
value an objective statement will add to their resume.
If included, the objective appears at the top of your resume,
right beneath your contact information. An objective will
typically address one or more of the following areas:
1. The type of position desired - Are you seeking an internship,
a part-time, or a full-time position? Is your goal an
entry-level, experienced, or supervisory position?
2. The actual name or title of the position you desire - Are you
applying for the Administrative Assistant or the Technical
Services Manager opening?
3. Is there a specific environment, industry, or field that you
are targeting?
4. Any skills you hope to utilize in a new position
Since the purpose of an objective is to direct employees as to
your specific goals within their organization and indicate how
you will add value, it may be necessary to tailor your objective
to each individual position. Objectives that are vague and
non-specific are useless, so if you are not able to identify a
specific goal or value in your objective, do not include it on
the resume.