Resume Objective Statements FAQ, How-To, and Examples

Resume Objective Statements FAQ, How-To, and Examples Resume Objective Statements FAQ, Hows A resume objective statement is one of two types of introductory statements often included at the top of a resume. It is the lesser-used option these days, second to a summary statement (more about summary statements later), due to its many notable pitfalls. However, at the right distributionspolitik and time, the once-popular objective statement still have their purpose in the resume world.What is a Resume Objective Statement?A resume objective statement introduces your resume to the hiring manager. As the name suggests, it answers the question, What is this resume trying to accomplish? It usually states the position for which you are applying and may include your career goals.Traditionally, a resume objective statement section might look something like thisResume Objective To obtain an entry-level marketing position at a Fortune 500 company.However, todays resume objective statement not only states the applicants intention, but aims to sell the hiring manager on the job seeker by highlighting their skills and career goals. It should be short, to-the-point, and customized for each resume.Is a Resume Objective Necessary?If youve been around the job search block a few times, you might be surprised to hear that resume objective statements are no longer a resume standard. Unless explicitly stated in the job listing, hiring managers no longer expect an objective statement at the top of your resume.In fact, these days, resume objectives are rarely recommended by career experts and professionals.Here are a couple of reasons the traditional resume objective has fallen out of favor in recent yearsResume objective statements are a little bit selfishAs mentioned above, a resume objective tells the hiring manager what you want professionally, not what you can do for them and their company. Its great to showcase your career ambition, but companies will typically be more concerned wi th their own best interests.Generic resume objectives leave hiring managers with questionsYour intentions and professional goals dont explain to the hiring manager why youre the best person for the job. Objective statements lack the broader context of a summary statement, often missing the heres what I can do for you explanation.Resume Objective vs. Resume Summary StatementAs resume introductory statements go, the resume objective is thought to be weaker and less useful than the faulen resume summary statement.One major difference between the two is that the summary statement highlights hard skills and accomplishments in active voice rather than passive voice, making the job seeker sound more capable and assertive. For example, I achieved 25% sale growth is active voice while, 25% sales growth was achieved is passive voice.Overall, a resume summary statement is more assertive in tone. It uses quantitative results to offer the hiring manager proof about the things the job seeker has accomplished and will continue to accomplish if hired.In short, the summary statement means business.Here are a few examples of traditional objective statements compared to resume summary statementsTraditional Objective Statement To obtain a position in customer serviceModern Summary statement Customer Service Representative with 8 years of experience working with customer accounts and resolving product and service issues. Maintained a 90% customer satisfaction rating.Traditional Objective Statement To get a job as an Account SupervisorModern Summary Statement Sales and Marketing Manager with 10+ years of commercial sales and marketing experience. Exceeded all sales goals by 15% or more between 2012 and 2017.Traditional Objective Statement To work as a Supply Chain Manager in the logistics industryModern Summary Statement Supply Chain Analyst and self-starter with a track record of maintaining and enhancing up to 15 client relationships at one time and identifying problem service ar eas.When to Use an Objective StatementThe traditional objective statement as seen above has become obsolete. Now, an impactful objective statement will blur the lines between the traditional resume objective and a resume summary statement.While an objective statement should rarely be used, there are circumstances in which an it can make a positive addition to a resume.For example, objective statements can be useful when tailoring your resume for the applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by fruchtwein recruiters. Objective statements present a natural opportunity to state the exact job title youre applying for on your resume.Having the exact job title on your resume is important in an ATS-optimized resume as it is likely one of the first resume keyja searches a recruiter will do in the ATS.Jobscan compares your resume to the job description to make sure your resume has the keywords and formatting required to make it through an ATS and get a job interview.A strong objective statement can also be effective and helpful for job seekers who are radically shifting careers or industries. In these cases, a strong objective statement can be used to explain how the job seeker plans to transfer the skills theyve developed in their past job or industry into the new job or industry.How to Write an Objective for a ResumeIf a resume objective statement is right for your job search, these three tips can help you avoid common mistakesKeep it short. This is not a place to add fluff Just a few productive sentences is all you need. Make sure every word is deliberate and necessary.Be clear and detailed about the job you want. State the job you are applying for and describe your goals only as they pertain to the job and industry for which youre applying.Explain what you can do for them. Take your goals a step farther by explaining how they match up with the needs of the company, using the job posting for reference. This step sets a strong resume objective apart from a weak one.If ne ither type of introductory statement feels right, you dont need to include one to build a strong resume. If you do include one, remember that while a resume objective statement can be useful for job seekers changing careers or switching industries, in most cases, a resume summary statement will be the best fit.Resume Objective ExamplesThese antiquated traditional resume objective examples, which appeared on real resumes, are weak and unfocusedTo obtain a position where my knowledge and experience can be utilized as well as enhanced.Seeking new opportunities in the corporate arena and open to contract positions.Accounting professional seeking employment opportunity.Seasoned professional with a proven track record of meeting business objectives seeking a career.Motivated self-starter with strong organizational abilities seeking corporate opportunities.Heres how they could be made betterTo obtain the position of juniorchef Account Coordinator where I can use the strong sales and commun ication skills Ive gained in my 5 years of retail sales to close and maintain deals.Seeking a full-time (or contract) position as an SEO copywriter. Im hoping to use my writing skills and SEO skills gained through online courses over the last six months to grow organic search traffic.Accounting professional with over 10 years experience looking to transfer my skills to the finance world. My proven mathematical and money management skills make me an ideal fit for the Finance Assistant position.With a reputation for meeting business objectives and aiding in data-driven decisions, Im looking to shift my skills as an IT administrator into a data scientist role.Motivated self-starter with 3 years experience as an office manager looking to bring strong organizational skills to the Executive Assistant position.Also check out these top resume summary statement examples. Here are a few more strong resume objective examplesIn my 7 years as a Process integralrechnung Engineer, I have acquired knowledge on process simulation, optimization and integration, inherently safer design principles, PFD and PID skills. In an effort to enhance my knowledge and further my career, Id like to bring these skills to the Supply Chain Manager position.With a demonstrated history in business administration, Im looking for a position that will benefit from my business experience while promoting my interest in education. The Experienced Teaching Assistant for Business Administration position is the perfect fit.Seeking employment in a professional environment where I can diversify and improve upon the skills gained during my ten years as an Account Manager. As the Director of Corporate sales, I would focus on enhancing the companys productivity and reputation while improving my own.Human Resources Manager looking for exciting new challenges. My goal at this point in my career is to capitalize upon new opportunities for career development within an organization that values hard work, integrity , and results. I look forward to hearing if Im a good fit for the Head of Operations position.20 Free ATS-Friendly Resume Templates Get a Bonus Template HereWhat is Jobscan?The job search system is broken and great applicants are slipping through the cracks. Jobscan makes tools that empower job seekers to get noticed, get interviewed, and get hired.Try out our toolsResume OptimizationPower EditLinkedIn Optimization