Collection of Helpful Objective Statement Guides

Objective: a single phrase expressing the specific type of employment you are seeking and/or the principal skills you want to use on the job. Some people prepare two or more resumes with different objectives. Once you formulate a clear objective, you can use it almost as a thesis for the remainder of your resume: only information that supports your objective should be included on the resume.

Career Objective: If you have a cover letter, you generally do not need an objective. If you decide you want one anyway, it should be a concise and meaningful statement describing your career goals. Be as specific as possible without being too restrictive.

Determine your job search objective prior to writing the resume. Once you have determined your objective, you can structure the content of your resume around that objective. Think of your objective as the bull’s-eye to focus your resume on hitting. If you write your resume without having a clear objective in mind, it will likely come across as unfocused to those that read it. Take the time before you start your resume to form a clear objective.

Sections of a Resume: Career Objective Statement

The most effective, well-written career objective is targeted for a specific job (bookkeeper, medical transcriber, diesel mechanic, etc.) with a specific company (General Motors, Johnston Automotive, etc.). Since you may need a different resume for each opening you locate, you will also need to change the job objective and especially the specific company for each resume. Be sure that you know the actual title of the job when you apply. If your resume targets a position that is not open, then you may not be considered. For example, if a line position is open and you are asking for a management job, then you may never get the interview that you want. Your objective can also be repeated in the body of the cover letter. Make the objective short and to the point. Consider this the title of your resume. The rest of the resume must convince the hiring authority that you have the background and skills to do the job and are well worth an interview.

Do not assume that any career objective is better than no objective. If your objective is vague and unfocused, you appear indecisive and unable to make decisions and set goals. This is not a description of duties or a vague description of a job. Avoid statements such as “a position that will utilize my broad talents and allow me to grow.” If this is your objective, leave it off your resume.

Using a career objective has been an optional issue on a resume in the past, but in recent years it has become more important. There are times when you absolutely need a job objective, such as:

• When applying online. Often jobs are sorted by objectives and directed to the correct department for review
• When applying to large companies, to avoid the human resources department deciding the position you should fill
• Posting resumes on job search sites, such as Monster.com. Employers decide whether to review your resume based on the job objective
• Resumes for scanning. The objective becomes a key word in the screening process

Writing Career Objectives for your Resume

• Concise, short and to the point
• Target your career objective whenever possible. Don’t make the employer guess
• Be specific – don’t write: “Seeking a challenging position with a large company that will provide an opportunity for growth and advancement.”
• Answers the question “What can you do for the employer?”

Targeted Objective (preferred):

Lists the specific job and company you are applying for

Examples of Good Targeted Career Objectives

• Seeking a position as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for St. Mary’s Hospital
• A position as a Bookkeeper for M&M Tax Consultants
• Position as a Security Guard for Brinks International

General Job Objective:

Occasionally you do not know the actual company you are sending your resume to and a general job objective is most effective in these circumstances. When you do not know the name of the actual company or are going to a job fair and will hand out resumes to several companies, then the objective needs to be more generic. Often jobs that are posted on the Internet are blinds ads from head hunters and you will not be able to find the company name.

Examples of General Objectives

• Entry level position in multi-image production company
• Position as a Health Educator
• Project management position in Marketing