Comments on: Resume Objective Statements: Objecting to Objective Statements on Résumés

By: David

David — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:37:48 +0000

The purpose of an objective statement is to tell the reader what you are trying to achieve: your personal or professional objectives. The statement is a concisely written declaration that answers the question – Why are you sending me a resume? A agree that this statement shouldn’t be in the resume but definitely nees to be in the cover letter – the sales letter for your resume!

By: Julie Walraven | Resume Services

Julie Walraven | Resume Services — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:12:31 +0000

Hi Brad,

I agree that this area too should be quantifiable accomplishments. The top 1/3 to 1/2 of a resume is top real estate and the most read area of a resume. Nice seeing you here. Jason has told me great things about you!

By: Brad Attig

Brad Attig — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:32:52 +0000

Julie,

Fully agree that the Objective is dead on the resume. I also think that one needs to spend an inordinate amount of time on that area right below the name and address on one’s resume. I call it the “Point of White Heat.”

I believe it’s here that you can best customize your resume to the specific position you are applying to. For me, even in this area I like to see quantifiable accomplishments and not just a bunch of meaningless words.

Thanks for helping put the fork in the Resume Objective because it’s certainly done.

Brad
MyRetailCareer.net

By: Steven Savage

Steven Savage — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:06:16 +0000

Julie,

That’s a bit longer than I usually recommended, but that’s exactly what I think people need to use. It tells ABOUT you without making it ABOUT you. It’s a subtle difference.

And a pain to explain. The amount of bad resume I’ve seen is horrible and I don’t coach professionally. I dread to imagine what you’ve seen.

By: Julie Walraven | Resume Services

Julie Walraven | Resume Services — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:16:02 +0000

Good points, Steven. I tend to call the top section professional profile, which may or may not have a heading to it. But in that section, I want the sales piece that tells me what qualifies them for the position. Like this:

Global Marketing Executive, with extensive experience educating consumers, coaching and training effective sales teams, building creative presentations, and forging strategic long-term client relationships. Resourceful, participative and mentoring leader, for example – created monthly product training seminars and paired with weekly marketing call, resulting in expertly educated sales team and improved alignment with corporate programs. Success-driven sales closer with a reputation for “closing soon and often” and maximizing market share by closing sales competition sold but failed to close.

By: Steven Savage

Steven Savage — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:04:14 +0000

I have found the Objective Statement to be odd too – but I do encourage people to do a kind of summary that may include objectives. I myself am souring on the Objective Statement, but I do recall when people pushed for them.

The important thing is a resume tells a story. An outright “give me this” objective really does clash with the big picture. It interrupts the narrative flow of what you’re doing.

By: Julie Walraven | Resume Services

Julie Walraven | Resume Services — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:15:57 +0000

First of all, resume builder apps are not a source for cutting edge strategies in resume writing nor are templates. If you want to know how to do something right, see an expert. With the predominance of the best and the brightest resume writers now very visible on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, no job seeker should be relying on templates. Check out the writers samples. If you can not afford to invest in their services, you can at least study the samples, understand the strategy, spend time reading the FREE resume writing and job search information from career experts and create your own winning strategy.

Cutting and pasting from a job ad doesn’t give the employer an inkling of why you are the best candidate for the position. Performing it well means nothing. How can you differentiate yourself from the 100 other applicants! Success in a job search comes to those who invest at least their own time in creating the best possible first impression!

By: PHL

PHL — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:32:36 +0000

I think jobseekers’ objective statements are like companies’ missions statements. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all. So why do all the resume builder apps and templates still have these archaic constructions? Why not just cut and past from a job ad (if you’re applying for a listed job), “… to get a job for XX as a YY and to perform it well.”

By: Julie Walraven | Resume Services

Julie Walraven | Resume Services — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:49:30 +0000

Good point, Rand. I believe a targeted banner is essential to let people know what you are seeking but it can be changed. It goes back to the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the resume. You can customize that area with the right keywords and accomplishments to match the position you are applying for and have multiple versions. The balance of the resume can remain much the same unless you have some very diverse targets.

By: Rand

Rand — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:31:22 +0000

I agree. As an employer I often find then annoying. “I want to work in a company that values my skills and provides room for advanced.”. Doesn’t every one of the other 50 people applying for the job. Worse, sometime the objective statement is inconsistent with the job they are applying for. If you are looking to go to law school, you may not want to say that if you are applying for an accounting position. Why would I want to train you if you are leaving in a year?
A good resume is focussed on why you are the right person for the job that is open. Not what you want to do some day in the future.