Forming Your Resume Objective

The job market is incredibly competitive right now; sometimes a well written, well executed resume objective can mean the difference between getting hired for your dream job and being passed over for another candidate. Given the current economy, many of us simply cannot afford the risk of being passed over. It is better not to risk it, especially over something as relatively simple as a clear, concise objective.

Many people make the mistake of beginning their resume with a poorly written or executed resume objective statement.  This part of your resume is so important, you simply cannot risk going that route.  For all of you resume writers out there, here are some examples of what you definitely should not do when writing your objective, and why.  Trust, as resume help, the following information is invaluable.

Example Objective 1: To attain a responsible and thought provoking position wherein the level of my education and my work experience will be a valuable application.

There are several problems here.  For starters, by making such qualifying remarks as “responsible” and “thought provoking,” the job candidate here is sort of pointing out the obvious.  No one wants an irresponsible or dull job.  Moreover, the writer here is detailed where he or she does not need to be, and vague where he or she should be detailed.  For example, what educational and work experience does the writer have?  How can it be valuable to the position?

Example Objective 2: Looking for a position in sales with the opportunity to further my career.

Believe it or not, the worst thing you can do is make some trite statement about wanting to advance in the position.  When you make this part of your resume objective, you run the risk of seeming entirely uninterested in the job itself, and more interested in making more money.

Example Objective 3: Looking for a challenging position with an innovative company which will benefit from my skills, abilities, and experience in project management, operations, and buying.

An objective like this, quite frankly, is just boring.  Begin your resume this way, and the hiring manager may be too bored – and too put off – to continue reading it.  Your potential employer will easily be able to tell that you are simply writing your resume from his or her point of view.  You may think that you are being impressive here, but honestly, you are not showing the hiring manager who you really are.  You are trying too hard to impressive, and the results of something like that can be disastrous.

In the best resume, the resume objective will instead answer the question of, “What is in it for me?”  That may sound selfish and self serving, but when done correctly, it will be far more impressive than simply telling the hiring manager what he or she wants to here.  Mention how much experience you have in the field for which you are applying; try not to mention anything about advancing your career or utilizing your skills without saying what they are.  You can approach things from the employer’s standpoint in your cover letter; your resume needs to focus on what the employer needs and why he or she needs you.

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