A resume objective is the first part of what to put on a resume, which is also one of the most important sections of this written piece. It is a short informational section after your name, address, phone number, and email.
While it is only one to two lines long, the words describe your career goals. The objective for your resume is similar to a cover page of an essay you wrote back in high school and college.
What is a Resume Objective?
A resume objective differs depending on the type of resume you are writing. Think about the goals that you have for your career.
What jobs interest you the most? What major did you study in college? How did your past volunteer work and extracurricular activities support your career goals when you were younger?
Let these ideas flow as you write your resume objective.
Also, consider your industry to make the section more specific to what type of job you are pursuing. Are you aspiring to move from customer service to an IT job now? Consider this when writing those two key sentences.
Why is a Resume Objective Important?
A resume objective is important because it is a message from the job seeker to the potential employer concerning the goals that the job seeker is attempting to achieve by joining their company.
The goals in the resume objective should correlate to your past job experience and extracurricular activities.
Here are some of the key factors about the importance of a resume objective. Hiring managers can scan resumes because of them. They make a great first impression, sum up your experience, and it is attention-catching.
Helps Hiring Managers Scan Resumes Quickly
Hiring managers can get a good idea if a job candidate is good just by reading a resume objective. If the objective matches their company mission, a hiring manager would be willing to thoroughly read through their resume.
Makes a First Impression
Job managers that read a resume objective will get a great first impression of who you are in just those one to two sentences.
If someone reading your resume only jumps into learning about your past job experience without a background story, it may feel incomplete.
Hence, an objective not only makes the best first impression but also helps the person reading your resume to know more about you before learning about your past work experience.
Sums Up Your Experience
When a hiring manager does not have enough time to thoroughly read your resume, they can take a sneak peek at your resume objective before scanning the rest of the document.
As long as you highlight keywords from your industry related to what is in the job description, this will raise a hiring manager’s eyebrow in interest.
Catches Attention
Job hunters that take the time to write a resume objective will catch a hiring manager’s attention.
If written with strong, clear, and concise wording that captures the overall essence of your career goals, there is a higher likelihood that a hiring manager will put your resume off to the side of the interviewees’ pile.
When Should You Include a Resume Objective?
While some resumes do not include a resume objective, there are some instances where it’s best to have one.
Feature a resume objective when you’re new to the job market, as you are changing careers, if you move to a new state or country, and if you are changing industries.
Either of these instances helps readers to know where you are in your career currently. It also indicates how you are transitioning based on the changes in your life.
They love to see that you are transforming into bigger and better things in your life and your career.
When You’re New to the Job Market
Maybe you are fresh out of high school or college and entering the workplace for the first time. In this case, you would highlight in your resume objective where you are in your schooling and what your mission is as you enter the workplace.
When You’re Changing Careers
Not everyone will want to stay in the same career as they are working currently. The job platform, Indeed, found that job seekers aged 18 to 24 may change jobs almost six times during that period.
As people transition to being 25 to 34, they may only change their jobs twice.
If you are changing careers from one industry to the other, be sure to state this in your resume objective. While you may have experience in the industry you are leaving, highlight what you hope to accomplish by transitioning to your new chosen industry.
When You’re Moving to a New Place
If you are moving to a new state or country, you never know what job opportunities will be bestowed on you.
Updating your resume objective is a good idea to do so when changing the environment around you because you may have to transition careers depending on the job availability in that new area.
When You’re Changing Industries
Say that you want to go from human resources management to social work. These are two completely different industries.
Highlight that you are transitioning industries in your resume objective so that the hiring manager knows.
Have supporting collegiate studies or volunteer work that correlates to the new industry, so they are aware of what you are accomplishing to make that industry transition.
How to Write a Resume Objective
Now that you know the benefits of having a resume objective, let’s learn how to write one.
It can take some practice, especially if you are entering the job market. However, once you get enough practice in, you will be on your way!
Keep it to One or Two Sentences
Reassure that the resume objective is no more than two sentences. Keeping it less than three lines long will make it easy to scan for the hiring manager.
Be Clear and Concise
What is the number one goal in your career? What are the two to three factors that will help you to reach that goal?
Answering these two questions will help you to be clear and concise when writing your resume objective.
Explain the Value You Bring
What is it about your experiences that show hiring managers what value you bring to the table as a job candidate? Highlight your key experiences in the resume objective to explain this value.
Be Specific About What You’re Looking For
What is the end goal of where you want your career to be? Mention specifically what type of job you want and how you will succeed in that position based on your strengths.
Conclusion
Do you have a resume objective? If not, this is your sign to write one for your resume today!
Try the best resume builder that can get you on track to writing a powerful objective. Plus, it will help you learn how to thoroughly and interestingly present your past work experience, certifications, and achievements.
With so much competition between employees in the workplace and various barriers to entry into new jobs because of the competitiveness of hiring, you need a great resume objective to stand out.
If you need help writing one, consult a close friend, family member, or freelance writer with experience in resume writing.
