Does your Resume need an Objective Statement?

An objective statement is a short paragraph in which you briefly state your career goals and the benefits you can bring to a company. Busy hiring managers will often overlook any resume that does not clearly demonstrate your career goals—therefore a well-written objective statement can be a great way of opening a dynamic resume. Note that an objective statement is not the place to summarize your long-term career goals—this is where you state your career goals in terms of your next job.

An objective statement is not necessary for all resumes—they are for situational use rather than being a standard requirement. Objective statements are used to best effect by entry-level workers or people who are hoping for a change in career focus, as these people will not have work histories that clearly define their career goals. For job seekers with a more extensive and relevant work history, a qualifications summary is usually more appropriate.

Writing an objective statement requires answering three questions, in this order:

1. What type of work do you want?
2. What are your main skills?
3. How will you be an asset to a company who hires you?

When writing an objective statement, it’s important to focus on how you can benefit an employer, rather than on how the employer can benefit you. For example, you could say that you are a “dedicated administrator eager to contribute to company goals”. Avoid using phrases that imply you have any particular preferences, such as that you are “seeking a position in a team-oriented company”—again, this focuses more on what you want from the job rather than what you can bring to it.

A good objective statement should also be specific—it’s not enough to say that you’re “seeking a challenging position”—this says absolutely nothing about what your real career goals are. Instead, the statement should briefly list your most important qualifications as they relate to the position. If you’re applying for a specific position, you can even reference the job in your objective statement. Taking the time to customize your resume always leaves a good impression with hiring managers, as it indicates that you are enthusiastic about the position they are offering.

Including an objective statement on your resume serves another purpose—it helps you eliminate irrelevant information that won’t help you get the job you want. Anything on your resume that does not support what you’ve written in your objective statement can be safely removed.


Also, please review our Resume Writing section for resume examples, tips and tools.  If you need more help, please consider using a Career Counselor.