Definition of Career Objective
Even if employers only spend 30 seconds looking at your resume, they will read your career objective statement. The career objective statement, also known as a value statement, usually occupies a space near the top of your resume, right under your contact information. It is your first, and perhaps only, opportunity to capture employers' attention and impress them with your professionalism and creativity.
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Purpose
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The point of the career objective statement is for you to communicate to the potential employer what you are looking for in a job. This is also a great way to highlight some of your strengths and accomplishments. In addition, the objective statement saves time by helping the employer decide, in a few seconds, whether or not you are a good fit for the company and/or position.
Construction
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The career objective statement needs to be direct and detailed, yet creative and concise. An objective statement like "To manage people, interface with customers and work with highly technical software or hardware applications," for example, lists specific skills and desires but can be applied to many different jobs. Write and adjust your career objective statement according to your professional history and goals.
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Advantages
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The career objective statement lets you articulate your wants and needs. If you know exactly what you are looking for, this helps eliminate follow-up calls or interviews for positions in which you would not be interested. On the other hand, a compelling objective statement can help you stand out among the stack of resumes for a position that is highly attractive to you. Plus, studies also show that employers like seeing an objective statement on your resume, as it shows that you are both determined and focused. Note also that the objective statement is sometimes the only aspect of your resume that you can tailor to the specific employer you are applying to in terms of the company name. Take advantage of this opportunity to make a personal connection between yourself and the employer.
Disadvantages
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The main drawback to the objective statement is that it limits your callback possibilities. If you are looking for any work available, you may want to write a more vague objective statement based on soft skills or skip this section altogether. If your objective statement is poorly written, it may deflect from an otherwise strong resume.
Tips/Tricks
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Write your objective statement with the employer's perspective in mind. Emphasize what you can contribute to the company and the value that you can bring.
Your objective statement should not exceed one or two sentences. Employers won't want to read it if it's too long.
Alternatives
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Some people replace the career objective section with "summary of skills" or "profile" sections that briefly list, in bullet points, their major skills and accomplishments. This may be a better option for you if you have a longer work history or more complex career objectives that are hard to summarize in a line or two.
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References
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