How to Start a Career Goal Statement

The career objective statement is typically the first element of a resume.

Making your resume stand out from the crowd is essential in a tough economy and competitive job market. One of the best ways to give your resume an extra pop is with an effective career objective statement. This is the first opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer by giving him a short and specific snapshot of the experience, skills and career ambition you can bring to the table.

Instructions

1. Consider your career goals, skills, the kind of job you would like to have and the type of company you would like to work for. You can write these down on a piece of scratch paper to keep the ideas fresh in your mind.

2. Be specific. Employers consider resumes with clear and strong career goal statements. The best ones are very specific, outlining the type of job you are looking for and the skills you potentially bring to the table.

3. Be succinct. This part of your resume should be short and to the point. One to two strong sentences should be plenty for a career goal statement. There's no need to write an entire paragraph.

4. Tell the truth. You will write more effectively if you aren't spending time and energy trying to embellish facts or create qualities about yourself that simply don't exist. Every person has a distinctive mix of qualities and experience to offer a potential employer. Be honest about yours.

References

• Broward College: Objective Statements
• Palladian International: 50 Resume Objective Statements
• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Writing the Personal Statement