Why a Resume Shouldnt Have an Objective

Why a Resume Shouldn't Have an Objective Why a Resume Shouldn't Have an Objective If you learned how to create a  resume  ten years ago or longer, you might be surprised to know that an objective is no longer an essential part of a standard resume. In fact, some career experts will tell you that having a resume objective is unnecessary at best and dated at worst. Like the line references upon request, its a space-filler thats keeping hiring managers from getting to the meat of your resume. You have a limited amount of time in which to grab their attention: eight seconds, to be exact,  according to one study. Obviously, you dont want to waste any of that time telling them what they already know from the  subject line of your email  or the requisition number in the  applicant tracking system. Here are the better alternatives to a resume objective: Branding Statements and Profiles A branding statement or professional profile has taken the place of the objective for most resume writers. In this brief introductory paragraph, job seekers provide an  elevator speech  â€" a quick summary of their experience, skills, and attributes that describes their career and qualifications at a glance. This introduction fulfills two main purposes at the same time: it gives hiring managers quick insight into the candidate while allowing the candidate an opportunity to use resume keywords that will get their application noticed. Use Keywords in Your Resume Choosing the right keywords  is essential to getting past software and human screeners. These keywords arent the same as resume buzzwords â€" those are almost always overused and will get your resume a one-way trip to the circular file. No, resume keywords are individual to the job youre applying for and should change every time you submit your resume for a new position. How to Select Keywords To figure out the best keywords to use, scan the job listing and make a list of the most important words, e.g. job titles like regional manager or data scientist and skills words like proficient in Javascript or proven seller. Use the words that apply to your experience, skills, and job history, and craft a professional profile or branding statement. Keep Your Resume Honest Note:  while its OK to emphasize your most relevant experience, dont lie â€" especially when it comes to job titles held or skills acquired. It does you no good to get hired for a position if you cant deliver on the promise your resume has made to the hiring manager. Sample Branding Statements and Profiles An award-winning graphic designer whose portfolio includes Fortune 100 clients like CVS, Verizon, and Kroger. Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Adept at estimating costs, gaining consensus across teams, and delivering projects on time and on budget. Review tips for writing a branding statement, with more examples, along with advice on adding a profile to your resume. If You Absolutely Must Have an Objective on Your Resume Cant let go of the idea of including an objective on your resume just yet? Its not just you - many people still want to stick to the traditional format with an objective at the top of the page. If you must have an objective, make sure its the right one. Resume objectives must: Change, depending on the job for which youre applying. Its no good using the same objective for multiple job openings. Resist the temptation to tweak a word or two, and  craft your resume objective from scratch  for each position under consideration.Contain keywords specific to the position, job description, and most valuable skills.Provide more than just the job title and description. Dont waste a moment of the hiring managers time by repeating information they already know, such as which job youre applying for or what the basic duties are. Show why youre a well-qualified candidate for the position.Explain what you have to offer the employer, not what you yourself are seeking in your next job or company. Bottom line:  every part of your resume should count, including the objective, if you feel the need to include one. Remember, you only have eight seconds in which to make a first impression on the hiring manager or recruiter. You cant afford to waste time, especially right at the beginning of your resume. Grab their attention with a well-crafted, succinct branding statement and dont let go.