22 Feb 2008 11:02:50 | Roger Clark
b>Why Use Resume Objectives
Before we can discuss the pitfalls you first need to understand
the reasons for including your resume objectives and how they
relate to your resume and interview selection process.
Including an objectives section at the beginning of your resume
provides a brief introduction to the purpose of the resume,
highlighting your career objectives and the type of job you are
seeking.
It is very common for job-seekers to include a brief objectives
section at the beginning of their resume The objectives section
can be an important part of a resume, and might be the first
thing employers looks at. Therefore you should put considerable
thought into constructing focused and clear objectives.
Look At These Resume Objective Examples
A resume objective does exactly what the name suggests; it
highlights your objectives and states the type of job you are
seeking.
Here are some examples of career objectives:
·To obtain an elementary education teaching position with upward
mobility to a principalship.
·To obtain a position in manufacturing operations and
development which will utilize acquired knowledge and collective
experience.
·Public relations writer for a large metropolitan hospital.
·Auditor position in the public accounting field in the
Philadelphia area.
As you can see, the objectives are short and sweet; meaning they
are to the point in describing the purpose of creating your
resume.
Doorway To The Interview... Resumes
What is a resume... usually it is the first contact you have
with potential employers. It is also where you list your skills
and create a marketable presentation so that companies
understand the benefits of employing you.
Your resume is also the first (and possibly the last!)
opportunity you have to persuade your prospective employer to
give you an interview.
Clearly... it is in your best interests to ensure your resume is
compelling enough to leave the recruiter with no other option
but to invite you to an interview.
If you want to learn more about writing resumes that get
interviews, visit a site such as Top Career Resumes where you
will find numerous articles and tips.
Or, if you prefer... a cost effective alternative is to use a
resume writing service to prepare your resume for you.
Pitfalls of Using Resume Objectives
You may have noticed that all previous references to objectives
focus on you and therein lies the pitfall !
Employers are not interested in what you want ...
If your objectives fail to match those of the employer, you will
not even get to first base ! So keep your options open until you
find out more about their objectives.
Some people decide to omit the objectives section and use that
space to highlight other abilities and accomplishments. Whether
you choose to use resume objectives or not will depend greatly
on your particular situation.
Reasons Against ...
A few experts feel that the resume objectives section can be
limiting to job seekers. It makes you be very specific as to
your goals. This may be constraining if you want to be general
and leave your options open.
Employers on average take only 30 seconds to look at a resume.
The objectives section is the first thing that catches their
eye. If you have a specific objective written, for example to
obtain a managerial position, the manager may pass on your
resume if he was looking for some other position.
If you are thinking about getting a professionally written
resume, now would be a good time.
However, remember that the objectives section can disqualify you
for jobs different from your stated objective... if you are not
looking for a targeted job you can skip the section without many
negative consequences.
It would be advisable to skip the resume objective section
rather than be too vague. Unfocused objectives will put off many
hiring managers. They may not end up looking at your experience
and skills, which would of shown you to be a suitable candidate
for the job.
Reasons For ...
If you do include your resume objectives, you should construct
several different resumes, each specifically tailored to the job
you are applying for. You will want to make your resume relevant
to each job. The objectives section may be the best way to
create job specific resumes.
A draw back of not including the objectives section is that a
hiring manager may not be willing to search your resume to
figure out your job objectives and goals... and may bypass your
resume.
If you have a specific job position in mind and are clear about
your objectives, this section can be useful in informing
potential employers about your reasons for applying.
In either case, it may pay you to seek professional advice
before you make your final decision. The modest cost of doing
this pales into insignificance compared with the cost of making
a poor career decision.
Stating Your Resume Objectives
This has greatest benefits for career changers and recent
college graduates. Your objectives should be concise and to the
point, to quickly inform employers about your background and
goals.
Entry-level workers can state in their resume objectives that
they are recent graduates looking for positions in their
particular field. Career changers should state how they can use
their previously earned skills to make a transition into their
new career.
Be Employer Focused
An alternative to resume objectives might be the ‘Qualifications
Summary’ section. This is a section where you can briefly
discuss your skills and how you intend to use them.
This can make your resume more employer focused, as the employer
wants to find out what you can do for them. This might be more
beneficial than having a self-focused resume, simply listing
what you want to do.
Many employers prefer to have employees that are focused on
their goals and motivated to achieving them. A well presented
objective can be just the high-impact tool that can get a hiring
manager’s attention from the start.
Finally ...
When writing your resume objectives you have to consider your
career plans. If you have not already done so, now would be a
good time to get assistance with career assessment and planning.
When you have completed your planning and taken some time to
match your interests with your chosen career, your resume
objectives should complement the results you obtained through
your searches.
About Author :
Roger Clark (BSc) has over 25 years experience in career
development & recruitment at a senior level.
