It is essential in the current highly competitive job market to stand out from the crowd in order to be called for an interview. A lot of work goes in to writing a successful resume and the objectives statement is one area that is particularly challenging.
Objectives Match the Job
The Objectives statement generally goes at the beginning of the resume and should be a short profile of your career and competencies. The reviewer knows what priority competencies the company needs in the advertised position and these are sometimes, but not always spelled out in the job announcement. The candidate who is the best match to the company needs is the most likely candidate to be called.
Key Phrases in Objectives Statement
According to Job Interview and Career Guide, “Employers tend to search for phrases and basic qualities that fit the job position,” as they scan through resumes. Sometimes these key phrases are included in the advertisement for the job opening. For example, if the advertisement mentions that they are seeking a “self-starter” who can work with “minimal supervision,” it might be advisable to use those phrases in the Objectives Statement. This will require slightly editing each resume to more closely match the particular position before sending it in.
Sample Objective Statements
If the job announcement states that they are seeking an experienced salesman with a proven track record and industry contacts, the Objectives Statement might read, “Seeking a position that will benefit from my years of proven sales experience and industry contacts.” If a company is seeking a customer service representative who has great people skills and knows how to function as part of a team, the Objectives statement might read, “Obtain a position as part of a team that values people skills and can benefit form my customer-service experience to maximize corporate goals.”
Tailor Objectives to the Position
Alison Green, writing for the US News Careers section, suggests leaving the objectives section out of a resume, but for those who choose to include this section, her criticisms may actually help to write better Objectives. Most managers want a concise list of accomplishments and notable skills, according to Green. Objectives sections that are about what the applicant wants out of life are not as important to the person screening a pile of resumes as what the company wants, and objectives that state the obvious waste space. For example, an applicant’s desire to obtain a position where they can “use their skills and have an opportunity to advance,” is assumed by the hiring manager.
Tailoring the objectives to the specific position applied for may make the difference that gets applicants called in for an interview.
