How To Write A Resume Objective (With Examples)

In general, including a resume objective is a great way to make a first impression whenever you’re applying for a job with a new employer.

1. When you’re applying for a position as an entirely unknown candidate. If you’re applying for a new role with your current employer (that is, if the hiring manager that will be reviewing your resume is already familiar with your background), including a resume objective is probably superfluous. But if you’re seeking a position with an employer who has no knowledge of your background, then you should consider including a resume objective as a brief and informative personal introduction.
2. If you’re lacking relevant experience for the job you’re applying to. Including a resume objective can be especially useful if you don’t have a lot of technical experience in the department or position that you’re applying to. An AI resume writing tool can also ensure that you include the right backgorund information in your resume object. For example, let’s imagine that you’re hoping to transition to a copywriting position and that you don’t have any previous professional writing experience. By including a resume objective, you’ll have the opportunity to elaborate on any non-professional experience that makes you qualified for the role, as well as on why you’re uniquely motivated to succeed.

Tips to help you write a high-quality resume objective

Here are four key considerations to keep in mind that can help you to craft a strong resume objective:

1. Tailor your objective statement to the specific role that you’re applying to . Just like a cover letter, a resume objective should never be duplicated for separate job applications. In order to maximize your chances of catching a hiring manager’s eye, it’s essential to customize your resume objective to the position that you’re coveting. Make sure you call attention to the specific skills, accomplishments, and areas of your experience that qualify you for that role.
2. Implement keywords and phrases . Every job posting will include particular keywords and phrases that are directly relevant to the job in question, and including these in an objective statement helps sell you as a candidate. For example, if the job posting for the aforementioned copywriter position states that it’d be ideally suited for an individual who’s “self motivated,” then that presents a great opportunity to mention in your resume objective that you are, in fact, self-motivated.
3. Make sure that the career goals that you include are directly relevant to your prospective employer’s goals . Calling attention to your ultimate career goals in a resume objective is only useful insofar as it aligns with the mission and purpose of the company that you’re applying to. If you’re applying for a position as a marketing copywriter, it’s best not to mention that you’re ultimate aspiration is to become, say, a screenwriter. You should focus on stating your career goals in a manner that will be maximally relevant and useful to a particular company.
4. Keep it short and sweet . Your resume objective does not need to be a comprehensive and detailed outline of your suitability for a role. That’s what a cover letter is for. In fact, your resume objective should not exceed one or two sentences.

Examples of resume objectives

Okay – now that we understand some of the basics, let’s put a finer point on things by walking through a few examples of what an optimized resume objective ought to look like:

Marketing lead resume objective sample

Looking for a position as a marketing lead where I can leverage my five years of project management, sales, and quality assurance experience.

Copywriter resume objective sample

Copywriter seeking an opportunity to draw upon my skills in editing, graphic design, and content strategy to help increase company website traffic and drive B2B and B2C content engagement.

Product manager resume objective sample

Seeking a position as a Product Manager at Employer, Inc. where I can apply my highly-developed team-leading skills, as well as my seven years of experience as a creative director.

High school counselor resume objective sample

High school counselor looking for a position with a public school that will allow me to make a contribution from my seven years of experience as a clinical child psychologist, as well as my eight years of teaching experience.

Copy manager resume objective sample

Looking for a position as a copy manager, utilizing my communication and research skills, and drawing upon my five years of experience as an award-winning project manager with a prominent book publishing company.

IT Support resume objective sample

Seeking an IT Support Specialist position to provide troubleshooting help and top-notch technical assistance. I intend to leverage my strong problem-solving skills and IT expertise to provide exceptional support to users and contribute to the seamless operation of your organization’s IT infrastructure.

Restaurant server resume objective sample

Enthusiastic and customer-focused worker looking to create a memorable dining experience at a highly rated restaurant. Eager to apply my friendly demeanor, efficiency, and menu knowledge to ensure guest satisfaction and boost the reputation of your establishment while maximizing tips and sales.

Customer service representative resume objective sample

Results-driven customer service representative with a history of exceeding customer expectations and resolving inquiries efficiently. Seeking an opportunity to leverage my exceptional communication skills and commitment to customer satisfaction in a dynamic organization that values outstanding service.

How to structure resume objective statement on resume

Typically, a resume objective statement will be located underneath your name and contact info and above the contents of your resume (skills, experience, education, etc.). Altogether, it will look something like this:

Calvin Candidate

• Completed a six-month editorial internship with Monthly Magazine in 2012, during which I became intimately familiar with the fundamentals of writing, copyediting, proofreading, and research.
• Strong communication and team-leading skills, and a desire to find a position that allows me to collaborate closely with both clients and customers.
• Extensive experience working with a wide variety of blogging platforms, including Medium, WordPress, and Blogger.
• Highly organized and self-motivated professional that works well independently as well as within a group setting.

• Project Manager , XYZ Company, January 2009 – December 2012
  • Oversaw the strategy development and completion of significant marketing projects that helped to drive B2C and B2C engagement.
  • Spearheaded a completely new marketing strategy that ultimately resulted in the creation of a company blog, as well as a monthly newsletter. I also oversaw the development and launch of a new company website, which went live in March 2013.
  • As a content strategist, I was primarily responsible for the complete oversight of Blogging, Inc.’s content marketing strategy. This included developing and delegating roles for the new blog strategy, as well as developing regular case studies that were published on the company website to drive online traffic and increase brand visibility.
  • Columbia University, New York, NY (GPA: 4.0)
  • MS Journalism, 2019

  Alternative Options for Starting a Resume

  Kicking off a resume with a resume objective is one of many ways to communicate your unique skill set to a hiring manager and to make your resume stand out amongst the crowd.

  Here are three other options for starting a resume that are similar to an objective statement but with slightly different goals:

  1. Resume headline. A resume headline (or “resume title”) is a brief statement at the beginning of your resume which mentions the major highlights of your work experience up to the present moment.
  2. Summary statement. In contrast to a resume objective, a summary statement focuses only on how your skills will benefit the company that you’re applying to – it doesn’t mention any long-term career goals.
  3. Branding statement. In a single sentence, a branding statement should list the major skills and professional achievements that will make you an asset at the company that you’re applying to.

  Resume Objective FAQ

  1. How do you write a resume objective as a student? As a student, write a resume objective that includes your desire to work for the company, your applicable volunteer, internship, or class project experience, and what you’d bring to the company. Students’ resume objectives will also often explain why they’re choosing this particular job since they don’t have any career experience leading up to it.
  2. What is a goal statement? A goal statement is a short paragraph explaining your goal in applying for the job. It’s similar to an objective statement, and the two terms are often used interchangeably.
  3. Is it better to have an objective or summary statement on a resume? It’s better to have an objective statement on your resume when you don’t have related work experience. If your past work experience doesn’t directly relate to the job you’re applying for, it’s typically best to include an objective statement. If it does relate, a summary statement is usually best.

  Final Thoughts

  Inserting a well-crafted resume objective at the top of your resume is a great way to provide a broader context of your professional history and your professional goals to a hiring manager.

  It should be brief and concise – no more than a couple of sentences – and it should highlight the specific skills, qualifications, and personal goals that will make you uniquely suited for the role that you’re applying to.

  If your resume is your sales pitch about why you deserve the job, then your resume objective is your opening statement. Be succinct, direct, and confident.

  A resume, after all, should not be regarded merely as a timeline of your professional experience to date. It’s also the document that will provide a hiring manager with a glimpse into your individual skills and career goals.

  In light of that, it’s become a common best practice for many job applicants to include a resume objective at the beginning of a resume. A resume objective, simply put, is a succinct overview of your primary professional skills, title, degree of experience, and career objective.

  Opening your resume with a resume objective is a simple and highly effective way to communicate to a hiring manager that you have a concrete, specific goal which aligns with the hiring needs of their company. It’s also an elegant way to tie together various pieces of your academic experience and professional background in a manner that will demonstrate to a prospective employer that you are the right person for the job.

  Kicking a resume off with a strong resume objective, in other words, can greatly increase your chances of being noticed and asked to participate in a job interview.

  References

  1. Marquette University – Objective or Professional Summary
  2. Coursera.org – How to Write a Resume Objective [+ Templates]

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