Ah, the resume objective statement: a grave challenge surrounded by floating questions without answers. This is often the line of your resume directly below your contact information and the first bullet point the hiring manager reviews. But is it necessary to even include an objective on your resume nowadays?
For years, I was told to always include an objective statement on my resume. In fact, when you search ‘sample resumes’ online, you’ll more than likely see a glaring brief statement at the top of each example. There is a lot of mixed information on objective statements out there. Objectives are tricky because they either help or hinder your job search, and if you choose to include one, well, you risk possibly misrepresenting your qualifications for a job. Those In Favor Many career services professionals urge students to include an objective statement on their resume to help them express their passion for the role or organization to which the student is applying. In the past, the argument lied in the fact that objective statements provided employers with a clear overview of the candidate and their goals. Those Not In Favor More recently, the general consensus of resume objectives has shifted in that many employers advise against them. Some recruiters assert that objective statements are often poorly written and reiterate information in the job posting such as the job description or title. Other objectives are entirely vague and confuse the employer as to who the candidate really is and what makes them qualified. More importantly, objective statements take up precious space on a resume that could instead be filled with more precise descriptions of professional experience. So, What Should You Do? As a soon-to-be-graduating public relations and advertising student searching for jobs and internships at every chance I can get, I still include an objective statement on my resume. My strategy for crafting one is incorporating keywords from the job ad to describe personal attributes that fit with the qualifications for the job to which I am applying. My objective statement is always tailored to details directly from the job posting that are applicable to the position. In this example of an objective on one of my resumes the specific phrases and attributes from the job ad are in bold. Aspiring Public Relations Associate with exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills. An adaptable collaborator with a demonstrated passion for creative storytelling. Results-driven candidate who can perform under pressure. If you’re still not sure whether or not to include an objective statement on your resume, go with your gut. Look at the job posting thoroughly and do background research on the company to find out characteristics they look for in employees. Ask yourself: am I hearing back after applying to jobs with an objective statement on my resume? If you’re not, you may want to forgo the objective completely.
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