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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As a child I remember my dad coming home from work each night thrilled to relax, but excited to go in the next day. My dad never viewed his job as work. He lived by the adage ‘If you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’
In college we’re told to work certain career clusters within our field of study and we’re encouraged to remain dedicated to that track. But at some point during your education you may realize that what you studied does not align with your personality and interests. You may just dislike the company you work for and its culture, but the void could be deeper than that if you leave your job every day feeling unfulfilled. If you’re unsatisfied or disengaged with your work, it’s not too late to adjust your career path. Here are some practical steps you can follow to improve your career situation and, more importantly, overall well-being. 1) Assess your overall job satisfaction Think deeply and record how you feel each day during and after work. Take notice of any general patterns: are you dissatisfied every day or only every so often when stressful situations arise? Understanding the root of your unhappiness and assessing these patterns will confirm whether or not you’re ready for a career change. 2) Ask yourself if your job aligns with your interests and values This question ties in directly with the idea of never having to work a day in your life. If you’re truly invested and engaged in your job, then that probably means it aligns with your passions and values. If you love your job, work shouldn’t feel difficult or boring most of the time you’re on the clock. Instead, you should feel like you’re being challenged enough, but still making a valuable contribution to society. If you’re still in college and are wondering if your major is a good fit, our Focus 2 program will help you gain a better understanding of your personality and how it impacts your work style and environment. 3) Consider possible alternative careers Brainstorm and research jobs you might be interested in where your skills overlap. It’s important to take inventory of your expertise versus what skills you need to refine. This way you can understand what you need to do to become a well-qualified candidate. The more detailed you are in conducting background research, the easier it will be to find a good fit for your skills and personality. Check out Candid Career to watch some day in the life videos of professionals in a variety of careers and job settings. 4) Tap into your personal and professional network After you research career options, the best way to move forward is to contact people you know. Friends and family might be able to help you out, but also think of mentors or co-workers from your previous positions who got to know you well and see if they recommend any new jobs for you. Get their opinion on the skills necessary to move forward and possibly shadow a professional in your new desired field. Showing interest and passion for a change while still working your current job will highlight your work ethic and motivation to learn and grow in new areas. 5) Upgrade your skills or education You might have to the opportunity to take on new tasks in your current job or help out with a special project that was previously handled by someone else. It’s always a good idea to take initiative by offering your help or consultation. Consider taking additional courses online or even doing an internship if your finances and situation allow it. Take my dad as an example. He studied psychology and realized after graduation that a career in that particular field was not for him. He did an internship which led to him becoming a writer for late night television. 6) You may just need a new job in the same industry Sometimes it’s a matter of simply needing to change companies. Your current job may align with your passions, but the culture or environment is draining and overall morale is low. It’s OK to feel this way and important to recognize when burnout occurs. Just make sure to plan your next steps before leaving any job and never burn any bridges with former co-workers. Marist students and alumni can visit and/or contact the Center For Career Services to get assistance with transitioning into a new area of the workforce. Career changes are big steps and often difficult to implement. It can be overwhelming to discover that your current job is not something you see yourself doing in the long term future. However, making a switch can be worth it if you are truly unhappy with aspects of your job because like my dad always says, “if you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” From your headline to your groups and everything in between, your LinkedIn profile sells your complete personal brand: your experience, education, skill set and work samples. Your job credentials should be seamlessly tied together in your summary in no more than 2,000 characters. Chances are your LinkedIn summary is not built up to its full potential. While there is no “one size fits all” approach to crafting it, your summary is essential to building a great first impression of your LinkedIn profile. When drafting your LinkedIn summary, get to know your audience first. Who are you speaking to? What roles are they in? What attributes do they want to see from potential employees and which of your personal characteristics clearly align with those demands? As you consider these questions, you will be able to tailor your summary to influencers in your field. Take a look at these two examples of the first sentence of a summary that make viewers want to learn more about the individual: After you have a bold, attention-grabbing first sentence, you can focus on the details of the narrative behind your brand. There are six points that should be brought up in your summary that contribute to your career story: significant accomplishments, values and passions, skills you have mastered, statistics, personal or work style quirks, and recognition. This article runs through each of these points in more detail.
Finally, end your summary with a call to action. Motivate your audience to get to know you by examining other sections of your profile and encourage them to follow up in some way. Make sure to include your other contact information and/or links to other online profiles or work samples. Work samples in your summary can include photos, graphics, video, or documents that you’re most proud of and make your profile more visually appealing right off the bat. Your LinkedIn summary best represents your profile. It should reflect a blend of professional and personal attributes that are most valuable to the type of employment you seek. |
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