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.
Roger Clark (BSc) has over 25 years experience in career development & recruitment at a senior level through top management positions he has held with major international companies.
You can visit his "Top Career Resumes" website for a wealth of top quality information relating to the employment market.
http://www.top-career-resumes.com
http://www.top-career-resumes.com/re sume-objectives
Bringing your emotional baggage into the work place is inappropriate... Read More
Planning and preparing before you begin to send out resumes... Read More
WARNING: This article is likely to make you mad.In fact,... Read More
Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven... Read More
Many people can easily write a resume in just a... Read More
Don't get discouraged! A "no" answer to any of the... Read More
At some point in every professional or managerial career, there... Read More
To "sell" oneself on paper is not easy. Creating a... Read More
"Doing a good job is one of the most important... Read More
Many people in the last decade have experienced for themselves... Read More
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) CareersLicensed Practical Nurses provide the most... Read More
Many years ago searching for a federal job was a... Read More
You may be astonished to realize that retrenchment may occur... Read More
Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More
Without doubt, job loss through downsizing or redundancy, is a... Read More
1. You're eavesdropping and you hear your boss has reservations... Read More
All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of... Read More
Guess what. The results are out they are ugly. Pretty... Read More
As you take CDL practice test, you do become more... Read More
Too often in life, we fail. We fail not because... Read More
This is one of those broad questions that can take... Read More
FIRST STEP -- Set short-term, incremental goals.... Read More
Many young adults flock to bars, lounges and clubs on... Read More
Can You Tell Good Service From Bad; Recognise Value For... Read More
While at times it may prove comfortable and convenient to... Read More
You're just getting over the shock of having become unemployed.... Read More
This career article will give you some great tips on... Read More
After creating the perfect resume, you then need to distribute... Read More
'Fear of rejection' is the major reason why individuals looking... Read More
You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have... Read More
We have been studying the labor rates of Oil, Lube... Read More
Promote Your Resume Business Website!While we make our websites to... Read More
Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can... Read More
Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment SuccessBefore... Read More
Disadvantages of Resume SoftwareFormat A large majority of software requires... Read More
In the rush of everyday work, it can be difficult... Read More
The success of any business or organization depends largely on... Read More
The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at... Read More
Although today's job market can be very competitive, many job... Read More
Looking for a new job, whether it is with a... Read More
Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the... Read More
Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More
Is your inner brat taking over your job? Everyone has... Read More
You've heard the real estate cliché: the three factors that... Read More
When looking for a telecommuting position, it is very important... Read More
This is a question that you can almost count on... Read More
In one short week, the axe fell at a number... Read More
I begin this article with a bit of slang description.... Read More
Is an International Resume still a Resume? This is a... Read More
Your breath catches in your throat - at last, an... Read More
If you want to land an interview, you'll need more... Read More
When cyclists prepare for a big race, they always make... Read More
We have been studying the labor rates of Oil, Lube... Read More
1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More
Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More
Looking for work is generally a miserable undertaking. No matter... Read More
The euphoria of getting a new job can sometimes be... Read More
I like Simon, one of three judges on American Idol.... Read More
Many people are choosing telecommuting as an option to bring... Read More
Is Kenexa recruiting for Microsoft or just mining for data?I... Read More
Working in ChinaWorking in China is very common now. Either... Read More
Are you doing what you really want to do or... Read More
Managing your career, just like managing your life, requires preparation... Read More
Do you know that a hiring manager just spends 10... Read More
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |