Write a Powerful Resume Objective: Examples and Tips
A resume objective is a 2-3 sentence introduction to your professional experience and career goals. Follow our samples and examples to write yours.
A resume objective is a 2-3 sentence introduction to your professional experience and career goals. Follow our samples and examples to write yours.
A resume objective is a two- to three-sentence summary located at the top of your resume. It provides a bite-sized introduction to your top skills and experience but unlike the resume summary, your resume objective statement also includes your goals and what you’re seeking to accomplish with your resume.
It’s best to use a resume objective if you:
Take a look at this example of an objective for a resume and note how it also states the job seeker’s desire for employment:
Caring and friendly high school graduate with babysitting experience seeking part-time job opportunities in day care. Experienced in caring for children ages 4-9. Fun, patient, adaptable and comfortable with small groups.
Build my resumeHere are the four elements you need to keep in mind when you’re creating your resume objective.
The first thing you need to state is the job title you want to hold or currently hold. This should typically be the same as the specific position you’re applying for, e.g., “Marketing Manager” or “Sales Associate”.
Next, indicate your objective. Of course, your ultimate objective is to convince the company to hire you for the position you’re applying for. However, to create an appealing resume objective, you need to make this objective narrow enough to apply to the job listing but broad enough for it to encompass general goals. For example, someone who’s just gotten out of film school may state, “Film editor looking for an entry-level position to build experience in the film industry.”
If you do have experience, your resume objective should state this experience. This can even be true if your experience isn’t technically in the field you’re applying for. “Five years of experience in management” can still hold some weight in other fields, after all. Your best option is to determine how you can weave your professional experience with the field you’re pursuing, then write it down that way.
Lastly, you’ll want to add relevant skills — both hard skills and soft skills. Here are just a few of the skills that may be effective in a resume objective:
Some keywords you might want to emphasize include:
These types of strong words will vary by industry, so make sure you look at resume samples from your field to see what types of words people are using. Make sure you use ResumeHelp’s advice on hard skills and soft skills for the best results.
We mentioned the resume summary statement earlier in this article but let’s properly explain the difference between the two.
A resume objective and a resume summary serve more or less the same function. They’re both two to three sentences long and feature your top skill set and relevant experience. However, a resume objective also clearly states your professional goals.
A resume summary is ideal for candidates with three or more years of experience who are not changing careers. Whereas a resume objective is better for job seekers with little to no experience, changing professions or relocating.
If you’re uncertain, here’s a resume objective example next to a resume summary sample:
Creative marketing student seeking copywriting internship opportunities at advertising agency. Strong writing skills, knowledge of social media trends and ability to work well with others. Great time management skills and able to work independently.
Creative copywriter with five years of experience in advertising environments. Skilled in digital and traditional marketing, content creation and brainstorming with other creatives. Able to work under pressure and deliver unique ideas within tight deadlines.
Build my resumeUse these resume objectives examples as a foundation for writing your own. We also have a wide range of resume examples for different professions and industries you can check out.
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Your resume objective will always be at the top of your resume. You want your objective to be the first thing a hiring manager sees, so they’re prepared for the rest of your resume. Think of it as your response to the job description; you’re explaining exactly why you fit the description.
A resume objective highlights how you can benefit a company and that your career goals align well with the company’s needs.
It’s a good idea to look at resume examples for your industry and see how many of them include a resume objective or resume summary. If you notice that many of the resume examples for your job or industry opt for a summary instead of a resume objective, you should consider doing the same.
A good resume objective accomplishes two objectives (so to speak): It informs hiring managers about your top skills and qualifications, and it also gives them an idea of the type of career and job you’re aiming for. A good objective should be written to satisfy the requirements of the job you want, so look over the job description and try to match your own experiences and strengths with what the job is looking for. Include some details about the type of work you’re seeking (i.e., “Programmer looking for opportunity that focuses on virtual and mixed-reality apps”).
The main thing to avoid in a resume objective is being over-wordy. Your resume should be quick, to the point and effective, and so should your objective. Think of it as an “elevator pitch.” If your resume objective is more than a few lines long, step back and see where you can trim it down.
It’s also common for job seekers to forget that their resume objective is supposed to showcase how they fit a job rather than why they’re interested in the job. You need to focus on skills and/or experience that are perfect for what the company is looking for. The intention of your resume objective is to make the company as interested in you as you’re interested in the company.
Couldn't find the answer you're looking for?
We personalize your experience.
We use cookies in our website to ensure we give you the best experience, get to know our users and deliver better marketing. For this purpose, we may share the information collected with third parties. By clicking “Allow cookies” you give us your consent to use all cookies. If you prefer to manage your cookies click on the “Manage cookies” link below.