A well-tailored objective statement is a good way to frame your resume and to highlight key elements. A strong objective statement will help establish the way you fit for the position and communicates what separates you from the rest
of the candidates; what makes you uniquely qualified.
There’s a few easy best practices that can help you write a great objective statement.
Consider your strengths
If you have difficulty describing what your key professional strengths are, consider taking an assessment or asking a trusted colleague to share some feedback with you. You can also review past performance reviews for feedback that seems to come up again and again.
A true strength will show up for you in almost every situation. Strengths are the well-developed ways of working that have made you successful and they are what you rely on to help you accomplish difficult tasks. If it is a key strength of yours, you can immediately think of several instances of how it shows up for you in your work. Make sure your objective statement includes these authentic strengths that are uniquely yours.
Evaluate the job description
Review the job description and make a list of keywords that are emphasized more than once, describe the key qualifications that you meet, and describe the values that are featured when the company describes their culture and mission. Make sure to use the words from this list that both seem the most important and also match your qualifications, skills, and values.
Choose your words carefully
An objective statement should be brief, so make every word count. Make sure you choose words that most closely convey your message. Consider not just the meaning of each word, but also the connotation of your words. By thinking of connotations, you can avoid words that could have a negative alternative meaning. If you have trouble thinking of a good word, or want to find a different one to avoid repeating a word, consider using an online thesaurus.
Avoid using a templated or stock statement
Recruiters read a very high volume of resumes, and because of that, can immediately tell when they are reading a stock statement. An example of a stock statement is:
“Results-driven professional seeking a position that utilizes my skills and abilities for forward advancement.”
Because these statements convey nothing about you as an individual to separate you as a candidate, they do not help you stand out. An objective statement is at the top of your resume, and therefore contains some of the most important words you will write. Recruiters will read that statement before anything else, so make sure you make those words count.
No first-person statements
Just like in the rest of your resume, leave out any first-person references. It may seem awkward at first, but consider this: your entire resume is about you, so if you used the word “I” it would get repetitive and monotonous quickly. If it is difficult for you to write without using first-person narrative, use it while writing your first draft and then remove it during your first edit.
Name your game
Make sure to name your profession, meaning the profession to which you are applying. If the job requires a certain number of years of experience, be sure to include your years of service in the role. If you are making the transition into a new career, state the most relevant skills you have and the new profession you are seeking. Including your target profession in your objective statement ensures you have the most important keywords in your resume at least once, and that it is in the most highly featured part of your resume as well.
Have more than one
If you are looking for a position in more than one field or industry, simplify your application process by having one written that is tailored for each area. Planning ahead will make tailoring your resume for each position easier.