by George Stranz

Created on: November 11, 2009

Many hiring managers and recruiters frown upon the use of objective statements in resumes. This is because job seekers often write poor objectives that are wordy and vague. Even worse, some statements are little else than the applicant's wishes or demands.

The best objective statements are brief, well-written, and align the candidate's skills with the company's needs.

Be Brief

A long-winded objective statement will get your resume tossed in the trash. Employers are very busy and they don't need to waste time trying to figure out why you're the right person for the job. A simple, one-sentence statement is all that is needed.

Be Clear and Specific

Clearly state the position that you are applying for. Avoid vague job titles such as "teacher," "sales executive," or "information technology professional."

If you're applying to an ad for a kindergarten teacher, then write that you are seeking a position as a kindergarten teacher. If you are applying for a tier II help desk position, then write that in your resume. General objective statements just don't cut it these days.

Don't Make It About Yourself

Employers don't care that you want a higher salary or a chance to work for a Fortune 500 firm. They are only interested in finding the best applicant for the job. Keep the focus on your applicable skills, education, and experience and how they relate to the job you're applying for.

Get Their Attention

You'll need to stand out from the crowd in order to get an interview. Since the objective statement is usually the first thing a hiring manager looks at, you should showcase any special skills, experience or education. For instance, if you graduated from Harvard, mention that you are "Harvard educated." If you won a couple of awards for your design work, you can use the phrase "award-winning designer." If you achieved a high ranking position, such as Chief Financial Officer, use the designation "CFO" in your objective. Noteworthy achievements immediately tell employers why you are qualified for the position.

Tie It All Together

Great objective statements say it all in a nutshell. They essentially tell the employer what position you are applying for and why you're worthy enough to be interviewed. Here are two sample objective statements that are clear, specific, and eye-catching:

Experienced, Emmy-nominated television producer looks to increase viewership in news producer position

Dual MA and LIS who successfully increased circulation seeks to leverage public services programming and collection development experience as Young Adult Librarian

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