9 of 20

Write now Article Tools

Adding an objective line on a resume is a red flag for inexperience. Only when specifically asked should you ever include an objective line on a resume. The objective line chews up valuable space on a resume which you will need to use to sell yourself, not to prove you read a book on "How to write a resume."

Through the course of my managerial career, I have hired and fired over 100 people. When I was handed a resume, I would set aside all of the resumes which started out with an objective. My complain was they were all the same: "To find a job which challenges me to use my full potential."

Whenever I saw that line on a resume, I knew that person was not going to get an interview. I stopped reading the resume at that very point. If the person was not creative enough to at least mention my company directly in the objective, then it was over before it started.

I can understand why people put objectives on their resumes, which is to take up space. People new to the work force often add objectives to make themselves sound more professional. Putting the objective line in a different font and then bold, italicize, or underline it was the icing on the cake. I don't do fancy fonts.

Objective lines are necessary if the job postings ask for it, but I would stick to what the job posting is calling for in the objective. Read and understand what the posting is asking for and then apply specific language to the objective line. Never stray and never use a canned response.

Objective lines are never a good idea, but during my course of hiring, I will admit I had to start over with a pile of resumes as everyone of them had the line. If you feel compelled to add an objective line, make it original, focused on the company, and make it a real sentence, never lead with a preposition, it just looks tacky if you do.

Learn more about this author, Jerrod Clark.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should you put your objective on your resume??
We want to hear your view. Write now!