Should You Include an Objective Statement in Your Resume?
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Should you include an objective statement in your resume? It’s a question that has caused a lot of debate. While some hiring professionals believe it can be helpful in communicating focus, others (us included!) believe it’s an outdated practice that takes up precious resume space, and can be more clearly articulated through a summary section or cover letter.
In this blog, we’ll break down the pros and cons of using an objective statement on your resume and explore more effective alternatives that can help you make a strong first impression. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
Objective Statements Are Outdated: They focus on the applicant’s goals, which can be seen as self-centered and outdated.
Better Alternatives: A professional summary and skills section better highlight what you can offer the employer.
Use a Cover Letter: A tailored cover letter adds context and shows enthusiasm for the role, complementing your resume.
What is an Objective Statement?
Before diving into the pros and cons, let’s quickly define what an objective statement is. An objective statement is a short paragraph or one sentence at the top of your resume where you express your career goals or intentions. It’s often tailored to the job you’re applying for, giving employers a snapshot of what you hope to achieve in your next role.
Here is an overview of objective statements on resumes:
Focus: An objective statement typically focuses on the job seeker’s goals or what they hope to achieve in their next role. It outlines the type of job they are looking for and sometimes mentions the skills they bring to the table.
Purpose: Its goal is to express the candidate’s intentions and clarify their career aspirations.
Length: Usually 1–2 sentences.
Example: Seeking a challenging marketing position where I can utilize my creative and analytical skills to drive business growth.
💭 But, is this still necessary (or recommended) in modern resumes? Let’s take a closer look…
Pros of Including an Objective Statement on Your Resume
While we don’t recommend including an objective statement, in certain cases, an objective statement can give employers a quick understanding of what role you’re aiming for and what your career goals are.
Here are a couple situations where you could consider including an objective statement:
If you’re switching industries, an objective statement can clarify your intentions and highlight transferable skills.
Candidates with employment gaps can use an objective statement to explain these gaps and restate their passion for the field, reassuring potential employers of their dedication during their job search.
☝️ With this being said, addressing the gaps or career change in a summary or cover letter while focusing on your skills and readiness might be a stronger approach.
Cons of Including an Objective Statement on Your Resume
Despite their prevalence in the past, objective statements have become increasingly unpopular among modern hiring teams, and for good reason. Here’s why we recommend leaving them off your resume:
❌ Outdated Practice
Objective statements are often seen as old-fashioned and out of touch with current resume trends. Including one can make your resume appear behind the times, signaling a lack of awareness of current hiring practices. In a competitive market, it’s vital to present yourself as someone who is up-to-date with the latest standards.
❌ Lack of Value Addition
Objective statements rarely add real value to your resume. The space they take up could be better used to highlight achievements, skills, and experiences that directly demonstrate your qualifications for the job. Employers are looking for tangible evidence of your abilities, not a statement about your goals.
❌ Self-Centered Perspective
Objective statements tend to focus on the applicant’s desires rather than addressing the employer’s needs. This self-centered perspective can be a turn-off for hiring managers who are more interested in what you can bring to their organization.
✨Tip: Capturing the recruiter’s attention is crucial, and an objective statement that revolves around your personal goals might not achieve this. Instead, focusing on how you can obtain a position that contributes to the company’s success is a more effective way to engage potential employers and make a lasting impression.
Better Alternatives to Objective Statements (Our Recommendations!)
Given that objective statements often fall short, it’s worth exploring more effective alternatives. Many candidates can benefit from abandoning the objective statement in favor of more impactful sections, resulting in a modern and relevant resume. Additionally, pairing your resume with a strong, tailored cover letter can make an even bigger impact, providing more context and personal touch to your application. Let’s take a closer look:
✅ Professional Summary
A professional summary serves as an effective introduction to a resume, allowing candidates to present a concise overview of their qualifications. This section should clearly showcase the value a candidate brings to the job, highlighting key skills, experiences, and accomplishments relevant to the prospective employer.
Unlike an objective statement, a professional summary focuses on what you can offer the company, thereby aligning more closely with what hiring managers are looking for. This approach can make a significant impact, providing a richer context for your professional background.
Here is an example of a professional summary:
✨ Tip: Check out our blog outlining our expert resume writing tips!
✅ Core Competencies Section
A dedicated core competencies section is another effective alternative to an objective statement. This section allows job seekers to list relevant skills directly aligned with the job description, drawing immediate attention to their qualifications. Both hard and soft skills should be included to provide a comprehensive view of the applicant’s strengths.
Here is an example of a core competencies section:
✨ Tip: Need some inspiration for your resume sections? Browse our page full of resume samples.
✅ Cover Letter
While a resume focuses on your qualifications and skills, a cover letter is your opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm for the role and explain how you can contribute to the company. Think of it as a companion to your resume, offering more personalized insight into why you’re a great match for the position. Your cover letter should reinforce the strengths highlighted in your resume, provide context for your experiences, and demonstrate how your goals align with the company’s mission. When paired with a professional summary and skills section, a well-written cover letter creates a compelling package that helps you stand out to hiring managers.
✨Tip: Looking for professional guidance with your cover letter? We offer professional cover letter help and writing.
Summary
While objective statements were once a common feature of resumes, they are now considered outdated and less effective. Objective statements typically focus on the applicant’s personal goals, which often fail to resonate with employers looking for candidates who emphasize how they can contribute to the company’s success. Instead, modern resumes benefit from alternatives like a professional summary and core competencies section, which highlight the value a candidate brings to the role. Additionally, pairing a resume with a tailored cover letter allows applicants to provide context, demonstrate enthusiasm, and align their skills with the company’s goals, ultimately creating a more compelling application.
Q&A
Q: What is an objective statement, and why is it used?
A: An objective statement is a concise part of your resume that highlights your career goals and how you fit a specific job. It’s essential because it immediately informs hiring managers about your intentions and relevance for the position.
Q: Why are objective statements considered outdated?
A: Objective statements are considered outdated because they tend to be self-centered, emphasizing the job seeker’s needs instead of showcasing how they can add value to the employer. It’s more effective to use a summary or skills section that highlights your strengths and contributions.
Q: When might an objective statement be useful?
A: An objective statement can be helpful for career changers or for job seekers with gaps in their employment history, as a resume objective can articulate their commitment to resuming their career despite previous interruptions.
Q: What are effective alternatives to objective statements?
A: A professional summary or a skills section can really enhance your resume by showcasing your qualifications more effectively than an objective statement. These alternatives help highlight what you bring to the table in a way that aligns with the job you’re targeting.
Q: How can I make my resume stand out without an objective statement?
A: To make your resume stand out, emphasize a strong professional summary and a clear skills section. By highlighting your key experiences and accomplishments that align with the job, you’ll grab attention right away.
Ready to Set Yourself Apart in The Job Market?
We are here to help! Our dedicated team here at ResumeSpice may be known for being the #1 rated resume writing service in the US, but we do much more than that. Our team is here to help you feel confident in yourself and your skillset and totally prepared to stand out in the job market. From helping guide you in building out your personal brand, to working with you on customized interview prep, tailored career coaching, professional LinkedIn profile writing, and more, we are your resource! Check out all of our career services here, and give us a call at 832.930.7378 or connect with us online.
