Objectives and Résumés
This is one of those topics that I don’t even see much of a reason for a full blog post on it because my general response to the question: should I include an objective on my résumé is “No.” However, job seekers often push back on this. Here’s why I usually say no to objectives and the notable exceptions.
Why is this in templates?
Most of the Word templates your friendly local librarian might direct you to were not designed by résumé writers. Will an objective actually cost you an interview? Eh, probably not, but it could. The purpose of an objective or “job target” on a résumé is to let the hiring manager know what job you want—-specifically. If you don’t know that you want to be hired as an X at Company Y, the objective is pointless. Not to sound too cold about it, but when a hiring manager is sorting through résumés, they are going to be more concerned about whether or not your qualifications match what they need. They aren’t that concerned about what you want. In general, they are going to assume you must be at least a little bit interested in the job or you wouldn’t be applying.
Here’s another problem with including a specific objective: if you create a specific objective for each résumé you send out, it’s one more detail that could slip through the cracks with embarrassing results.
But my objective sounds so lovely
That’s great! Keep it as an inspirational guiding phrase by your computer. Please, please, please keep in mind that the person you plan to send this to is understaffed and needs to sort through a bunch of résumés to figure out who to interview. If they want literature, they are going to reach for something else. I’ve done it. I’ve known other people have done it. Nobody wants to read a résumé.
If you’re excited about flexing your wordsmithing muscles, the cover letter is a terrific opportunity to do that. (That said, please keep it to three paragraphs—short ones.)
But . . . my accomplishments!
Yes! Think of your accomplishments. Write them down. Get them on your résumé, but that’s not what your objective is for.
You might need an objective if . . .
Your work experience is “varied” aka “all over the place.” While an objective is only one part of showing an employer you’re serious about landing a certain role at their company if you’ve worked in different roles at different kinds of companies, an objective can help clarify/validate that you read the posting and you really do want that job.
It’s a job in municipal, state, or federal government and they need you to include an objective because they’re specific like that.
You know the hiring manager is a stickler for their idea of “the résumé that works” and they’re hung up on including an objective.
Your English teacher requires it as part of an assignment (but take it off later.)
