The objective should be nothing more than the title of the job for which you are applying. Period. I agree that objective statements described are nothing more than fluff and wasted space. I think many people, including the writer are confusing summary statements with the job objective which should be the first item below your contact info.
JujuKittyof CA9:02PM April 02, 2011
Having written some 1,500 resumes over the past two years, I must say that I agree with your opinion on the types of objectives you're using as examples. However, I believe that a properly worded objective serves as a successful lead-in to the rest of the resume, and the results my customers have achieved would seem to bear that out.
Written correctly, the objective can be the most important element of the resume (after the personal information, of course). It is the first element the hiring manager will read, and it is critical that the objective grab him/her and not let go. Grammatical errors, poor syntax, confused writing or a focus on what THE JOB SEEKER wants will cause the manager to throw the resume into the "No" pile before s/he reads any further. A manager with some 300-400 resumes to read simply will not fight through a resume from a job candidate who hasn't taken the time to follow these simple guidelines.
The best objective states in clear, plain language the position the candidate is seeking, how that candidate's experience matches up to the company's needs, and that candidate's belief that s/he brings value to that company. For example:
"I am seeking a full-time position with E. Fudd and Company as a wabbit hunter. As this resume demonstrates, my familiarity with wabbit habits, plus my ability to devise imaginative wabbit traps, will provide you immediate value. I am confident that I can help ABC meet its monthly wabbit quota."
Apart from the statement of the desired job, this objective is employer-centered. It directly answers the WII-FM question: "What's In It For Me?" Every element in that resume needs to answer that question, and starting with the objective will demonstrate to the employer that you have his/her interests in mind.
Jack Mulcahyof PA8:45AM March 30, 2011
I have been unemployed for 18 months. During that time I have volunteered resume creation services to friends and their friends. When anyone fills out a job application, submits a cover letter/letter of introduction (what's the difference, really) and then telephones a potential employer the objective is explicit.
Nick Candelasof CA2:55PM January 06, 2011
For those in favor of objectives, what kind of objective (in terms of content, and also specific examples) would give a candidate an edge over competing candidates? What would it need to include in order to be advantageous, instead of damaging or neutral?
Emmy8:31PM January 21, 2010
The ultimate reason for a job seeker to have an objective in the resume is very simple that they want to stand out from others. A good objective will bring job seekers with follow-up interview opportunities. So they do it.
Behavioral interviews are my least favorite part of job search process. Yet I have to do it to enter the real game. Robin of CA may be a professional with much experience, therefore he is courageous enough to say no to behavioral questions. For a lot of new grads like myself, we don't like it but we are forced to come up with good examples to answer these questions. It's not a matter of preference for us. If we don't do it, we get no opportunities for on-site interviews/follow-up interviews. Such a dilemma.
Jenof NC1:51PM November 18, 2009
I have long left my objectives off my resume, because I presume that it is understood that my "objective" is to get the job. Nonetheless, the number one piece of feedback I have received from HR and agencies is that "Objectives help the company know what you're looking for."
This distresses me. Really? The company doesn't know that I'm looking for a stable, reasonably well-paid job with a manager who is flexible and intelligent? Really?
This is the kind of thing that becomes maddening if you think about it too long.
Ericaof NJ10:59AM October 01, 2009
It's not hard to see that most organizations in the current economic climate are being bombarded with resumes from potential candidates who neither posses the skills nor experience necessary to fill open positions.
These candidates, in an exhausted effort to find decent employment, are applying to any and every position that appears to be meritorious. It seems to me that in this discombobulated environment candidates should use every possible avenue (exercising prudence and judgment of course) to distinguish themselves from those candidates who are merely watering down the pool of great potential hires.
One way to establish your credibility as a candidate of choice is with the Objective statement. While this may not be the only means available for distinguishing oneself from the crowd, if positioned properly, it can serve as a solid anchor for expressing the give and take necessary in any employer-employee relationship, and for conveying the true character of an individual. While I agree that many individuals flippantly jot down an objective statement in an attempt to keep pace with the masses, if carefully tailored, the objective statement can serve to set the applicant apart from all others and establish a solid foundation of respect for the integrity of the individual.
Coreyof GA12:31AM April 21, 2009
Rather than worrying about if the hiring manager likes/dislikes objectives, I avoid all that needless consternation (and more) about resumes. Whenever I see a request for one, be it online or a phone call from an interested party, I politely redirect them towards other means for us to connect. Resumes are terrible documents to market yourself and evaluate talent.
We really need to get both employers and candidates to focus on what job hunting really is all about. It's not about rehashing what you have done for others. It's about what you can do.
It's what I do both as a hiring manager and a candidate. I'm not interested in what you have done for others. If you send me a resume, big deal. If you send me a written letter or proposal that clearly delineates what you will do for me and my company, that's orgasmic!
And it's how I evaluate companies to work for too. If they want me to subject to behavioral interview after behavioral interview, sorry, markets change too quickly to waste time like that. If they'd like to speak of their plans from their launching products to doing new business, then that's an employer/employee relationship worth developing.
Yes, employers, let's start talking about your Goals, your Objectives!
Robinof CA8:49PM April 04, 2009
To me, the objective answers the obvious question, "Why do you want to work here?" Answer? Because doing so enables me to achieve my objective which just happens to be consistent with the sort of person you want.
There certainly was a time when this is what employers wanted; but perhaps it has now run its course.
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billy madison of FL 12:49PM May 23, 2011
JujuKitty of CA 9:02PM April 02, 2011
Jack Mulcahy of PA 8:45AM March 30, 2011
Nick Candelas of CA 2:55PM January 06, 2011
Emmy 8:31PM January 21, 2010
Jen of NC 1:51PM November 18, 2009
Erica of NJ 10:59AM October 01, 2009
Corey of GA 12:31AM April 21, 2009
Robin of CA 8:49PM April 04, 2009
Dr Bruce Hoag 12:54PM March 11, 2009