Objectives: Leave Them Off Your Resume

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See, I'm one of those people with 5-6 jobs (temporary positions, changes due to relocation, etc) over the course of five years. It's not something I'm particularly pleased with, and I'm more than willing to talk through whatever may need to be addressed with whoever needs to know, it's just getting to the person I need to speak with.
I realize this is tangent to the original post, it's just something I feel passionately about - everyone has a story, and if there is something of interest it's important to at least explore that person's story in a meaningful way. Now, is part of my problem the fact there are umpteen people out there going for the same administrative jobs I am? Probably. I know I've lost jobs to recent college grads, or people who knew someone internally... all the things we "know" we face.
Figuring out all these rules, and the different ways people eliminate resumes, and what will get a person in the position to hire's interest is enough to drive even the sanest, most positive job hunter absolutely batty.

Kelly O of TX 1:35PM March 10, 2009

This is something that I always recommend to a jobhunter. My suggestion is to replace the objective with a clear "headline" of who you are - for example, replace "Objective: to obtain a senior marketing position in a growing and stable company" with "SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE - INTERACTIVE MEDIA". This tells me EXACTLY who you are in a summarized form - and will let me know if I'm interested in continuing to look at your resume. If I can't find out who you are and what you do within 10 seconds of scanning your resume, I close it.
However, you have to be careful with headlines - if you leave out some of your other skills, and I happen to be looking for them (as a recruiter) and don't see that, but something else in the headline - it might be reason enough for me to discard your resume. So be concise, but clear and thorough! =)

Jesse 12:08PM March 10, 2009

I always thought they were stupid and never managed to figure one out for my resume' when they started telling us we should put it on there. Such a waste of space!

Kelli of KS 10:59AM March 10, 2009

Kelly...you asked about "job hopping." There are some valid reasons for it -- companies that have closed, spousal relocations, but in general, if someone has had several jobs in quick succession, I see it as a sign of trouble and would be less likely to interview that person.
Addressing the issue in the cover letter makes sense . . . but only if there is a valid reason for it. Just not finding the right job or complaining about money or the boss won't work here.
One or two hops? I can live with. But, seriously, I've seen resumes with 5-6 jobs over the course of a few years. Why would I think that person would be serious about staying at my company?
Just so you know where I'm coming from...I'm the President of a small business that employs around a dozen people.

AGirlNamedMe of NY 4:14AM March 10, 2009

Overall, I agree, but I think it can be helpful to have an Objective when you either haven't yet established a clear career path, or when you are veering from the path you've been on in the past. Example:
OBJECTIVE
To transfer the ____, ____, and ____ skills gained during a 12-year career as a _____ to a position in the _____ field.
That kind of statement acknowledges that they're not going to find a direct correlation between your old titles and your desired title, but explains why you're applying.
New grads, career changers, and people who are returning to work after a long absence can sometimes do well with that kind of Objective statement. But only if it's focused on the employer's needs, not their own personal agenda.

Julie O'Malley, CPRW of MA 4:51PM March 09, 2009

"Obtain a ... position where my experience, proficiency and motivation will allow me to contribute and grow." says absolutely nothing. That's assumed of everyone.
Nobody has ever looked at a resume and said "Jenkins, look at this one. This lad wants to contribute and grow! Call him in for an interview!"
The only reason that people put objectives on resumes is because that's the way it's always been done.

Andy "The Working Geek" Lester of IL 4:45PM March 09, 2009

If I start looking for a job it won't be for the position I'm currently holding. I will be crossing fields from science into business/marketing and while I'll have an MBA to put on the resume, my intent won't otherwise be obvious from what I've done in the past.
Should I only put my objective in the cover letter, or is this a situation where it would be appropriate on a resume?
If I give my resume to a family friend to help me look for a job and there is no cover letter, does this change your answer?
I've been pondering this one since last week.
Thanks.

Jean of PA 4:35PM March 09, 2009

Obtain a ... position where my experience, proficiency and motivation will allow me to contribute and grow.

Stunned Weasel 3:56PM March 09, 2009

I'm just curious about your reaction to "job-hopping" ("ugg") - would you automatically look at a resume, see several positions in a short period of time, and immediately disregard that person without at least looking to see if it would be worth an interview?
Honestly, as someone with that problem (several jobs in a short period of time) I struggle with whether to add an objective or summary line to help offset reactions like this, or to help explain the reasoning behind the transitions.

Kelly O of TX 3:03PM March 09, 2009

What do you do if the job posting REQUIRES an objective? As in, "Please send resume with objective." I've seen these, I swear. I usually reply "To work as a [position] at [company]" ...

Rebecca of TN 2:27PM March 09, 2009