Why Your Resume Doesn't Need an Objective

If you learned how to create a resume ten years ago or longer, you might be surprised to know that an objective is no longer an essential part of a standard resume. In fact, some career experts will tell you that having a resume objective is unnecessary at best and dated at worst. Like the line "references upon request," it's a space-filler that's keeping hiring managers from getting to the meat of your resume.

You have a limited amount of time in which to grab their attention: less than eight seconds, to be exact, according to one study. Obviously, you don't want to waste any of that time telling them what they already know from the subject line of your email or the requisition number in the applicant tracking system.

Here are the better alternatives to a resume objective:

Branding Statements and Profiles

A branding statement or professional profile has taken the place of the objective for most resume writers. In this brief introductory paragraph, job seekers provide an elevator speech—a quick summary of their experience, skills, and attributes that describes their career and qualifications at a glance.

This introduction fulfills two main purposes at the same time: it gives hiring managers quick insight into the candidate while allowing the candidate an opportunity to use resume keywords that will get their application noticed. Here's an example:

Also review tips for writing a branding statement, with more examples, along with advice on adding a profile to your resume.

Resume Headline

A headline on your resume allows you to condense your skills and work experience into a brief phrase that will quickly impress the hiring manager. If you're short on work experience, you can use headlines to highlight your personal attributes and skills. 

Review tips for how to write a resume headline, with examples.

Use Keywords in Your Resume

Choosing the right keywords is essential to getting past software and human screeners. These keywords aren't the same as resume buzzwords—those are almost always overused and will get your resume a one-way trip to the circular file. Resume keywords are individual to the job you're applying for and should change every time you submit your resume for a new position.

How to Select Keywords

To figure out the best keywords to use, scan the job listing and make a list of the most important words, e.g., job titles like "regional manager" or "data scientist" and skills words like "proficient in Javascript" or "proven seller." Use the words that apply to your experience, skills, and job history, and craft a professional profile or branding statement.

Keep Your Resume Honest

While it's OK to emphasize your most relevant experience, don't lie—especially when it comes to job titles held or skills acquired. It does you no good to get hired for a position if you can't deliver on the promise your resume has made to the hiring manager.

If You Absolutely Must Have an Objective on Your Resume

Can't let go of the idea of including an objective on your resume just yet? It's not just you—many people still want to stick to the traditional format with an objective at the top of the page. If you must have an objective, make sure it's the right one, and it's focused on the job you're applying for vs. what you want.

Resume objectives must:

• Change, depending on the job for which you're applying. It's no good using the same objective for multiple job openings. Resist the temptation to tweak a word or two, and craft your resume objective from scratch for each position under consideration.
• Contain keywords specific to the position, job description, and most valuable skills.
• Provide more than just the job title and description. Don't waste a moment of the hiring manager's time by repeating information they already know, such as which job you're applying for or what the basic duties are.
• Show why you're a well-qualified candidate for the position.
• Explain what you have to offer the employer, not what you yourself are seeking in your next job or company.