Resume Phrases Interview Preparation Guide

A resume objective is a brief statement that appears at the top of a resume that expresses the applicant's career goal or desired occupation. There are several factors to consider when deciding when to include an objective in a resume and whether it might strengthen or weaken a job application.

Employers like to see an objective whenever there is a situation that in any way questions why an applicant is applying for a particular position. If you are changing careers and applying for a position that is different from positions you have held in the past, an objective is an important component of a successful resume. You should also include an objective in your resume if you have recently graduated and are looking for your first job or if you have been out of work for an extended period of time and there is a large gap between your last job and the one you are applying for. Under these circumstances, by writing an objective you avoid giving the perception that you may only be looking for a temporary, short-term position.

While a resume objective is not required as part of a professional resume, it can help you stand out from other applicants. Employers do not like training and hiring people who are still on the path of career discovery because this means you may not be with them for the long haul. A strong objective not only gives the employer the indication that you are decided on a career path but increases the likelihood that you will grow with the company.

Notice that most of these resume job objective statements are each 10 words or less. In some cases, they include lists of terms that help define the objectives. But the look and feel of each one is lean and mean. No extra fluff like looking for a challenging position or seeking a position in a growth-oriented company or utilizing my skills and experience to advance my career. None of that extra stuff that does not mean anything to the reader. Just the facts, what the job seeker wants.

If you include an objective on your resume, it is important to customize the resume objective to match the position you are applying for. It should show the reader why you are a strong match for the job. The more specific your resume objective is, the better chance you have of being considered for the job.

Resume profile:
Some employers prefer resume profiles to resume objectives but it is up to you to decide which works best for your resume considering your work experience, skills, level of position and qualifications for the job for which you are applying.
Resume objective:
Stating an objective on your resume is a way to convince employers that you know what you want in a job, while a profile explains what you have to offer the employer and can help sell your candidacy. Another option is to not use either and simply start your resume with your most recent work experience.

Examples of resume objective:
☛ Elementary Education Teacher
☛ Account executive trainee in small advertising agency.
☛ Position as clinical practice assistant for health maintenance organization, utilizing writing, research and leadership skills.

Some job seekers choose to include an objective on their resume, rather than including it in the body of their cover letter. It is optional but including a resume objective can convince employers that you know what you want and are familiar with the job, the industry and the company. If you include an objective on your resume, it is important to tailor the resume objective to match the job you are applying for. The more specific you are, the better chance you have of being considered for the job you are interested in.

Your career summary may be part of the resume objectives paragraph, that is if you have years of professional experience.
Therefore, the resume objectives should be divided into two elements:
☛ Your career summary (i.e. professional history)
☛ Resume objectives: description of the job that you are seeking.

Here are a few objective statements that you can rewrite/edit and use for your resume:
☛ Obtain a position at ABC institute where I can maximize my training experience, program development skills and my teaching abilities.
☛ Seeking a position that will benefit from my sales experience, positive interaction skills and industry contacts where my twelve year's experience can improve the sales results.
☛ Sales manager position where my skills and experience can be effectively utilized for increased profitability and product sales volume by developing a dynamic team.
☛ Seeking a project management position with leadership responsibilities including problem solving, planning, organizing and managing budgets.
☛ Seeking a position in an office environment, where there is a need for a variety of office management tasks including computer knowledge, organizational abilities, business intelligence and database program use.
☛ Obtain a position as a team-player in a people-oriented organization where I can maximize my customer-service experience in a challenging environment to achieve the corporate goals.
☛ To obtain a position as a School Teacher that will utilize my strong dedication to children's development and to their educational needs.
☛ To obtain a position as an office Secretary in which my computer knowledge and organizational abilities can be fully utilized.