Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss


Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job seeker finds one he thinks is good, he feels like the drowning man who just got rescued.

But as Shakespeare said, there's something rotten in Denmark. Or in that sample you thought would save you.

The problem is that sample resume objectives all tend to miss one thing. It's truly shocking to me that they do. But they're usually free, and often they're worth about what you paid.

The thing they miss is that a resume objective isn't about you.

"What?!", you say, "Of course it's about me!"

That's probably what you've been taught. I'm sure it's what some people have told you. Just the words "resume objective" plant a bad seed in your mind.

Those words suggest...no, they SAY...that you should state the objective of your resume. That's poppycock. There's only one purpose of an objective statement on a resume, and that's to state how you can give your new employer profit.

Any resume objective statement that doesn't do that is garbage. That's certainly where your resume will end up. Those kinds of objective statements all translate into "get a job." That brilliantly states the obvious.

Every potential employer knows you want a job. In fact, there's nothing wrong with saying you want the job. But your objective statement isn't where you want to do it. You do it in your cover letter (indirectly), and in the job interview.

Your resume is your commercial for the improved profit you can add to your new employer. It's not about you, or what you want. Nothing, and I mean nothing, sells like the promise of windfall profits.

Sample resume objectives you're likely to find online miss that point entirely. Here's an example:

"A challenging job in an industrial setting performing chemical syntheses and characterizations; the ideal position will offer diverse tasks and the opportunity to work with a team."

Oh boy. Let's see. If I'm a potential employer reading that resume, all I see is that this person wants a job. Maybe I get that he's a chemist. Maybe I infer that he's a good team player. Maybe...I'm bored already. It's too much work to figure out what he'll do for me.

In the bin. Next!

Don't believe for a second that you simply need to copy some resume objective you find online. A better strategy is to steal..ahem...creatively borrow all the good ideas you can and create your own.

(c) Copyright 2005 by Roy Miller

An article by Roy Miller, creator of http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com. A quick, successful job search is about more than copying sample resume objectives. Go here to find a simple technique to analyze any sample resume objective you find online: Sample Resume Objectives: Stick With The Good Stuff. And if you liked this article, be sure to sign up for Roy's free weekly newsletter.

This article may be reprinted for use in newsletters and on websites provided that this information box is kept intact. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: roy@job-search-guidepost.com.

This Site Is For Sale

Related Articles:

Employment Outlook for Executives is Looking Up
Larry Keim, an employment industry expert, follows the trends of executives who are currently working with professional career management organizations.

Finding Construction Jobs Off the Beaten Path
Construction professionals of all experience levels need to think about their long term career goals when they look for the right employer. Construction jobs with commercial firms and manufacturers offer the greatest job security but may lack the daily challenges needed by creative professionals. The growth of construction job sites and other online resources has made it all too easy to find construction jobs in traditional fields. Applicants looking for something off the beaten path can look at a few growth industries in the UK and Europe as they continue their job hunt.

Taking Advantage of the Growing Market for Environmental Jobs
A combination of public concern, international regulation and pragmatic resources management has led to a growth in environmental jobs. Graduates who are concerned about the state of the environment are no longer confined to protests and letter writing. There are a number of jobs throughout the United Kingdom and Europe for graduates with an extensive knowledge of environmental issues. You need to set your expectations and approach employers that fit your profile for an ideal workplace.

Massage ? One Form of Necessary Sports Jobs?
We know that not everyone has the physical and mental talents needed to become a professional athlete. So what?s the next best thing? Why, sports jobs that constantly bring you into contact with professional athletes, of course. And one of the most necessary of sports jobs is being a massage therapist for professional athletes.

HireMeNow.com Launches First Online Temporary Employment Marketplace
HireMeNow.com fundamentally improves upon the way traditional temporary staffing services are delivered, by moving the business model completely online, and taking advantage of the growing acceptance of video resumes. Companies can post jobs for free and select temporary candidates directly, saving time and money. Job candidates can apply to jobs for free, completing their profile and taking skills tests from the convenience of their homes .

PennWell Launches PennTechJOBS, an Online Employment Service Dedicated to Engineers
PennWell Corporation, a leading business-to-business publisher and trade show organizer, today announced the launch of a new online employment service - PennTechJOBS. The employment website will serve the recruitment needs of engineers working in the following industries: Communications, Electronics, Photonics, Optoelectronics, Military Aerospace, Nanotechnology and Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Internet Sales Jobs
Have you ever had a sales job How about internet sales jobs

Employment Law Training Increase By Businesses That Are Combating The Use Of Modern Technology
Modern technology in the workplace is a vital tool, from mobile phones to Blackberries, but it should not be used to take shortcuts in the workplace In today?s competitive marketplace, most businesses would not be able to survive without the very latest technology, but sometimes, companies and their staff can take things too far, and it?s important this is never allowed to happen

Arlington Economic Development Brings 4,000 Jobs to Arlington County, Virginia
Corporate relocations and new facility openings emphasize economic strength in Arlington.

Social Security, Employment And Identity Theft
Identity thieves steal your personal information for many reasons. Among those are to obtain credit (money) using your credit information, but also medical benefits, Veteran?s benefits and employment.

The Essence of Employment Law
We work to live; we do not live to work.

Male Nurses Earn up to 100 Percent More in Travel Nursing Jobs, Says American Traveler
High-pay and perks at American Traveler lure men to the profession.

The Best Virtual Jobs For Moms
If you're a stay-at-home mom, a virtual job can help you find that balance between raising a family and earning a steady income. Moms who want to contribute financially to their family while taking care of their children can find work as virtual assistants, customer service representatives and telemarketers. Home-based positions tend to be more flexible and allow you to create a schedule around the schedule of other activities.

JobsInVT.com’s State Employment Index: Job Growth Strengthens as More Health Care Industry Jobs Posted in August
JobsInVT.com has a unique position in the job board market and the company is able to extract data from the web sites and follow employment trends. This information may be helpful for recruiters and job seekers.

Finding The Best Entry Level Finance Jobs
In the financial job market, there are many obstacles for graduates seeking to rise quickly in their professional lives. Financial organisations, ranging from banks to international stock-brokers, adopt high standards for their middle and upper management professionals. Indeed, the delicacy of the marketplace and the attitudes of individual clients towards their financial situation requires a high level of experience and good aptitude for a management position. The financial graduate who is just leaving university to find a job, however, can accelerate the process of rising quickly in the field of finance by choosing the right entry-level finance job.


Privacy Policy | Copyright/Trademark Notification