Writing a resume isn't easy. Nobody ever said it was, that's why there are HR and recruiter types such as myself out there in the world trying to give you some much needed guidance.
One of the most common questions I get from people sitting down to write their resume from scratch is this:
Do I put an objective on my resume?
My simple answer to this very important question is NO.
Let me explain why.
Some of you may remember back in the day when objectives were commonplace and not only completely accepted on a resume, but also expected. If you aren't quite as old as I am (ahem) and were completely oblivious to this fact, that more than likely means you are a job seeker brand new to the work force. You probably never would have even known about Objectives at all until your parents or some equally caring and concerned "older generation" type insisted that you put one on your sparkling curriculum vitae. It's quite confusing isn't it?
So let's take a moment to analyze exactly why I want everyone to back away from objectives, shall we?
Today's economy is different.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, oh persistent job seeker. It's downright rough trying to land a job these days, what with all the hundreds and possibly thousands of people that are also out of work competing for the same positions you are.
That's why we need to make sure your resume stands out from the crowd (in a good way).
Putting an objective on your resume will do more damage than good as it immediately does one of two things in the eyes of a recruiter such as myself… It either:
A) Makes us mad
or
B) Puts us to sleep
Making us want a nap is definitely the better of the two options, but if you want to make a great impression – avoid writing boring resume objectives. Right now what I bet you’re really wondering is:
How could an objective possibly make somebody mad?
That seems a little over the top, doesn't it? Well, here's how.
Due to the fact that there are more "fish in the pond" for recruiters to choose from, people are getting a bit more desperate, plain and simple. They somehow have to feed their families and pay the rent, and like pronto, right? I get that, but from what I've noticed, the latest trend seems to be job seekers applying for a lot of positions, some of which they wouldn't normally bother with because they aren't getting any responses from potential employers on the ones they want.
So in their haste applying to a whole bunch of different jobs all at once, they forget the fact that they'd listed an objective on their resume that doesn't align with the actual job they are applying for. The existing objective was geared toward the real job they originally wanted. And believe me when I tell you, us Resume Reviewers, we notice stuff that a job seeker might consider a "minor detail" like an objective not matching the position we're looking to fill.
Don’t believe me? Check out some of the mismatched objectives I receive during just a single week.
If you decide to include an objective on your resume, just make sure it’s relevant to the job you are applying for.
Resume rules changed so much over the past couple of decades that I get mad when HR professionals tell me what I should and should not do. Yes, the economy changes. Yes, business models change. But..no…people do not change.
Basic info, skills, work history, and maybe a couple of accomplishments with your education…that’s all you should need. All of this concentration on making a resume stand out winds up having the opposite effect.
I remember going to a restaurant for my first interview. The lady never looked at my resume the day before that my best friend Malorie who is a coworker at the restaurant told me they will probably not even look at my resume. Malorie was right the lady never even asked for it or anything, me and the General Manager had the interview and she really enjoyed talking to me and thought we had a great conversation. The lady never contacted me back telling me if I got the position or not, or if I had to come in for an interview. As least I had one interview.
I have a Bachelors Degree from Empire State College in Community and Human Services: Speciality: HIV Counseling, Drug Addiction and Program Development. In the Jungles of Peru, SA I worked with USAID IN THE JUNGLE FOR 5 YEARS (1995-2000) to help teach farmers how to grow licit crops for consumption and export instead of GROWING THE COCOA LEAF…THE BASIS USED TO MAKE COCAINE forced on them by SHINNING PATH / SENDERO LUMINOSO
I consider my self as old school, seeing i’ve been at the job search thing for quite some time. It was a lot easier for me to get a job back in the day when i was younger and i found out its becomes harder the older you get. Yes you can change with time, but for me it get harder as to keep up with all this life changes when i feel its not always what you know these days, Its who you know, so what ever i can get from someone on a positive note am going to go for it. Am i wrong or right for doing this. Help me out, am at a lost.
moderation? That what am saying, am behind times, Thats why i say God is good thats whats been keeping me a float. Am out i dont choose to comment anymore. Am gonna let go, and let go. God help those who is first willing to help themselves, Ive done that now its his time, good day
I know I will get a job, I just have to try harder and that i will keep doing till it happen am not the one to give up like that. Am just going to keep doing my research,and keep it moving. One thing i do know, you never get to old to learn, it only make you wiser.
I just attended a Defense Contracting job fair and quite a few people told me that I needed to have an objective on my resume, otherwise my resume was exquisite. One gentleman didn’t even take my resume. Told me to apply when I put an objective on my resume. One thing I did notice is that older personnel wanted an objective while younger recruiters either didn’t mind or actually liked that I didn’t have an objective.
I find myself editing my resume over and over, all the time, and not even applying to jobs. just editing and editing. it gets really overwhelming? When can I just accept my resume? Now i have to take my objective out. I think its a good idea though because its just hosh kosh i have written there anyway. snoooze.