When and how to use an Objective
Adding an objective to your resume may seem beneficial. It gives the reader a clear idea of the kind of position or company you are interested in. Here’s a little secret: I rarely read this section and most of my colleagues don’t either.
With great certainty, most resumes would be better off without an objective.
Why?
Objectives are often too vague. If you are like most executives, you don’t want to lose out on good opportunities by making your objective too narrow. But that’s the very point of an objective. The result is that you make the more serious mistake of including an objective that is so vague you may as well write “Seeking a position that requires someone with a pulse.”
Rules that determine inclusion of an objective
The only instances when an objective makes sense, is when you’re:
- In a narrow niche or in a highly specialized field.
- Thoroughly committed to a very specific or well defined position.
For example, if you are a physicist who is only interested in directing ship-based research projects in atmospheric studies, by all means put that objective right at the top.
The only other time an objective might make sense is if your background is extremely diverse and lacking a clear focus. Imagine someone who’s worked in operations, finance, and marketing across five industries and is really interested in a senior finance position in the hospitality industry. In such case an objective does help create focus. But note how it narrows the scope of your search.
Just as a reminder, if much of your career had been in finance within the hospitality industry, this objective would be completely unnecessary.
Typical objectives divert attention.
Unfortunately, most objectives waste space and time with text like this:
“Broad based retail executive desires senior management position with a major retailer seeking to transform an underachieving sales organization through innovative leadership.”
Yikes, what gobble-dee-gook. Nearly every management role can use a star leader who can transform a team with innovative leadership skills. As an objective it doesn’t narrow down the target much at all. It’s more of an underhanded sales pitch. You’re telling the reader what you consider yourself to be. And you’re telling us by sneaking it in as an objective.
Another faux-pas objective:
Another objective that doesn’t go over well with reviewers is the “ultra-tailored” objective that targets a single position. You hear about the opening for Coca-Cola’s Vice President, Marketing in Europe and send your resume with this gem:
Objective: To become the V.P. Marketing of Europe for Coca Cola.
No doubt this meets the requirement for a narrow, well-defined position. But this is overkill. I always joke that if they don’t get this job, their career is basically over because it’s their only career objective. It’s just too cute. Don’t do it.
Your objective should also not change with every shift in wind direction. Instead, ask yourself seriously, if the positions you will consider can be narrowly defined to make an objective worthwhile. If the answer is no, don’t add an objective to your resume. A poorly written objective can cause a roll of the eyes before the reader even gets to the meat of your resume. That’s not how you want them to begin reading your resume.
