how to write a resume career objective

How To Write A Resume Objective Statement (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

UPDATED 5/18/2022

Resumes. We all know what they are. We all know how important having a good one is…and how much a bad one can hurt your ability to get your dream job. That’s why reviewing different resume objective examples is essential, ensuring you can create well-crafted, carefully targeted resumes for hiring managers.

So, how do you make sure your resume objective – and entire application – stands out? We’ll tell you. Come with us as we explore some resume objective statement examples, as well as tips on how to ensure yours shines.

What is a Resume Objective?

“My objective? Well, that’s easy. My objective is to get the job.”

Absolutely, we couldn’t agree more. But an objective on your resume is so much more than just writing, “Hey, hire me. I’m super awesome.”

So, what is an objective for a resume?

Well, according to the Marquette University College of Business Administration , “an objective statement is a concise, position-centered statement describing the value you can add and the needs you can fulfill.”

Our friends over at Indeed.com take it a step further, saying: “A well-written resume objective statement can be customized for the job you’re applying for and add value to your resume that sets it apart from other applicants.”

Essentially, a resume objective is a targeted snippet that clearly outlines your career direction while simultaneously positioning you as someone who fits what the employer is looking for exactly.

Sounds pretty ingenious, right? So why don’t more people have them on their resumes?

Resume objectives can be a bit controversial. Some people think they can make you look amateurish…which, if you don’t do it correctly, is absolutely true. But that can be said for any section of your resume.

Other schools of thought think that the objectives should be taken out entirely and replaced with the more popular “ resume summary statement .”

You may be wondering, “What if I use a resume objective and the hiring manager looks at it and laughs? Are they going to throw out my resume…or worse, put it on the wall of shame?”

Now, nobody is going to laugh at your resume objective as long as you use the right approach. Additionally, if your career is moving in certain directions, using a resume objective makes more sense than the alternatives.

When Should You Use a Resume Objective?

Are you relatively new to the job search market or lack work experience?

Are you changing industries?

Are you targeting a specific job or position?

If you answered “YES” to any of these above questions, then the resume objective is potentially perfect. If you answered “NO” to all of the above questions, you might be better off with a “Resume Summary Statement.”

For those of you in the middle of a career change or who might just be starting out, a resume objective statement allows you to define your goal to a potential employer…something that your work history might not otherwise be able to do for you.

Imagine how confused a hiring manager would be if they were looking for candidates to fill an office coordinator position and you sent in a resume with ten years of experience in marketing. Without an objective statement, the hiring manager might just assume your resume has been accidentally sent to them and simply discard it.

With an objective statement, you can not only let the hiring manager know that your resume IS in the right spot but also explain that you’re making the switch and show that your skill set does align with this new career path.

If you’re targeting a specific job or position, a resume objective statement can help reinforce that idea that you know EXACTLY what you’re after. That can work in your favor, too.

Overall, and most importantly, the biggest reason to put an objective on your resume is…it’s better than having nothing. Remember, your goal is to catch the hiring manager’s eye and stand out from the rest of the paper in that pile.

Common Mistakes

There are several common mistakes job seekers can make when writing their statement with the number one being using the same objective for every job application.

1) Using the Same Objective For Every Job Application

To obtain a job within my chosen field that will challenge me and allow me to use my education, skills and past experiences in a way that is mutually beneficial to both myself and my employer and allow for future growth and advancement.

Your goal is to be the ideal candidate and that means making sure you’re exactly what the hiring manager is looking for…and unless you’re applying to a cookie cutter factory in a cookie cutter job town where every job every employer is listing is exactly the same then I guarantee you 100% that your statement will NOT be a “one size fits all” statement.

2) Making It All About You

This is a trap that many job seekers fall into, as they can’t resist to use the objective to list off all of the things that they want to get out of the position.

Hi, I’m Joe Jobseeker and I really want a job in a company where I make a ton of money doing as little as possible. Oh, and a corner office. A company car would be nice too. While we’re at it, let’s talk benefits, retirement…and the company vacation policy.

Yes, we’re being over the top with this one, but we need you to look at this and laugh…because even a slightly toned down one where you list only what YOU want is going to come off just as ridiculous to the hiring manager as the one we’ve blown out of proportion.

3) Being Too Vague

Mistake number three is being vague. Like we said, this isn’t a one size fits all so by being ambiguous in the hopes of somewhat fitting what they’re looking for is going to get your resume sent directly to the circular file. (In case you don’t know, the circular file is the trash can. It just sounds fancier but the end result is the same…no job.)

Looking for a long term full time job where I can apply my extensive skills and knowledge to the position for which I am hired.

Blah. Who is this person? All we know by reading this statement is that they have skills and knowledge…but other than that, not much else. What skills do they have? Do they really apply to the job? And what knowledge can they draw from that will benefit the company? See what we mean? It’s so generic you could literally fit anything into those blanks…it’s like Resume Mad Libs!

4) Going On… And On… And On… And On… and zzzzzzzzzzzzz….

Mistake number four is being too long. This isn’t a novel. It’s a quick little blurb to catch their attention so they can bring you in for an interview…then you can get into more detail!

Not going to put one here. Why? Because the example we were going to do was going to be so long and ridiculous that you and everyone else reading this post would just get bored and move onto another article. Just remember, it’s all about short and sweet. Anything over a sentence or two is TOO LONG. Remember that.

5) Adding Absolutely No Value

Mistake number five is probably the worst…and the easiest to fall into (outside of mistake number two, the “all about me” statement.) Mistake number five is writing a statement that basically fills space but doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about the value you bring to the table. This can also be confused with the too vague statement…

To obtain a position within my chosen field where I can utilize my skills as a hard-working, well-educated employee in exchange for a steady market-fair paycheck.

Congratulations. You’re educated and you’re hard working and you want to make money. So what? So are 90% of the people you’re going up against. Why are YOU the ideal candidate? What makes the hiring manager want to bring YOU in over everyone else? See what we mean?

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:

How are you going to fulfill the needs of the company?

When writing your resume objective, you should always have the intention of answering this question.

How To Write An Effective Resume Objective

So how do you write a GOOD resume objective?

One thing every one of these bad examples has in common is the fact that not a single one of them is tailored to the position you’re looking for. Any hiring manager who looks at a resume with objectives like those is going to immediately move on to the next candidate.

Because whoever those potential hires are, they’re not ideal candidates. You need to not only catch the hiring manager’s eye; you must make sure that they look at your statement and say, “Here’s the perfect fit!”

So, how do you make it happen? Well, a really good place to start is by looking at the job description. According to Indeed.com , “…when you include an objective that’s specific to the job role, the recruiter is more likely to dig deeper and learn more details about your professional experience.”

After that, make sure it’s tailored to not only the position but the company as well. By incorporating a few tidbits that speak to the company’s mission and values, you can take that quick statement up a notch.

Nice, right?

Additionally, focus on how you’re a benefit to the company, not how the company can benefit you. Showcase value, ensuring you point out what you bring to the table.

Keep it short and sweet, too. Skip overblown adjectives in favor of action verbs, which will help “raise the energy levels” of your objective and ensure that it is more dynamic and interesting.

If you’re someone who is changing careers, demonstrate how your past experiences relate to your future tasks. The same goes for those who are just starting out or who are relatively inexperienced.

Resume Objective Examples

In some cases, nothing makes the points above clearer quite like a few resume objective examples. Here are a handful of samples, each targeting different situations.

New to Workforce, No High School Diploma

“Diligent, dedicated individual looking to apply communication and collaboration skills in a fast-paced customer service role. A self-motivated team player with an outgoing personality who’s ready to learn the ins and outs of a new industry and provide ample value to a retail employer.”

New to Workforce, No College

“Well-organized high school honor graduate with exceptional problem-solving and collaboration skills seeking opportunities in the office administration field where strong communication, time management, and research skills can provide excellent value to an employer.”

College Student, Aspiring Intern

“Current accounting student with an emphasis on accounts payable and accounts receivable seeking developmental opportunities with a local firm. Diligent, focused, and tech-savvy, looking to provide value to a skilled team.”

Recent College Graduate

“Hard-working business administration graduate with proven leadership and organizational skills. Looking to leverage knowledge or operational processes, emerging commercial trends, and supply machine management to increase efficiency and support broader productivity goals.”

Recent College Graduate with Internship Experience

“Honor graduate with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources and one year of experience at a leading staffing firm looking to leverage a deep understanding of leading ATS solutions, modern interview techniques, and conflict resolution strategies to support the goals of an enterprise-level HR department.”

Career Change

“Ambitious professional looking to leverage 5+ years of customer service experience and exceptional communication skills in the fast-paced field of real estate. Proven ability to build lasting, long-term relationships, understand client needs, and find solutions designed to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Career Change with New Education

“Experienced accounting professional and recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s in IT looking to leverage mathematical and analytical capabilities in a data analyst role with an enterprise-level employer. Impeccable attention to detail and organizational skills, as well as strong desire to learn and grow on the job.”

Targeting Specific Role

“Skilled software developer with 7+ years of experience with Java, Python, and C++ seeking out opportunities in team-oriented environments that prioritize Agile methodologies, Lean strategies, and DevOps principles to accelerate timelines and achieve challenging goals.”

Speaking of specific roles, we thought that it might be prudent to dig deeper into a couple careers that we get the most questions about (in terms of resume objectives). Here are our deep-dive articles into Teacher Resume Objectives , Customer Service Resume Objectives and Nursing Resume Objectives . Enjoy!

Putting It All Together

So, there you have it. We’ve covered what a resume objective statement is, who should use one, and how to properly execute it. Plus, there are some handy resume objective examples that can serve as inspiration.

While some people might claim that the objective statement for a resume is outdated, if done properly, it can make a difference. Use all of the information above to your advantage. That way, you’ll be one step closer to your dream job.

FREE : Resume Objective PDF Cheat Sheet

Ok the next thing you should do is get our handy Resume Objective Cheat Sheet PDF .

In it you'll get word-for-word sample resume objectives covering a variety of scenarios you can use right away .

CLICK HERE TO GET THE RESUME OBJECTIVE CHEAT SHEET

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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60+ Resume Objective Examples for 2024 & How-to Guide

• Objective in a Nutshell
• Do I Need an Objective?
• Write a Resume Objective That Rocks
• 3 General Objectives

As a job seeker, you know getting a job isn’t easy. Even with the increase in salary information, thanks to new  pay transparency laws , finding a job that suits your talents is challenging.

Now it’s time to start writing your resume, which means deciding if you’ll add optional sections like an objective statement. An objective can add valuable information, but knowing when to include one is tricky. Plus, a career objective is often confused with a  resume summary .

We’ll tell you the differences between the two, and we’ll help you write an objective that highlights the best parts of your resume. Whether you’re currently  building your resume  or wondering where to start, we’ve got the answers you need to write an amazing objective. 

Resume Objective in a Nutshell

First: What is a resume objective? Well, it’s basically a snapshot of your best and most relevant expertise, given the position you’re hoping to snag.  The primary purpose of your career objective  is to quickly highlight your relevant skills and alignment with the specific company’s values and/or goals.

You want to ensure that any recruiter or potential employer sees why it would be ridiculous  not  to hire you! Your objective should hook the reader, persuading them to continue reviewing your resume—and, ultimately, shoot you an email or a phone call.

How do I know the difference between a resume objective and a summary?

Don’t worry if you’re confused about whether an objective or  resume summary  is the best choice for your resume. They’re pretty similar, and their contents can overlap quite a bit depending on the applicant, so there’s no need to overthink it! Still, there are a couple of differences to keep in mind if you’re struggling to decide:

Resume objective:

If you’re either switching careers or just starting in your field, then an objective statement could be the perfect intro to let employers know you’re the right pick. Resume objectives should stay between two and three sentences and  focus on your short-term career goals and how you’re qualified to start pursuing them .

Resume summary:

A summary, which is also two or three sentences, usually best fits folks with more experience within their career. This statement summarizes a candidate’s extensive skills and work history. The  resume summary  could be your ideal option if you want to progress in a career where you’ve already experienced success.

Do I Need a Resume Objective ?

To start, consider whether you need an objective at all. Any stellar resume will fall at a page, and you’ll need to make every bit of space count. So, it’s essential to consider whether your objective will add value to your resume or just waste space.

An objective generally suits those who are entry-level or are changing careers. This statement summarizes a candidate’s most relevant, job-specific skills and identifies why they want to work for a target business.

Adding a resume objective could be wise if you want to break into a new career, show the employer you genuinely desire to work for their business, or resourcefully fill up a little extra white space.

Resume objectives can add value if:

• You’re an entry-level candidate
• Your work history is light
• You’ve decided to make a career change

But when should you discard the objective statement entirely?

Keep in mind that, on average, hiring managers spend just over seven seconds reviewing your resume before determining whether they’ll take a closer look. That’s a narrow window, so if your resume errs on the side of generic or bland, omitting it is best.

How to Write an Objective for a Resume

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially if this is your first time writing your resume objective statement. Luckily, seeing samples of how others have handled similar obstacles can help—just remember to inject your personality and make each objective statement as unique as you are. And while comparing others’ statements to your own, ask yourself: “Which of my achievements look the most impressive?”

Plus, we’ve got a fantastic formula for you that will further uncomplicate things:

The process is as easy as X + Y + Z = Eye-catching resume objective!

X = Your characteristics and personality traits Y = Years of experience and quantified success/results Z = How these results apply to the specific job role

Keep this formula in mind, and you’ll surprise yourself with professional and engaging results like the objective below:

X =  Ambitious, adaptable, eager, self-motivated, and efficient

Y =  2 years of intern experience within the field, learned skills/experience

Z =  Technical and soft skills tie in with forging strong teams and client connections

7 ingredients to resume objective success

Not sure where to start? Check out these seven tips on how to add the maximum value to your resume objective and launch yourself into the top  20 percent of job applicants who actually get interviewed  for a single job:

Don’t worry if this is a little overwhelming at first glance! Many job seekers linearly work through their resumes, but  save your objective for last,  even though it appears first. Once you fine-tune other sections, it’ll be easier to pinpoint choice details to fill in the formula and complete your perfect objective. (And who says you have to nail your statement the first time you write it?! Go through as many iterations as you need when you  outline your resume .)

1.  Inject your personality

Bonus points if you tie your personality traits in with the company’s values through skillful word choices! No one wants to read a bland resume objective that doesn’t connect the person with the company—they want to know  who  they’re hiring.

2.  Lead with strengths

These strengths could be notable projects or extensive educational background for entry-level applicants or graduates. For anyone changing careers, include successes like past work projects that demonstrate overlapping skills/values with the role you’re currently seeking. Mention relevant certifications in your objective, too!

3.  Minimize personal pronouns and contractions

Details like these may seem inconsequential and even helpful when trying to save space, but they can make your resume too informal. Also, referring to yourself instead of your skills can make it seem like you’re only interested in what the company will do for you.

(Hint: Gauge the company’s tone in its  job description  and website. You can get away with contractions more readily with informal companies).

4.  Keep it at two or three sentences

Again, resume space is invaluable! Make the most of this real estate by ensuring your objective is long enough to provide eye-catching value but short enough that it won’t get skipped. Save the details for writing a cover letter . Critique it visually, too—how does it look on the page?

5.  Talk about your relevant skills

 Revisit the job listing for crucial skills that match your expertise and leverage that in your objective statement.

6.  State why you’re interested and why you fit the role 

Other skilled applicants undoubtedly applied for this same role—so what makes you the right fit? Mentioning why you’re interested in the position and how you’re a good match will help you stand out from the crowd.

7.  Use a resume template that gives you the option to include an objective

Why reinvent the wheel? All our  free Google Docs resume templates  have space for your objective. Take advantage of a  resume template  (you can edit the one just below!) already laid out for your specific needs rather than dealing with the frustration of a template breaking because you tried to add one.

Middle School History Teacher Resume

Common resume objective roadblocks

If you’re struggling, remember that starting in the wrong place is a common but avoidable pitfall: many applicants try writing their objective first, only to find they don’t know where to begin.  Lessen your stress by drafting the rest of your resume first . Writing a quality resume objective will become easier once your qualifications are laid out on the table. 

Since your objective needs to take up so little space, get selective while skimming the cream of the crop from your resume bullet points. What previous roles resulted in your most impressive contributions to a company? Put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes and think of what they’d want in their next hire, then write your objective based on your most dazzling selling points. 

Return to our objective samples in this post anytime you need some inspiration. You can also better prepare with a  resume outline . Planning out the arrangement of your background and skills will simplify filling out your resume when the time comes. 

Resume objective knockouts, hopefuls, and wannabes

To give you some examples of what we’ve been talking about, let’s look at a mock  job description for a data scientist  and compare three resume objective statements to see what passes muster.

Data scientist job description example:

Currently seeking a remote data scientist for Infinity Solars who is self-starting, innovative, and skilled with various data tools to design/create predictive customer behavioral models. Must be able to translate data for all levels of communication to support leadership groups, give team members actionable business insights, and lead machine-learning algorithm development. Must exhibit exceptional critical thinking skills by gauging the effectiveness and accuracy of data quality and mining techniques.

Now, let’s see how these example resume objective statements stack up:

I can definitely talk to people since I just got out of college for biology. I’m good with group projects and know a lot about computers.

Why it’s not a winner :   Leave out bland objectives like this one, which lacks the valuable info necessary to justify taking up space. What kind of job is this even for?

I love solar power and could use my background in data analysis to help your company. I’m also a big team player and have plenty of qualifying technical skills.

Why it’s just okay:  At least there’s some personality here, although it’s a little informal. This candidate should also specify skills that would benefit the specific company.

Knockout:  Check out our example!

Why it’s great:  Nice—personality traits and skills that align with the job description! We also see years of experience with well-rounded skills that would benefit the company, presented with compelling and enthusiastic word choices.

3 Resume Objectives That Are General but Not Generic

Keeping a few general (but not generic!) resume objective statements nearby enables you to customize your resume at any time quickly! Take a look at these general examples and note how to make them specific to you: 

Make resume objective #1 specific to you by:

• Speaking to the exact obstacles the company mentions in its job ad
• Mentioning the company name

Make resume objective #2 specific to you by:

• Mentioning your relevant educational or professional background
• Connecting your goals with the company’s

Make resume objective #3 specific to you by:

• Mentioning a notable company from your extensive experience
• Presenting your abilities as solutions to company obstacles

7 Resume Objective Examples by Career Stage

The current stage of your career journey is crucial regarding the tone of your resume objective—a senior-level candidate who’s changing careers, for example, should sound different from a fresh graduate. See what we mean?

1. Entry-level resume objective

Entry-level resume examples >>

2. No experience resume objective

3. Internship resume objective

4. Changing locations resume objective

5. Student resume objective

Graduate student resume examples >> College student resume examples >> High school student resume examples >>

6. College graduate resume objective

College graduate resume examples >> MBA resume examples >>

7. Changing careers resume objective

Career change resume examples >>

20 Resume Objective Examples Tailored to the Job Description

Now that you’ve made it this far, we’ve put together 20 more resume objectives—specific to various professions—so you can see how they exemplify our tips and tricks from earlier!

1.  Accountant resume objective

Accountant job description  key details:

• Critical thinking and adept organizational skills, especially concerning client information and records
• Information gathering and the ability to handle large data sets
• Strong ethics and integrity with sensitive personal information

Accountant resume objective:

Why this resume works

• This candidate addresses skills emphasized in the job description while injecting personality and enthusiasm for the role. 
• They also make up for their limited background experience by focusing on the skills that will make them great accountants while demonstrating an eagerness to learn.

Accountant resume examples >> Accountant cover letter examples >>

2. Attorney resume objective

Attorney job description  key details:

• Ability to handle fast-paced and high-stress settings
• Compassionate and caring
• Logical and creative 

Attorney resume objective:

• Applicant leads in with necessary and location-specific qualifications and knowledge. 
• The objective mentions compassion and determination to find justice, tying these values with the organization by name.

Attorney resume examples >> Attorney cover letter examples >>

3.  Business analyst resume objective

Business analyst job description  key details:

• Analyze, evaluate, and improve business processes
• Incredible communication and listening skills
• Detail-oriented, innovative, and technically competent

Business analyst resume objective: 

• This candidate uses language from the company site to exhibit relevance despite having limited professional experience. 
• Applicant quickly provides experience and desirable skills that mirror the job description.

Business analyst resume examples >> Business analyst cover letter examples >>

4.  Customer service resume objective

Customer service job description  key details:

• Critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
• Flexible and adaptable 
• Dependable team player

Customer service resume objective: 

• The candidate shows efficiency by quickly laying out experience and applicable skills. 
• This resume objective responds directly to the company’s mission statement in both phrasing and qualification choices.

Customer service resume examples >> Customer service cover letter examples >>

5.  Data analyst resume objective

Data analyst job description  key details:

• Exemplary analytical and data gathering skills
• Ability to translate large data sets into actionable points
• Monitor KPIs and generate reader-friendly reports

Data analyst resume objective: 

• This candidate may not have traditional work experience but leverages freelance work to prove knowledge and impact. 
• It’s a good idea to tie your qualifications to the company’s mission statements, just like this applicant shows how their skill set will benefit the organization.

Data analyst resume examples >> Data analyst cover letter examples >>

6.  Data engineer resume objective

Data engineer job description  key details:

• Mine data via modern tools and programming languages
• Ideas for innovative and creative solutions
• Teamwork and strong collaboration skills

Data engineer resume objective:

• Work culture and environment are casual here, so the candidate matches this tone. 
• The candidate emphasizes teamwork and other skills emphasized in the job description.

Data engineer resume examples >> Data engineer cover letter examples >>

7.  Data scientist resume objective

Data scientist job description  key details:

• Understanding of how to apply scientific methods to data analysis
• Use algorithms KPIs to generate business insights 

Data scientist resume objective:

• The applicant doesn’t have tons of experience, but they dive right into their educational and technical qualifications to make up for it.
• The tone of this resume objective mirrors that of Barilla’s company culture, and it pulls in some unique phrasing from their website.

Data scientist resume examples >> Data scientist cover letter examples >>

8.  Graphic designer resume objective

Graphic designer job description  key details:

• Creativity and technical ability
• Strong understanding of how to captivate customers with visual media
• Ability to think outside of the box and implement new ideas within the creative team

Graphic designer resume objective: 

• While the candidate’s field is creative, Felicity’s tone is professional, so the objective statement reflects this.
• We see qualifications right out the gate, followed by a strong tie-in with company values.

Graphic designer resume examples >> Graphic designer cover letter examples >>

9.  Human resources (HR) resume objective

Human resources (HR) job description  key details:

• Policy adherence, problem-solving, and conflict resolution
• Super communication while educating employees and handling paperwork
• Hiring and intake process 

Human resources resume objective:

• We immediately see language pulled from the company site and key skills from the job description. 
• The candidate then brings in personal traits that make them an ideal fit for the role.

Human resources (HR) resume examples >> Human resources (HR) cover letter examples >>

10.  Nursing resume objective

Nursing job description  key details:

• Checking, recording, and reporting patient vitals 
• Compassionate and caring bedside manner
• Resilience during long shifts and difficult situations

Nurse resume objective:

• This candidate covers all the key points from the job description perfectly.
• The applicant also explicitly mentions the job setting by name.

Nursing resume examples >> Nursing cover letter examples >>

11.  Operations manager resume objective

Operations manager job description  key details:

• Increase profits by improving efficiency 
• Leadership and administration
• Strategizing and problem-solving

Operations manager resume objective:

• The applicant establishes a personal connection with Hilldrup and provides valuable skills.
• This candidate may not have much experience to share, but they demonstrate specific abilities from the job description and reference the company mission statement.

Operations manager resume examples >> Operations manager cover letter examples >>

12.  Product manager resume objective

Product manager job description  key details:

• Ensuring congruence between products and company strategy/goals
• Ability to oversee all functions and aspects of a product’s lifecycle
• Communication, collaboration, and facilitation 

Product manager resume objective:

• All the key “skill categories” are covered! This candidate sounds well-rounded and capable.
• The applicant also references the company vision and specific nuances from the job description.

Product manager resume examples >> Product manager cover letter examples >>

13.  Program manager resume objective

Program manager job description  key details:

• Leadership, delegation, and coordination abilities
• Planning, guiding, and driving projects to enhance the company’s portfolio
• Policy adherence and optimization

Program manager resume objective: 

• This applicant may be an intern, but they nail the ideal attitude of a confident program manager.
• We see plenty of key terms from the job description with a little spark of personality from the company site.

Program manager resume examples >> Program manager cover letter examples >>

14.  Project manager resume objective

Project manager job description  key details:

• Ability to work cross-functionally with multiple departments

Project manager resume objective: 

• Applicant makes up for limited-to-no professional experience by diving into powerful, relevant skills. 
• Key phrasing from goals on the company site also makes an appearance.

Project manager resume examples >> Project manager cover letter examples >>

15.  Recruiter resume objective

Recruiter job description  key details:

• Interpersonal skills and an eye for talent
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills
• Ability to guide new hires through onboarding

Recruiter resume objective: 

• The soft skills are strong here and immediately tie in with other impressive qualifications. 
• The candidate references the company’s name, goals, and mission statement.

Recruiter resume examples >> Recruiter cover letter examples >>

16.  Sales resume objective

Sales job description  key details:

• Team leadership abilities and ability to self-motivate
• Ability to research and analyze market trends
• Familiarity with software as it applies to customer assistance and troubleshooting

Sales associate resume objective:

• We see relevant personality traits, skills, and experience immediately.
• The candidate ties personal abilities and past experience with a brand-new role and the company vision.

Sales resume examples >> Sales cover letter examples >>

17.  Scrum master resume objective

Scrum Master job description  key details:

• Ability to serve as the point of contact for external communication
• Results-driven personality and ability to pinpoint areas for improvement
• Adaptability while teaching and adhering to Agile/Scrum values and empowering team members

Scrum master resume objective: 

• The applicant’s personality shines through as they highlight personal skill growth.
• The tone of this resume objective is ambitious and knowledgeable.

Scrum Master resume examples >> Scrum Master cover letter examples >>

18.  Social media manager resume objective

Social media manager job description  key details:

• Ability to strategize, plan, and execute ad campaigns
• Knack for keeping up with market trends
• Increase target audience reach via analytics and targeting

Social media manager resume objective:

• This candidate gets straight to the point, citing an impressive metric and relating it to the company.
• Worthington’s company vision also makes an appearance. Nice!

Social media manager resume examples >> Social media manager cover letter examples >>

19.  Software engineer resume objective

Software engineer job description  key details:

• Engineering mindset applied to software development
• Analyze, enhance, and test existing software and code
• Creativity while engineering new programming solutions

Software engineer resume objective:

• The candidate mirrors the conversational, storytelling tone of the company site and pulls specific phrases from its vision statements. 
• Technical skills and a go-getter attitude make up for a sparse professional history.

Software engineer resume examples >> Software engineer cover letter examples >>

20.  Teacher resume objective

Teacher job description  key details:

• Fantastic communication and listening skills
• Ability to pleasantly keep control of the room
• Organization and record-keeping abilities 

Teacher resume objective:

• The applicant leads with a robust set of personal qualities that demonstrate the ideal archetype of a caring teacher. 
• The candidate highlights  how  their skills will benefit people at the school where they apply.

Teacher resume examples >> Teacher cover letter examples >>

30 More Job-Specific Resume Objectives

While you look through these next 30 resume objective samples, imagine they’re tailored to a specific job description—and look for ways you can do the same while writing your own.

1.  Account manager resume objective

2.  Barista resume objective

3.  Chef resume objective

4.  Computer science resume objective

5.  Construction worker resume objective

6.  Consulting resume objective

7.  Dentist resume objective

8.  Electrician resume objective

9.  Front desk receptionist resume objective

10.  Full-stack engineer resume objective

11.  Hostess resume objective

12.  Medical assistant resume objective

13.  Network engineer resume objective

14.  Personal trainer resume objective

15.  Pharmacist resume objective

16.  Product owner resume objective

17.  Programmer resume objective

18.  Real estate agent resume objective

19.  Truck driver resume objective

20.  Web developer resume objective

21.  High school student resume objective

22.  Stay at home mom resume objective

23.  Server resume objective

24.  Nanny resume objective

25.  Data entry resume objective

26.  Marketing resume objective

27.  Teacher assistant resume objective

28.  Caregiver resume objective

29.  Social worker resume objective

30.  Dental assistant resume objective

On a resume, your objective is your goal . Where do you want to be in your field, and what qualifying skills, personal traits, or experiences will help you get there? How does the next step in your career journey relate to the job description? How do your professional goals benefit the company you’re connecting with?

A good objective statement tells readers why you want the job and how you can contribute if you’re hired. Your objective should also forge your first link with the company by connecting over mutual values or goals. You also want to keep things concise and avoid repeating yourself later in the resume: Keep everything fresh!

Your resume objective should state that you want the job and then make your reader want to give it to you by supporting your qualifications with a few skills. Connect with the company to demonstrate thoroughness and ambition! If you have an example of how you align with the company or have overcome one of their current obstacles, include it briefly if you have room.

It’s almost always effective to open your objective with a few skills that demonstrate your understanding of the job. (“Given my background in networking and my extensive knowledge of MongoDB, . . .”).

Then, you can segue into how your skills align with the job description of the company you’re applying to. You can also open with your personal connection to the organization’s values.

Your career objective should just be a few concise, skillfully crafted sentences! You don’t want to use too much page space, and you want recruiters to get to your attention-grabbing credentials and experiences quickly. Show your written communication skills by limiting your objective to around 30 to 50 words.

The purpose of an objective is to help entry-level candidates (or others with limited experience or a career switch on the horizon) sum up how their personal professional goals align with the company’s. Your objective should express enthusiasm for the core mission of the job role and demonstrate that you’re a strong candidate with examples.

Resume Objective Takeaways and Your Next Steps

We know it’s easy to get lost amid so many details and tidbits of information: But don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees. Refer to the above objective examples and take inspiration from our  1,000+ resume examples . 

And when it’s time to write your resume objective statement, take a step back and don’t forget about our easy formula: 

X + Y + Z = Eye-catching objective statement! 

X =  Your applicable personal characteristics and traits 

Y =  Years of experience and/or quantified success/results 

Z =  How these results (or other relevant and comparable qualifications) apply to the specific job role 

This formula will be your resume objective statement’s lifesaver! If you don’t have experience yet, try to balance that out with your previous achievements or character traits that align with the company and its vision—these will show you’re a desirable hire even if you haven’t had the chance to prove it just yet. 

Lastly, remember that we have plenty of other helpful tools to ensure the rest of your resume is as stunning as your objective statement! Stop by and check out our  resume builder  and handy  resume tips . You’ve got everything you need to get started—so get ready to let yourself shine!

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40+ Real-Life Resume Objective Examples in 2024 [+How-to Guide]

You’re scrolling down your LinkedIn, mindlessly browsing through countless irrelevant job ads, when you come across something unexpected.

There it is, the Perfect Job !

You’ve been looking for it for ages.

This job will not only help you with your student loans and crippling debt but it will also help you figure out the meaning of life and even get your crush to notice you. 

There’s a small problem, though. You don’t exactly have the right experience for the job.

If only there was a way to convince the hiring manager that you’re a good fit for the job, despite this drawback.

Well, here’s some good news - there is! You can win over the HR manager with a well-written resume objective. You can show them that you make up for your lack of relevant experience with passion and enthusiasm.

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about resume objectives, including:

• What is a resume objective? (and why is it important?)
• When to use a resume objective
• How to write a convincing resume objective [w/ 5 pro tips]

Looking for inspiration? We’ll also offer 40+ practical examples for all sorts of career fields. Skip ahead if you’re interested in any of the specific sections:

• Business & Management - marketing manager, project manager, human resources, business analyst
• Marketing - junior SEO specialist, social media marketing manager, content creator, PPC specialist
• Food & Service Industry - waiter/waitress, bartender, line cook, restaurant manager
• Education - teacher, tutor
• Sales & Customer Support - sales associate, store manager, account manager, CSR specialist, technical support specialist, cashier
• Finance & Accounting - accountant, financial analyst, bank teller, data-entry
• Technical resume - computer scientist, IT specialist, data analyst, engineer, data scientist
• Medical Resume - nurse, medical assistant, dental assistant
• Other - warehouse worker, housekeeper

This guide is part of our larger series on resumes. Want to learn everything there is to know on how to make a resume ? Start with our comprehensive guide.

What is a Resume Objective? (And Why Is It Important?)

A resume objective is an eye-catching statement of your career intent that’s placed on top of your resume. 

The resume objective provides a 2-3 sentence snapshot of your professional experience , skills , and achievements , and explains why they make you the right candidate for the job.

When to Use a Resume Objective

Over the past few years, a resume objective has, in most cases, become optional. If you’re an experienced professional, you’re much better off sticking to a Resume Summary , as it helps describe your top skills and experiences much better.

• You’re searching for your first job - Maybe you’re a high school graduate looking for your very first job . Or maybe, you’re a student signing up for your first internship . A resume objective will show the hiring manager that you have the desire to develop your skill-set and grow within the company.
• You’re making a career change - Let’s say you have worked as an engineer in an app development company for the past three years and are now applying for a marketing job in a start-up. Your resume objective will highlight how your current skills are relevant to the position.

How to Write a Convincing Resume Objective [w/ 5 Pro Tips]

Resume objectives get a bad rep because they’re hard to write and even harder to write well. At their worst, they’re overly generic and say nothing new about the applicant. When done right, though, they can really help your resume stand out.

The resume objective is structured in three main parts: (1) Who you are (2) What you offer to the company (3) How you’ll help the company accomplish its goals.

Doesn’t sound too hard now, does it? To make this even easier, you can just follow our tried-and-tested resume objective template:

(1) [SKILL/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION RELEVANT TO THE JOB WITH JOB TITLE] . Looking to apply my (2) [years/months of EXPERIENCE RELEVANT TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION] at [COMPANY YOU ARE APPLYING TO] , to help (3) [TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES YOU WILL HELP OUT WITH SUCCESSFULLY] . 

In practice, it looks something like this:

“ CPA-certified forensic accountant with demonstrated experience in financial record examination. Looking to apply my 3 years of experience at Deloitte, to help the team of XYZ improve their activity-based accounting techniques in the role of a managerial accountant. ”

If you follow the formatting, you’re already 90% ready with your resume objective. Now, all you have to do is ensure that your resume objective is in sync with the following 5 pro tips , and we’re done!

TIP 1:  Make sure to tailor your resume objective to the specific position or organization you are applying to. After all, a vague “Engineer looking for an Engineering job” doesn’t impress anyone.

TIP 2: You should include skills, knowledge, and abilities that you know will help the company achieve its goals . The resume objective isn’t about yourself or your own career - it’s about how you’re going to help the company.

TIP 3: Do not brag or use subjective language in your resume objective. Use as many facts and numbers as possible to back up your experience. It’s one thing to say “Expert at Advertising” and another to say “Facebook Marketer, experienced in managing 5-figure advertising spend.”

TIP 4: If you want to reach a career goal (usually when you have very little experience or are just starting out), make sure that it’s something related to the company you’re applying to.  

If you’re applying for a job as a Customer Support Representative , for example, you shouldn’t go on and on about your ambitions to eventually become a Professor.

TIP 5: Do not use complicated language on purpose. Don’t try to sound smart. It almost always makes a bad impression and makes you come off a bit arrogant.

Instead of “contemplate” for example, opt for “think” , or use “do” instead of “undertake” . They both mean the same thing anyway, and you want your achievements to speak more than your fancy word choices.

Job Description: 

XYZ Inc. is looking for a sales representative manager for its German branch . Minimum of 3 years of working experience in management. Daily duties: planning, directing, and overseeing the sales representative team.

“I am looking to appertain my exceptional skills in management by being part of a groundbreaking and innovative company for a few years, then eventually switching to a job in AI.”

Why it’s bad :

• “Exceptional” is subjective. Be ready to be put to test for that claim. 
• Why use “appertain” when you can use “apply” ? 
• Almost every company in the world looks at themselves as “groundbreaking” or innovative, you’re not saying anything real about them. 
• It sounds like this is more about you than them, and yet, at the same time, there’s no real information mentioned about the writer. 
• You have just informed them you’ll be switching careers again in a few years. That’s a no-no. 

“Sales manager trained in Berlin. Looking to apply my 5+ years of management experience in XYZ Inc. by making sure the sales representative team is staffed and follows quality standards, helping XYZ increase revenue and market share in the process.”

Why it’s good:  

• You sum up your work experience factually.
• You mention abilities that make you stand out, like being educated and trained in Europe.
• You understand the role and responsibilities the position requires and describe how you’ll do them successfully.
• You include the skills and experience relevant to the management position.
• Your language is simple, down-to-earth, and objective. You show that you genuinely care about the overall goals of the company.

Resume Objective Examples [3 Most Common Cases]

Now that you know how to write a resume objective, you’re ready to write your own. Before you get started, though, you might need some inspiration.

In this section, we’re going to cover 40+ resume objective examples for every field, as well as examples for the top 3 most common cases.

Career Change Resume Objective Example

The most common situation you’d use a resume objective for is during a career change . 

A resume objective helps the reader understand how your skillset from a previous field helps translate into the job you’re applying for.

In such a case, you can mention:

• Your relevant skills / work experience
• How you think your background would help you excel at the job

And here’s how this works in practice:

“Customer support rep. with 3+ years of experience in over-the-phone technical support looking to leverage communication skills as a Sales Rep. at XYZ inc. Excellent track record in delivering quality support service, having maintained a 4.6+ star “Helpful” rating over the past 1.5 years.”

No Experience / Education Resume Objective

Even if you don’t have any work experience or education, you can still use a resume objective to stand out from the rest of the applicants.

In this case, you’d want to focus on your best personal traits and skills (instead of work experience / achievements / education)

So, for example:

“Organized & hard-working employee looking to join XYZ Inc. as a marketing assistant. Looking to take advantage of my skills in Photoshop and Copywriting to help XYZ inc. with their marketing efforts.”

Internship Resume Objective Example

Looking for your first professional job ? Writing a good resume objective is a good way to stand out from the rest and land that internship.

In this case, you want to focus on:

• Your educational achievements
• Top skills and personal traits
• Any relevant experience (university / personal projects, volunteering experience, industry-related competitions, etc.)

And here’s a practical example:

“Recent Graduate with a B.A. in business administration looking to start their career in Finance with an internship at XYZ Inc. Experienced in analyzing financial statements & annual reports for several university projects. Seeking to further develop my theoretical know-how with strong mentorship at XYZ Inc.”

40+ Resume Objective Examples for All Fields

Office / administrative jobs resume objective examples.

Office Manager Resume Objective

“Experienced office manager seeking to help XYZ Inc. provide a stellar customer experience & take the Portsmouth branch to the next level. Experienced in managing teams of 15+ in several different restaurants, such as Restaurant A and Restaurant B. Handled every aspect of the business, from hiring new staff to managing marketing initiatives.”

Click here for a complete office manager resume example .

Executive Assistant Resume Objective

“Freelance VA (virtual assistant) looking to transition to the position of an Executive Assistant. Worked with 5+ online businesses, helping with everything from data entry to customer support. Excellent attention to detail & organizational skills. Proficient in Excel, Photoshop. Intermediate copywriting skills.”

Click here for a complete executive assistant resume example .

Receptionist Resume Objective

“3rd-year Medical Student looking for a summer job as a receptionist at XYZ Inc. Experience in working face-to-face with customers, having worked part-time jobs as cashier and waitress. Social, positive, and hard-working.”

Click here for a complete receptionist resume example . 

Secretary Resume Objective

“Recent Communications graduate looking to apply for the role of a Secretary at XYZ inc. Extremely organized with good writing and multitasking skills. Practical experience in management gained through several university projects, which involves coordinating tasks between different team members and ensuring that everyone was in sync with the latest information.”

Administrative Assistant Resume Objective

“Organized & hardworking employee looking to work at XYZ Inc. as an Administrative Assistant. Previous experience in several related fields, such as working as a Secretary for 3 years, in addition to being an Executive Assistant for 1 year. Strong organizational skills, as well as a keen eye for detail.”

Click here for a complete administrative assistant resume example . 

Business & Management Resume Objective Examples

Marketing Manager Resume Objective

“Recent graduate with a B.A. in Marketing looking to start my career in Advertising at XYZ Inc. Strong skills in copywriting and graphic design, coupled with a creative mind. Practical experience in creating social media ads (Facebook, Instagram) as a marketing intern.”

Click here for a complete marketing manager resume example . 

Project Manager Resume Objective

“Detail-oriented software engineer with 5+ years of experience in Node.js and React looking to transition into the role of an IT-focused project manager. Practical experience conducting daily scrum meetings and following agile project management methodologies.”

Click here for a complete project manager resume example . 

Human Resources Resume Objective

“Psychology graduate looking for a position in recruitment at XYZ Inc. Completed an HR internship at Recruitment Agency X. Solid entry-level experience doing recruitment work, which included pre-selecting qualified candidates and filtering them based on client needs. Looking to further develop my experience in the HR field and help XYZ Inc. go above and beyond their hiring needs.”

Business Analyst Resume Objective

“Business Student at University X seeking a summer internship as a Business Analyst at XYZ Inc. Strong business know-how, with a focus on analyzing and interpreting data. Completed 10+ real-life business consulting case studies as university projects. Skilled in financial and managerial accounting.”

Click here for a complete business analyst resume example .

Marketing Resume Objective Examples

Junior SEO Specialist

“Detail-oriented graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration looking to apply for a Junior SEO Specialist position at Digital XYZ Inc. Theoretical knowledge of SEO, including some practical experience in using Google Analytics. Seeking to further develop my online marketing skills as part of the Digital XYZ team.”

Social Media Marketing Manager

“Enthusiastic Marketing graduate with a passion for all things digital seeking an entry-level Social Media Marketing position at Digital XYZ Inc. Skilled in copywriting & basic graphic design. Personally started and grew a Facebook page to 5,000+ likes, and an Instagram page to 8,000+ followers. Looking to help Digital XYZ’s clients improve their social media marketing and establish an online presence.”

Content Creator

“Articulate graduate with a B.A. in Media and Mass Communication seeking a content creator position at XYZ Startup. Experienced in writing articles for local newspapers and online magazines. Hoping to apply my journalistic writing abilities to improve XYZ Startup’s blog on ABC Industry/Category.”

PPC Specialist

“Result-driven SEO specialist with 3+ years of experience designing and implementing SEO campaigns for e-commerce companies. Looking for a PPC specialist position at XYZ Agency to leverage strong knack for web analytics and SEM to drive traffic and increase sales.”

Food & Service Industry Resume Objective Examples

Waiter / Waitress Resume Objective

“Experienced service industry worker seeking to apply for the position of a waiter at XYZ Restaurant. Past experience includes working as a bartender, busser, and line cook. Thrives in fast-paced, high-stress environment.”

Click here for a complete server resume example . 

Line Cook Resume Objective

“Recent graduate from Houston Culinary Arts School seeking a position as a line cook at Fancy Restaurant XYZ. Looking to further develop cooking skills learned at school. Previous experience working in a high-stress environment as a part-time Sandwich Maker at Fast Food Place X.”

Restaurant Manager Resume Objective

“Seasoned Server with 10+ years of hospitality industry experience looking to help Restaurant XYZ take its business to the next level. During my time as a server, helped 3+ restaurants with hiring and training new staff, as well as coming up with promotional strategies for specific foods and drinks.”

Click here for a complete bar manager resume example . 

Education Resume Objective Examples

Teacher Resume Objective

“B.S. in Education from University XYZ with a concentration in Chemistry seeking to start my career as a teacher at XYZ High School. Passionate about teaching, both in and out of the classroom.” 

Click here for a complete teacher resume example . 

Tutor Resume Objective

“Skilled Mathematics graduate looking to apply for the position of a Math tutor at XYZ School. Worked as a part-time Linear Algebra tutor during my time at University X. Strong knowledge of Advanced Linear Algebra, Calculus I-IV, Mathematical Statistics, and Trigonometry.”

Sales and Customer Support Resume Objective Examples

Sales Associate Resume Objective

“Charismatic, communicative employee seeking an entry-level sales job at XYX Inc. Tech-savvy, with the ability to pick up product knowledge fast. Previous experience as a sales clerk at Random Retail Store X.”

Click here for a complete sales associate resume example . 

Store Manager Resume Objective

“Experienced employee looking for a job as a Store Manager at XYZ Inc. Skilled in inventory management, having worked as a warehouse manager in two separate organizations. Dependable math skills from working as a cashier at Company X.”

Account Manager Resume Objective

“Diligent graduate with a B.A. in Business Management at University Y seeking to provide excellent client service at XYZ Inc. as an account manager. Strong communication skills from my job as a Sales Manager at Company X. Outstanding project management skills, having worked on over a dozen business projects in university.”

Customer Service Specialist Resume Objective

“Multi-lingual employee looking to help XYZ Inc. provide stellar customer experience. Strong communication skills. Fluent in English, French, and Russian. Basic knowledge of CRM systems.”

Click here for a complete customer service specialist resume example . 

Technical Support Specialist Resume Objective

“Information Technology student seeking a part-time role as a Technical Support Specialist at XYZ Inc. Experienced in using help desk & CRM systems. Skilled in written communication with an intermediate knowledge in the IT-sphere.”

Cashier Resume Objective

“Enthusiastic, courteous waiter seeking the role of a Cashier at XYZ Inc. Currently working part-time at Restaurant ABC, looking to fill up the rest of my time. Strong communication skills, and a genuine love for working with people. Good at carrying out mathematical calculations.”

Click here for a complete cashier resume example . 

Finance & Accounting Resume Objective Examples

Accountant Resume Objective

“Graduate with an M.A. in Accounting and Finance seeking the position of a Junior Accountant at XYZ Inc. Highest grades in relevant courses, including Intermediate Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Advanced Finance, and more.” 

Click here for a complete accountant resume example .

Financial Analyst Resume Objective

“Finance student with 3.92 GPA seeking an entry-level Financial Analyst position at XYZ Inc. Skilled in financial data analysis, reading financial sheets, with excellent knowledge of accounting and tax legislation.”

Click here for a complete financial analyst resume example .

Bank Teller Resume Objective

“Customer Support Representative with 2+ years working client-facing roles seeking a job as a Bank Teller at XYZ Inc. Experienced in working with customers over the phone, as well as by email. Excellent math skills, having graduated high school with a specialization in Mathematics.”

Click here for a complete bank teller resume example .

Data Entry Resume Objective

“Meticulous graduate with a B.A. in business administration looking for a data entry clerk position at company XYZ Inc. Skilful typer with an average typing speed of 85 WPM. Possessing 2+ years of experience using typing tools such as Ms Word and Ms Excel for task tracking and automation.”

Click here for a complete data entry clerk resume example .

Technical Resume Objective Examples

Computer Scientist Resume Objective

“Graduate with an M.Sc. in Computer Science and Information Systems seeking a position as a Research Assistant in the computer science department of XYZ University. 2+ years of experience in designing and implementing deep convolutional neural networks with TensorFlow and Scala. Enthusiastic about furthering research conducted on the study of artificial intelligence.”

Click here for a complete computer scientist resume example .

IT Specialist Resume Objective

“Competent Support Specialist with 3+ years of experience in AWS storage cloud services. Maintained constant customer satisfaction rate at 98% while working at XYZ Agency. Currently looking for a position as an IT Specialist with a focus on cloud services at ABC Inc.”

Click here for a complete IT specialist resume example . 

Data Analyst Resume Objective

“Enthusiastic recent graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration and Mathematics seeking a Data Analyst position at Data Analysis Co.. Competent in mathematical statistics and possessing a certification in business analysis from ABC Institute. Hoping to apply my extensive knowledge of SQL databases and SQL as a querying language to help Data Analysis Co. fulfil its goals.”

Click here for a complete data analyst resume example . 

Software Engineer Resume Objective

“Result-oriented QA Engineer with 5+ years of experience in the banking and finance sector looking for a Junior Software Engineer job at XYZ Bank. Strong understanding of software engineering paradigms and testing frameworks for C++, Java, .NET (C#).”

Click here for a complete software engineer resume example .

Data Scientist Resume Objective

“Diligent Computer Science and Mathematics student with a 3.98 GPA looking for an internship at XYZ Inc. as a Junior Data Scientist. Specialized in statistical analysis and experienced with packages such as R, SQL, STATA, and Python.”

Click here for a complete data scientist resume example .

Medical Resume Objective Examples

Nurse Resume Objective

“Recent RN graduate seeking to help Hospital XYZ provide an excellent level of patient care. Experienced in working in high-stress environments. An excellent team-player who thrives under pressure. Passionate about helping people and making an impact.

Click here for a complete nurse resume example . 

Medical Assistant Resume Objective

“Certified, energetic medical assistant with volunteering experience for XYZ Hospital looking for a position as a Medical Assistant at ABC Clinic. Dedicated team player with the ability to work both day and night shifts.”

Click here for a complete medical assistant resume example .

Dental Assistant Resume Objective

“Licensed and enthusiastic dental practitioner with 1+ years of experience working at a private Dental Practice ABC seeking a Dental Assistant position at XYZ Dental Inc. Highly meticulous at carrying out dental procedures and assisting during surgeries.”

Other Resume Objective Examples

Warehouse Worker Resume Objective

“Retail worker seeking the position of a warehouse worker at XYZ Supermarket. Previous experience doing several retail jobs, including working as a stocker for produce and groceries at XYZ Family Market. Skilled in stocking, inventory replenishment / tracking, processing relevant paperwork and utilizing electrical pallet stackers / pallet jacks.”

Click here for a complete warehouse worker resume example .

Housekeeper Resume Objective

“Seasonal worker seeking a Housekeeping job at XYZ Hotel. Diligent and organized, having spent the past 3 summers working in Nantucket. Previous roles include bussing at Restaurant Y and prep cooking at Local Restaurant X.”

Key Takeaways

So, let’s go through everything we’ve learned...

• A resume objective is a 2-3 sentence career intent summary placed at the top of your resume. You should only use a resume objective if you don’t have enough work experience in the field you are applying for or if you are switching careers .
• When writing a resume objective, try to avoid cliches or generalizations. Don’t make it about you, tailor it to the specific organization you are applying to. Don’t use subjective or pompous language, and mention a career goal you can reach within the same organization.
• The objective should also be backed up by the information you list in the other resume sections , such as work experience or education .

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• How to Write a Cover Letter
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How to write a career objective for a resume

4 career objective examples for beginners

4 career objective examples for experienced professionals, 4 objective examples for student resumes, land the interview in just a few sentences.

Your resume is one of the first materials your potential employer sees from you. It needs to catch their eye and attract interest — at least enough to get you in the door for an interview . 

As a job seeker , one great way to win over employers and become a top candidate is to write a strong career statement . 

A career statement, also known as your career summary or career objective, is your personal elevator pitch . It’s a few brief sentences at the top of your resume clearly explaining what your career goals are and how this job will help you get there.

An objective statement is a great addition to your resume, particularly if you’re a new graduate or don’t have a lot of experience. If you aren’t sure where to begin, h ere are a few career objective examples t o get you started.

How to write a career objective for a resume 

The average recruiter only looks at a resume for about seven seconds , meaning they don’t read every bullet point in depth. You need to wow them from the beginning and encourage them to learn more about you, your experience, and your relevant skills. 

That’s where the career objective comes into play. Usually at the top of your resume, a recruiter should be able to read your statement in just a few seconds and have a clear picture of what you’d bring to the role you’re applying for. It should emphasize the unique skills, credentials, and experience that make you the ideal candidate, all in just a few seconds. 

But keep in mind that some recruiters advise against including summaries and objectives . If your work experience already speaks for itself, or you have lots of skills and certifications, it might be best to use that space for something other than an objective statement. Objectives and summaries are most helpful when you have something to say — like what kind of environment you’re looking for — that you can’t include elsewhere.

If you do want to learn how to write an objective for a resume, start by creating a custom statement for every job application. It might be tempting to write a generic objective that suits any job in your industry, especially if you’re applying for the same position with multiple companies. But saying you want to work as a “sales representative at XYZ Company” makes for a stronger statement than “seeking a sales position ” because it shows specificity and drive. And a tailored statement is more likely to catch a recruiter’s eye.

Here are a few more essential guidelines for writing your career objective:

1. Write it in third-person singular

Writing in the third person is the standard for resume objective statements. First-person pronouns like I, me, and my come across as personal and informal to a reader, and your resume should be as professional as possible. 

To avoid the first person, your statement doesn’t have to be a complete sentence. Instead of saying “I’m looking for a job in the front office,” your career objective could read, “Seeking a role as an administrative assistant with [company name].” That way, it’s more formal and you have more space to explain your career path .

2. Emphasize your strongest traits

Your resume and cover letter aim to prove that you’re a top candidate for the job. And to do this, they need to mention the strengths you bring as an employee. Do you have years of specialized experience? Exceptional communication skills ? Put those qualities front and center in your career objective. The goal is to show what makes you stand out.

If you’re unsure which traits to highlight, scan the job description and look for keywords that apply to you. If the employer asks for someone self-motivated and results-driven, use those words to describe yourself. Just make sure you aren’t stretching the truth at this stage. Start your professional relationship on the basis of trust .

3. Add a few skills

You can tell a recruiter that you’re hardworking, driven, or experienced at a job. But proving those facts with specific examples is much more effective. If you want to focus your resume objective example on your abilities, use the space to explain how you’ve used them well in the past.

Someone applying for a marketing manager position might emphasize a successful social media project with metrics that show its success. And a prospective healthcare professional might point out their certifications or knowledge of regulatory practices for their role. Remember, the best skills for your resume are specific to the job you want, so use the job posting to guide your selections.

4. Explain your goals for yourself and the company

If you’ve ever looked up sample resume objectives, you may have noticed that many start with “Seeking a position” or include “expand their skillset” as part of the sentence.

But these statements are vague and obvious. If you’re applying for a job, the recruiter or hiring manager already knows you’re looking for a job. “Seeking a position” tells the recruiter how they can help you, not how you can help them. 

Instead, tell a company what you bring to the table and how you can help them reach their goals . While it’s still fine to mention your career growth objectives — a recent grad might state that the job will launch their career in a certain field — explaining how you’ll benefit the company by working for them is even more important. 

5. Keep it brief

Your career objective needs to be short and sweet to save room for more important information. Try to limit the entire statement to two or three lines. Pack those sentences with strong action verbs and job-specific qualities, and your resume will stand out from your fellow applicants.

Career objective statements are particularly important for beginners seeking entry-level positions . At this point in your career, you may not have enough work experience to fill out your resume, or at least not as far back as a resume should go . 

The career objective statement on your resume should highlight your strengths no matter where you are in your career, persuading the company to give you a chance. Here are a few examples:

Organized and motivated employee with superior [skill] and [skill]. Seeking to join [company] as a [position] to help enhance [function].

Certified [position] looking to join [company] as a part of the [department] team. Hardworking individual with [skill], [skill], and [skill].

Detail-oriented individual seeking to help [company] achieve its goals as a [position]. Excellent at [skill] and dedicated to delivering top-quality [function]. 

[Position] certified in [skill] and [skill], looking to help [company] increase [goal metric]. Excellent [position] who can collaborate with large teams to [achieve goal]. 

Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder after years with the same company or reentering the applicant pool for a career change , seasoned employees can still use objective statements. The key is to point to your work history. Here are a few professional summary examples for resumes of workers with professional experience under their belt:

Experienced [position] looking to help [company] provide excellent customer service . Over [number] years of experience at [company], demonstrating excellent [skill], [skill], and [skill]. 

[Position] with [number] years of experience looking to help [company] improve its [function]. Diligent and detail-oriented professional with extensive experience with [hard skill]. 

Hardworking [position] with [number] years of experience at a [type of environment]. Seeking to bring [skills] and experience to benefit [company] in the [department].

Dedicated [position] with over [number] years of experience looking to move into [new field]. [Graduate degree title] from [school name]. Excellent [skill], [skill], and [skill].

Students seeking their first post-grad job may feel like their experience isn’t good enough to discuss. But as a student, you can still highlight your talent and skills with a career objective statement. 

Instead of work history, emphasize assets like your GPA, degree title and expected graduation date, and skills you’ve learned in any apprenticeships or internships . Here are a few examples:

Detail-oriented college student at [school] with [GPA]. Graduating in [year] with [degree title]. Looking to use [skills] as a [position] for [company]. 

High school student with proven [skills] looking for a [position] at [company]. Proven [skill] as [extracurricular position]. Wishing to use [skills] to [achieve goals].

Hardworking recent graduate in [degree] from [school]. Excellent [skills] and [skills]. Experienced in [function], function, and [function] at [company].

[Degree] candidate in [subject] from [school] seeking a [position] at [company]. Experience in [function]. Exceptional [skills], [skills], and [skills].

As the career objective examples above demonstrate, this statement highlights your skills and demonstrates how you’d be an asset to your potential employer’s organization. 

Whether you point to your project management experience, human resources accomplishments, or soft skills you’ve developed throughout your life, a good objective will make your resume stand out — even if the recruiter only takes a quick glance. Take your time and craft something that’s true to you. If you get it right, it could bring your next great job opportunity.

Elizabeth Perry

Content Marketing Manager, ACC

Give me a (career) break: what to know before taking time off

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Career Objective Tips To Get Your Resume Noticed [+ Examples]

Published: April 05, 2023

Whether you call it a personal branding statement, experience overview, or resume objective, a career objective statement creates an important first impression.

A well-crafted statement lets hiring managers learn about your skills and career highlights in a straightforward way. That’s if a hiring manager even makes it to your resume, of course.

With an increasingly competitive pool of candidates, we have compiled steps to help you craft a career objective that will enable your resume to stand out and get through that first read.

Let's look at what a career objective is and how to make yours meet today’s resume standards.

What is a career objective?

How to write a career objective, how to write an objective for a career change, career objective examples.

A career objective is a succinct paragraph that summarizes your professional experiences, skills, and goals. It is usually two to three sentences long and sits at the top of your resume under your name and contact information.

Your career objective is some of the first information hiring managers will see when scanning your resume , so it needs to be unique to stand out. You can do this in several ways, including:

• Tailoring the objective to the role you’re applying for.
• Adding top keywords.
• And highlighting relevant skills.

The result should be a concise summary that’s clear, actionable, and compelling. Bonus if you can hint at your personality.

But what does that look like? Here are the steps you can follow to create a great career objective for any role.

1. Refer to the job description.

It’s easy to copy and paste information from a job description into your career objective. But to show originality and stand out, you have to understand what a hiring manager wants.

Do this by looking for the most in-demand skills or characteristics for the role. These are often listed within the job description under a section labeled “Required Skills” or “Core Responsibilities.”

You can find the right skills or traits to include by cross-referencing the list with any additional descriptions about the company or position. Using these words shows the recruiter that you have done your homework about the specific job, instead of mass sending out your resume.

Once you comb through the job description, create a list of the top 10 traits and skills you want to include in your statement. You may not use all of them, but it will help you draft your career objective statement.

2. Know your value.

If you’re knee-deep in the job hunt, you can probably recite your strengths in your sleep. Instead, write down the specific ways you add value to your list of skills and traits.

These can include your strengths, degrees, licenses, or certifications. It’s also worth mentioning any strong connections you have, such as working for top-tier clients or experience speaking at industry events. Just make sure the experience is relevant to the company, industry, and role.

Again, look to the job description to understand how you can highlight your value to the company.

3. Keep it concise.

A career objective should be no more than three sentences. Your resume will cover your specific work experience, core skills, education, volunteer experience, and certifications. Instead, provide a more general overview of your passions, skills, and values.

Write a draft of your career objective using the list you created in steps one and two. Your first few drafts may be more than three sentences. That’s okay.

Try to remove any excessive language, like “that,” “a,” and “the.” And don’t worry too much about using complete sentences (see this in action in the examples below).

Here’s what a career objective should and should not look like for a growth marketer role.

Image Source

If you get stuck, have a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor review the statement. They may be able to offer feedback and correct any errors.

You want your objective to be as polished as possible, so have one or more pairs of eyes review your work.

You may be comfortable writing a career objective for a field you have experience in, but what if you’re changing careers?

The goal when writing this type of career objective is to tie your previous experience into your desired role as much as possible. This requires you to draw connections between your past work and your new career.

Let’s look at an example where the candidate is aiming to transition from an accounting career to one in marketing.

The candidate uses the career objective to explain their career switch and draw attention to their analytical skills — a must-have in many marketing careers.

Now that you have an idea of how to compose your career objective, check out these examples below to get further inspiration.

No matter what the role is, from software engineering to sales, there are specific phrases that will help you take your first step. These five catch-all phrases can help you get started:

• Seeking an entry-level position to begin my career in a high-level professional environment.
• To obtain a challenging and rewarding position in a dynamic organization where I can utilize my skills and experience to contribute to the growth and success of the company.
• To secure a challenging and responsible position in a reputable organization where I can apply my knowledge and skills to contribute to the success of the company.
• Organized and motivated employee able to apply time management and organizational skills in various environments.
• Seeking a position in a fast-paced, customer-oriented environment where I can use my strong communication and problem-solving skills to provide excellent service and support.

And as always, you should add your own flair to each of these, but hopefully, they can help you get the ball rolling.

However, each role will also have its distinct requirements, and your career objective needs to reflect those unique traits. Look to the following examples for inspiration when writing your statement.

Internship Application

Detail-oriented English major seeking to leverage excellent written and verbal communication skills to succeed as an intern at ABC company. Excels at working on teams with 3+ years of experience as captain of the lacrosse team at ABC University.

What we like : Even though they do not have explicit work experience, they highlight their leadership skills with a specific example.

Recent Graduate Application

Recent graduate with a B.A. in business administration looking to start my career in finance with an internship at ABC Inc.

Experienced in analyzing financial statements and annual reports for several university projects. Seeking to further develop my theoretical know-how with strong mentorship at ABC Inc.

Pro tip : Include what you hope to get out of the job experience as well. This makes your objective more personal.

Marketing Manager

Data-savvy lifecycle marketing manager with seven years of experience crafting omnichannel customer journeys.

Successfully built customer programs that increased loyalty by 25% using best practices for lifecycle frameworks and communication strategies. Strong analytical skills and familiarity with various ESP and CRM software.

What we like : The use of specific metrics makes the candidate’s added value clear and tangible.

Communications

Highly creative communications specialist who excels in collaborative, fast-paced environments. Over the past four years, I’ve coordinated and refined content for marketing industry leaders to ensure company narratives are compelling and accurate.

Experience managing content libraries, social media platforms, and internal newsletters.

Pro tip: Give examples of what you’ve worked on. This experience makes it clearer to the recruiter that you’ve worked diligently in your previous role.

Brand Strategist

Creative lead with a knack for developing strong client relationships and innovative branding strategies. Over 10 years of experience crafting strategic marketing plans that have led to 45% growth in clients’ brand awareness.

Excellent communicator and coordinator with the ability to foster long-term partnerships while ensuring teams stay on track.

What we like: Again, the success metrics help this applicant stand out.

Approachable, dedicated, and hardworking human resources coordinator with three years of experience.

Seeking a position as an HR manager with a company that values knowledge of the industry, the ability to implement improvements for employee satisfaction, exceptional work performance, and previous work experience.

What we like: All the adjectives are taken from the job description, making it clear that this career objective was written specifically with that role in mind.

Fullstack Software Engineer

A curious learner and excellent team player searching for a challenging position as a full-stack software engineer at ABC Inc.

Hoping to use my technical competencies and knowledge of modern frameworks and technologies, such as graph QL, React.js, Node.js, and Firebase.

Best for : Those with technical skills they want to highlight. Show a range of valued skills for the desired role.

Business Analyst

Recent business management graduate with highly proficient data analysis skills, seeking a position as a business analyst for ABC Software Solutions.

Motivated to apply skills in business technology, data analytics, and strategic planning and development to improve business performance, reduce costs, and increase profitability. Proficient in Python, Excel, and Looker.

Pro tip : If you have specific skills you want to ensure are seen, add them to the end of the career objective so they are clear and apparent.

Sales Manager

Seeking the position of regional sales manager at ABC Company. I can use my five years of sales experience to identify sales opportunities through sales activation, people management, relationship development, and networking to improve the bottom line and increase company revenue. Achieved 120% of quota in my previous role.

What we like: Sales is highly quantifiable, so make sure you show you’re a high performer with key metrics.

Financial Analyst

Finance student with 3.92 GPA from ABC University, seeking an entry-level financial analyst position at ABC Inc. Skilled in financial data analysis, reading financial sheets, with excellent knowledge of accounting and tax legislation.

Best for: Roles that require academic prestige. Ensure your accomplishments are highlighted from the get-go.

Web Designer

More than 10 years of experience in creating designs of any complexity, 2D and 3D graphics for games, applications, and websites.

Awareness of current graphic and design trends in the area of user interface, game development, and web design. Attention to detail and ability to drive concept development beyond initial implementation.

What we like : The specificity of the experience and tools needed for the desired role makes this a compelling career objective.

Sales Engineer

Highly motivated and experienced sales engineer with 5+ years of experience developing innovative products and providing excellent customer service.

Seeking to leverage knowledge of engineering principles and project management techniques to exceed expectations as a sales engineer at ABC Company.

What we like: Showing passion for the job and your success in the desired role allows the hiring manager to glimpse your personality.

An enthusiastic individual seeking a mid-level position in a banking firm where I can use my negotiation and communication skills to achieve sales targets. An MBA in finance from ABC University.

Best for: A role that requires a certain education level — be sure to highlight it in a sentence of its own.

Focused, confident, and committed associate lawyer. Interested in working with a major law firm committed to helping the aggrieved party (both individual and companies) by optimizing knowledge and rules of the Indian legal system.

Pro tip: Highlight why that exact firm is a fit for you and you are a fit for them, being as specific as possible.

Supply Chain Analyst

Deadline-driven warehouse manager with five years of experience. Proven track record in maintaining ideal inventory levels and managing capital and expense budgets at different distribution warehouses. Looking for a similar job role in a reputed logistics company.

Pro tip: If you have years of experience in your field, highlight this information in your objective.

Account Manager

Diligent graduate with a B.A. in business management from University ABC seeking to provide excellent client services at ABC Inc. as an account manager.

Strong communication skills from my job as a sales manager at Company ABC. Outstanding project management skills, having worked on over a dozen business projects in university.

What we like : Giving a quantifiable number of projects makes it more impactful.

Executive Assistant

Experienced personal assistant aiming to elevate my career to the position of executive assistant. Supported four entrepreneurs with organizing their work by setting up meetings, booking flights and hotels, and writing reports.

Hoping to leverage organizational skills to help ABC Corp introduce time-saving schemes for all executives.

What we like: The applicant is concrete and straightforward, matching the desired skills for the role.

Crafting the Perfect Career Objective

Now, you’re ready to write a career objective that showcases your skills.

If you follow the steps above, keep it original, and reference the job description, your objective statement is likely to wow hiring managers — and help you move on to the next stage in the hiring process.

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Resume Examples & Samples

How to write a resume objective [guide and examples].

Adi Gaskell

Create a Resume in Minutes & Get More Job Interviews

Table of Contents

• What is a Resume Objective
• Resume Objective VS Resume Summary
• How to Create a Killer Resume Objective
• The Resume Objective Formula
• Show the Numbers
• Tailor your Objective to the Employer
• Tailor your Objective to the Job Description
• Use 3rd Person
• Common objective mistakes to avoid

A resume objective can make or break your chances of getting the job.

You’ve probably heard this before, but first impressions matter . A lot.

The first thing you say (and how you say it) to your new acquaintances can determine whether they think of you as a walking, talking confidence machine or a shy introvert .

Think of your resume objective as your first impression to the employer. Imagine you’re talking to the new guy or girl at the bar. The way you say “Hi, my name is X and I am a Y” determines whether or not they’ll ever talk to you again.

The same applies to the HR - unless you show who you are , what you do , and how you’re relevant in the very beginning of your resume, the chances of them wanting to get to know you are slim.

So, go grab your resume (we’ll wait), and let’s find out how to create a killer resume objective that’ll have recruiters literally chasing after you.

In this guide, we’re going to teach you…

• What’s a resume objective, and how is it different from a summary
• When to use a resume objective, and when a summary
• What a good resume objective looks like
• How to write a killer objective & land that job you’re aiming for

If you don't have a resume at hand, the best time to start writing one is now! Head over to our resume builder and give it a try! This guide is part of our bigger super-guide on how to make a resume . If you want to learn everything on making a resume, you might want to head over there.

WHAT IS A RESUME OBJECTIVE

#what-is-a-resume-objective.

A resume objective is, as the name suggests, the “objective” you’re trying to achieve with your resume.

For example…

• You’re planning on using what you’ve learned about marketing in college to help contribute to the company marketing efforts
• You want to take your experience in customer support & use it to transition into a job in sales
• You’re experienced in working with early-stage startups, and would like to offer your expertise in growth marketing to the company.

Essentially, it’s a small blurb which tells the recruiter why you’re applying to the job, and how you’re relevant.

Take the following as an example...

• Results-oriented phone-sales manager with a track record of success within the industry. Having closed deals worth over $ 450,000 , as well as training interns and entry-level salesmen . Looking to leverage the experience in phone sales to help StartupInc. Set up their initial sales operations and get some real traction .

In this case, the candidate mentions his exact experience , achievements , and how they can help . Reading this would literally turn the recruiter's eyes into dollar signs.

• I would like to exchange my services for items of monetary value , with which I can afford to cover my sustenance and leisure

This example, on the other hand, is horrible - and you can probably guess why.

Needless to say, it’s important to get your resume objective right - and we’ll explain how, exactly, a bit down the line.

RESUME OBJECTIVE VS RESUME SUMMARY

#resume-objective-vs-resume-summary.

A resume objective isn’t something you’ll use in every single resume .

In fact, it usually has 3 very specific uses…

• Student Resume - If you don’t have a lot of work experience, you need to mention at least something in your resume, right? That’s where an objective comes in - you can talk about how you can apply the knowledge gained in college to your future job.
• Career Transition - Let’s say you’ve worked in customer support for most of your career. Moving into a different field might seem out of reach - unless, of course, you can show the recruiter that your previous experience is relevant for whatever job you’re applying for. A resume objective can help show how your old experience is relevant to your new job.
• Specific Position - If you’re going for something extremely niche and specific to your field, a resume objective can show how, exactly , you can contribute. For example, you’re applying to a restaurant with a very exotic menu, you’ll main straight off that you have experience with that in the resume objective.

If your case doesn’t fit either of the situations we mentioned, then it might mean that what you really need is a resume summary .

So, what’s the difference you might ask?

An objective , for the most part, deals with your aspirations within the company. While you do mention your experience, it’s usually in the context of how you’re going use it for your employer.

• Digital marketer turned-PR-specialist looking to leverage the knowledge of the cyberspace to help YourCompanyInc establish relations with journalists worldwide. With over 4 years of experience in link-building, confident in being able to transfer the skills to the field of Online PR.

A summary, on the other hand, is, well, what the name suggests - a summary of your career. You would mention any relevant positions that you’ve held, the type of work you’ve done, achievements, etc.

• Established digital marketer with over 4 years of experience working for small to medium sized companies, helping them establish their online presence. Managed AdWords campaigns of over $ 2,000+ monthly budget, bringing in an average ROI of 120% . Digital Marketing BA from Boston University

Both of the examples above could, in fact, be of the same person. The difference here would be the focus - if the individual is applying for a job in AdWords marketing, they’d use the summary .

If, however, they wanted to transition into online PR, they would go for the resume objective .

If you just realized that what you actually need is a resume summary, we've got you covered there too! Learn 5 Steps To A Killer Resume Summary + Real Examples

HOW TO CREATE A KILLER RESUME OBJECTIVE

#how-to-create-a-killer-resume-objective.

Before we even get into the specifics, the most important thing to remember is that your resume objective should show that you are relevant .

As we’ve mentioned before, if your objective doesn’t catch the recruiter's attention, your resume gets a date with the paper shredder .

Your resume objective has to be just the right size . Meaning, long enough to capture and hold the recruiter’s attention, but not long enough for them to doze off. So, try aiming for around 4-5 sentences, that should be just about right.

By relevant, we mean that your resume should show the recruiter…

• How you can help achieve company goals (If you’re applying for a specific position)
• Why your skills are relevant for the job (If you are a student, in the middle of a career transition, or applying for a specific position)
• How you gained the said skills

So, let’s put that into a real example…

• Enthusiastic customer service manager looking to leverage 5+ years of experience in client-satisfaction for an entry-level position in sales. Work experience ranging from delivering a 5-star experience as a server in a restaurant, to working as a on-call technical support for MadeUpCompanyInc.

Now let’s analyze that step-by-step . In this case, the job-seeker is looking for a career change . So, point 2 and 3 should apply to their case (i.e, relevant skills and how they got them)

• The candidate mentions the relevant skills : customer support means that they’ve worked to ensure complete customer satisfaction, something that helps with a job in sales.
• They also mention how they got the skills - over 5 years of experience in serving & customer support. Everyone can say they have excellent customer support skills, but not everyone can prove it with experience.

Now, let’s see how that can go completely wrong...

• Incredibly smart and gifted recent business-school graduate (whose mom is very proud. See, letter of recommendation attached) looking to leverage their university degree to finally get the job they’ve been promised. Took all the relevant classes, so please don’t ignore this Email, I really need this.

In this case, the resume objective doesn’t do anything right…

• There’s no real mention of skills. “Smart and gifted” is extremely generic - the recruiter wants to know the EXACT skills that make you relevant.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s get into all the juicy details.

Need extra inspiration? Check out these resume templates .

THE RESUME OBJECTIVE FORMULA

#the-resume-objective-formula.

While reading examples might make it all seem super easy, sitting down and actually writing out yours can be a lot harder.

So, we “ standardized ” the process of writing a resume objective.

As we’ve already mentioned, there are 3 uses for an objective:

• Student Resume - You’re a recent-graduate with no real work experience
• Career Transition - If you’re transitioning to a different career and want to show that your skill-set is relevant
• Specific Position - You’re going for a very specific job

For each separate case, there’s going to be a minor difference in the formula, but the gist of it is…

A Killer Resume Objective = [Degree] + [Years of Experience] + [Specialization] + [Personality Trait(s) or Skills] + [Achivement(s)] + [Application]

Now, let’s look at each one by one:

[Degree] - Your highest degree (not mentioned unless you have a BA at least) , honors mentioned if applicable.

• BA in Advertising from Sheffield University
• MBA graduate from Harvard

[Years of Experience] - How long you’ve worked in your field (excluded in a student objective)

• With over 6 years of experience in the field of brand management.
• Having worked as a server for over 3 years now.

[Specialization] - Your expertise. This can either be a small mention ( Full-stack developer ) or a detailed achievements ( $ 10,000+ in sales in an average month ) or responsibilities ( Building up the SaaS back-end ground-up )

• Full-stack developer specialized in building up SaaS software ground-up
• Suave salesman, hitting and beating the monthly KPI of $10,000

[Personality Trait(s) or Skills] - Depending on how relevant your experience is, you either mention your personality traits that’ll help you with the job ( I’m a people-person, so I want to work in Sales ) or skills you gained from experience ( Communication skills from working as a server and interacting with 30+ people on a daily basis )

• People person with a passion for customer-success
• Having developed communication skills working as a server, interacting with 30+ people on a daily basis.

[Application] - How you’re going to use the [Skills] and [Years of Experience] in your new job.

• Use the communication skills picked up working as a server to excel at an entry-level job in sales
• Use 10+ years of marketing automation experience to help MadeUpCompanyInc . Save $10,000+ yearly

As a rule of thumb, you don’t have to use every single piece of the formula for your resume objective.

The only must-have is [Application] , since you need to explain how, exactly, you’re going to contribute to the company with your skills.

In the case of a student resume, you can replace [Years of Experience] with [Extracurricular Activities] - think, mentioning your responsibilities or achievements in a university club.

So, let’s take a look at an example for each specific case: Student Resume, Career Transition, Specific Position.

• Recent-graduate with a BA in Literature [Degree] looking for an opportunity to apply wordsmith skills [Specialization] as a copywriter for MadeUpCompanyInc . Unequivocal writing skills [Application] , having analyzed countless ancient literary texts over the 4 years spent in school. [Years of Experience (technically)]

In this case, while the student doesn’t have any experience working as a copywriter, he or she mentions how they’ve majored in Literature , which helped them gain Wordsmith skills .

They also mention their writing skills , as well as backing it up by saying how they’ve developed them (4 years analyzing texts). As a given, writing skills are essential for a career in copywriting, and relevant for the company.

• Technical support expert looking to leverage 3+ years [Years of Experience] of communications experience [Skills & Application] at a position in account management. BA in Social Sciences [Degree] , and a passion for customer success, having maintained a performance indicator above 3.5 / 4 for 2 years straight [Specialization & Application] .

As we’ve mentioned before, when switching careers, you need to emphasize how your skills & experience will transfer.

Here, the applicant talks about switching from technical support to account management. They straight-off say how they’re relevant by talking about 3 years of communication experience [Years of Experience, Skills and Application] .

Then, the job-seeker gets more specific on how they’re good at their job: 3.5 / 4 performance indicator for 2 years straight [Specialization and Application]

• SEO consultant [Skills] with over 10+ years of excellence [Years of Experience] looking to help MadeUpCompanyInc . jump-start their content strategy [Application] . Specialized in working for SMBs [Specialization] , typically bringing results within 6-8 months. Driven over $10,000+ monthly revenue for the average client. [Specialization]

Here, the applicant is very experienced and is looking for something extremely specific . Think, trying to acquire a new client, for example, or a high-level role in a new company.

It mentions the consultant’s expertise with [Years of Experience] and [Skill] . It also proves [Specialization] : working with SMBs, results in 6-8 months, revenue driven $10,000+.

Now that you’ve got the formula down, there are a couple more best practices you’ll need to remember...

SHOW THE NUMBERS

#show-the-numbers.

When it comes to writing your resume contents, you should always try to quantify everything as much as possible.

Numbers can show how good, exactly, you can are at your job.

Increased sales

Drove $20,000+ of sales within the first month through cold-calling

See the difference between the two examples?

The first doesn’t really tell you anything. Increased sales is nice and all, but how much ? By doing what ?

So whenever you have the chance, quantify your achievements in your resume objective.

Accomplishments can be used in most sections of your resume, not limited to the resume objective. Learn How to Mention Accomplishments on Your Resume (10+ Examples) here!

TAILOR YOUR OBJECTIVE TO THE EMPLOYER

#tailor-your-objective-to-the-employer.

As we’ve already mentioned, your objective is all about the recruiter .

You have to show them how you’re relevant and why they should care about your application.

So, your resume objective has to be as personally-tailored to the job & company as possible.

Tailoring isn’t limited specifically to your objective. If the objective catches the recruiter's interest, your resume has to maintain it. So, when creating your resume, always keep the recruiter’s needs in mind.

I.e, the resume should mention all the required skills, personality traits, etc.

What that means is - yep, you guessed it - you’ll have to have a different resume objective for each company you apply to .

This, however, doesn’t have to be hard. Whatever the case is, you’ll have to have a different resume for each field you’re applying for.

You can’t apply for an IT job with the same resume you applied for a marketing gig.

So for each field you’re going for, you should have a completely separate resume .

If you’re going for one specific field, however, your objective doesn’t have to be much different. Create 3-4 separate iterations with different company names, and you’re gold!

Tailoring isn't specifically limited to the resume objective - it applies to every section. Learn How and Why To Tailor Your Resume to the Job (10+ Examples) you're applying for here.

TAILOR YOUR OBJECTIVE TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION

#tailor-your-objective-to-the-job-description.

Today, it’s very common for companies to use Applicant Tracking Systems in order to skim through the resumes.

On their part, this makes sense. Google, for example, received about 20,000 resumes per week.

The way ATS works is by matching your resume to a job description. If the job description mentions knowing “Python” as required, the ATS will filter out all the irrelevant resumes - that is, anyone who doesn’t have Python mentioned.

While a resume objective is not the only place to optimize your resume for keywords (you can also do that in the skills section, or work experience), you might want to mention anything that seems extremely important.

So, let’s say the the JD mentions looking for a CFO with 5 years of experience.

Expert CFO with over 5 years of experience in managing company finances…

Finance guy with finance experience

USE 3RD PERSON

#use-3rd-person.

The general “ standard ” with your resume objective is to have it written in 3rd person. Why?

Does that make sense?

Probably not . Should you stick to it? In most cases. It's a more familiar sight for the recruiter, after all.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t experiment. If you want to do something more creative with your resume, It’s your call!

Common Objective Mistakes to Avoid

As long as you follow all the instructions we’ve mentioned above, you’re going to do just fine.

A lot of people, however, tend to mess up with their resume objective.

So, just-in-case, we’re going to mention a couple of things you shouldn’t do.

PackING it With Buzzwords

“Team Player. Leadership! Diversity. Critical thinking.”

Most people tend to make their resume objective a bit too generic , mentioning only some soft skills and nothing else.

Whenever you make a claim on your resume, not just your objective, you’ll need to back it up with facts. Resume hell is littered with “Critical Thinkers” and “Leadership Skills.”

So, to avoid that, whenever you finish with the objective, re-read it from the perspective of a recruiter.

• Team-playing, critical-thinking individual with amazing leadership skills. Looking to use the aforementioned skills to rock the job.

Anything that’s overly generic and buzzwords-y will just get ignored by the recruiter.

Lack of Customization

An objective has to be personally-tailored to the employer.

That’s the main idea of an objective statement to begin with - to show the employer how you’re going to be a valuable asset for THEM.

If your objective statement says that you’re an excellent C++ programmer , for example, and the job means dealing with web development in Ruby on Rails .

The recruiter really doesn’t care if you’re good at C++. Hell, you could have an IQ up in the stratosphere, and they’re not gonna care unless you’re a good web dev.

Even if the other parts of the resume mention that you’re good at web dev too , your resume will get discarded long before the recruiter reaches any other section.

So, what you can do is create an objective template - something that can apply to all the jobs you’re going for, and have one sentence specifically meant for whichever position it is.

Adding Zero Value

You should always keep in mind the purpose behind your resume objective: as an introduction to the rest of your resume.

A lot of times, job-seekers use their objective as a re-hash of their resume. I.e, mention something or another about the work experience and call it a day.

Unless your objective adds some sort of values to your resume, you might want to cut it out completely.

By value, we mean something like:

• If you’re a recent graduate: A thing or two you learned from college, and how that helps with the job
• If you’re transitioning to a different career: Information on how your skill-set transfers to the field.
• If you’re applying to a specific position: How your skill-set will add value to the company in some way

And we’re finally here!

Now that you’ve learned all there is to know about resume objectives, you’re ready to start the job-search and go places. High-up, career-related places .

If you want to learn more about creating a resume, you might want to give our super-guide on How to Make a Resume [The Visual Guide] a try.

Now that you know how the resume objective works, how about you put your knowledge into practice! Head over to our resume builder & take the first step to a brand new job!

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How To Write a Resume Objective For a Career Change

Not sure if an objective still belongs on your resume? Here are recruiter-backed tips on how to write an effective resume objective in 2024, with specific advice for career changers.

a year ago   •   8 min read

Job hunting is never easy, but it’s even harder when you’re changing careers. That’s where a modern resume objective comes in. It’s a concise statement at the top of your resume that contextualizes your past experience, signals your intent to change careers, and highlights relevant skills or achievements.

If your first question is, “aren’t resume objectives outdated?” then the answer is yes, but they don’t have to be. Here’s how to write a modern, recruiter-friendly resume objective , with specific advice for people aiming to change careers in 2024 .

Resume objectives vs resume summaries

First, before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, traditional resume objectives are outdated and do not belong on a modern resume.

There are many reasons why, but it basically boils down to the fact that hiring managers want to know what you can do for them, and resume objectives typically focus on what a company can do for you.

But, while traditional resume objectives might be outdated, a modernized version can be a powerful tool for those looking to change careers. This new and improved version, often called a 'resume summary,' can showcase your professional highlights, relevant skills, and your intention to shift careers.

In short, resume objectives are out, and resume summaries are in. So, for the rest of this article, when we’re talking about your resume objective, we’re really talking about your new and improved resume summary.

Do I need a resume objective for a career change resume?

If we're talking about a traditional resume objective, then No. It’s better to remove it and take advantage of the extra space to include more relevant work experience and hard skills.

But if we’re talking about a resume summary, then Yes!

When you’re changing careers, it’s important to include your new/proposed job title somewhere on your resume to get past ATS , and a resume summary is a great place to do that. A summary objective can also help explain to hiring managers why you’re applying for a position that doesn’t directly align with your experience and helps highlight relevant qualifications or recent training.

How to write a career change resume objective

• Put your objective at the top of your resume, just below your contact information, under the optional title of ‘ Summary .’
• Include the title of the job you’re applying for and the company name.
• Mention any relevant skills or experience you can bring to the role, including any impressive accomplishments you want to highlight.
• Keep it brief — a resume objective can be as short as a single line.
• Tailor your objective to the job you’re applying for by mentioning relevant transferable skills.
• Check whether you’ve hit the mark with our free Targeted Resume tool.

Now let's delve into more details about what your resume objective should (and shouldn’t) include, with examples you can use to create your own career change resume objective.

Examples of resume objectives for a career change

A resume objective doesn’t need to be complicated. A single line explaining what role you’re applying for can be enough to bypass ATS and indicate your intent to a hiring manager. For example:

To become a graphic designer at Kool Grafix, Inc.

When changing careers, it can be useful to highlight any similar experience or transferable skills upfront. For example:

To bring my two years of volunteer experience to the events coordinator role at Inner City Events.

A longer summary-style objective is ideal for career changers who want a little more space to contextualize past experience and highlight any standout accomplishments:

Ex-Sales Associate transitioning into an Administrative Assistant role. Diverse experience resolving customer inquiries, opening accounts and managing schedules. Over 3 years of experience managing teams of 5-15 people. Exceeded sales target by 95% in 2022, winning the Business Store Award.

Follow these examples to write your own objective, or try out our Resume Summary Generator to help get you started.

Do’s and don’ts of writing a resume objective

Let’s start by taking a look at what (and what not) to do when writing a resume objective for a career change.

Don’t: Write a traditional resume objective

Here’s an example of a fairly typical resume objective that recruiters don’t want to see:

To use my excellent people skills to obtain a position that will allow me to grow professionally and reach my fullest potential.

Recruiters don’t care about what you want from them, so don’t focus on that, and avoid buzzwords and vague long-term career aspirations.

Instead, focus on your acomplishments and what you bring to the table. To be effective, your resume objective should highlight relevant experience, quantifiable achievements, and transferable skills. To find out if your resume does just that, upload it to the tool below — it’ll give you a detailed analysis of your career change resume objective and suggestions for improvements.

Do: Be concise and specific

A good resume objective should focus on your specific, short-term professional goals. It should include:

• The specific position and company you’re applying for
• The key skills or experience you will bring to the role

That’s it! There’s no need to dive into who you are as a person, why you need a job right now, or what you want out of life.

Here’s an example of a brief but effective resume objective:

To become a sales representative at Elite Motors.

If you want to use your resume objective to highlight transferable skills, you can add more to it — but not too much. For example:

To bring my 5 years of experience in project management to the operations manager role at West Coast Pipeline.

The key is to focus on what rather than why — what job you’re seeking, what company you’re applying to, and what makes you stand out from the rest.

Do: Emphasize metrics and quantifiable achievements

Use metrics and quantifiable achievements to enhance your new resume objective. This approach is particularly effective for career changers as it provides concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments.

For example, instead of simply stating your previous role, mention specific achievements such as “Increased sales by 30% over two years” or “Led a team that successfully completed a major project under budget and ahead of schedule.”

Do: Include a summary of your key qualifications

A summary-style resume objective should:

• Briefly outline your past experience
• State any new or relevant qualifications
• Highlight a few transferable skills or notable accomplishments

Here’s a basic resume summary format you can adapt to fit your situation:

Ex-[Current Job Title] transitioning into an [Future Job Title] role after [completing X relevant certification] and [relevant accomplishment]. Diverse experience [doing X transferrable skill in new job], [Y transferable skill in new job] and [Z transferable skill in new job]. Over 5 years of experience managing global teams of 5-20 people and working with C-Suite executives. [Describe one significant accomplishment in the format of Action Verb + Accomplishment + Metric].

Do: Research and incorporate current industry trends

When crafting your resume objective, demonstrate your up-to-date knowledge and commitment to your new field by researching current trends in your target industry, and incorporating these into your statement.

For example, if you are transitioning to a tech role, mention your familiarity with emerging technologies and new software.

For example:

Ex-project manager transitioning to a software development role with a keen focus on emerging technologies in cloud computing and machine learning. Recently completed a specialized course in AI-driven development.

Do: Keep your resume objective updated and current

As you progress through your career change, it's crucial to keep your resume objective updated, so it accurately represents your current capabilities. Regular updates show your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, which is particularly important for career changers actively acquiring new skills and qualifications.

In this example, the candidate demonstrates how they have actively worked to bridge the gap between their past experience and their new career path:

Ex-project manager recently certified in SEO and digital marketing, with a background in sales management, now seeking to leverage my combined expertise in an online marketing strategist role.

How to identify and highlight transferable skills in your resume objective

As a career changer, one of your most powerful tools is the ability to showcase transferable skills. Transferable skills are competencies that are relevant to a variety of different industries and can include things like leadership, project management, communication, and analytical abilities.

By mentioning transferable skills in your resume objective, you can show potential employers why your seemingly unrelated past experience makes you a great fit for this new role.

To showcase transferable skills in your resume objective:

• Look at the job description for your desired position and compare the skills to those you've developed in previous jobs, even if they seem unrelated. For instance, project management skills in an IT role can be relevant in a managerial position in another sector.
• Showcase those skills in a way that explains their relevance to the new industry by changing the terminology to match your desired field or focusing on one particular aspect of a larger role.
• Highlight your experience with these skills using quantifiable metrics. For example, if your leadership in a previous job led to a 20% increase in team efficiency, mention it.

Here is an example of a resume objective that highlights transferable skills:

Ex-Sales Manager transitioning into an HR Manager role after completing HR CIPD Level 5 certificate. Over 5 years of experience managing global teams of 5-20 people and working with C-Suite executives.

The benefits of including a resume objective when changing careers

Wondering why you should bother including a resume objective at all? Here are a few good reasons:

To confirm that you’re deliberately aiming for a career change

If you’re changing careers, sometimes the first hurdle can be explaining that, yes, you do want this job as a software developer, and no, you didn’t apply by accident. Even a one-line resume objective can help with this — putting the title of the job you’re applying for in your objective can help your resume get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and signal a deliberate intent to change careers.

To address a gap in your resume

You can use your resume objective to address a gap in your resume and negate any potential recruiter concerns regarding your time away from work. Focus on the skills and experiences you gained during the time away by highlighting any training or qualifications you gained, and discuss how the period contributed positively to your career goals.

For example, a marketing professional transitioning to user experience design might mention completing a UX certification and engaging in freelance projects during a career break. This approach demonstrates a proactive attitude and readiness for new challenges, showing potential employers that the gap was a valuable investment in your future career.

To replace (or accompany) a cover letter

Not all positions ask for (or require) a cover letter . Even if you did write one, including a quick line at the top of your resume clearly stating the role you’re applying for can help ensure that your resume ends up in the right place.

To quickly outline your key skills and experience

Recruiters tend to briefly skim resumes rather than carefully reading each section. That means that you’ll want to put the most important information at the top of your resume where it’s more likely to stand out. Use your resume objective to pull out a few key accomplishments from your resume that you don’t want the hiring manager to miss.

Try to include skills that are relevant to the career you want to move into. if you're not sure what skills those are, search for your target role or industry in the tool below.

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How to Write an Objective for a Resume

A resume objective statement is a few sentences stating your value to the employer, your strengths and why you are seeking the position in relation to your long-term goals.

Writing a solid objective statement can help you create a smart, tailored resume.

Do You Need a Resume Objective Statement?

Sometimes, an objective statement is not necessary, since it takes up prime real estate on your resume, where you could be selling yourself instead. In some cases, it could be repetitive. For example, if a company accepts a cover letter , you will want to use your cover letter to explain your goals and reasons for wanting the position in greater detail, making the resume objective statement unnecessary.

On the other hand, some companies are no longer asking for cover letters. In this case, using a resume objective statement is worth considering to address those items immediately on your resume.

Create a Long Version of Your Objective Statement

Narrowing your short-term goals and why you want to work for the company into a few sentences can be tough, so it's best to create a long version of your objective statement first.

Once you have written down all of your short-term goals and reasons why you want that particular position , you will be better equipped to narrow down your objective to a few sentences with only the most essential details. The long version will also help you have a good starting point to delete or add details as you continue to perfect your statement.

Include Any Important Information in Your Resume Objective Statement

Are you only looking for part-time work ? Are you applying for a remote job in another state or country? Are you relocating or changing industries ? Make sure to include those important details in your objective statement to avoid being disqualified from the hiring process.

Resume Objective Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a cookie-cutter objective statement. Your objective statement should be tailored to each position you apply for, so it speaks directly to the company you want to work for. While your professional goals essentially don’t change, you can word them in a certain way that most appeals to each individual job position. You will also want to include specific reasons why you want to work for the company, and that will change with each job position. While some details may stay the same (recent college grad, laid off, etc.), take the extra time to personalize your resume objective statements.
• Not clearly stating the value you provide to the company. While an objective statement should highlight your value, it's important to make the connection to the job position. Don't assume that the hiring manager will make the connection on their own. You need to do that for them. Ask yourself if your objective statement clearly shows how your value benefits the company you want to work for.
• Forgetting to spellcheck your objective statement. Since this section is at the top of your resume, you want to make a good impression. Grammar and spelling mistakes can get your resume tossed into the trash, so it's worth spending the extra time to double-check your resume objective statement. You can also ask a friend or family member to proofread it for you.
• Mentioning accomplishments that aren't listed on your resume. If you decide to talk about a certain accomplishment or skill in your objective statement, make sure that is also listed on your resume. The hiring manager will want to see proof of what you list on your objective statement. If you don't provide that anywhere on your resume, it will cast doubt on your entire document.

Alternatives to a Resume Objective Statement

A resume objective statement may not be the best option for your resume. In this case, you can substitute your objective statement for your branding statement . Your branding statement often makes more impact than an objective statement. An advantage of using your branding statement is that it’s already personalized and doesn’t change for each job position.

Another alternative to a resume objective statement is making good use of the summary of qualifications section on your resume. This is where you can restate your qualifications in a slightly different way than from your cover letter. This area of your resume should also be tailored to each job position. Make sure to include the keywords from the job posting that you qualify for in this section.

Another alternative is to skip this section altogether. If your experience clearly shows that you qualify for the position, you may determine that it's better to use that space to showcase your professional experience section on your resume instead of including an objective statement.

Resume Objective Statement Samples

If you're seeking inspiration before crafting your own resume objective, check out these statements:

• I am a highly skilled, dedicated and approachable professional with more than 10 years of experience in the marketing field. I am seeking the position of marketing director to help (Company Name) get amazing stories out into the marketplace.
• I am a friendly, hardworking chef with 12 years of experience in the midchain restaurant business. I'm currently seeking the position of head chef to bring my unique multinational flavors to (Company Name’s) table.

Resume Sample

To see where your objective statement should go on your resume, see the following sample below.

111-222-1212 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/avajonessample

MARKETING DIRECTOR

I am a highly-skilled, dedicated, and approachable professional with more than 10 years of experience in the marketing field. I am seeking the position of Marketing Director to help (Company Name) get amazing stories out into the marketplace.

KEY COMPETENCIES (SKILLS)

Analytical | Process Improvement | Dedicated Project Manager | Relationship Management | Motivational Mentor | Excellent Communication Skills | More Skills Here

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE

Complete this section and onward as you would on a typical resume, filling in the details of past jobs, education, etc.

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