First things first: Writing an objective for resume is now dated. This means you have the chance to allot space for more relevant details to put in your resume. With that, instead of an objective statement, know why you should write a qualifications profile or summary statement, and how it can help make your resume more effective for a worthwhile job search.
What is an objective statement?
This section is a heading statement on a resume, wherein job seekers describe their career objectives for the job they’re targeting. In most cases, this is 2 to 3 sentences long, placed at the top of one’s resume.
Now, should your resume have an objective?
The olden days saw putting resume objective statements a thing. Job seekers wrote these to make their resumes more targeted to the job post, and “show” recruiters how “motivated,” “hardworking,” and “skilled” they are. However, these are already outdated since recruiters deem these as vague and full of filler words. In fact, most of the time, the generic nature of this section makes your job application less professional.
Now, you may ask, “What can I put on my resume instead of objective?”
Instead of writing all about your professional goals, talk about what you can impart to the company that you’re applying for. To help make your resume be more effective, write a compelling qualifications profile or resume summary. This helps hiring managers to see more of what you can offer and how you’re their best bet for the job.
Writing a Qualifications Profile
This means ditching your objective for resume to make way for a qualifications profile section. Doing so aims to answer the hiring manager’s question, “What’s in it for the company if we were to hire you?”
Are you a team player? Aiming for a manager position? Equipped with specific skills that make you a strong job candidate?
However, this section of your resume can either make or break your overall application. Hence, to ensure you ace it, heed these tips in writing a compelling qualifications profile.
1. Keep it short yet substantial.
Keep your profile to 2 to 3 sentences. However, make use of this section smartly by putting only qualifications relevant to your target job. Further, avoid fluff words to describe you as a professional. Instead, list what you’ve achieved because of your hard work and expertise.
2. Use powerful resume keywords.
Doing this helps your resume pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) used to screen resumes. Also, adding useful and relevant resume keywords in your profile helps recruiters to spot your credentials better.
3. Explain what you can do for them.
Instead of writing a vague objective for resume, focus on your value offer and how you can help the company. Think of this part as your elevator pitch—showing right away how you’re the best fit for the job post.
Now, let’s look at various examples of a qualifications profile. Use these as your guide in writing your own.
Sample Profile for Entry-Level Job Seekers
The sample above shows a 3-sentence profile for entry-level job seekers. Look at some of the keywords such as goal-oriented, analytical skills, and adept at working in diverse environments. They are used to highlight the applicant’s top qualifications.
Sample Profile for Mid-Level Job Seekers
For this sample, the top skills and qualities were the focal point. Also the section was rich in relevant keywords without overdoing it. These ensure added value to the candidate’s profile, thereby making it more impactful.
Sample Profile for C-Level Executives
Lastly, this sample for those in senior or management posts aims to list more concrete achievements and experiences gained over the years. This best shows how to strike a balance between stating how skilled the job seeker is and how said skills can help further the target company’s success.
More Tips: Top Mistakes to Avoid
Now, before writing or sending out your resume, keep in mind to avoid these top mistakes and ensure an enticing profile to convince recruiters to hire you!
1. Write a generic summary.
A common resume writing mistake most job seekers commit is putting a generic profile in every job application. Doing these makes your resume look unprofessional and may turn off hiring managers. Plus, this section is not just about listing your career goals and all your skills gained from your experiences. It’s also about mentioning your top skills and abilities to show recruiters a glimpse of what’s in it for them once they hired you.
2. Be too vague.
Writing resume objectives is a bit selfish. Why? Because you’re writing just about what you want instead of showing the recruiters what you can offer them as part of their team. This explains why they prefer a profile or summary. This is more specific and showcases what the job seeker can offer.
3. Add no value to your resume.
No matter how error-free and well-written your profile is, if it contains trivial details, then it wouldn’t serve its goal to your job search well. Make sure to assess your work history and which details are worth stating on your resume.
Hire the Top Resume Writers and Career Experts
Lastly, a smart job seeker like you opts not to include an objective for resume. Instead, you know the value of writing a strong profile to help boost your resume and your job application. Thus, you must entrust your resume to the experts to help you land a job, especially with today’s job market getting tougher and more cutthroat.
We get it—making your objective for resume clear is vital for you to know your job search tools are aligned with your job goals. With that, Resume Prime’s team of top resume writers aims to position you as the perfect fit for your target job! We tailor our resume services to various types of job seekers, so all your job needs are covered! Choose among our student, entry-level, professional, executive, military, or federal resume services and work with our skilled writers today.
You may also contact us or check out our blogs for more career help.
Sources: Jobscan | Glassdoor
