Four Quick Tips for Writing a Good Objective

Friday, September 28, 2007

Resume Tips : Four Quick Tips for Writing a Good Objective

Source: The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book: Write and Use an Effective Resume in Only One Day, Second Edition by Michael Farr

While the job objective you write should meet your specific needs, here are some things to consider in writing it:

1. Avoid job titles. Job titles such as "administrative assistant" or "marketing analyst" can involve very different activities in different organizations. The same job can often have different job titles in different places, and using a title may limit you from consideration for such jobs as "office manager" or "marketing assistant."

It is best to use broad categories of jobs rather than specific titles. You can then be considered for a wide variety of jobs related to your skills. For example, instead of "administrative assistant" you could say "responsible office management, support and coordination position" of that is what you would really consider and qualify for.

2. Define a "bracket of responsibility" to include the possibility of upward mobility. While you may be willing to accept a variety of jobs related to your skills, you should include those that require higher levels of responsibility and pay. In the preceding example, it keeps open the option to be considered for an office management position as well as clerical jobs.

In effect, you should define a "bracket of responsibility" in your objective that includes the range of jobs that you would consider as well as those requiring higher levels of responsibility, up to and including those that you think you could handle. Even if you have not handled those higher levels of responsibility in the past, many employers may consider you if you have the skills to support the objective.

3. Include your most important skills. What are the most important skills needed for the job you want? Consider including one or more of these as required for the job you seek. The implication here is that if you are looking for a job that requires "organizational skills," then you have those skills. Of course, your resume content should support those skills with specific examples.

4. Include specifics is these are important to you. If you have substantial experience in a particular industry (such as "computer-controlled machine tools") or have a narrow and specific objective that you really want (such as "art therapist with the mentally handicapped"), then it is fine to state this. But realize that by narrowing your alternatives, you will often not be considered for other jobs for which you might qualify. Still, if that is what you want, it just may be worth pursuing (though I would encourage you to have a second, more general resume just in case).