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Objective Statements: Are They Now Outdated?
Adam Smith
Certified Professional Career Coach
August 18, 2022, 2:39 pm

Objective Statements: Are They Now Outdated?

It has been around a decade since you saw carefully written resume objective statements in any of the resumes, which can be found online. This practice became obsolete as many job seekers, and recruiters believe that it limits the opportunity to land the right job.

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What Is the Role of Resume Objective Statements?

Resume objective statements served to specify the type of position and the company a job seeker was hoping to find. They also helped describe the best qualities that would fit the work environment of the company. The best examples looked like the following: “Self-confident and highly motivated professional seeking a position within a reputable company to positively contribute to the achievement of the corporate objectives.” This sounds very familiar because different specialists used pretty same words to describe similar things in their professional resumes. The point of this statement was to make sure that HRs and recruiters understand that you want long-term employment where you can shine bright and contribute positively. There is nothing wrong with this. But why this practice is now considered redundant?

Resume Objective Statements Evolved into Professional Summary

Professional resume writers claim that objectives are not gone forever. Instead, they have transformed into the entire section that helps in the job application process. A career summary or professional profile is referred to by a resume writer as a place in your resume that highlights what you have brought to your previous employer and what you intend to bring to the new one. It provides recruiters with a resume review and helps them in pursuing their career goals. A career summary indicates what you can do for them, while objectives imply what you want them to do for you.

Resume Objective Statements Limit You

Companies that offer US resume writing services use resume templates that do not include objectives at all. Their goal is to provide a professional resume that would pass ATS and guarantee that the client’s candidature will be reviewed by human recruiters. Best resume writers say that resume objective statements limit the use of resume keywords in the introduction part of a professional resume. Career summary statements, instead, allow using the keywords that match exactly those areas of expertise that can bring benefit to your prospective employer.

Career Objectives Provide More Room for Change

The perfect resume will be unique for every job posting it is sent to. There is no opportunity to change the resume objective statement that much. You are stuck with the basic things that you expect to receive at your new workplace. Professional summary, instead, allows changing the entire message sent to the recruiter. Thus, for example, you can showcase your problem-solving skills if you are a restaurant worker but highlight that you have exceptional customer service if you intend to get a position as a receptionist by using your career statement.

Turn Your Resume Objective Statements into Personal Branding

Resume objective statements are rarely necessary. For the most part, you can use a heading statement as an alternative to objectives. Add all your years of experience, your special skills, qualifications, and any certifications that make you highly qualified for the position in question. Your heading statement should be a snapshot of what you offer in your professional resume.

Three Alternatives to a Resume's Objective Statement

Resume objective statements have been used in resume writing for over a decade, but their history and evolution are unique. The primary difference between objective statements is that before resume objectives were only used once per page and they were typically written as a separate section at the end of your resume. After a while, it came to be common to have several paragraphs per page with embedded resumes containing both LinkedIn contacts and professional references. Although objectives can still be found on some resumes today, they are no longer being treated as standalone statements that give direction to employers.

These three alternatives to an objective statement can help you with writing a good resume:

  • A summary statement that describes your education and work experience

A summary statement can be added to the professional resume to create personal branding. It can be from a one-to-two sentence paragraph to a one-page summary of who you are and what makes you unique — in the essence of your "objective statement." This is typically used on LinkedIn profiles and in cover letters; however, it can also be included as part of your professional resume if it's formatted properly.

  • A career goal statement that highlights your key career milestones

Every one of us has achieved several significant professional milestones. A successful product launch, project management on a big scale, or setting a performance record are all possible examples. The area at the top of your resume can also be used to highlight significant professional achievements related to the position for which you're seeking.

  • A key skills section that lists specific skills and abilities

You can begin by listing your talents in a skills table on the first page of your resume. For example, you might include keywords or phrases that are particular to the job description, business, or industry to catch the reader's attention. It's also a terrific way to show off your skills and abilities right away.

 

What If My Position Requires an Objective?

Resume writing services claim that some of their clients want the objective to be added because it is specifically what their employers look for. Such resumes can be military or refer to entry positions. In these cases, professional resume writers keep objectives but try to make them meaningful. It is important to create a completely new statement that does not remind of any old-fashioned commonly-used resume objective statements. Resist the temptation to use the same statement for every position you apply to. Write your objective from scratch and add keywords whenever you intend to land the right job. Need help with your professional summary or career statement? Our professional writers are here to help.

FAQs

What are good objective statements for a resume?

A strong objective statement gives a reader an insight into your career goal and how you plan to achieve it.

How to write objective statements on a resume?

Write an objective statement that specifically describes the skills and abilities you have used during your work history, as well as how they relate to the job opening description or position requirements. If you have more than one job with similar responsibilities, then focus on those skills and abilities common to all jobs instead of repeating yourself in separate statements for each position (e.g., "I am an effective communicator who has strong interpersonal skills").

Are objective statements outdated?

Objective statements are still beneficial, but they have changed over time. In the past, objective statements were used more often and emphasized the facts. Today, however, we have more freedom in writing and using language.

How important is an objective on a resume?

When reviewing your resume, an objective statement is the number one thing employers look for. This statement aims to tell them what you want to do in your next position and why it's important to you.

What is an example of an objective statement?

An example of a best resume objective statement might look like this: "I am looking for a job that will allow me to utilize my experience in marketing and management."

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