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When is an objective... NOT? When it appears on your resume, of course.
Back in the day (pre-Internet, that is), conventional wisdom said that an employer can't tell what you want to do, unless you state it loud and clear with an objective statement.
Times have changed... and your resume should, too. There are other ways to get your intent across without resorting to a canned-looking statement that only bores the reader (and offers NO proof that you can handle the job, by the way).
Besides, adding the same line on your resume as thousands of others hardly sets you apart.
Today's savvy job hunters have noticed that objective statements have been replaced by professional profiles or summaries. While an objective targets what the candidate wants, hiring managers are more focused on WIIFM (What's In It For Me) than ever! They want to find the best-qualified person, which in turn makes THEM look good.
Become that person by writing an effective, eye-catching summary that persuades employers to read further--and call you instead of your competition.
Consider these tips for a compelling introduction on your resume:
1 - Keep it concise.
A profile should include 3-4 sentences that accurately describe your credentials. (In other words, don't copy your friend's resume, since this profile needs to sell YOU.) Avoid the temptation to include the full-length novel describing your life.
2 - Personalize it.
Sprinkle 1 or 2 personal qualities throughout the summary, but go beyond the tired phrases used by everyone else--please! Know any good "self-motivated team players?" So do most employers. Save your resume space for valuable attributes such as analytical, multilingual, meticulous, or driven.
3 - Spark some interest.
Include brief success stories. Your track record for completing projects on time or stabilizing operations is the kind of information that WILL get you noticed. Pull out a major accomplishment or two, and summarize these up to show what kind of reputation you have at work. 30% year-over-year sales increases at Fortune 500 corporations hits a home run faster than Skilled sales professional with closing experience ever will.
Your take-away here is that hiring managers want to read something new, fresh, and thought-provoking on your resume.
So, skip the non-objective Objective. You'll land many more interviews by mastering the art of writing a knock-your-socks-off summary that encapsulates what you really have to offer.
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