Jerry
How important is it to include the "Objective" line in your resume?
I'm a college student with two majors, neither of which directly links up to an industry or career. With this being the case, I don't want to bind myself to anything too technical or particular. Instead, I'm looking for professional experience/internships in general. How vital is it to include the "objective" section in my resume if I'm not looking to get my foot in a specific industry? Would including the section ever hurt a candidate? #job-search #resume #colleges
4 answers
Kate Wallace
Kate’s Answer
Hi Jerry,
I don't think you need to include the objective section on your resume. From the resumes I've seen recently when reviewing job applicants, some people have it and some don't. If you do decide to include it, you can absolutely have a different objective for each job you apply to! Don't worry about making a general statement that will fit many jobs, and be sure that whatever you put is in line with the specific job you are sending that version of the resume. It's also fine to omit this section, and I'd just recommend that your cover letter include that type of professional context, when possible. For example, in college I would explain in cover letters that I was seeking a summer internship in the Boston area, where I would be staying with family over the summer. Ideally, the person reading your resume and cover letter will get a sense of why you would be interested in this particular job at this stage in your career.
Good luck!
Kate
Frank Salerno
Frank’s Answer
Hi Jerry -
I agree with Kate's response. The objective is certainly not harmful to include on a resume, but it certainly is not something I look to have when interviewing candidates. Ultimately, your objective should be clear when applying for the job. For example, a new graduate's objective should be to get hired, work hard, learn, etc. while an experienced hire's objective should be to lead, train, make decisions, and grow the organization.
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Objectives are "old school;" you can leave it off entirely! But, you DO want to have a very strong "summary of qualifications" at the top of your resume before going into your work history. Also, please remember that education goes on the bottom of the resume. We used to put it on top way back when, but now it goes to the bottom. While it is an admirable accomplishment, it does not prove what you can actually DO for an employer, and, sadly, many people have degrees nowadays, so it really does nothing to set you apart from the pack.
Remember to tailor the resume to the position you are applying for, and have someone else proofread it for you! best of luck!
Jordan Whitmer
Jordan’s Answer
I say leave it off entirely! Leave more room for the real 'meaty' parts of your resume! In an interview, you can explain to the hiring manager what your real objective is!