What is a resume career objective? Does my resume need one? How do I write it, and what should it include?
We’ll answer these questions and more below. You can also check out this flight attendant career objective as an example.
What Is a Career Objective?
Stated simply, a career objective is “a personal statement defining the specifics you wish to attain via professional work.” It appears near the top of the resume, just below your contact information.
Every journey you take should have an objective. When you travel, for instance, the objective isn’t just the destination itself – it also includes what you want to do while you’re there and what you want the vacation to accomplish (relaxation or adventure, for instance).
Your job search should likewise have an objective. And that objective is more than just landing a job. It should also answer questions such as “Where do I want to be?” and “What do I want to do?” Having a clear objective in mind will aid you in the decision-making process.
Are Career Objectives and Resume Objective Statements the Same Thing?
Sometimes, these terms are used interchangeably. Marquette University defines the “Objective or Professional Summary” as “a topic sentence for your resume… defining your goals while also briefly describing skills or experiences you could contribute to a role or organization.”
While extremely similar, the resume objective lends more focus to what you “bring to the table,” while the career objective focuses on your personal career goals.
Do I Have to Have a Career Objective?
In a word, no. The career objective is an optional resume section. It is not required, but it can be beneficial.
This is especially the case if you are an entry-level job seeker with little experience. If you feel that your resume looks a little slim, you can use a career objective to flesh it out.
What Should My Career Objective Include?
Your career objective is basically a statement of your goals. According to Florida State University (FSU), every career objective should encompass five aspects. It should be: personal, a commitment, action-oriented, directional, and specific. But what do these attributes mean? We will consider them each in turn.
Personal
You should “state your goals in terms that you are comfortable with.” Remember, you determine what you are willing to give. Your career objective should rally around your goals, not what others may expect of you.
Commitment
Your goals should identify “who you are and what you want to achieve.” Writing your objective as a clear statement can help you stay focused, stick to it, and ultimately achieve it.
Action-Oriented
Your career objective should be proactive. Communicate your skills and accomplishments to your employer. Tell them what you plan to do.
Directional
You can choose whether to set long-term or short-term career objectives. Either way, consider the steps you need to take to get there.
Specific
Make sure your objective clearly states the facts. Some terms, like “successful,” “talented,” “driven,” and the like may sound good, but they don’t convey any real information. Instead, quote facts and figures to back up your claims. What are those facts? We’ll consider them in the next section.
How to Write a Career Objective
You can use this easy formula to combine the essential elements of a successful career objective.
Career Field, Organizational Category, Position Title, or Functional Area
First, your career objective should describe where you want to work. You can be as broad or specific as your circumstances require. Mention the position title, field, industry, or organizational unit.
Consider a few examples:
“To work in the healthcare field…”
“To obtain a position of accountant…”
“To work as a criminal defense lawyer…”
“To work in the telecommunication industry…”
“To work within the quality control department…”
You can even combine two or more of these aspects, for example:
“To work as a copy editor for a major book publisher…”
Highlight Your Skills
Next, talk about your most important and applicable skills. For example:
“To work within the quality control department, leveraging attention to detail and a keen understanding of the plastics manufacturing process.”
Here, you should focus on skills that are mentioned within the original job posting.
Other Desired Elements
There may be specific conditions you wish your career to meet. This may include geography, advancement opportunities, additional training, or the type of work you’d like to do. For example:
“To work outdoors in a supervisory position…”
“To obtain a job in the medical field working with children and adults with disabilities…”
“To obtain a managerial role with opportunities for advancement…”
In Conclusion
Your career objective isn’t just for your prospective employer. Ultimately, it’s for you. Make it personal and specific. Doing so will help you identify your goals, make decisions, and get to the place you want to be in your career.