Pros & Cons of Resume Objectives: Use ’em or Lose ’em?

I just read a hiring pro’s article adamantly advising you to use resume objectives at the top of your resume. In fact, he pretty much ignores resumes without them. My response to him? The person’s objective is to get the job they’re applying for. You don’t need to see an objective to know that.

What bugs me most about advice like that is what it says about how close-minded some resume screeners are. A perfectly great candidate’s resume can be booted because they read an opposite article saying “don’t use resume objectives.”

While I wouldn’t boot a resume for having them, some screeners see objectives at the top as a waste of space and simply an applicant thinking of words to show they want your job. Well, just assume that and get on with it!

Pros & cons of resume objectives

Since there’s a difference of opinion as to the value of objectives, clearly there’s no one “right” way to handle the matter. While I prefer leading with a short section like “Qualifications Summary” or “Skills Summary”, there will always be some screener that sees it only their way — the way that uses an Objective … but isn’t being objective.

Pros of using objectives

1. They provide a quick summary statement of why you want the job.
2. For anyone set in their ways and looking for the objective, you meet their preferences.
3. Screeners who have been in the business a long time, when objective statements were more the norm, may feel more comfortable with or even require them.
4. They give you an opportunity to think through your own reasons for applying and, if well worded, say it in a way that also helps the screener see why they would want you.
5. Depending on the industry / type of job, a really clever short lead-off statement right up front might get them intrigued enough to keep reading.

Cons of using objectives

1. For many, they stop at what the applicant themself needs and wants. But an employer may see that as empty words that add nothing to why THEY might want you.
2. They take up space and don’t do enough to sell you and your qualifications quickly. Resumes often get less than 10 seconds of review once in human hands.
3. Automated screeners — all too common now — probably won’t retrieve anything of value from them since they’re not programmed to look out for your wants but for hard skills and some soft skills.
4. Using a well-crafted summary statement to lead off instead of resume objectives can do a better job of presenting your strengths to both humans and machines.

Why I prefer qualifications summaries

Some folks are so stuck in their ways that nothing you do that doesn’t fit in their tightly-drawn box of “the right way” will work. As I see it, an organization that supports such close-mindedness probably won’t be right for you anyway. And imagine what your “fits the mold” coworkers will be like.

Well, maybe I’m being a bit too close-minded myself putting it that strongly. I just think the entire way hiring is being done nowadays excludes too many good people for too many not so good reasons. Now back to some good reason to use qualifications summaries…

1. They let you lead with your key strengths — ones that you’ve carefully matched to the job description.
2. Qualifications / skill summaries are short and specific presentations speaking to what the employer is looking for and needs. Resume objectives too often are vague and only about your wants  — or at least those wants that you hope will get you an interview. Most employers know that.
3. Leading with bullet-pointed skills & key accomplishments one after another is a strong way to start off. In contrast, “I want a good job where I can advance” takes up precious resume space and adds nothing.
4. You can use qualification summaries to frame the rest of your resume, pointing screener’s attention to what makes you a great hire. in effect, setting the stage for them.

A few more thoughts

For the most part, whichever you choose, a strong resume and cover letter can get you past the initial screening process. But if they use automated screeners for the initial selection, human eyes will then review the resumes. And you want to do your best to get their attention asap.

Using selective bolding and bullet-pointed qualifications statements up front can catch a reader’s eye better than a general objective statement that says little.

But if you think you can hit a home run with your “lead-off batter” (without ruining your chances), by all means stick to resume objectives. Just make sure you follow up with helpful formatting and strong statements of accomplishment / skills that match what they are looking for as best you can!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Better than anything you can put on a resume page is a connection that gets you in the door. So please network, network, network!

Some more posts to help

10 Resume Writing Tips for Stronger Resumes!

10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes and Cover Letters

How Is a Job Application Different from a Resume?

What Is a Targeted Resume or Cover Letter?

10 Steps To Match Your Resume to the Job

21 Resume Checklist Tips: Did You Forget Anything?

Problem With Fake Jobs On Resumes (Usually)

Resume Fonts: Beware Tiny Font Size on Resumes!

Sample Cover Letter: Match Letters to EACH Job!