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Since college I've been told that a resume
ought to have an "objective statement" at the top. Maybe you've been told
the same. I'm here to tell you
somebody's been lying to you!
Well, not necessarily, but maybe. Every
resume has an objective, but not every resume has to have an objective
statement. So before you get the urge to search online for sample resume
objectives, keep reading.
Every resume has an objective. How you TALK
about that objective in the resume is a different matter entirely.
An objective statement simply states your
objective. I got a four-year degree so I could make brilliant statements
like that. But it's true, and most of the sample resume objectives you'll
find online are statements of what the job seeker wants.
That's a mistake. A bad mistake.
A good resume objective statement should
tell the reader what the candidate will do for him. Specifically, it ought
to tell him what profit the candidate will add.
No, I'm not kidding. Here's an example of
what I mean:
"A highly experienced
sales and marketing professional with comprehensive strategic planning and
implementation skills, and $27 million in total profit improvement added in
8 years, seeking a position as a Sales Manager where these skills will add
similar or greater value."
Wow! That objective statement screams,
"Keep reading!" Do YOU know any hiring manager or executive who would turn
his nose up at $27 million in 8 years? I don't. It's at least worth talking
to you about, which means you'll get an interview. What if it was only $1
million, or $100,000? Whatever the number, it's money, and that counts.
And that, folks, is the magic. Everything
in the job search process should have a focused purpose, and be done on
purpose. The purpose of your resume and cover letter is to compel an
interview. A strong objective statement like that can help.
Feel free to start with a sample or three.
Just be sure to modify any sample you use. Keep the good and scrap the bad.
But is that the best you can do? Hardly.
I have nothing against objective
statements, and you can find some solid sample resume objectives online. My
only gripe is that using a solid objective statement is settling for good
when there's a (typically) better alternative.
That alternative is the resume summary.
Some might call it a "Profile," or a "Summary of Qualifications," or even
just "Qualifications." Whatever the name, it's a grab-'em-by-the-throat
killer. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
"Savvy, results-oriented
leader with proven success in managing multimillion-dollar software product
rollouts to disparate sales channels. Background includes launching a
high-productivity expert development team, increasing revenue by $2.5
million and achieving unit profitability within nine months (six months
ahead of plan), at Widgets, Inc., with leading technology and feature-rich
product releases to meet known demand. Critical thinker and adept negotiator
who can apply extensive industry knowledge to profitable vendor partnerships
and revenue-enhancing co-branding opportunities. Expertly directs
development, technology integration, and customer demand discovery.
Published author, and frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences."
Good grief! If the example resume objective
a few paragraphs ago was solid, that summary will leave a reader gasping for
air.
Put a summary like that in a resume (with
your own qualifications in it, of course), and you'll almost certainly get a
phone call for a job interview.
I can hear you saying that whoever has the
summary you just read can walk on water. What about lowly old you? Here's
what I used on my last resume, and I wasn't a high-powered executive either:
"Results-oreinted
software developer and consulting project manager with six years' experience
at Big 5 firm. Experienced OO developer with particular expertise in Java
and Extreme Programming (XP). Over seven years' experience developing
software and managing projects in challenging, fast-paced consulting
environments. Demonstrated ability to acquire technical knowledge and skills
rapidly. Innovative problem solver, able to see the business and technical
sides of a problem. Proven leadership, negotiation and problem resolution
abilities. Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written.
Published author and conference speaker."
See? That summary needs some improvement,
but it shows mere mortals can do it too. That means you can.
A powerfully stated objective statement
makes your resume pop. A powerfully stated summary makes it a thermonuclear
explosion. Most others in the resume pile (and there's always a pile) have
objectives that translate into "get a job." Then you come along with a
Sherman tank summary. They're dead meat.
Make no mistake, job search is war.
Powerful summaries give you an advantage.
(c) Copyright 2005 by Roy Miller |
