You just finished writing your resume, but something seems wrong. There’s work experience, education, skills, and contact details… But nothing to connect the dots. How will the recruiter know why you want this job?
Yes, that means it’s time to add a resume objective. A well-written career objective will show the recruiter that you’re the candidate they’ve been waiting for. Even when you’re just starting out. And you came to the right place to learn how to write one.
This guide will show you:
- The perfect objective statement for a resume that employers want to see.
- When to use a resume objective to stand out from other candidates.
- How to write a resume objective that allows you to interview, even if you have no experience.
- Examples of perfect career goals for various professions that you can copy, adjust, and use on your resume.
Here is a sample resume with a career objective. We created it in our builder.
Notice how the career objective statement stands out!
I want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-to-add content with just one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Create my resume now
Sample resume created with our builder: See more sample resumes here.
One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:
[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. Same thing.Looking for guidance on how to write a resume for specific careers? Check out our guides.
- Human Resources Resume
- Customer Service Resume
- Nursing Student Resume
- Office Assistant Resume
- Social Work Resume
- Office Clerk Resume
- Accountant Resume
- Marketing Resume
- Secretary Resume
- Manager Resume
- Teacher Resume
- General Resume
- Administrative Summary
- Retail Summary
And even more professional resume examples.
In the next two sections, we’ll explain when exactly you should use a resume objective and how to write your own step by step. Everything you need to know about starting a resume with a goal.
1. What is a resume objective and when to use it?
Let’s start with the basics:
What is a career objective on a resume?
A resume objective is a brief introduction to you and your goals professionals. . To write a resume objective, mention the job title you want, add 2-3 key skills, and explain what you want to achieve in this job. Write 2-3 sentences. Resume objectives are best for candidates with little work experience.
Check out these general examples of resume objectives written for an administrative assistant position :
Sample Resume Objective Statements (Administrative Assistant Resume)
This candidate is referring to skills that he learned through internships, volunteering, and college. And she clearly shows how her qualifications will benefit the employer.
This candidate simply said what she wanted from the job. That won’t be enough to impress recruiters. All other candidates are seeking an administrative assistant position.
Do you need to write a mission statement on your application? Check Here: 30+ Examples of Personal Mission Statements
When to Use a Resume Objective?
Candidates with little or no professional experience in the industry should use career objectives for a resume. These are:
- People entering the labor market for the first time.
- People who change industry, career change, or need to explain an unclear career path.
If you’re in one of these groups and need some great resume writing advice, be sure to check out one of our dedicated guides:
- First Resume With No Experience: Sample and Writing Guide
- Entry Level Resume: Sample and Writing Guide
- Student Resume: Sample and Writing Guide
- Internship Resume: Sample and Writing Guide
- Resume of Recent College Graduates: Sample and Writing Guide
- Career Change Resume: Writing Sample & Guide
- Teen Summary: Writing Sample & Guide
Do you have years of experience under your belt? There are a few other types of resume submissions for candidates with relevant work history in their industries:
- Resume Summary: Examples and Writing Tips
- Resume Profile: Examples and Writing Tips
- Qualifications Summary: Examples and Writing Tips
- Resume Heading Examples
Not in the mood to read all that stuff? I have good news for you!
Our builder takes the hassle out of writing your resume: with a single click, you can add pre-written career objectives, customized to suit your role and level from experience. Start creating a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will grade your resume and tell you exactly how to improve it.
2. How to Write a Resume Objective
You are interested in writing your resume objective. The problem is, you have no idea how to get started.
Here’s a handy trick: Before you write your resume objective, work on the rest of your resume first.
Then , browse The Cream. Choose the most important skills and qualifications you have. Everyone should appear on their career objective.
Writing things like, “I’m looking for a challenging role where I can expand my skill set” is a relic of the ’90s, according to career experts. HR. Today, you should use your objective on a resume to show recruiters how your qualifications can translate into theirsuccess.
Here’s how to write a resume objective:
- Start with a strong trait , add 2-3 key skills, describe your career goals and say what you hope to do for the company.
- Indicate the position you are applying for and use the name of the company.
- Keep it short: 2-3 sentences or 30-50 words is the sweet spot.
- Avoid first person pronouns.
- Use summary action verbs to add impact.
Take a look at these CV objective examples:
Example of a career objective for a resume
See? Just follow the formula like this candidate did.
There is one more thing. You can’t just write a general introduction to the resume. You should tailor each resume objective to the job offer. Look for keywords related to qualifications and responsibilities. Then mention them in your objective.
Here’s a paralegal job description with the most important keywords checked:
The candidate applying for this job has not yet worked as a paralegal. But he did have a few part-time personal assistant jobs with responsibilities similar to those in the ad. In addition, she completed a certified paralegal course.
Here is her personalized career objective for a resume, with highlighted snippets that match the job description:
Resume Target Model: Paralegal
See that? For your own career objective on a resume, you should choose those nuggets of your experience and education that fit your desired job, such as spandex.
See how writing a specific resume works in practice. Learn more: target resume: how to make a resume match the job
3. Sample Resume Objective Statements
In the next section, you’ll see career objectives for resumes for various professions and industries. But before we get to that, here are some sample personal profiles for common categories of candidates.
Sample Resume Objective for No Experience
Sample Basic Resume Objective for a College Graduate
Sample Career Objective for a College Student
Sample Resume Objective for a High School Student
Sample Resume Objective for a Career Change (Different Industry)
Sample Resume Objective for a Career Change (Freelance to Full Time) complete)
Now you know the job-winning formula for writing a resume objective. If you need more inspiration, take a look at these job-specific examples of career goal statements below:
Resume Goal Examples for Jobs Specifics
Sample Objective Statement for Administrative Assistant
Sample Objective Resume for Receptionist
Sample Executive Assistant Career Objective
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Sample Resume Objective
Project Manager Resume Objective Example
Junior Marketing Assistant Resume Objective Example
Sample Data Analyst Objective Statement
Sample Junior Accountant Resume Objective
Secretary Resume Objective Example
Sample Human Resources Agent Career Goal
Sample Social Media Marketing Manager Goal Statement
Objective Waitress Resume Example
Objective Waitress Career Statement Example
Summary of Entry-Level Teacher Objective Example
Customer Service Agent Career Objective Example
Resume Objective Example Accounts Receivable Specialist
Sample Nurse Career Objective Statement
Sample Nanny Resume Objective
Sample House Cleaner Resume Objective
Sample Store Assistant Resume Objective
Once you have finished writing your resume, there is one more document in the one to focus on. Yes, it’s a cover letter.
If writing a cover letter from scratch sounds like a nightmare, we’ve got your back. You can create an effective cover letter in a few minutes using our cover letter generator here. Here’s what it might look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key takeaway
Here’s what a good resume objective should contain:
- Strong trait: “Highly motivated.”
- Job title: “Customer Service Representative.”
- 2-3 skills : “trained in conflict resolution and communication.” .”
- Position you are applying for: “looking to join XYZ as a customer service representative.”
- An offer: “to build customer loyalty by leveraging interpersonal skills and offering excellent customer service.”
Do you have questions about how to write great resume objective statements and start getting more interviews? Leave a comment. I’ll be happy to help.
Sample Resume Objectives FAQ
What is a ? Good resume objective?
A good career objective fits the position you’re applying for, starts with a strong trait, lists two or three key skills, and explains how your career goals align with company goals . needs in three sentences, maximum. Like this one:
“Hardworking retail associate, expert in POS technology and inventory management. Looking to increase sales and customer loyalty as a Sales Associate at Chiller Outfitters. I built a volunteer retail experience at Goodwill as a cashier and stock clerk, and was commended by management for excellent customer communication.”
Where can I find some sample goals? Resume?
Believe us when we say we have over 500 sample resumes with sample career goals for all professions >.Are you a yoga teacher, independent business owner, or basketball coach? We’ve got you covered. You can be a stay-at-home mom, transitioning from military to civilian, or just changing careers and still find what you need.
What to put in a resume mission statement?
Each section of the resume, including the career objective, should mention keywords you can find in the job ad, but the keywords in the resume are not everything.Here’s what a resume mission statement should also include:
- Strong, dynamic adjective that describes you as a professional
- Action verbs for greater impact
- Job title you are looking for and at which company
- 2-3 skills relevant to the job
- Your hopes for the company aligned with your goals
- I achieve if I already have one
Is a career objective necessary on a resume?
Not really, no, but it can be wasting a lot of time if you decide to leave this out. First, it’s your chance to let the recruiter know you’ve done your research, then to insert more keywords into your resume, and finally, to let your accomplishments shine from above. Wouldn’t it? so?
.