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USELESS RESUME OBJECTIVES
by Rita Fisher, CPRW, http://www.CareerChangeResumes.com (Copyright 2000-2003)
May 7, 2003 -- What's wrong with an objective on a resume? The problem with
objectives on resumes is that a typical objective is
self-centered and self-serving; therefore, it is useless.
Instead of an objective, use a power statement.
Let me illustrate what I mean by giving examples of both
objectives and power statements. Here is a typical
objective, one that HR personnel see on top of resumes all
the time:
"Customer Service Representative position allowing me to
fully utilize my skills and attributes and providing
professional advancement opportunities."
What did this objective tell me? The above objective
communicated to me basically nothing but for the sake of
this case study here are a few points:
A, The person is looking for a Customer Service position.
(No problem with that.)
B, The individual's priority seems to be his/her
professional advancement within the organization. (Oops,
that's not the way to treat a potential employer. That's not
what the company wants to hear. They want to hear how you
will BENEFIT THEM, not yourself.)
C, The candidate didn't specify skills and attributes thus
didn't give any glimpse into what he/she can do for the
company. (Not good because employers want specifics.)
D, Self-oriented instead of employer oriented. (Not good at
all.)
Let's translate the same objective into a power statement.
"Award-winning highly accomplished and motivated Customer
Service professional with proven track record of
rapport-building, resourceful problem-solving and
communication skills."
What did this tell me? The power statement communicated to
me that:
A, The person is a competent, distinguished (award-winning)
Customer Service professional who has excellent working
knowledge of his/her trade. (Good.)
B, Has a proven track record of relevant attributes. (Good.)
C, The reader can get a glimpse into how the person could
benefit the company as a result of mentioning specific
skills and abilities that are necessary to do that
particular job well. (Very good.)
D, The power statement is employer-oriented, not focused on
self.
Remember, when employers look at your resume, they read it
with one thought and one thought only in mind: What Can This
Person Do for Us? If you include a self-oriented objective,
instead of an employer-oriented power statement at the top
of your resume, you will turn off the potential employer
before they even get a chance to read your entire resume.
The main difference between the objective and the power
statement is that while the objective is self-serving and
self-focused, the power statement is employee-oriented and
results-focused. Employers only care about results - the
results you will produce for them on the job whether it will
be saving money, solving a problem or increasing
profitability. If you can hint within your power statement
in a short and compelling way how you will benefit the
company, you are on your way to your interview. Go get them!
Looking for a new career but don't know how to present your
skills for the new job? Then you need a career change resume
by an award-winning Certified Professional Resume Writer.
Rita's service, Career Change Resumes, was profiled in a
book on the Oprah show. Rita's resumes guarantee you
interviews or 100% of your money back. Click here:
http://www.CareerChangeResumes.com
WDN Careers
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