This heading is optional. Many resume experts today suggest not including this heading. The main reason for this being that most resume writers don’t use this statement very effectively to promote themselves.

The content you place at the beginning of your resume is prime real estate…..it is the first job related information the reader will obtain about you. You want this information to have maximum impact on the reader.

First impressions are lasting impressions. So, if you are going to include a career objective statement it must be an attention grabber, a hook to encourage the reader to learn more about you.

Your career objective must be targeted and relevant to both the organisation, and job role for which you are applying.

For example, if your career objective states that you want to pursue your nursing career in a general practice environment, but you are applying for a graduate position in aged care, the employer is hardly likely to understand your reasons for wanting to work in their organisation.

When writing your career objective, explain your preferred role (which naturally coincides with the position for which you are applying!!). Your aim is to demonstrate that there is a match between what you want to do in your career, and what the employer is looking for in their ideal candidate.

Remember, your resume is about self promotion. Therefore, in your career objective, aim to highlight one, or two of your key strengths or attributes. And….. explain the benefits of these attributes to the organisation. Naturally, the attributes you decide to mention will be among those included in the selection criteria.

Following is a simple formula to help you to get started in writing your targeted career objective statement.

Seeking a position in (nominate job role and/or industry) where my (nominate one or two of your strongest areas of skill, expertise and/or knowledge) in (specific, key areas) can make a positive contribution to (benefits might include enhancing any one of - profitability, productivity, image, reputation, customer satisfaction etc) of the organisation.

Example:

If in doubt leave this heading out. Instead, use the “Profile” and/or “Key Skills Summary” headings to make your initial sales pitch and attention grabbing statements.