Okay, there’s a lot of information that needs to go on your resume. But don’t forget, there’s also a lot of information that should NOT go on your resume.
Such as…
- What you didn’t like about your past employer.
- Your marital status.
- Awards you won in high school.
- Your messy divorce and how it affected your job.
(Yep. I’ve seen all of these on resumes.)
But here’s another important item to be sure to leave OFF your resume: an objective statement.
An objective statement is a little section, traditionally placed right under the letterhead of a resume, that looks something like this:
OBJECTIVE: To obtain a challenging and fulfilling position that allows me to utilize my skills in accounting and financial management.
An objective statement is like that last hanger-on at the party who has long outstayed their welcome but just won’t leave.
Here are 5 reasons to delete your resume’s objective statement—stat!
1. It’s boring.
Most everyone has the same objective: a desire to find a good-fit job.
2. It’s redundant.
If you’re applying for a position in accounting, we already know you are seeking a position in accounting.
3. It’s outdated.
Despite all the negatives about objective statements, there was a time when they were in resume vogue. (Resume best practices follow ever-changing styles and conventions. You gotta keep up!) That time is now past. So including one signals to a hiring manager that you’re behind the curve.
4. It squanders top real estate.
In resumes, the best, most influential, most impressive information goes at the top of the page. So an Objective Statement is hogging the headliner spot.
5. It’s about you.
In my book, this is the clincher. The biggest problem with an objective statement is that it explains what you want. But an effective resume isn’t really about you at all. It’s about the potential employer and you can fill their needs.
So don’t waste your resume’s prime real estate on something outdated, boring, and redundant. Nix that Objective statement! Instead, start your resume with a powerful Profile section that identifies your value and potential contributions.
