Objective Statement, Skills & Summary

This is the 4th in our 8 part series. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Fulltimegigs for other recommendations that get your resume seen by the hiring manager.

Objective Statement

The only time we recommend using an Objective Statement is with the targeted resume approach (see our 2nd blog in this series for a description of the targeted resume). There is not much value in a generic Objective Statement. It is of most value when it can be tailored to demonstrate you are a match for a specific position.

When using an Objective Statement, it is listed at the top of the resume just beneath your contact information. In the Objective Statement, state your goal, targeted at the specific job opportunity. If not using the Targeted Resume approach, we recommend not including the Objective Statement.

Introduction, Skills and Summary are really all words for the same section within your resume. This section is included to summarize and highlight your specific experience and skills. It should be located at the top of your resume, just beneath your contact information (or Objective if you have one). It can be used on all resume formats. However, it may be particularly useful with the Targeted Resume format since this list of skills and experience may be tailored to a specific job opportunity. The Summary section is also useful when you have a significant amount of experience.

The Summary section should be brief, concise and to the point. It is often the first section of your resume that is read by the reviewer. You do not want to burden the reader with a lot of words. The typical reader is not going to spend much time on your resume, probably less than a minute in the initial screen. Your resume typically has to pass an initial screen before it is read in detail. So, you want your summary to tell the reader a single concept that you want known, backed-up by bulleted skills. Be sure to keep the Summary brief and above all, keep it professional. It should speak directly to your professional background and give the reader, in a glimpse, an interest in you as a match for the job opening and the curiosity to move forward with reading the balance of your resume.

This is the 4th in our 8 part series. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Fulltimegigs for other recommendations that get your resume seen by the hiring manager.
Previous articles in this series include:

Resumes That Get Noticed – Part 1 of 8: Introduction
Resumes That Get Noticed – Part 2 of 8: Resume Styles
Resumes That Get Noticed – Part 3 of 8: Identification & Contact Information
Resumes That Get Noticed – Part 4 of 8: Objective, Skills & Summary

#GreatJobsTalentedPeople

Sources & Related Articles:

1. “Tips and Advice on How to Write a Resume” (multiple articles)
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resumewriting/qt/writeresume.htm

2. “Customized Resume Objective Gets Better Results”
From Laura Schneider
http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/gettingthejob/qt/resobj.htm

3. “Should You Use a Chronological or Functional …?”
By Roberta Chinsky Matuson, Monster Contributing Writer
http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/chronological-resume-or-functional-resume/article.aspx

4. “How to Target a Resume for a Specific Job”
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-target-a-resume-for-a-specific-job0.html

5. “10 Steps: How to Write a …”
by Susan Ireland
http://susanireland.com/resume/how-to-write/

6. Put Your Education to Work on Your …”
By Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert
http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/put-your-education-to-work/article.aspx