Sample resume objectives: Stick with the good stuff

© Copyright Roy Miller, All Rights Reserved.

If you're going to look at sample resume objectives, or sample resumes, or sample cover letters, you've got to be able to analyze what you see.

Blindly assuming that some sample you find online is something you can copy and paste without thinking is a grave mistake.

It's particularly tempting when it comes to sample resume objectives, because most people think writing resume objective statements is "hard". It's challenging to do it well, sure, but anybody can do it.

The key is to use sample resume objectives for ideas. Pick out the best pieces, change 'em to suit your needs, and leave the rest alone!

To do that effectively, you have to know how to dissect sample resume objectives, really any kind of sample. It's not as hard as you might think, if you know what to look for. Let's list those criteria, then analyze a specific sample step-by-step.

Here's what I would look for in sample resume objectives:

• Is it no more than two sentences, ideally only one?
• Is it brief and hard-hitting? Does it jump off the page?
• What "power words" or phrases does it use to describe the candidate?
• Does it focus on the candidate, or does it focus on what the candidate can do for the employer? How?
• How does it quantify the profit improvement the candidate can add?

Armed with what to look for, let's examine the following sample resume objective step by step:

"A Programmer or systems analyst position using quantitative and mathematical training. Special interest in marketing and financial applications."

First, it's no more than two sentences. Not bad.

Second, it's brief, but I can't say it jumps off the page. Roughly translated, this person's objective is "a job, preferably in an area I like". Singularly unimpressive.

Third, what are the power words? Power words are things like "quick thinker" or "shrewd negotiator" or "forward-looking" or "dynamic". They make a reader think this person's special, not run-of-the-mill. This particular objective doesn't have one. Not one. That's one of the bigger mistakes you can make.

Fourth, does it focus on the candidate, or what the candidate can do for the employer? Uh...well...um....it's all candidate, all the time. I guess he's a programmer. Maybe he'll write software? What value will that add? What value has it added in the past? If the candidate doesn't know, and doesn't say, that leaves the reader with too much work to do.

Fifth, where is the quantified profit improvement? Will this candidate increase revenues? Will he decrease costs? Both? Every employer cares about money. Give him some, and you'll be ahead of other candidates who don't. Back to our sample. It quantifies absolutely nothing. Big goose egg.

The verdict is in. This sample resume objective stinks! It has virtually nothing we can use.

As an added bonus, here's the worst objective statement I've seen so far:

"Human Resource Management / Meeting Planning / Accounts Payable"

Ugh. No comment.

But let's not leave on a bad note. Here's another example:

"An highly experienced software developer with comprehensive end-to-end enterprise systems development and management skills, and $15 million in total profit improvement added in 5 years, seeking a position as a Director of Sofware Development where these skills will add value immediately."

The differences should stick out like a sore thumb, but let's do a quick run-through.

First, it's one sentence. You could split it into two and not lose an ounce of force.

Second, it leaps off the page and screams, "Call this person!" Exactly what you want it to do.

Third, power words all over the place: "highly experienced", "comprehensive...skills".

Fourth, it's about the value this person can add to an organization "immedidately". Bang!

Fifth, it's got rock-solid dollar-quantified value in there.

That's a winner. You could copy it...but don't! Instead, take the concepts and reuse them.

What are the concepts? Start with a statement of your background that's targeted at the job you're seeking. Follow that with a dollar-quantified statement of the value you've added (and, nudge-nudge, can add in your next job). End with a statement about what job you're seeking and demonstration of your eagerness to do great things for your new company.

That's what good sample resume objectives look like. You'd do well to model them.