Discover if a resume objective is right for you. Find resume objective examples to land your dream job, plus tips to write one that impresses recruiters.
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An objective statement is a brief introduction explaining who you are and why you want a specific job. It consists of one to three sentences near the top of a resume, just below your contact information. It’s sometimes referred to as a “career objective.”
A resume objective statement should cover these three points:
Here’s a resume objective example:
“Dedicated and detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in English seeking an entry-level paralegal position. Eager to contribute my enthusiasm and commitment to accuracy in a challenging and collaborative legal environment.”
Find this example helpful? Get more inspiration in our complete library of 700+ job-specific resume objective examples.
Objective statements are an alternative to the more common resume introduction, the professional summary. Neither of these is to be confused with the more modern resume headline, which is much shorter and aimed at quickly capturing the recruiter’s attention.
Both resume objectives and summaries are essential for accurately describing yourself on a resume. However, we’ll explain the key differences between them to help you decide which to use.
Resume objective statement:
Professional resume summary:
Resume objective statements aren’t an excellent fit for everyone, so we’ll explain who should use them and in which scenarios.
Resume objectives are best for:
Career changers: If you have work experience but are not in the industry you’re transitioning to, including a resume objective when updating your resume provides the right space to explain the motivation for the career change.
Job seekers lacking formal experience: If you’re writing a resume with no experience, objective statements provide a fitting way to discuss your skills and motivation despite having a limited or nonexistent work history.
Recent graduates seeking an entry-level position: If this is your first job, your resume objective can explain how your education prepared you for the role.
Current high school or college students: If you’re a fresher or student enrolled in school or university, employers may be impressed to learn about your passions, studies and achievements.
Applying for college with a resume: Some colleges and universities accept resumes as part of the college application process, and a resume objective is a great way to state your interests and academic aspirations.
Returning to the workforce: If you’ve taken a hiatus from work or are a retired job seeker, the resume objective helps you explain your situation and show employers your unique strengths.
About to move to a new city: If you’re applying to an in-person job far from where you live and want to avoid confusing the employer, mention in your resume objective that you’re planning to relocate.
Otherwise, a professional summary is better if none of these scenarios apply to you!
If you’re concerned that employers won’t give you a chance because of a lack of experience, a cover letter is a game-changer. Check out our How to Write a Cover Letter guide to learn to draft a fantastic letter or head on to the Cover Letter Builder to create one in minutes!
A good objective for a resume must be unique and specific to the job you’re applying for. Avoid a general resume objective example and try to pinpoint the employer’s needs!
Whether you are searching for a customer service resume objective, a resume objective sample for a retail role, or job objective examples for engineering positions, LiveCareer has what you need. Find inspiration from our library of 1,300+ resume examples.
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Recent graduate and ambitious go-getter seeks role as an administrative assistant. Adept at following directions, organizing and computer-related tasks. In addition to a solid work ethic, I am eager to learn and grow.
As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, I am ready to apply my academic knowledge and passion for infrastructure development in my first civil engineering role. Seeking a position that offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects, enhance my technical skills, and grow within a dynamic engineering team.
Dedicated general laborer seeking to move into a construction position requiring materials expertise and carpentry knowledge. High level of accuracy and attention to detail with a strong understanding of OSHA standards in a team-oriented workplace. Skilled machine operator with solid blueprint comprehension.
Empathetic and even-tempered individual seeks a customer service agent position. In addition to my great people skills, I’m an active listener with a knack for problem-solving. Down-to-earth, detail-oriented and highly motivated, I excel in fast-paced environments.
Empathic customer service representative with strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent conflict resolution abilities. Proficient in multiple customer management systems and excels in fast-paced environments.
As a motivated and detail-oriented business major, I am eager to gain hands-on experience and contribute to a dynamic team. Seeking an internship opportunity where I can apply my market analysis, forecasting and interpersonal skills to develop a deeper understanding of financial investment.
Detail-oriented and capable professional with recent reception experience, ready to provide administrative assistance in a fast-paced work environment. Adept at organizing calendars and managing detailed schedules. Conscientious and communicative. Proficient with essential office equipment and MS Office software.
Recent graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina. Seeking full-time pharmacist role in a hospital or clinic setting. Deep understanding of medicine, human health and how pharmacology can advance human health and health systems.
If you have determined that an objective statement is appropriate for your resume, here are the steps for writing one that will land you a job:
Introduce yourself professionally.
Say who you are by sharing whether you’re a student or a recent graduate or by mentioning your current profession (if relevant).
Share relevant qualifications.
Because you have little or no formal work experience, you should focus on mentioning which job qualifications you possess. These qualifications can be skills, education or certifications that demonstrate you have the necessary knowledge to thrive in the role.
State your career goals.
An essential part of the resume objective is stating your goals within the role and any career aspirations. Showcasing your motivation and discipline is a fantastic way to show employers you have a positive attitude toward learning, growing and contributing to the company.
Tailor your objective to the role.
You should always customize your resume objective to each role by incorporating specific keywords from the job description that help you bypass applicant tracking systems (ATS) filtering candidates based on their qualifications. Doing so is crucial when you’re inexperienced or changing careers.
Want to ensure your resume will bypass any applicant tracking system? Upload it to our Resume Check, and we’ll tell you what to change to make it ATS-compliant.
Now that you understand the elements of a successful resume objective, let’s take it one step further with these tips for optimizing a career objective that will get you a job interview.
Incorporate transferable skills.
Whether you’re changing careers or applying to your first job, transferable skills on your resume objectively show that you’ve developed valuable and relevant skills from seemingly unrelated jobs or experiences.
Add context with action verbs.
Starting your career objective sentences with strong action verbs, like “managed,” “implemented,” and “organized,” provides employers with the necessary information and context for your achievement quickly and effectively.
Quantify your achievements for impact.
Even with little to no experience, you can still impress recruiters by selecting relevant, measurable achievements for your resume objective that show potential employers what you’ve achieved in terms of numbers, percentages or dollar amounts.
Mention honors and awards.
Another way to compensate for traditional paid experience is to showcase honors and awards in your career objective. This tactic is handy for students or recent grads just entering the workforce.
Focus on newly acquired skills and education.
Suppose you were out of the workforce for any reason (raising children, caring for ill family members, or taking a health break). In that case, you should use your career objective to share valuable skills, education, and fresh perspectives, such as organizational skills, interpersonal communication, working under pressure, personal projects or newfound motivation for your career.
Don’t neglect past experiences.
If you’re a retired person looking for a part-time job, your previous experience is still valuable, no matter how long ago it was. Certain skills you can add to your career objective that will always stand the test of time are efficient communication, mathematical ability, good customer service and leadership skills, among many others.
The sample resume objectives below cover a variety of career scenarios to help you craft your objective statement confidently.
Remember, these are general objectives for a resume. To make yours great, you must personalize it with your unique skills and qualifications!
Change of career
Career objective statement:
Former law enforcement officer looking to capitalize on conflict resolution and communication skills in a new security guard position. Decisive, empathetic and physically fit. Able to employ well-honed firearms and driving skills if necessary.
Customize this ResumeReentering the workforce
Resume objective statement:
Seasoned, CDL-carrying transportation professional seeking long-haul truck driver position. Offering over two years of freight transport experience and eight years of bus and van-driving experience. Clean driving record with full-liability insurance coverage.
Customize this ResumeNo experience
Career objective statement:
Recent college graduate seeking an entry-level administrative assistant role. Well-spoken, cheerful and motivated to provide clients with stellar customer service and co-workers with top-notch clerical support.
Customize this ResumeCollege students
Career objective statement:
Part-time college student looking to use customer service skills in a full-time server job. Hard worker with a friendly demeanor and experience working in fast food and family restaurants. Currently holds an up-to-date food handler’s license.
Customize this ResumeHigh school students
Resume objective statement:
Motivated high school senior seeks restaurant host or other front-of-house role. Possesses excellent communication skills and a friendly personality. CPR and first-aid certified.
Customize this ResumeRecent graduates
Career objective statement:
Energetic high school graduate and former cheerleading captain. A dynamic and fun-loving individual with excellent relationship-building skills looking for an active position with long-term potential.
Customize this ResumeHere are the main things to remember when writing a resume objective:
Many prefer a professional summary over an objective. A two to five-sentence summary provides stronger evidence of job suitability, especially for those with industry experience. It’s ideal for applicants with a relevant work history, highlighting why they would excel in the role.
Resumes don’t always need an objective, but they do need an introduction. Use a job objective if targeting a specific role, changing careers, or lacking direct experience. Ensure it’s clear and highlights why you stand out to meet the company’s needs, just like a resume summary.
Your resume objective should be brief, specific and targeted to show your skill set. The one- to three-sentence statement you craft for your objective statement should be clear and speak to your relevant career experiences.
No, you don’t need to include references directly on your resume. It’s better to provide them separately if requested by the employer.
ATS are software tools that scan resumes for keywords before a human sees them. To optimize your resume, upload it to our ATS Resume Check for a free review on how to make it ATS-friendly.
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