20 Second Rule
So if you were a busy hiring manager, and you had a hundred resumes to review today AND do the work you normally do when you're not trying to hire someone, how long would you spend on each prospective resume? Probably not longer than 20 or 30 seconds.
So, , you've only got 20 seconds to catch your reader's attention. Do it by writing a strong, exciting, CUSTOMIZED objective or summary statement.
Here's how:
1. Do your homework. Make sure you take some time to put yourself in your prospective employer's shoes. Who do you think they are looking for? What skills do they need? What attitudes matter to them? What specifically are they looking for in their job advertisement? WRITE YOUR ANSWERS DOWN. Then see what skills/attitudes/abilities you have that match what you think your prospect is looking for. (Write them down!)
2. Keep your objective short and punchy. Remember: 20 seconds!
Maybe short is not the problem. Punchy and attention grabbing is. Here is where some good adjectives can be useful to you. Are you ambitious? (Would that be important for your prospect? USE IT!) Are you Capable? Are you Cheerful? (If you're applying for a customer service position, being cheerful is vital from an employer's point of view.) Here are some other words that can help you describe yourself in ways that are interesting and eye catching to your prospects: 130 Positive Personality Adjectives For Your Next Job Interview.
Or for even more inspiration: 500 Positive Resume Action Verbs That Get Job Interviews.
Write the Objective
Scenario: Imagine you are applying for an opening as a Training Manager in an insurance company. What would a strong objective statement look like?
Imaginary Job training manager job description:
▪ Provide excellent internal customer service and ensure employee satisfaction with training programs.
▪ Manage the budget for the training area, as well as requisition needed equipment, material and resources.
▪ Align training area's objectives to corporate general strategy.
▪ Develop leadership program to replace outgoing personnel.
Your Objective:
"A Training Management position in an organization where being a cheerful, energetic people person with diligent attention to financial details and company objectives is a must."
What do you think? I just wrote that in a few minutes, but it's better than the normal resume objectives I've often gotten on resumes.
Try writing your resume objective with this simple formula:
"An xxx position in an organization where yyy and zzz would be needed (or, in an organization seeking yyy and zzz)."
Now it's your turn! What's your objective statement?
