Rewriting your resume every time you go to apply for a job is, frankly, a pain. Of course, it's worth the effort if you want to find a great job — but sometimes you don't need to totally revamp the whole thing. You can tweak the specifics and rework your
resume objective so that it's applicable to multiple jobs.
So how do you write a multiple jobs resume objective?
What is a resume objective and why do you need one?
What is a good objective for a resume? A resume objective is the blurb usually found at the top of a resume that explains your career goals and overall intentions. While it may be as simple as your desired job title, a good one can also very briefly describe your experiences thus far and the career you're hoping to manifest as a result of it all. It may even skip the past and only focus on the future, simply quickly detailing your career plans and/or a hopeful agenda.
Resume objectives can be helpful for employers to glance at before diving into your work experiences. This way they know exactly what you're hoping to achieve, and they can look at your resume with that knowledge in mind. That said, many argue the resume objectives are antiquated and/or unnecessary.
How do you write a good objective for a resume?
If you're set on including a resume objective for your resume, there's a way to write one that works.
Writing a good resume objective requires you to keep a few things in mind. Keep it honest. What are you really looking to achieve? Keep it relevant. What types of jobs and/or companies are you targeting? And keep it short, sweet and to the point.
"You don't need to be a professional resume writer or resume builder to make sure you've got a great resume objective," writes Georgene Huang, Fairygodboss founder. "Take time to thoughtfully consider what you want you want to say in your resume objective, make sure it's well-written and does more than simply explaining what you want. As counter-intuitive as that sounds, an effective resume objective should also be a selling statement that is a summary statement of your strengths as a job seeker."
30 examples of resume objectives across industries
Here are some examples of resume objectives across industries in order to give you a better idea.
1. High School Student
What is a good objective for a resume for a high school student? Here's an example: Highly motivated Economics graduate with a 3.8 GPA looking for a full-time position as a management assistant at [COMPANY NAME]. Looking to use strong data-analysis and management skills to help with the company's complex challenges.
2. Entry-Level Job Hunter
What is a good objective for an entry-level resume? Here's an example: An organized and adaptable employee seeking full-time work. Looking to join [COMPANY NAME] in an assistant role to utilize organizational and communication skills and get to know the ins and outs of the company.
3. Career-Changing Job Hunter
What is a good objective for a resume for a career changer? Here's an example: Data-driven backend developer with 10 years of experience looking to tap into and utilize my frontend skills at [COMPANY NAME]. Have developed five mobile apps and three web apps, and want to make company's ideal projects come to fruition.
4. Office Assistant
What is a good objective for a resume for an office assistant? Here's an example: Affable and social office assistant with experience performing a multitude of administrative tasks, seeking to leverage communication and organization skills.
5. Secretary
What is a good objective for a resume for a secretary? Here's an example: Efficient, organized professional with years of secretarial experience. Seeking to utilize my organizational and time-management skills while providing support for [COMPANY NAME].
6. Office Manager
What is a good objective for a resume for an office manager? Here's an example: Diligent, organized and communicative office manager who has trained and overseen more than 20 staff members. Looking to leverage my management skills to help [COMPANY NAME] grow.
7. Executive Assistant
What is a good objective for a resume for an executive assistant? Here's an example: Enthusiastic executive assistant with years of experience at small- and mid-level firms. Wishing to utilize my time-management and organizational skills to help [COMPANY NAME] streamline executive tasks.
8. Sales Representative
What is a good objective for a resume for a sales representative? Here's an example: Experienced sales representation with established relationships with key clients. Seeking to enhance sales figures for [COMPANY NAME].
9. Cashier
What is a good objective for a resume for a cashier? Here's an example: Reliable, trusted cashier with strong interpersonal skills thanks to three years of experience.
What is a good objective for a resume for a nurse? Here's an example: Committed, licensed RN trained to stay calm in highly stressful environments. Looking to gain more experience at the reputable [COMPANY NAME].
11. Retail Job Hunter
What is a good objective for a resume for a retailer? Here's an example: Hardworking retail associate with five years of experience at [X COMPANIES]. Skills in POS tech and inventory management, which I'm looking to leverage at [COMPANY NAME].
12. Accountant
What is a good objective for a resume for an accountant? Here's an example: Detail- and data-driven accountant with one year of experience. Prepared 20 tax returns in the past six months and consulted two local businesses as a CPA. Looking to leverage my skills and gain more experience at [COMPANY NAME].
13. Dental Assistant
What is a good objective for a resume for a dental assistant? Here's an example: Highly efficient, certified dental assistant with two years of professional experience and another year of volunteered dental experience at two different dental practices.
14. Tutor
What is a good objective for a resume for a tutor? Here's an example: Dedicated tutor with proven skills in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Have worked with Spanish-speaking students to raise their ACT and SAT scores, scoring in the top .05 percent in the nation, myself.
What is a good objective for a resume in customer service? Here's an example: Experienced customer service representative eager to apply communication and organization skills in a receptionist role with [COMPANY NAME].
16. Banker
What is a good objective for a resume for a banker? Here's an example: Reliable and detail-focused bank teller with three years of experience in record keeping and accounting. Eager to help [COMPANY NAME] with current goals.
17. Bartender
What is a good objective for a resume for a bartender? Here's an example: Hardworking undergraduate with two years of experience as a barista at a local coffee shop. Looking to leverage that experience and apply it to bartending at [COMPANY NAME].
18. Server
What is a good objective for a resume for a server? Here's an example: Experienced waitress with five years of experience serving at different restaurants, from higher-end four- and five-star eateries to mom-and-pop shops. Looking to help [COMPANY NAME] attract and retain customers.
19. Teacher
What is a good objective for a resume for a teacher? Here's an example: Motivated and enthusiastic teacher with a mathematics degree looking to fill [SCHOOL NAME] position as a math teacher.
20. Data Entry Job Hunter
What is a good objective for a resume for a data entry professional? Here's an example: Data-driven and detail-oriented data entry professional with 15,000 KPH 10-Key typing speed seeking a full-time position with [COMPANY NAME].
What is a good objective for a resume for a marketing professional? Here's an example: Experienced marketing professional passionate about growing [COMPANY NAME]'s customer base. Seeking to use my strong knack for quantitative measurement, data visualization and results tracking skills.
22. IT Professional
What is a good objective for a resume for an IT professional? Here's an example: Seeking to further IT career by growing with the renowned [COMPANY NAME] as an IT technician.
23. Flight Attendant
What is a good objective for a resume for a flight attendant? Here's an example: Friendly and responsible professional with three years of experience in the travel industry, working in hotels and airports. Seeking to further my career and pursue my passion for travel by joining the team at [COMPANY NAME].
24. Human Resource Representative
What is a good objective for a resume for human resources? Here's an example: Enthusiastic and dedicated human resources representative with one year of experience at a mid-sized company. Seeking to utilize my experience to help [COMPANY NAME] as a startup achieve its growth goals.
25. Mechanic
What is a good objective for a resume for a mechanic? Here's an example: Skilled mechanic with years of experience in auto body repair at the family-owned business. Seeking to gain further experience and advance my career by joining the team at [COMPANY NAME].
26. Intern
What is a good objective for a resume for an intern? Here's an example: Enthusiastic and hardworking undergraduate with a 3.9 grade point average, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in finance. Looking to explore what I've studied in the real-world environment at [COMPANY NAME] as a financial analyst intern.
What is a good objective for a resume for a project manager? Here's an example: Organized and results-driven project manager with a proven track record of success with cross-functional teams. Looking to offer project management skills to [COMPANY NAME].
28. Social Worker
What is a good objective for a resume for a social worker? Here's an example: Empathic, certified social worker commended for high EQ during counseling services at previous companies and in volunteer positions. Looking to specialize with youth at [COMPANY NAME] to hone in on my passion and advance my career.
29. Graphic Designer
What is a good objective for a resume for a graphic designer? Here's an example: Creative and detail-oriented graphic designer with strong problem-solving skills and a keen eye for aesthetics. Excel in tools such as Illustrator and Photoshop, and looking to use those skills to make [COMPANY NAME]'s design dreams a reality.
30. Legal Assistant
What is a good objective for a resume for a legal assistant? Here's an example: Recent graduate with a
paralegal certificate specialized in bankruptcy law. Looking to use my studies in legal research to assist in foreclosure trials as a junior paralegal with [COMPANY NAME].
Mistakes to avoid when writing a resume objective
There are certain mistakes to avoid when writing a resume objective so that it doesn't read as generic or unnecessary. Here's what you should keep in mind:
- Don't explain a career goal that is totally irrelevant to the types of companies for which you're applying.
- Don't be too vague in explaining your career goals.
- Don't clutter it with too much fluff.
- Don't make it only about you. You don't want to only focus on what kind of job you want and/or would be willing to take — you want to avoid coming off as entitled.
- Don't focus on money or prestige that will turn prospective employers off.
Keep in mind that some employers and recruiters don't approve of resume objectives altogether, calling them "cringeworthy."
"Unfortunately, the resume objective statement is an outdated custom that’s best forgotten," argues Amanda Augustine, Top Resume contributor, in an article on ditching the resume objective. "In fact, I’d go out on a limb and say that 'objective' has become a dirty word among the resume-writing community."
Likewise, The Balance Careers contributor Jen Hubley Luckwaldt wrote: "If you learned how to create a resume 10 years ago or longer, you might be surprised to know that an objective is no longer an essential part of a standard resume. In fact, some career experts will tell you that having a resume objective is unnecessary at best and dated at worst. Like the line 'references upon request,' it's a space-filler that's keeping hiring managers from getting to the meat of your resume."
If you're set on writing one, it's possible to write a resume objective that you can use for multiple jobs, so long as you make it sound impactful enough without reading too general. Follow the aforementioned steps and take lessons from the examples above, and you'll be sure to write a resume objective that'll get read.
--
This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.
AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist for a gamut of both online and print publications, as well as an adventure aficionado and travel blogger at HerReport.org. She covers all things women's empowerment — from navigating the workplace to navigating the world. She writes about everything from gender issues in the workforce to gender issues all across the globe.
What's your no. 1 piece of advice for how to write a compelling resume objective? Do you believe they are important? Share your perspective and advice to help other Fairygodboss members.
