A great resume starts with a compelling resume objective statement. In two to three sentences, it outlines in a unique and compelling way your training, skills and any relevant work experience. Learn when and how to write a standout career objective for a resume that will fit with your career situation and get you noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. Then, review our 700+ resume objective examples to find the one that inspires you.
A resume objective statement or career objective allows you to outline your professional goals and education and concisely include relevant skills. This is a great way to show employers that you have the skills and experience for the role — which can be tricky if you have limited work experience. A resume objective is most commonly used as an opener to a functional resume format, the best format choice for job seekers who have just returned to the workforce or have limited work experience.
Job seekers who plan to use a chronological resume format or a combination resume format should consider writing a professional summary as it focuses more on work experience and specific skills, and it’s typically used by more experienced applicants. A good objective for a resume tells a potential employer about your career goals and overall intentions as opposed to a career summary which is more focused on how your skills will benefit the company.
Almost all resumes require an introductory section that tells a hiring manager who you are and what you will bring to the position if hired. Not everyone needs to use a career objective, but it is great for career changers and those getting back into the workforce. If, after reviewing our resume objective statement examples, you decide writing one isn’t right for you, you can instead include a professional summary, which could more closely align with your needs.
If you have determined that an objective statement is appropriate for your resume, these are the four critical elements that should be the base of your career objective:
Mention the position to which you are applying. This is critical when writing a career objective for a resume to let employers know which position you are seeking.
The best career objective examples include the critical skills and desired professional work experience listed in the job posting.
If you are pursuing but haven’t yet completed a degree or professional certification, including this information makes for a good objective for a resume. When adding any training-in-progress, it’s crucial to make a note of your anticipated completion date.
Even if you are applying for your first job, you likely have skills that you have gleaned through school, internships or volunteering that will apply in the workplace — such as leadership experience or relevant computer skills. Good resume objective examples highlight these critical skills.
Resume 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 ResumeResume objective statement:
Seasoned, CDL-carrying transportation professional seeking long-haul truck driver position. Offering over two years of freight transport experience and an additional eight years of bus and van-driving experience. Clean driving record with full-liability insurance coverage.
Customize this ResumeResume objective statement:
Recent college graduate in search of 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 ResumeResume objective statement:
Part-time college student looking to make use of 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 ResumeResume 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 ResumeResume 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 ResumeThere is no such thing as a general resume objective example. Each professional objective you write for a resume must be unique. Thus, customizing your resume objective to match a job description is a critical step. 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. Learn from our resume objective examples below to see career objective examples for hundreds of industries. It’s an easy way to learn how to craft an objective statement for your next role. For more inspiration on resume writing, peruse our library of more than 1,300 resume examples.
Recent graduate and extremely devoted individual with a stellar background in scheduling appointments as an administrative assistant.
Empathic customer service agent with strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent conflict resolution abilities. Proficient in multiple customer management systems. Excels in fast-paced environments.
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 basic office equipment and MS Office software.
Highly skilled and knowledgeable civil engineer with a strong record of sound and safe public works construction projects. Adept at coordinating with building and engineering professionals for every project stage. Strong multitasker with exceptional skills and capable of functioning in a high-pressure environment.
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.
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.
Friendly and reliable recent graduate seeking an entry-level position as a server. Eager to use knowledge of food and strong people skills to provide customers with an exceptionally positive experience.
Accomplished customer support professional practiced at addressing all facets of business office needs, including file and document management. Seeking to develop research experience and continue to flourish in a medical environment.
Customer service-focused technical support specialist with experience in help desk and “break-fix” environments. Six years of direct experience working with customers to resolve issues. Highly adept in systems analysis, diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Do state your professional goals.
Do mention your experience level — if you are new to the workforce, that’s OK.
Do explain why you are qualified for the job, even if you have limited experience.
Don’t write in the first person.
Don’t forget to list your relevant skills.
Don’t forget to personalize your resume objective for each role.
Instead of an objective, you could use a professional summary section at the top of your resume. A professional summary is three to five sentences long and best for job seekers that have a lot of particular field information or a wealth of industry experience to fill out in key sentences. To decide which is right for you, review our objective summary examples above.
Not all resumes need an objective statement, but they do require an introductory section that tells a hiring manager who you are. Consider a job objective for your resume if you are targeting a specific position, changing careers or don’t have a lot of direct work experience. However, just like a resume summary, it should still be specific and highlight why you stand out from the other applicants in terms of fulfilling the company’s needs.
Your resume objective should be a very short, specific and targeted way to show your skill set. The two- to three-sentence statement you craft for your objective statement will break out of the generic and be customized to your relevant career experiences. When crafting your statement, keep in mind that you are expressing how you will add value to the company thanks to your transferable skills or fresh industry ideas, so make sure you tailor this section to the job you are applying for.
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