Objective and Summary Statements on Resumes - What to Include?

Using an objective statement on your resume isnot, you should always have a summary of
a highly controversial topic in the human resourcequalifications.
industry. Many HR professionals argue thatA good summary is comprised of 3 or 4 bulleted
objective statements are never well written andstatements that describe your past
tend to be very self-serving.accomplishments and skills you bring to the table.
For example, my first resume objectiveBe sure to include quantitative data to detail your
statement was "to obtain a position where I cansuccesses. This will help the hiring manager better
utilize my experience and grow with a stableunderstand who you are and what you can do.
company." With this objective, a hiring managerHere is an example for an executive assistant:
would not know anything about my skills or- 12 years of experience in a manufacturing
background.environment with 6 years as an executive
An article from the Society for Human Resourceassistant
Management (SHRM) says that objectives are- Performed administrative tasks, coordinated
helpful to include on your resume "when you aretravel appointments for 2 executives
changing job focus, applying for something- Saved the company $250 a month by switching
different than before or breaking into a new role."paper types
If you are a supervisor with 15 years ofThe person reviewing that resume immediately
experience and are applying for a manager role,knows the years of experience and what duties
you would probably not need an objective.and skills can be performed. The next time you
However, if you were trying to go to a newsend out a resume, really consider if an objective
department, like a line worker moving into astatement is needed and include summary
purchasing role, you should have an objective.statements.
Whether you choose to include an objective or