Resumé Tips: Objective Statements and Profiles

Objective Statements

Objective statements are an option to focus your resumé for a specific opportunity. It should focus on your capabilities and what you can bring to the position. Generic objectives and statements that focus on your personal objective to obtain a job should be avoided – save this valuable space for something more impactful.

The Objective Statement Formula

Identify Yourself + Indicate the role for which you are applying + Select relevant experience and skills you can offer + How you will contribute to the organization’s goals.

Profile Section

A profile or summary of qualifications section pulls all your relevant experiences and qualifications to the forefront of the resumé, regardless of where the skills were gained. If you have 15 seconds to tell the employer about yourself, what do you want them to know?

Consider the qualifications of the job as The Question and your Profile section as The Answer. Thorough research on the position and organization is essential for a compelling profile.

Profile Goals

  • Features relevant, targeted information about your background connected to the position.
  • Creates a hook that entices the employer to review the remainder of your resumé.

The Profile Formula in Five Bullets

Craft a bullet statement for each of the following:

  1. Knowledge - Highlight your applicable knowledge, especially when you lack relevant experience.
  2. Relevant Skills - Select skills that indicate your understanding of job requirements and how you have used the skill. Use keywords from the job description.
  3. Key Achievements - Highlight the benefit of a relevant achievement.
  4. Personal Qualities or Attributes - Focus on qualities suitable to the target industry.
  5. Key Certification or a Bonus Highlight - Identify other information that adds to your candidacy.

The Profile Test

  1. Can each statement be used for any job I might apply to? If yes, make it more distinctive.
  2. Could any other job seeker include the exact line? If yes, make it more specific to you.
  3. Does the line say something unique or demonstrate that you understand the realities of the job? If yes, you’ve crafted a strong statement!

For examples and more details on creating a profile, view the Resumé Guidebook in Navigator.


Check out next: Summarizing Your Experiences

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