When applying for a job, you need to create a resume that stands out. One way to do this is to write a compelling career objective highlighting your skills and experience. In this article, discover what a career objective is, learn how to create one for your resume and see examples of career objectives for different industries.

What is a career objective?

A career objective is an optional addition to a resume that will act as your elevator pitch. It should state your career goals, skills, experience and abilities. Essentially, a career objective is a summary of what your resume includes to entice employers to take a closer look through it.

You should include your career objective at the top of your resume under your name and contact information. As it is just a summary of your resume, it should be short, so it doesn't overcrowd the page.

Even if submitting multiple resumes at a time, you should tailor your career objective to the position you're applying for. You can tailor your career objective by adding keywords to your resume from the job posting or description. This will help you stand out as it shows employers you took the time to consider what relevant skills and experience you have that suit the position.

How to create a career objective

When creating your career objective, you should follow these steps:

1. Summarize your resume: Your career objective summarizes your resume, so you should limit it to only two or three sentences. This will help the hiring manager go through it quickly, as they likely receive hundreds of resumes at a time. Remove filler words where you can and only highlight relevant experience or skills.

2. Make it unique: Making your career objective unique to every position you apply for will help you stand out from other candidates. Include your specific skills and experience you know the employer is looking for, such as knowledge of the software or equipment they use. Adjust your career objective every time you submit your resume for a new position.

3. Emphasize your strengths: Every candidate will have different strengths, so it's important to emphasize yours to stand out. Look at the job posting or description to see what skills the employer is looking for and emphasize that you possess those skills in your career objective.

4. Mention relevant requirements: Most jobs have specific educational requirements, such as degrees, diplomas, certifications or licences. Include any relevant requirements you have to quickly show the hiring manager you are qualified for the job.

5. Outline your value: Once you describe your skills, experience and relevant requirements, you should end your career objective by outlining how you can be of value to the company. You can do this in several ways, such as explaining why you're a good fit, what you can bring to the company or describing your long-term goals.

When to include a career objective

As career objectives are optional additions to your resume, you may not always need one. Here are a few cases where including a career objective may be helpful:

• You're switching careers: If you're looking to switch careers, the education and work experience on your resume will be from your previous career. A career objective will help explain why you're switching careers and will clarify your new goals.

• You don't have work experience: Most students and recent graduates will not have relevant work experience for the job they're applying for. Including a career objective that tells the hiring manager your future career goals and your educational background should encourage them to consider your resume.

• You're moving to a new location: If you're applying for jobs in a new area, hiring managers may reject your application because your current address shows you're outside of the city. Including a career objective that briefly explains when you're moving is helpful.

 

Career objective examples

Here are some career objectives from different fields to help guide you through creating your own:

Teacher

Passionate, certified teacher with three years of experience teaching English to elementary school students. Ability to work under pressure and efficiently multi-task to accommodate all students. I am looking to work for a school where I can incorporate various teaching strategies to encourage students with different learning styles to thrive.

Digital marketer

Highly motivated digital marketer with over five years of experience in the industry. Experience with SEO, keyword research and Google analytics. I am looking to use my expertise to maximize brand awareness, boost organic traffic and improve search rankings at [insert company name].

Financial analyst

Seeking a Junior Financial Analyst position at [insert company name] to utilize my knowledge of accounting software, financial reporting and planning. With two years of experience as an entry-level financial analyst, I'm ready to put my passion for finances to good use.

Accountant

Detail-oriented accountant with four years of experience in accounting at a smaller company. Looking to expand my knowledge of accounting software and utilize my experience to organize your finances to ensure mutual success. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills that help me work well under pressure.

Regional sales manager

Sales manager with over five years' experience at [insert company name]. Looking for a promotion to a regional sales manager position to utilize my sales and people management experience. Passion for relationship development and networking to help improve sales.

IT technology manager

IT technology manager with several years of experience. Strong understanding of Cloud Computing SaaS, PaaS and IaaS fundamentals, and excellent interpersonal skills to work with a team and clients. I am looking for a progressive organization to pursue a long-term career in IT.

Human resources administrator

Recent graduate of [insert school name] with a degree in human resource management looking for an entry-level human resources administrator position. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as a passion for building and strengthening interpersonal relationships. Experience in an administrative role that built up clerical skills and great time management.

Interior designer

Creative and driven interior designer with six years of experience in project management and space planning. Looking to advance my career with an established real estate firm. Expert in designing floor and ceiling plans, as well as creating residential and commercial designs.

Warehouse manager

Self-driven warehouse manager with three years of experience. Strong ability to maintain and monitor inventory levels, create budgets and manage warehouse staff. Looking for a similar role at [insert company name] to advance my career and grow with the company.

Travel consultant

Energetic travel consultant with three years of experience in the travel industry. Vast experience preparing travel itineraries and making air arrangements for groups and individuals. Passionate about helping clients plan their dream vacations and looking to do so long-term.

Copy editor

Self-motivated copy editor with seven years' experience editing marketing materials, website content, magazines and manuscripts. Specialty in the travel industry, but open to editing any type of material. Looking for a challenging role to help further develop my skills.

Registered nurse

Recent graduate from the nursing program at [insert school name] looking for a rewarding role in a hospital or nursing home. Passionate about providing quality healthcare to patients in need. Dedicated team player, willing to work morning and night shifts.

Lawyer

Accomplished lawyer with eight years of experience in arbitration, company affairs and legal drafting. Looking for a top-level position in a reputable law firm to exemplify my years of expertise and learn from professionals.

Real estate agent

Expert real estate agent with a personal client base of over 100 clients. Experience with running open houses, preparing sales reports and building up a loyal client base. Looking for a similar role with enhanced responsibilities to further my real estate career.

Management assistant

Highly motivated recent graduate of the business administration program at [insert school name] looking to fill the management assistant position at [insert company name]. Excellent written and verbal communication, as exemplified by my 4.0 GPA and strong interpersonal skills. Looking to develop my management skills for a future managerial role.

Server

Dedicated team player with proven communication and multi-tasking skills in my role as the football captain. Seeking an opportunity to utilize these skills as a server at [insert company name]. Positive attitude and always willing to learn and adapt.

Delivery driver

Diligent delivery driver with two years of experience delivering a high volume of products with [insert company name]. Able to work well under pressure and handle multiple tasks at once. Looking to expand my skills and work towards a managerial position with [insert company name].