Resume Objective Statement

Firstly a CV / resume objective statement should only be used if applying for a very specific role where you know your objective is going to align with that of the reader. In this instance an objective statement is supremely powerful.

If your CV / Resume is to be posted on a job board, and you're interested in a range of roles, use a summary statement or profile instead of an objective.

Using a general resume objective statement is a waste of prime CV / Resume real estate.

Remember the CV / Resume is for the benefit of the reader not you.

Your resume objective statement should be concise and no more than 4 lines, Its a short powerful statement that tells the reader that you offer what THEY want!

Resume objective statement ingredients:

The exact job title used on the advert / description – be as specific as possible.

Function of the role. Include the business objectives of your target role

Relevant experience in tangible terms (x years, x number of projects etc)

Personal behaviour traits appropriate to the role. This adds your unique personality.

You may need to do additional research as it's VITAL that you know what your target is looking for.

Add the possible Relevant content into the form below, delete the red example text first.

You can download a free Microsoft Word Resume Objective Statement Form here.

List as much relevant content as you wish, the next stage is about editing, reducing and polishing your CV / resume objective statement.

 

The idea behind using the form is to really encourage you to think creatively and not be frightened to get a lot of information down on the paper. It also serves to structure your content or ingredients to suite your target reader.

The example above in red gives enough content for us to now edit and polish.

The Objective Statement should be a punchy statement that you can say out loud. It answers the question "why should we hire you?"

When editing it really helps to read your work out loud, as this approach flushes out word combinations that your not happy with and other typos.

Also ask a trusted friend, colleague or family member to proof read. A detached perspective is often very helpful.

 

With all the information above there are many possible variations.

When building your CV / resume objective statement you can order the content in any way you feel comfortable, your looking for a concise statement you can deliver verbally with passion and confidence (If it works verbally out loud, it will work on the page).

So let's try a few:

"Calm, dedicated, Prince qualified Project Manager, with 10 years SAP implementation experience, now looking for next challenge across International operations."

Not bad, but I don't feel it gives the reader enough of what They are looking for.

"Qualified Management Accountant turned specialist SAP financial Project Manager. Prince qualified with 10 years and over 8 major SAP financial implementations under my belt, looking for my next challenge across International operations."

Getting there, though lacking personality.

"Qualified Management Accountant turned dedicated SAP financial Project Manager. Prince qualified with 8 successful SAP implementations. A commercially savvy, positive and motivational leader now looking to deliver further SAP enabled efficiencies and savings across International Operations."

This is better, though maybe a touch long.

"Management Accountant turned dedicated SAP financial Project Manager. Prince qualified with 8 successful SAP implementations. A commercially savvy, positive and motivational leader looking to deliver further SAP enabled efficiencies across International Operations."

Carry on fine tuning, take your time, maybe even sleep on it, to get it to a point you are delighted with. Its really is that important.

An objective statement properly aligned with the readers requirements WILL get you the interview.

"Management Accountant turned dedicated SAP financial Project Manager. A commercially savvy, positive and motivational leader looking to deliver further SAP enabled efficiencies across International Operations."

As the reader absorbs your objective statement they will be thinking “great this person does what we need and is looking for the role we are offering”, lets bring them in and see how they measure up in person.

You've got the interview at this point, the rest of your CV / Resume then becomes about demonstrating what you've said in your resume objective statement.

However, you can make it even STRONGER.

If you put a verifiable testimonial after your objective from a past boss or client you will instantly elevate you objective to FACT.

The testimonial has to be verifiable though. As this will be checked out.

So the CV / Resume statement example could look like this

Sample Resume Objective Statement

Management Accountant turned dedicated SAP financial Project Manager. A commercially savvy, positive and motivational leader looking to deliver further SAP enabled efficiencies across International Operations.

“An expert Project Manager Jane delivered a tough SAP implementation on time and budget. A pleasure to work with” Peter Doe Finance Director ABC Company

If I were Jane in the example I would be happy with this resume objective statement.

And combining with the testimonial almost guarantees Jane will be interviewed, by anyone serious about recruiting a SAP financials project manager.

I hope this hub page, gives you some idea's for making your resume objective statement even more effective.

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