So, here is my latest thought...what the heck is up with that silly thing called an "objective" at the top of a resume? I have decided to establish a coup with regard to this pesky statement for three important reasons:
1. People basically rewrite some part of the job description as their objective for each job that they apply for and this shows little creativity or spirit,
2. This offers yet one more opportunity to misspell something that adds little to no value to the small amount of space that you must cram your professional life onto, and
3. The objective is to get a job at the salary that you think you are worth...of course, that statement is politically incorrect and won't land you a job either.
So, you may wonder what to do with this valuable vacant space. I assert that you fill it with your career mission statement. Of course, there are three immediate objectives that will probably jump to your mind:
1. This is a personal statement and you don't feel that it is the business of a bunch of strangers, even if they are potential colleagues,
2. Many of us still have not taken the time to write a personal mission statement or do not find the value in one, and
3. Your personal mission statement might make your future boss a bit uneasy if you are going after his/her job (good intimidation tactic).
Well, here are my responses to those objections. First, it is best to not use your whole mission statement, just the part related to your career and add or delete just enough filler to allow your competence and professionalism to shine through while still allowing your spirit and values to underpin your efforts. Next, if you have not written your mission statement, it is time to wake up! The corporate world is passing you by. But, on a more serious note, if you do not know where you are going, then what difference does it make if you get this job or another one. You have to have an end in mind to make your efforts worthwhile. Lastly, you don't want to work for someone who doesn't support you possibly taking on their job someday. If they are not actively looking for their own replacement, there is a chance that you will work in an environment that is stagnant and/or dominated by micro-management and fear-based motivation tactics.
So, there are my thoughts on the "objective" portion of the resume. Time to considerate it invaluable and certainly unreliable!
Would love to hear your responses to this thought...
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1 comment:
I love this idea because I think it presents a true opportunity to brand myself and set myself apart. However, in my field of accounting, I am afraid that my prospective accounting manager just would not be able to grasp this at all and see how insightful it could be, due to the methodical and habitual personality type of an accountant. Is this new wave of Objective writing, then, for certain professions, but not others?
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