Do I really need an objective statement on my resume?

We address this issue all the time as professional resume writers. When clients send us their resume for a free analysis, more often than not they have an objective statement leading off their resume. Well, what once was the standard is no longer considered as such. In fact, using an objective statement has become a dated trend in resume writing. If you want to bring your resume and essentially your career up-to-date there is a more powerful and results-generating solution to the objective statement. And since so many people are stuck in the objective statement rut, your resume is sure to stand out from the crowd if you go this route instead. So, what should you do instead of an objective statement? To bring your resume to the top of the pile (and keep it out of the garbage cans of hiring managers everywhere) you need to integrate a high-impact personal branding statement and unique summary highlighting your value proposition. I’m betting a lot of you reading this are saying, “Huh?” To help clarify, I’ll show you a before and after example of what I’m talking about. Before: Objective: Seeking a mid-level Human Resources position that allows me to utilize my current knowledge while furthering my expertise to meet company goals. After: Forward-focused Human Resources authority with a broad-based skill set and a strong ability to identify and secure key talent to support corporate growth and initiatives. You might be asking what the difference is besides the wording. Well, in the before example it tells what the candidate wants while in the after example it tells what the candidate can do. Would you really start off your job search by telling a hiring manager what you want? No, you would tell a hiring manager what you would do for them. It’s a subtle but key difference. If you find yourself confused or unsure of how to apply this to your resume it may be time to call in the professionals.