OBJECTIVE ON YOUR RESUME

Putting a Career Objective On Your Resume

I am often asked as to whether or not a Career Objective should be included on a resume.  My standard answer is: It depends on where you are in your career.  I have seen circumstances where an Objective can actually do more harm than good.  For example, many people start their Objective with the words, “I am looking for..etc.”  Generally, resumes are not written in the first person, and to open a resume with those words violates that premise.  I’ve also seen candidates send a resume with an Objective totally different from the job they are pursuing.  For example, I have seen candidates apply for a startup company with an Objective stating:  “To work for an ESTABLISHED medical company where I can grow and contribute to the success of the company.”  So the VP of this startup sees that the candidate wants to work for an established company and concludes that this candidate is not appropriate for the position.  Another Objective indicates that the candidate is  “seeking a Regional MANAGEMENT position” while they are applying for a sales position.  Candidate rejected – end of story.

There are circumstances where an Objective is appropriate.  An entry level candidate who is laser-focused on pursuing a career in medical sales should put an Objective on the resume for no other reason to indicate that a career path has been chosen.  Just don’t say that you are looking for a pharmaceutical position if you are applying for a medical position- (believe it or not, they are two different fields). Just make sure that your Objective is short and to the point.

Overall, for a veteran medical recruiter, an Objective is not necessary. The fact that you are sending your resume for a particular opening indicates your interest in the opening and that you have already chosen a career path.  In this case, an Objective only takes up space and adds to the overall wordiness of the resume.