Some resume writers forget entirely to include statements of job objective in resumes or in letters of application. Such omissions simply make more work for the readers, forcing them to figure out what is wanted or what work would be suitable. Some readers may not have the time or patience to create a job match within their organizations unless there is a clear statement of intention or job objective. A resume lacking a job objective represents a very weak sales approach and casts doubt in the mind of the reader about the writer.
An excellent technique for displaying a job objective is to present it as a distinct section immediately below the resume title. Most of the sample resumes have their job objectives displayed in this position. These job-objective sections do not happen to have section headings featuring the words "job objective." If you would like to use such a caption, however, that is perfectly acceptable.
Even though you state the job objective as a distinct section below the title, you can repeat key elements of that section in the resume title to beef up the opening. Most of the sample resume titles do contain both the names of the resume writers and repeated job-objective information.
To save the reader's time, your job-objective section should be written in partial rather than whole sentences. Furthermore, the words used should be positive and descriptive nouns and action verbs that radiate self-confidence and self-assurance.
When you know that positions are available for a person with your credentials, be as specific as possible in stating your immediate job goal. Those who make very broad and all-encompassing job-objective statements reveal indirection and uncertainty. How would you react to the following job-objective statement: "I want to obtain a position that will allow me to utilize my skills and achieve my potential"? If your reaction to this is "just a lot of empty words," you might be repeating something said by any number of employment representatives. Although typed to look like a job objective, the statement is meaningless to a reader attempting to determine what the writer wants.
How general can a job-objective statement be before it begins to lose too much meaning? A job objective must be sufficiently narrow in scope and specific in content to help an employment representative use it for selecting possible job opportunities for the applicant and to answer the basic question "What do you want?"
Many job applicants have broadly based job credentials and could easily fill a number of positions within their industries. You can tailor your job-objective statement to fit your field or the organization for which you wish to work.
The problem of dull and drab section headings does not occur with functional resumes. That is because these section headings by definition describe particular key job capabilities. Once the wording has been chosen, you are ready to construct the section headings. As in most of the sample resumes, you may effectively highlight your section headings by typing them in initial capital letters, underscored and centered above the sections, or by typing them flush with the left-hand margin and just above the sections. In addition, you may type your section headings on the left side of the page with the corresponding sections on the right side. Finally, you may want each section heading to stand out boldly.
The resume title and section headings are important resume items that can significantly enhance the impressiveness of your job resume when developed properly. Be aware of their importance, the language that should be used, and the manner of their construction. Produce captions that are not dull and vague but, rather, are positive and interesting, and you will be giving yourself extra pulling power needed to create an effective sales-oriented resume.
A few examples of:
Experience Headings
- MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE WITH BALBOR SYSTEMS CORPORATION
- PROGRESSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE RECORD
- POSITIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS WITH SOUTHERN LINE
- PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT WITH AMERICAN ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
- RELEVANT MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
- SUCCESSFUL MARKETING MANAGEMENT WITH ARCAN ENTERPRISES
- BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT PROFILE
- JOB EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS
Education Headings
- PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION
- COLLEGIATE AND MILITARY ENGINEERING TRAINING
- BROADLY BASED EDUCATION
- FIRM BUSINESS FOUNDATION
- FORMAL ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- MARKETING EMPHASIS IN EDUCATION
- CONTINUAL SELF-IMPROVEMENT THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATION
- EXTENSIVE FORMAL EDUCATION
Other Pertinent Resume Sections
In addition to the important resume sections, there may be other possible sections that could enhance your favorable image. These sections can use the following captions:
- Professional Associations
- Honorary Memberships and Listings
- Professional Publications
- Publications in Progress
- Seminars, Workshops, and Consultations
- Professional Speaking Engagements
- A non-designated "Interests and Hobbies" section near the very end
Yet for most of the sample resumes, the introduction, experience, education, and personal sections make up the bulk of the resume. In deciding upon other pertinent sections for inclusion in your resume, be sure that this information will be interesting and helpful to your case and not merely add verbiage and lengthiness to your resume presentation.
If you have outstanding samples of work, publications, reviews by authorities, or an attractive portfolio of impressive accomplishments, you should seriously consider carrying these with you to your interviews and showing them if appropriate. In addition, you may want to mention, near the end of your resume, that samples of your work can be furnished upon request.