How to Write a Resume Objective (with Samples)

When writing your resume, it’s important to use the right CV format, and you will likely start by writing a resume objective. This gives recruiters a snapshot into your professional career, and the career narrative you offer potential employers. 

In this article, we dive into the details of a Resume Objective, and a modified version we recommend clients at ResumeWriter called an Executive Summary. We will cover:

• What is a Resume Objective?
• Why Use a Resume Objective?
• What is the Difference between a Resume Objective and Executive Summary?
• Who can benefit from an Executive Summary?
• Resume Objective 101: How to Start Writing an Executive Summary

What is a Resume Objective?

A resume objective is a short and specific statement that defines your current professional goals and why you want to work for that organisation. A well-written one can help to set the tone and focus for the rest of the resume.

Why Use a Resume Objective?

A resume objective fulfils multiple objectives that help you in your job application.

First, it draws the attention of the hiring manager and makes them want to read on.

Next, a resume objective helps the hiring manager understand how your skills and experience fits the position, and why they should hire you.

Finally, a resume objective highlights key information not found anywhere else in your resume. For instance, you might be pursuing a position in a completely different industry, and you need to make it clear why you are applying to a different role.

What is the Difference between a Resume Objective and Executive Summary?

At ResumeWriter, we recommend clients expand beyond the traditional Resume Objective by using an Executive Summary instead.

An Executive Summary refers to 2 to 3 bulleted points to offer a compelling overview of your career and achievements. Executive Summaries look like this:

• Accomplished professional with extensive experience in project management and team leadership.
• Skilled in developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive business growth and improve operational efficiency.
• Strong communicator and collaborator with a track record of building relationships with clients, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to deliver successful outcomes.

In contrast, a Resume Objective is a one paragraph introduction about yourself at the start of your resume. It looks like this:

Skilled Sales Director with 20 years of experience within the oil & gas industry and large service providers including Saudi Aramco, SINOPEC and Eneos Holdings. Possesses deep expertise in key industrial technologies such as offshore and onshore equipment, pipelines and subsea technology. Proficient in client relationship management (CRM), sales pipeline development and managing business with proven ability to lead B2B sales team of 55+. Secured YOY growth of 20% and 15% increased market share from 2017 to 2019 by identifying and targeting emerging markets in Vietnam and Indonesia. Also established sales contracts with a strong recurring revenue pipeline valued at over USD 200M from previously dormant accounts – ABC Engineering and XYX Technologies.

While an Executive Summary and Resume Objective look different, they fulfil the same purpose: They help applicants establish their career narratives and a summary of their career history. 

So why do we recommend using an Executive Summary instead of a Resume Objective?

Because the bullet point formats keep your work experiences concise and easy to read.

This helps recruiters process your career history better, and understand your qualifications clearer.

Who can benefit from an Executive Summary?

An Executive Summary can benefit different types of jobseekers. These include:

• Fresh Graduates
• Mid-Career Workers
• Jobseekers Looking to Relocate

If you are a fresh graduate, an experienced worker looking to make a mid-career switch, or a job seeker looking to relocate, including a resume objective would be very helpful.

From demonstrating your enthusiasm for the role to why your past working experience is relevant to the position, including one shows why you are keen to grow with the company and how your long-term career goals align with the position.

Being the first thing that a Hiring Manager reads, you want to make it impactful and attention grabbing.

Key information to include would be a brief professional description of yourself, your skill set and how you can help the company achieve its targets or why you want to work there. 

Executive Summary Examples

Even if you have little experience, an executive summary can sum up what you have to offer. Here are some sample Executive Summaries for professionals at different career levels:

Fresh Graduate Executive Summary/Resume Objective Example

• Highly driven and enthusiastic graduate with an MBA in Marketing looking to work as a Business Development Executive in the Telecommunications industry.
• Strong project manager capable of managing multiple projects.
  Deep understanding of how to generate leads and increase revenue.
• Produced a final year project which was selected for the University’s Business Case challenge and was awarded the first prize.

Mid-Career Jobseeker Executive Summary/Resume Objective Example

• Certified applications software developer with strong background in Java, SQL and Python seeking an enriching role in a technology startup developing mobile applications.
• Extensive experience in writing code, problem-solving and collaboration with proven ability to deliver projects with tight budgets and constraints.
• Adept in all aspects of project lifecycle management, from planning, requirements gathering to development, delivery and troubleshooting.
• Secured USD$500,000 savings under budget on mobile deployment project for ABC Company, by streamlining functions and reducing unnecessary caseloads

Executive Summary/Resume Objective Example for Experienced Engineer

• Qualified Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert with 12 years of experience in designing, developing, and building a range of communication networks across Asia-Pacific.
• Adept at designing, managing and implementing networks and system architecture of multi-vendor infrastructure comprising network routers, switches, wireless controllers, wireless access points and systems.
• Managed wireless managed services for medium to large enterprise clients across Technology, Healthcare and Energy industries.
• Designed, implemented and managed a multi-network WAN / VoiP environment across 5 different ASEAN countries.
• Reduced 10 man hours per week by creating a ticketing system to develop test cases and conduct proof of concept tests on new software and hardware prior to project deployment.

Executive Summary/Resume Objective Example for Account Executive

• Detailed-oriented Accounts Executive with 6+ years experience in financial and management reporting looking to join an established healthcare organisation
• ACCA-qualified and has expertise in managing a full set of accounts, including AP, AR and GL functions
• Familiar with all local and regional tax filing regulations and able to prepare and manage audit schedules.
• Spearheaded implementation of Oracle HFM Consolidation System and incorporation of Notes to Accounts format into standard operating procedures to decrease subsidiary reporting lapses and eliminate human error by 100%.

Executive Summary/Resume Objective Example for Jobseekers seeking Relocation

• Senior software developer with Masters in Computer Science and 7+ years experience in Silicon Valley companies looking to move to Tokyo in January.
• Proficient in designing and developing initiative full-stack enterprise web applications, applying solid design principles and software design patterns across multiple technology stacks.
• Strong project manager, capable of directing teams of 20+, overseeing projects valued at US$10M and demonstrated ability to execute projects according to schedule and budget.
• Designed and implemented a legacy system reconfiguration project for a large e-commerce enterprise, reducing transaction time by 15% and increased maximum transaction volume by 20%.
• Completed Phase 1 and 2 development lifecycle of a proprietary sales reporting system in 9 months, used by 200L end users across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

These resume objectives examples are also referred to as an executive summary, with the words sometimes being interchangeable.

Your objective statement needs to be clear and concise, which is why reducing it down to bullet points can help you to stand out. Hiring managers are busy people, so resume objective statements need to summarise your

Resume Objective 101: How to Start Writing an Executive Summary

1.   Customise Your Content for the Position

Go through the job advertisement carefully and pick out skills or requirements that match yours and write one specific to the job role. For instance, if you are a teacher, highlight your teaching experience including subjects and levels taught. With an objective specific to the job role, the recruiter would likely want to know more about you.

2.   Keep Your Content Short

Many hiring managers and headhunters read only the Executive Summary before deciding whether to move on with a resume or CV. Therefore, include only the key information that they will find interesting. Think of it as a short summary of you as a professional. 

Remember that an executive summary with a resume objective is a teaser of your full profile so it is critical that it is attention grabbing and impactful. 

3.   Showcase your soft skills

Project management skills are important. Online marketing skills are important. But also important are the soft transferable skills that you’ve acquired from your experience.

Besides the obvious technical skills such as an ability to code and ability to manage a full set of accounts, it’s also a good idea to talk about your soft skills. You can mention attributes such as having strong problem-solving abilities, or being highly motivated and a great team player.

4.   Talk about your skills, qualifications, and education

In this section, you can highlight the key skills, knowledge, and experience that would interest the company. For instance, if you are applying for a position as an electrical engineer, you might wish to highlight your Master of Science degree in Power Engineering.

5.   Show how you can bring value to the company

Finally, showing how you can help the company solve a particular problem will increase the likelihood of you being selected over for the next round. An example could be writing a software program that could improve their business processes seven-fold. 

6. Be Realistic

You can highlight your experience and achievements in your Executive Summary. However, avoid exaggerating them as this does not reflect well on you and might even cause the recruiter to reject your application. 

7. Avoid Complicated Jargon

Avoid using technical and confusing terms in your executive summary and resume objective. Excellent communication skills include the ability to explain complex situations in simple terms, and your resume should do this too.

8. Quantify Where Possible

Numbers give your experiences more weight with fewer words. Including metrics relevant to the position personalises your achievements for the hiring manager and helps you stand out from the competition. Always substantiate your claims with metrics.

Most Common Questions about Resume Objectives

Conclusion

As you search for your next job, don’t forget to check out our handy guide on how to write a killer CV or resume that will impress the hiring manager.

If you need help putting together a resume objective that covers all the essential information that a potential employer needs to know, sign up for our CV Writing Package.

Or if you have an executive summary with a resume objective but not sure if it works, feel free to run it by our resume experts using our free resume analysis service, who will review and share tips on how to improve it.