To Have or not to Have a job objective on your resume

I recently did a small poll on LinkedIn with people in the Career Management field and asked “Should a resume have an objective on it?” The responses were both for and against and, as one responder put it, there is no right or wrong answer.

Some of the reasons against the job objective were:

• Too narrow a focus for job opportunities
• Many are too wordy, fluffy and meaningless
• The objective is all about you instead of the company
• The hiring authority may dismiss your resume because there is no opening

Some of the reasons for the job objective were:

• It focuses your resume to the job you can do and want to do
• It states who you are in the job market
• It works when you are applying for a specific job
• It respects the reader’s time by stating what you are looking for

Many people are putting a title of the job they are seeking at the top of the resume instead of a job objective such as Customer Service Professional or Staff Accountant to identify what they want to do.

Several responders talked about putting your objective in a Cover Letter.  In my experience cover letters are read after your resume is reviewed and there is interest.  Perhaps that is a topic for another poll.

Finally, what is most important, whether you have a job objective/title or not, is a well written Career Summary at the beginning of your resume. Putting a job objective on your resume is up to you and when you do make sure it is short, specific and has no “Fluff”.

www.dmscareercoach.com

How to create and implement your company target list

One of the most effective job search activity is marketing yourself directly, via the phone, to hiring managers of the companies you WANT to work for.  Here are some tips:

Create the list:
* Start with a list of 20 target companies
* Review Business Journal publications and read company articles to find companies that peak your interests and match your values
* Look on the internet and in the Book of Lists to identify targets
* Find out about the companies your family, friends and the people in your network work for
* Drive around your favorite areas and make note of companies

Preparing the call:
* Get as much info as you can on the company via the internet and networking
* Find the name of the hiring manager by calling the company directly or on-line
* Prepare a script or outline to present yourself
* Write down your intention for each call and visualize the call going well

The call:
* If you reach voice mail, leave a message. When you call back your name will be recognized
* Call at different times of the day, typically hiring managers can be reached early in the morning or after 5 pm.
* Match the tone of the hiring manager while speaking to them, if they speak slowly then you speak slowly and so on
*Be sure to suggest how you will follow-up, such as a call back on a specific date.
The more calls you make the better success you will have, right!

Also:
Submit your resume or the on-line application to HR o to cover all bases
Ask for a referral of other hiring managers in or outside the company

Direct marketing yourself to companies is not the easiest activity but it can be very effective.  So move away from advertised jobs and find the company where you really want to work.

www.dmscareercoach.com