A job objective is a statement that explains to a potential employer what you want from the job. It should be concise, yet thorough enough to give the employer a clear picture of your capabilities. A poorly written objective can make or break your application. In this article, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of writing a job objective, including how to choose the right keywords, write a hook, and conclude with some best practices.
Keywords
As a job seeker, you’ll most likely be applying for a variety of positions. To ensure your resume lands on the right desks, incorporate relevant keywords into your job objective. Remember: The recruiter or hiring manager you’re trying to attract may not be using the same keywords as you are. Before you go on your merry way to finding a job, make sure that your resume’s content matches what the employer is looking for.
Choosing the right keywords is important, but it doesn’t end there. You also need to consider how you’ll use them. For example, if you’re relying on a recruiter to get your foot in the door, you might want to avoid using the words “secret” or “confidential” too frequently. Even in the right context, these words can mean the recruiters aren’t supposed to tell you what’s going on behind the scenes. Instead, they’re there to help you.
Hook
No one wants to read a dull job description. To grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading, you need a hook. A hook is a phrase or sentence that gives the reader a reason to keep reading. Think of a book you’ve read that had an engaging opening line or chapter. That’s a hook.
For example, a recruiter approached me recently about a marketing job in New York City. The position was rather dull, so I didn’t particularly want to read the details. However, the opening line of the description grabbed my attention: “As a Brand Marketing Manager, you’ll be responsible for creating compelling content for various platforms to drive engagement and create demand for our products.”
Now, I’m definitely not a fan of marketing in general, but I do like a good story when it comes to books. It’s a matter of finding the right story for the position you’re applying for. Perhaps you’re an engineer who wants to work in the field of artificial intelligence. In that case, you could use keywords like “Artificial Intelligence,” “Chatbots,” or “Machine Learning” in your job objective. However, make sure that these keywords are used in a positive way. You don’t want to put yourself in a bad light by using the wrong keywords in your job objective.
Best Practices
The earlier you start writing your job objective, the better. Don’t wait until the last minute to throw in some random phrases just because they sound good. The worst thing you can do is write one paragraph, thinking it’s a one-pager, and then find out it’s quite long. Begin by writing a short intro, explaining what you’re applying for. For example, “I’m seeking a product manager position in the marketing department at Company X. I have extensive experience in product management and development, and am looking to take on a similar role at Company X.”
Make sure that your job objective is tailored to the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a product manager position and don’t mention that you have experience in marketing, then you might want to avoid using the word “marketing.” Similarly, if you’re applying for a software engineer position and don’t mention that you have experience in data science, then you might want to avoid using the word “data.” Instead, you could say something like: “I’m a software engineer with experience in building applications that require robustness and flexibility.”
If possible, find out what specific keywords the employer is using in their search and incorporate them into your job objective. This can help you tailor your resume to match the right job. If you get lost in the wording of your job objective, then you might want to seek help from a professional. The last thing you want is to waste your time writing a perfect resume only to find out it doesn’t match the position you’re actually applying for.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this was an informative article. Remember: nobody wants to work with a sour employee, so make sure your resume reflects positive qualities. Also, make sure that your resume’s content matches what the employer is looking for. To be on the safe side, seek help from a professional if you’re unsure of how to write your job objective.