| This is a very personal decision to make and | | | | communicate. |
| therefore the person best qualified to take that | | | | 4. Does your objective put you in a positive light? |
| decision is you. Here are a few thoughts that you | | | | Some personal objectives can be a positive turn |
| should consider in deciding whether you should put | | | | off to prospective employers, even though they |
| your objective on your resume. | | | | may be about something you are passionate |
| 1. Is it relevant to the job applied for? | | | | about. I once read a personal objective in a |
| If your personal objective is very specific to a | | | | resume that talked about how it had been the |
| particular industry and sector, then think about it's | | | | person's ambition to keep sheep and learn about |
| relevance to the job you are applying for. For | | | | caring for animals. This resume was being sent in |
| example is your objective is to find employment | | | | for a computing job! Statements like this in the |
| within the airline sector, how will it be received if | | | | wrong context can leave an employer feeling that |
| you leave it on your resume when applying for a | | | | you are strange or eccentric, even if you are |
| job in computing? They may feel that you are | | | | passionate about that pastime. |
| unlikely to stay with the company if a better | | | | If you do decide to put your objective on your |
| offer comes along from an airline company a few | | | | resume then consider using an approach to |
| months or a few years later. | | | | objective setting called SMART. This is used in a |
| 2. Does your objective communicate something | | | | number of industries. |
| about your character | | | | 1. Specific - Keep your objective to the point and |
| "I am an enthusiastic career driven individual with | | | | don't waffle. |
| a strong team emphasis who excels in embracing | | | | 2. Measurable - Is your objective something that |
| tough new challenges and is able to motivate | | | | can be easily measured. I.e using the term |
| others towards achieving a common purpose." | | | | hardworking in your objective, can be measured |
| This example objective lays out its intentions and | | | | by your output at work. |
| provides an employer with insight into the | | | | 3. Achievable - Is your objective something that |
| individual's work ethic which could be very | | | | you can achieve even if it is a challenge |
| appealing to them. Think about using your own | | | | 4. Realistic - Is your objective realistic and within |
| personal objective to communicate some | | | | the boundaries of possibility |
| important details about your character that would | | | | 5. Time bound - Is there a timescale you can put |
| be beneficial to an employer. | | | | on achieving your objective? |
| 3. Does your objective have a clear meaning | | | | Summary |
| Sometimes personal objectives can make sense | | | | As discussed previously the decision to place your |
| to the person writing it but no sense at all to the | | | | objective on your resume rests with you, but this |
| reader. Ensure that if you intend to use a personal | | | | article has attempted to provide some thought |
| objective you ask a friend to read it to check | | | | provoking questions to aid you in the process. |
| they understand what you are trying to | | | | |