Objective vs. Summary vs. Headline
Which do you recommend for most student résumés: Objective Statement, Summary/Profile, or Headline? Under which circumstances would each be most advantageous? Have you found any circumstances where one is a poor choice?
I tend to not use the Objective Statement. I have come to see our employers focusing more on the education and any volunteer experience to match who they are looking for.
I fined that summary profile is more suitable for our graduates.
Until taking this module I only knew of the Objective Statement, but as a hiring manager I had noticed resumes come in that had summaries and/or headlines. I always felt that the objective statement was inadequate. Even thought students are applying for entry level jobs I think it is important for them to recognize and state how their skills will benefit the company. Additionally students tend to use the boiler plate stand objective which is easily passed over as ineffective.
I find myself often suggesting using a "hybrid" between the headline and the summary. I think the headline can catch the eye of the employer and start the thinking process as to a potential fit. Following then with the summary gives an applicant the opportunity to go into detail about their qualifications. I feel like this can be a stronger and more targeted approach vs. the objective.
Hi Margaret,
Many say when they use objectives, their students focus on what they want vs. what they offer of relevance and value. What have you found and how do you help guide students in this regard?
Robert Starks Jr.
I recommend an objective statement. I have found it best to state the position they are applying for and include skills that would be applicable to this position.
For most of our upcoming graduates, an objective statement is the method selected. The main reason for this is that the majority of our students/graduates do not yet have proven experience (sales, increased clientele, etc) in the field. For those few that have worked in similar areas and are adding to their reportoire, then I love to have them use an eye-catching Headline, such as "Top Sales Representative for 2014". The objective statement is a poor choice for someone who already has earned and proven accolades like that beneath their belt.
Hello Kristine,
I think it's a good approach to teach students to be prepared. You're right - some employers want cover letters while others don't. I think this is yet another example of why the most common answer I have when people ask me how they should prepare their marketing collateral is "it depends." We must teach students to adapt their strategies based on a number of variables. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Robert Starks Jr.
I generally recommend students include an objective at the beginning of their resume but after completing the course to this point and reading other comments I'm beginning to think about the other options mentioned according to the students or graduates background and experience. I am also an advocate for a good cover letter but I've spoken to employers who don't mind if a cover letter is included or not. To them the resume is the most important. Saying that, I recommend students have a cover letter ready when necessary. kriss grove
Personally even with my students who don't have much experience, I am trying to have them focus on what they bring to the table rather than focusing on a single job title. If they do use an objective I suggest that they incorporate additional statements showing what they will contribute.
I do think that clarity is important and I can see how a headline could be useful in defining yourself to the reader.
I think that in most cases all of the options are flexible in how they can be fashioned to capture the reader's attention.
Hi Vanessa,
Good questions. Great marketing collateral can always help set a candidate apart including cover letters. We see they are still requested and they have been a long-time practice, thus, are not likely to just vanish any time soon. Rather than think in absolutes such as (Don't use cover letters because they are outdated OR Use cover letters because they are better at differentiating candidates than resumes) - I think we need to focus more on teaching students strategy and the importance of research to tailor their marketing package to the audience. We must also help students understand that collateral works together so they are not to be viewed as mutually exclusive. For instance, a resume is great but including a link on the resume to a portfolio website gives the employer another opportunity to engage with your brand and learn more about you. Certainly, a cover letter can provide this opportunity as well.
The truth is, there is no way to know the exact preferences and behaviors of the particular employer unless you have a very close relationship or some way to gather "inside" information. Thus, I personally believe one should use all marketing opportunities available to achieve their career goals. My previous point was only that to assume the employer will actually read the cover letter would be a mistake. Rather, it is best to not assume because there is no way of knowing - thus, don't choose to leave important information off the resume.
Does that make sense? Thanks for the question and discussion!
Robert Starks Jr.
I didn't know some of the background of cover letters, but it leads me to a question.
Do you think cover letters are outdated? I always thought a well-written, concise cover letter could actually set a candidate apart. And also allow the student to emphasize skills and experiences not readily apparent on the resume. Especially if the student is moving from one field to another.
Is this no longer the case?
I actually like our students to try and write a summary or even a professional profile.
As has been stated in this discussion, most students tend to make an Objective statement too general and also focus on what they want vs. what they can bring to the employer.
A vague objective statement, to me, is just taking up valuable space on a resume. It's crucial that every bit of space on a resume is used to the maximum effectiveness.
I also think a professional profile can be used even if the person hasn't been in the field they are looking for a job in. I think that even a different field can bring professional skills that can transfer to other industries.
I understand the reason why others say they have students use an objective statement (to show the employer what job they student is applying for), but I also think the employer is already aware of the position being applied for because of the education of the student, or if the student has written a cover letter, the position will be stated in the letter.
Hi Jennifer,
I appreciate your emphasis on personalizing one’s career-marketing collateral. You said it best – “…A cover letter specifically written to each individual employer is more professional.†Of course, the same is true for resumes, as they too should be tailored for specific positions. This raises an interesting question about the purpose of the summary or objective section of a resume and how it should be used…with or without a cover letter. But before we dive into that question, consider this:
- Cover letters were “invented†years ago when resumes were not so easy to adapt because they were typed with a typewriter. Cover letters served as the personalized document that supplemented these static resumes so the job seeker did not have to retype the resume.
- Twenty years ago, recruiters had a bit more time to read documents because most people submitted resumes via fax, mail, or in-person. Today, technology has changed everything and most jobs are advertised online, which makes it easy for hundreds or even thousands of resumes to be submitted to the employer at the click of a button. That is why, on average, very few recruiters actually read documents anymore…they just scan them. The latest research indicates that 6 seconds is the average amount of time recruiters will spend scanning your resume.
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS’s) perform most of the screening functions for employers and less than 10% of cover letters are scanned by these systems. Additionally, more than 80% of HR staff (hiring managers and recruiters) read the resume first.
Considering all of this information, the summary or objective section of a resume is important because it contributes to the reader’s first impression when scanning a resume. It is not merely a section that indicates for which position the candidate is applying, but also an opportunity to market one’s brand and highlight one’s most marketable features that pertain to the job. If a candidate thinks that this is unnecessary because a cover letter has been submitted, then he/she is assuming that it is guaranteed that the cover letter will be read. This would be a fundamental mistake.
Robert Starks Jr.
Since part of the students' grade is to turn in a coverletter with their resume I usually tell them that an objective or summary is repetitive since they already have a coverletter. However, if they just turn in resumes without coverletters to potential employers then a short objective is acceptable.
I still personally feel that a coverletter specifically written to each individual employer is more professional.
Hi Chasminh,
When students use the objective statement, do you find that they tend to focus more on what they want vs. what they offer? What techniques do you use to ensure that even when writing an objective, they focus on communicating what they offer of value and relevance to the employer?
Robert Starks Jr.
During my resume meetings with my students, we discuss identify their goals, qualities and experience, and overall brand as a person entering a new industry. Based on the length of experience and qualities, and commitment to self branding, I would recommend any of the three styles.
If a student has acquired multiple relevant skills to the position they are applying for and they have a strong sense of expressing themselves through written communication, I encourage them to utilize the Summary/Profile technique. If the student lacks experience, the Objective Statement or Headline would be ideal.
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for sharing your strategy. In what ways do you instruct students to demonstrate "cultural fit" on the resume. This can be tricky so I'd like to hear your thoughts on how one does this in the resume.
Regards,
Robert Starks Jr.
Our students are also mostly career changers, but some have relevant industry background. We generally recommend Objectives, but for those with a background a Summary or Profile seems to work better. We work with the students to be sure they use their research on each company to tailor their Objective to the companies' needs and culture. They are discouraged from focusing on their personal goals in the Objective.
I see Students who use a Summary sometimes hide their skills/key words in that paragraph - we like to see the skills really stand out with bullets and columns for our career changers as the employer is not likely to find the new hard skills in the work experience - this is where we focus on soft skills
