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Commentary > Wastler's Wanderings
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Objection to objectives
Human resource preferences aside, it's time to get the silly 'objective' out of resumes.
September 22, 2004: 1:55 PM EDT

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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Can we get rid of the whole "objective" thing at the top of resumes? Please?

I say this after a couple of weeks of wading through job applications. Yes, in a sign that the job market really is improving, we've got a couple of openings here at CNNMoney.com. But while the economy may be improving, the bulk of resumes are not.

And it all starts at that silly, silly "objective." Take these from the pile on my desk:

"Objective: A full-time position that will allow me to grow personally and professionally." Well, duh.

"Objective: To work in an environment conducive to utilizing my written, oral and interpersonal communication skills." Well, double-duh.

When you think about it, the objective is pretty obvious the moment you hand over the resume. Writing it out is an exercise in redundancy. Unless, of course, you just need it to psyche yourself up.

"Objective: To defy all the odds by finding a job that I love and that will further my career in a lethargic job market--and have fun doing it!!"

Or to show off your vocabulary skills.

"Objective: An interactive position in the realm of public relations which will utilize my working knowledge of systems management in concatenation with acute writing and problem solving skills."

I can't even pronounce that word.

"Yes, they are pretty silly sometimes," said Brenda Greene, who surveyed various Fortune 500 companies about resume errors for her book, "Get the Interview Every Time," from publisher Dearborn Trade. "But most people in HR like to see an objective or summary that sums up an applicant's skills."

"HR" and "silly" often go together in my mind, but that's just me.

 
More crust? Then click ...

According to Greene, I share a lot of other gripes with Fortune 500 resume-shuffling pros. Like basic spelling, grammar and math errors. Or hype: "Experience: Citron 47 Restaurant and Lounge -- public liaison for food and liquor deliveries."

Waiter, eh?

"When resumes come in, especially in this market, hiring managers aren't looking to find someone ... they are looking to disqualify someone," said Greene. "Errors and hype do that."

You betcha. I toss a lot that way.

I've always kept an "objective" off my resume and relied on the cover letter to let people know I'm interested in working for them. And in all fairness, some of the applications I've received have gone this route ... if a little tersely.

"If you want to consider me for this position, I am willing to consider performing this job for your organization."

Well, it's better than just wanting to grow personally and professionally, I guess.  Top of page


Allen Wastler is Managing Editor of CNN/Money and a commentator on CNNfn and CNN. He can be emailed at wastlerswanderings@turner.com




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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.