Entry Level Resume Objective Statement: The Most Important Feature of Your Resume

Steven Rothberg

August 7, 2006

Entry level job seekers often write terrible resume objective statements and sometimes don’t even write them at all. While it is true that some employers ignore them, it is also true that far more employers will ignore the entry level job seeker who fails to include a specific objective statement at the top of their resume.
Let’s start by talking about entry level resume objective statements that are poorly written and move onto well written entry level resume objective statements. Far too many entry level job seekers write that they are “seeking a position with a growing organization that will allow me to use my talents and skills.” Well, who isn’t seeking that type of a position? Who wants to work with a failing organization that refuses to use your talents and skills?
Entry level resume objective statements need to be clear and concise. If you can’t figure out what job you want, then how can you expect a stranger to match you up with the appropriate position? Some candidates mistakenly believe that recruiters have all of the time in the world to infer from a one page document what position would be best suited to an applicant and vice versa. Wrong. Recruiters typically spend about 10 seconds scanning a resume. If they can’t immediately tell what position you are applying to and whether you appear to be headed, then your resume will be headed for the round file (the trash).
Your objective statement has to be clear and concise. If someone told you not to use an objective statement because it is too limiting, that person is not connected with the entry level job market. You must be specific and directed. Period.
Entry level resume objective statements should clearly and concisely indicate the following:

Job Type (ie., Accountant, Electrical Engineer)
Industry (i.e., Retail, Banking, Insurance)
Geography (i.e., Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Portland metro area)

Want some examples of well written entry level resume objective statements?

Seeking an entry level staff accountant position with a public accounting firm in Texas.

Seeking an entry level management trainee position with a large retailer in the New York City metropolitan area.

Seeking an entry level reporter position with a major news daily. Open to relocation and will pay own re-location expenses.