Sample Resume Objectives: Read, Dont Copy

The resume objective statement is typically something that trips people up.

Confronted by the silent challenge of the blank page, most folks Google for "sample resume objectives". They hope that'll help.

Probably not.

I say that because sample resume objectives often are like sample resumes, or sample cover letters, or sample anything. They're samples. They aren't exactly what you need. They're fine for generating ideas, I suppose, but they come with a temptation.

Remember that apple affair in Eden? Well, the serpent made an attractive offer, and swept the downside under the rug. Adam and Eve went along. It seemed okay at the time.

The temptation with sample resume objectives is to copy them. You know, copy and paste? That's not necessarily evil, but it's often a lazy way out. Nobody will ever know, right? Maybe, maybe not.

Maybe nobody has ever said this to you before exactly this way, but you need to hear it. Your resume needs to be all yours. It's fine to get ideas from samples, but it's unwise to copy them.

The way I describe this to people is that your resume needs to talk like you do.

By all means, put your best foot forward. A resume isn't supposed to be conversational. It's supposed to be professional. It'll be at least a little more polished than the typical lunchroom chat.

But if you don't use the word "conceptualized" in normal speech, and you can't define it off the top of your head, you probably don't want it on your resume.

The same goes for sample resume objectives.

If you copy and paste a sample resume objective (or work experience, or qualifications, or anything), at least make sure you know what all the words mean. Maybe change the order of the points in there. Replace words you don't know with equally good ones you do. Learn to love your thesaurus (but don't go for weird words).

In other words, own your objective.

Remember, your resume should be selling you, not some mythical person writing checks your real-life performance can't cash. Don't set yourself up for failure.

(c) Copyright 2005 by Roy Miller

An article by Roy Miller, creator of http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com. A quick, successful job search is about more than copying sample resume objectives. Go here to find a simple technique to analyze any sample resume objective you find online: Sample Resume Objectives -- Stick With The Good Stuff. And if you liked this article, be sure to sign up for Roy's free weekly newsletter.

This article may be reprinted for use in newsletters and on websites provided that this information box is kept intact. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: roy@job-search-guidepost.com.

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:11:53 GMT SCENARIOS: Challenges for Obama intelligence team - Reuters SCENARIOS: Challenges for Obama intelligence team Reuters - 36 minutes ago WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama on Friday named retired Adm. Dennis Blair to oversee US spy agencies as director of national intelligence, and chose former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta as CIA director. Obama completes national security team The Associated Press Pelosi on Panetta: ''Impeccable judgment, unquestioned integrity'' San Francisco Chronicle USA Today - MSNBC - Voice of America - Bloomberg all 3,238 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:19 GMT Boston fire truck smashes into building; 4 injured - The Associated Press NECN Boston fire truck smashes into building; 4 injured The Associated Press - 1 hour ago BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Fire Department says a ladder truck has crashed into a high-rise apartment building, injuring at least four firefighters. Fire truck crashes into Boston building NECN Boston firefighter killed when truck crashes into building Boston Globe Boston Channel.com - My Fox Boston - WWLP 22News - WTEN all 269 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:01:03 GMT Ukraine limits gas consumption as cut-off bites - Reuters ABC News Ukraine limits gas consumption as cut-off bites Reuters - 1 hour ago By Pavel Polityuk and Guy Faulconbridge KIEV, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine limited gas supplies to industrial customers on Friday to ensure the pipeline system remained operational, the latest sign that the dispute is starting to further sap Ukraine's ... Video: Ukraine is blackmailing us Putin RussiaToday Europe Kept Waiting for Gas Voice of America Bloomberg - Financial Times - Monsters and Critics.com - BBC News all 8,375 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:08:44 GMT US lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008 - International Herald Tribune The Associated Press US lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008 International Herald Tribune - 2 hours ago By Louis Uchitelle NEW YORK: US employers shed 2.6 million jobs in 2008, the worst year since 1945, the government reported Friday, and a rapidly deteriorating economy promises more significant losses ahead. Video: Jobless Rate Jumps to 7.2 Percent in December AssociatedPress Unemployment hits 7.2 percent Bizjournals.com Washington Post - MarketWatch - Forbes - TheStreet.com all 2,018 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:56:06 GMT Report: COBRA cost outweighs Florida jobless benefit - Bizjournals.com ABC News Report: COBRA cost outweighs Florida jobless benefit Bizjournals.com - 1 hour ago Florida is one of nine states in which the average premium for COBRA, providing health care coverage for laid-off workers and their families, equals or exceeds the average unemployment benefits, according to a study by Families USA. Unemployed: Out of Luck, Out of Health Care ABC News Health insurance no bargain for unemployed: group Reuters The Associated Press - Asheville Citizen-Times - Sun-Sentinel.com - CBS News all 164 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:59 GMT UN agency to resume Gaza aid work - BBC News WELT ONLINE UN agency to resume Gaza aid work BBC News - 1 hour ago The UN aid agency Unrwa is to resume operations in Gaza as soon as possible after receiving assurances on safety from Israel, a spokeswoman said. Video: Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel france24english UN aid chief disappointed Gaza truce call ignored Reuters New York Times - The Associated Press - Xinhua - Aljazeera.net all 39,172 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:09 GMT Palin: Media Portrayal Would Be 'Prettier' If She'd Been Dem VP ... - ABC News ABC News Palin: Media Portrayal Would Be 'Prettier' If She'd Been Dem VP ... ABC News - 39 minutes ago By LEE FERRAN Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is still fuming over the coverage she received during the presidential campaign and claims that if she were from a different "class" or political party, the her coverage would have much "prettier. Palin: Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox? Washington Post Finally! Sarah Strikes Back at the Mainstream Media FOXNews The Associated Press - People Magazine - E! Online - Wall Street Journal Blogs all 621 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:32:12 GMT RSS Parser Increase Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Nine Ways to Tell Youre Ready for a Promotion

So you noticed the new job board posting on your... Read More

How To Get A Job Writing Speeches

Jobs in speech writing are amongst the most difficult to... Read More

How I Joined the Outsourcing Revolution

Mention "outsourcing" to a programmer and you may as well... Read More

Become an LPN, the Fast Path to a Nursing Career

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) CareersLicensed Practical Nurses provide the most... Read More

Has ADHD Put Your Career in Danger? 3 Steps to Get You Back on Track

"Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's... Read More

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

How long has it been since you last had to... Read More

Defining Success Your Way!

In my career advising practice, I often find that my... Read More

Is Job Loss Making You Sick?

Job loss affects most of us like any other loss... Read More

Power Resumes ? Writing Your Objectives

A powerful resume starts with a good statement of objective.... Read More

5 Simple Rules for A Great Job Interview

Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn,... Read More

Looking for a Qualified Medical Billing Specialist

Families, mothers, employers, and medical practices all interact in one... Read More

Diplomats and Spies

"The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an... Read More

Interview Preparation

The dreaded job interview is the Number 1 source of... Read More

Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want

Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More

Managing Change -- Endings Are Just Doorways to New Beginnings

Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More

10 Key Career Success Questions

At some point in every professional or managerial career, there... Read More

The Interview - A Few Tips for Making a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Using Keywords to Find Legitimate Telecommuting Job Leads

Many people are choosing telecommuting as an option to bring... Read More

When Should You Update Your Job Skills?

With the U.S. economy still slumping and unemployment numbers barely... Read More

Is it a Scam?

I wanted to quit my job. So I decided to... Read More

Hair Dressing as a Career

Since the world started hair has been a very important... Read More

Hospital Staff at Great Risk of Attack and Injury Whilst at Work

There are millions of people working extremely hard every day... Read More

Ten Careers For High School Seniors Who Hate School

Let's face it?not everybody likes going to school and high... Read More

Building a Solid Network

A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to... Read More

Job Search 101

The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at... Read More