change career resume objective

Press Enter to search

How To Write a Resume Objective For a Career Change

Not sure if an objective still belongs on your resume? Here are recruiter-backed tips on how to write an effective resume objective in 2024, with specific advice for career changers.

a year ago   •   8 min read

Job hunting is never easy, but it’s even harder when you’re changing careers. That’s where a modern resume objective comes in. It’s a concise statement at the top of your resume that contextualizes your past experience, signals your intent to change careers, and highlights relevant skills or achievements.

If your first question is, “aren’t resume objectives outdated?” then the answer is yes, but they don’t have to be. Here’s how to write a modern, recruiter-friendly resume objective , with specific advice for people aiming to change careers in 2024 .

Resume objectives vs resume summaries

First, before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, traditional resume objectives are outdated and do not belong on a modern resume.

There are many reasons why, but it basically boils down to the fact that hiring managers want to know what you can do for them, and resume objectives typically focus on what a company can do for you.

But, while traditional resume objectives might be outdated, a modernized version can be a powerful tool for those looking to change careers. This new and improved version, often called a 'resume summary,' can showcase your professional highlights, relevant skills, and your intention to shift careers.

In short, resume objectives are out, and resume summaries are in. So, for the rest of this article, when we’re talking about your resume objective, we’re really talking about your new and improved resume summary.

Do I need a resume objective for a career change resume?

If we're talking about a traditional resume objective, then No. It’s better to remove it and take advantage of the extra space to include more relevant work experience and hard skills.

But if we’re talking about a resume summary, then Yes!

When you’re changing careers, it’s important to include your new/proposed job title somewhere on your resume to get past ATS , and a resume summary is a great place to do that. A summary objective can also help explain to hiring managers why you’re applying for a position that doesn’t directly align with your experience and helps highlight relevant qualifications or recent training.

How to write a career change resume objective

  • Put your objective at the top of your resume, just below your contact information, under the optional title of ‘ Summary .’
  • Include the title of the job you’re applying for and the company name.
  • Mention any relevant skills or experience you can bring to the role, including any impressive accomplishments you want to highlight.
  • Keep it brief — a resume objective can be as short as a single line.
  • Tailor your objective to the job you’re applying for by mentioning relevant transferable skills.
  • Check whether you’ve hit the mark with our free Targeted Resume tool.

Now let's delve into more details about what your resume objective should (and shouldn’t) include, with examples you can use to create your own career change resume objective.

Examples of resume objectives for a career change

A resume objective doesn’t need to be complicated. A single line explaining what role you’re applying for can be enough to bypass ATS and indicate your intent to a hiring manager. For example:

To become a graphic designer at Kool Grafix, Inc.

When changing careers, it can be useful to highlight any similar experience or transferable skills upfront. For example:

To bring my two years of volunteer experience to the events coordinator role at Inner City Events.

A longer summary-style objective is ideal for career changers who want a little more space to contextualize past experience and highlight any standout accomplishments:

Ex-Sales Associate transitioning into an Administrative Assistant role. Diverse experience resolving customer inquiries, opening accounts and managing schedules. Over 3 years of experience managing teams of 5-15 people. Exceeded sales target by 95% in 2022, winning the Business Store Award.

Follow these examples to write your own objective, or try out our Resume Summary Generator to help get you started.

Do’s and don’ts of writing a resume objective

Let’s start by taking a look at what (and what not) to do when writing a resume objective for a career change.

Don’t: Write a traditional resume objective

Here’s an example of a fairly typical resume objective that recruiters don’t want to see:

To use my excellent people skills to obtain a position that will allow me to grow professionally and reach my fullest potential.

Recruiters don’t care about what you want from them, so don’t focus on that, and avoid buzzwords and vague long-term career aspirations.

Instead, focus on your acomplishments and what you bring to the table. To be effective, your resume objective should highlight relevant experience, quantifiable achievements, and transferable skills. To find out if your resume does just that, upload it to the tool below — it’ll give you a detailed analysis of your career change resume objective and suggestions for improvements.

Do: Be concise and specific

A good resume objective should focus on your specific, short-term professional goals. It should include:

  • The specific position and company you’re applying for
  • The key skills or experience you will bring to the role

That’s it! There’s no need to dive into who you are as a person, why you need a job right now, or what you want out of life.

Here’s an example of a brief but effective resume objective:

To become a sales representative at Elite Motors.

If you want to use your resume objective to highlight transferable skills, you can add more to it — but not too much. For example:

To bring my 5 years of experience in project management to the operations manager role at West Coast Pipeline.

The key is to focus on what rather than why — what job you’re seeking, what company you’re applying to, and what makes you stand out from the rest.

Do: Emphasize metrics and quantifiable achievements

Use metrics and quantifiable achievements to enhance your new resume objective. This approach is particularly effective for career changers as it provides concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments.

For example, instead of simply stating your previous role, mention specific achievements such as “Increased sales by 30% over two years” or “Led a team that successfully completed a major project under budget and ahead of schedule.”

Do: Include a summary of your key qualifications

A summary-style resume objective should:

  • Briefly outline your past experience
  • State any new or relevant qualifications
  • Highlight a few transferable skills or notable accomplishments

Here’s a basic resume summary format you can adapt to fit your situation:

Ex-[Current Job Title] transitioning into an [Future Job Title] role after [completing X relevant certification] and [relevant accomplishment]. Diverse experience [doing X transferrable skill in new job], [Y transferable skill in new job] and [Z transferable skill in new job]. Over 5 years of experience managing global teams of 5-20 people and working with C-Suite executives. [Describe one significant accomplishment in the format of Action Verb + Accomplishment + Metric].

Do: Research and incorporate current industry trends

When crafting your resume objective, demonstrate your up-to-date knowledge and commitment to your new field by researching current trends in your target industry, and incorporating these into your statement.

For example, if you are transitioning to a tech role, mention your familiarity with emerging technologies and new software.

For example:

Ex-project manager transitioning to a software development role with a keen focus on emerging technologies in cloud computing and machine learning. Recently completed a specialized course in AI-driven development.

Do: Keep your resume objective updated and current

As you progress through your career change, it's crucial to keep your resume objective updated, so it accurately represents your current capabilities. Regular updates show your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, which is particularly important for career changers actively acquiring new skills and qualifications.

In this example, the candidate demonstrates how they have actively worked to bridge the gap between their past experience and their new career path:

Ex-project manager recently certified in SEO and digital marketing, with a background in sales management, now seeking to leverage my combined expertise in an online marketing strategist role.

How to identify and highlight transferable skills in your resume objective

As a career changer, one of your most powerful tools is the ability to showcase transferable skills. Transferable skills are competencies that are relevant to a variety of different industries and can include things like leadership, project management, communication, and analytical abilities.

By mentioning transferable skills in your resume objective, you can show potential employers why your seemingly unrelated past experience makes you a great fit for this new role.

To showcase transferable skills in your resume objective:

  • Look at the job description for your desired position and compare the skills to those you've developed in previous jobs, even if they seem unrelated. For instance, project management skills in an IT role can be relevant in a managerial position in another sector.
  • Showcase those skills in a way that explains their relevance to the new industry by changing the terminology to match your desired field or focusing on one particular aspect of a larger role.
  • Highlight your experience with these skills using quantifiable metrics. For example, if your leadership in a previous job led to a 20% increase in team efficiency, mention it.

Here is an example of a resume objective that highlights transferable skills:

Ex-Sales Manager transitioning into an HR Manager role after completing HR CIPD Level 5 certificate. Over 5 years of experience managing global teams of 5-20 people and working with C-Suite executives.

The benefits of including a resume objective when changing careers

Wondering why you should bother including a resume objective at all? Here are a few good reasons:

To confirm that you’re deliberately aiming for a career change

If you’re changing careers, sometimes the first hurdle can be explaining that, yes, you do want this job as a software developer, and no, you didn’t apply by accident. Even a one-line resume objective can help with this — putting the title of the job you’re applying for in your objective can help your resume get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and signal a deliberate intent to change careers.

To address a gap in your resume

You can use your resume objective to address a gap in your resume and negate any potential recruiter concerns regarding your time away from work. Focus on the skills and experiences you gained during the time away by highlighting any training or qualifications you gained, and discuss how the period contributed positively to your career goals.

For example, a marketing professional transitioning to user experience design might mention completing a UX certification and engaging in freelance projects during a career break. This approach demonstrates a proactive attitude and readiness for new challenges, showing potential employers that the gap was a valuable investment in your future career.

To replace (or accompany) a cover letter

Not all positions ask for (or require) a cover letter . Even if you did write one, including a quick line at the top of your resume clearly stating the role you’re applying for can help ensure that your resume ends up in the right place.

To quickly outline your key skills and experience

Recruiters tend to briefly skim resumes rather than carefully reading each section. That means that you’ll want to put the most important information at the top of your resume where it’s more likely to stand out. Use your resume objective to pull out a few key accomplishments from your resume that you don’t want the hiring manager to miss.

Try to include skills that are relevant to the career you want to move into. if you're not sure what skills those are, search for your target role or industry in the tool below.

  • Career Advice

Spread the word

How to say you work well independently on a resume (with examples), resume skill levels: what being proficient really means (and how to prove it), keep reading, how to name drop in a cover letter (without sounding pretentious), how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), why the job you interviewed for was reposted: the complete 2024 guide, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay updated with Resume Worded by signing up for our newsletter.

🎉 Awesome! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Please enter a valid email address

Oops! There was an error sending the email, please try later

change career resume objective

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

change career resume objective

change career resume objective

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume.

  • Benjamin Laker,
  • Vijay Pereira,
  • Abhishek Behl,
  • Zaheer Khan

change career resume objective

Start with a personal statement.

When you’re switching career paths, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on: updating your resume. Crafting a smart resume is key to showing your potential employer why you wish to make a change. While there’s no one right format to write a resume, here are some tips you can follow:

  • Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to the new industry, and why you’re perfect for the job.
  • Next, instead of highlighting your work experience first, showcase the skills you’ve learned throughout your career. That’s because when changing careers, the hiring managers reviewing your application may not always be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a different industry.
  • Below your skills, you can include a more traditional description of your relevant work history. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially if you’ve held a number of positions that don’t highlight any essential skills required for this role.
  • Finally, end with a chronological list of your educational qualifications. You can also include details about any certifications or courses that you may be undertaking that may be relevant to the position you’re interested in.

Ascend logo

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Switching career paths and trying something completely new can open you up to exciting opportunities, help you learn new things, and even earn you more money. But it’s not always easy — especially if you’re looking to move into an entirely different field. Apart from doing your research and unearthing opportunities, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on before you make the leap: updating your resume.

change career resume objective

  • Benjamin Laker is a professor of leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Follow him on Twitter .
  • Vijay Pereira is a professor of strategic and international human capital management at NEOMA Business School.
  • AB Abhishek Behl is an assistant professor of information management at the Management Development Institute Gurgaon.
  • ZK Zaheer Khan is a professor in strategy and international business at the University of Aberdeen.  

Partner Center

Logo for The Wharton School

  • Youth Program
  • Wharton Online

How to Write a Career Change Resume [With Template]

Young woman writing resume on laptop

Starting a career in a new field is exciting, but getting your foot in the door often presents a challenge. If you’re worried about your application being overshadowed by candidates with more experience than you, don’t underestimate the role that a well-written resume can play in the hiring process. Even if you don’t have the work experience an employer is looking for, your resume can effectively convey why you’d be a great fit for the job. 

According to iHire’s 2020 Talent Retention Report , 66% of survey respondents have recently considered changing careers. The report also found that not knowing how to write a career change resume was a commonly cited roadblock for would-be career switchers. 

In this guide, we explain what a career change resume is and how to write one. We’ve also included a free template, so you can get to work on crafting a resume for your dream role.

How to Write a Resume for a Career Change

In general, most best practices for writing a resume also apply to career change resumes. However, there are a few areas you’ll want to be sure to emphasize when writing a resume for a new career path. While a traditional resume focuses heavily on work experience, career change resumes focus more on transferable skills.

In terms of how your resume is structured, a combination resume format may be the way to go. This type of resume places an equal emphasis on both skills and experience. Instead of starting the resume with your work experience, combination resume templates typically begin with an objective and a summary of relevant skills. 

The steps listed below can help you adapt your existing resume into one that is tailored for career switching. 

1. Craft a resume objective  

A resume objective is a short summary of your professional experience, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. 

Resume objectives and summaries are often considered optional, especially if you are trying to save room on your resume, but this section is crucial for those looking to change careers. The hiring manager may not make an immediate connection between your experience and the role you’re applying for, so your resume objective is essential for helping convey why you’re interested in this industry. 

Your objective should be no longer than a couple sentences. If it takes up more than two or three lines on your resume, try to shorten it.

2. Include a skills summary 

If you’re in the midst of changing careers, you’ll want to feature your skills prominently on your resume. In fact, we recommend listing them above your work experience. 

In the skills summary section, list a few skills you want to highlight, and add bullet points underneath each skill that provide examples of when you’ve used this skill. 

Not sure what type of skills to include in this section? Scan the job description for the position you’re applying for and use some of the required skills as your starting point. Some soft skills—such as leadership skills —are applicable for almost any job. Including some of the same keywords as the job description can help ensure that your resume makes it past automatic review filters.

In some situations, you might also choose to make a separate section for “Technical Skills.” In this section, you can briefly list your proficiency with various industry tools or software. This can be a great way to capture additional keywords from the job description, without having to list full examples of when you’ve used each tool. 

3. Focus on the most relevant work experience 

For a career change resume, the work experience section is all about transferable skills. You don’t necessarily need to list all of the responsibilities you had at your old job. Instead, focus on the responsibilities that are the most relevant for the new position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re a customer service representative hoping to land a job in digital marketing, you may choose to narrow in on your ability to find creative solutions for your customers. 

Here are a few tips for describing your work experience:

  • Connect your work experience back to the skills listed in your skills summary section
  • Focus on achievements, providing numbers and data whenever possible
  • Tailor your descriptions to each job you apply for, working in keywords from the job description

If you’re running out of space on your resume, keep in mind that you don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had. Stick to your most recent two or three jobs, and leave older, irrelevant jobs behind. 

Related: How to Successfully Navigate a Midlife Career Change and Avoid a Crisis

4. Highlight your education (including certificates) 

Whether or not your education is directly related to the job you’re applying for, it’s still important to include this section on your resume. If you have limited professional experience, you can bolster your resume with some descriptions of your academic achievements, such as your GPA or relevant coursework you’ve completed. 

For example, imagine you have an undergraduate degree in history and are applying for a role as a business analyst. If you took any courses in business or analytics during college, be sure to mention them. They might not have been a part of your degree, but they show that you’ve had an ongoing interest in understanding how businesses operate. 

If you’ve earned any certificates outside of a degree program, be sure to list these, too. Online programs and certificates offer a way to expand your knowledge in a specific subject area, without the time commitment of a full degree program. They can show employers that you are serious about your professional development and would like to gain more experience in a particular industry. 

Related: Top 10 Most In-Demand Online Courses from Wharton Online Right Now

5. Add in notable projects and accomplishments 

Dedicating a section of your resume to projects and accomplishments isn’t always necessary, but if you’re changing careers or do not have much work experience, this can be a valuable way to round out your resume. You can use this space to highlight any personal achievements that are not directly related to work or school—for example, personal projects, volunteer work, or involvement in industry-related clubs or organizations. 

If you choose to include a section for projects or accomplishments, make sure that everything you list ties back to a key skill or characteristic that is relevant for your desired career path.

Career Change Resume Example 

Now that we’ve covered some tips for creating a resume tailored to a career change, let’s explore an example. We crafted this resume for a customer service representative who is applying for a digital marketing specialist position. 

Name and Contact Information 

Abigail Jacobs 

Philadelphia, PA

267-555-0176 | [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/abigail-jacobs-example

Driven and hardworking professional with a proven track record of increasing customer satisfaction levels. Looking to leverage my problem-solving skills and build upon my 3+ years of customer service experience by transitioning into the digital marketing space.

Professional Skills 

Problem Solving

  • Developed creative solutions for unsatisfied customers at Platinum Auto Insurance and Accelerate Call Center
  • Lead brainstorming sessions with team members to improve customer satisfaction metrics

Communication 

  • 3+ years of experience in customer services roles, frequently communicating with customers both on the phone and over email 
  • Completed a B.A. in Communications and was an active member of the Public Speaking Club while in college 

Organization 

  • Used Excel to organize and track customer service metrics, and compiled these metrics into weekly reports for management 

Technical Skills 

  • Microsoft Word
  • Google Suite 
  • Google Analytics 
  • Google Search Console 

Work Experience

Senior Customer Service Advisor

Platinum Auto Insurance | Sept 2019 – Present

  • Resolved over 100 customer complaints per week, communicating with customers via phone and email 
  • Tracked KPIs for each ticket and delivered weekly customer satisfaction reports for management, consistently exceeding target satisfaction ratings by 5-10%
  • Collaborated with team members to identify creative solutions for customers

Customer Service Representative 

Accelerate Call Center | Jul 2018 – Sept 2019 

  • Responded to 50+ calls per day, answering questions from customers and redirecting to other departments as needed 
  • Demonstrated written communication skills by revamping customer service phone scripts, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction ratings 

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

University of Pennsylvania | Jun 2018

  • Completed courses in advertising and social media

Digital Marketing Certificate 

Wharton Online | Mar 2022

  • Completed a six-week program from The Wharton School
  • Learned about topics such as marketing analytics, customer relationships, social media, and e-commerce marketing 

Personal Projects

Marketing Assistant for Public Speaking Club 

2017 – 2018

  • As a member of the Public Speaking Club at University of Pennsylvania, assisted the club with creating a monthly newsletter
  • Managed social media accounts for the club, consistently posting content and engaging with followers 

Marketing Consultant 

2020 – Present 

  • Assisted a friend with the creation and management of photography business website
  • Used Google Analytics and Google Search Console to measure the performance of website content 

Career Change Resume Template

We’ve adapted this example into three different template formats, with the hope that it can serve as a jumping off point for your own career change resume. Click on the links below to download the template:

  • Microsoft Word .DOCX
  • Google Docs (click on “File > Make a copy” to save to your own Google Docs folder)

Screenshot of an example career change resume

Stand Out From the Crowd With Wharton Online

If you’re looking to switch careers in the near future, an online certificate program can help set you up for success. In addition to gaining valuable insights into a specific industry, you’ll be able to list your certificate on your resume and LinkedIn. This can give you a competitive edge during your job search. 

Wharton Online offers certificate programs in subjects such as leadership and management, asset and portfolio management, and digital marketing. All of our courses are conducted 100% online, giving you the flexibility to complete coursework on your own schedule. Explore our online programs today , or reach out to us with any questions. 

For more tips on how to navigate a career change, download our free guide, “ The Career-Switching Handbook for 30‑Somethings .”

eBook Cover

Download our eBook: The Career-Switching Handbook for 30‑Somethings

Job-hopping is a growing trend among young professionals, and for many good reasons. Download our free eBook, “The Career-Switching Handbook for 30‑Somethings,” for the latest career-switching tips, strategies, and data.

Download the eBook

The Wharton School is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.

The Wharton School is accredited by IACET

75+ Real-Life Resume Objective Examples [+How-to Guide]

Background Image

You’re looking to enter the workforce and find the perfect first job in your chosen field. As you’re scrolling through job boards, mindlessly browsing through countless irrelevant ads, you come across an interesting posting.

There it is—the perfect job!

This is what you’ve been looking for all along.

It’s the job that will ease your student loans, cover your crippling debt, help you figure out the meaning of life, and even get your crush to notice you. 

There’s just one small problem, though.

You’re not sure how to convince the hiring manager that you’re a good fit for the job.

This is where the resume objective comes in.

Done right, a resume objective can win over the hiring manager and show them that you make up for your lack of relevant experience with passion and enthusiasm.

In this article, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about resume objectives, including:

  • What a Resume Objective Is (And Why It Matters!)
  • How to Write the Perfect Resume Objective
  • Real-Life Resume Objective Examples for Every Field

Let’s dive right in.

This guide is part of our larger resume series. If you want to start at the beginning, take a look at our comprehensive guide on how to make a resume .

What is a Resume Objective?

A resume objective is an eye-catching statement of your career intent that’s placed at the top of your resume. Its goal is to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and get them to read the rest of your application.

The resume objective provides a two to three-sentence snapshot of your professional experience, skills, and achievements and aims to explain why they make you the right candidate for the job.

Here’s an example:

resume objective

When Should You Use a Resume Objective?

Resume objectives aren’t that common. If you’re an experienced professional, you’re much better off sticking to a resume summary to describe your top skills and experiences.

That said, there are a few cases when you should stick to a resume objective instead, including:

  • Searching for your first job. Whether you’re a fresh graduate looking for your very first job or a student signing up for your first internship, a resume objective will show the hiring manager that you have the drive to develop your skill set and grow within the company.
  • Making a career change. If you worked as an engineer in an app development company for the past three years and you’re now applying for a marketing job in a start-up, a resume summary just won’t do. A well-written resume objective, on the other hand, can highlight how your current skills are relevant to the position and how enthusiastic you are for this next step in your career.

career masterclass

How to Write a Convincing Resume Objective

Your resume objective can tip the scales in your favor during your job search .

Resume objectives are structured in three main parts:

  • Who you are. You can mention what your level of experience is and why it’s relevant. (E.g.: Recent Finance graduate, looking to kickstart my career in accounting. )
  • What you offer the company. This is where you can highlight skills that would make you a good fit for the job. (E.g.: Proficient in MS Excel, Word, and Mathematics. )
  • How you’ll help the company accomplish its goals. Mention what your goal within the company is. (E .g.: Eager to contribute to Business X’s growth by reducing costs. )

Not too hard, right?

To make things even easier, you can just follow our tried-and-tested resume objective template:

In a nutshell, a resume objective is a great way to draw attention away from your lack of relevant work experience and, instead, show the hiring manager what essential skills and other experiences you have and how they can help you succeed in the company.

(1) [SKILL/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION RELEVANT TO THE JOB WITH JOB TITLE] . Looking to apply my (2) [years/months of EXPERIENCE RELEVANT TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION] at [COMPANY YOU ARE APPLYING TO] , to help (3) [TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES YOU WILL HELP OUT WITH SUCCESSFULLY] . 

In practice, it looks something like this:

  • CPA-certified forensic accountant with demonstrated experience in financial record examination. Looking to apply my 3 years of experience at Company X to help the team at ABC Inc. improve their activity-based accounting techniques in the role of a managerial accountant.

So, basically,  a badly written resume objective is overly generic and doesn’t say anything new about the candidate. But when done right, a resume objective can help your application stand out.

5 Tips for Writing an Awesome Resume Objective

If you follow the formatting we laid out for you, then you’re already 90% ready with your resume objective.

Now, all you have to do is take it to the next level by following these tips:

#1. Tailor Your Resume Objective to the Job

Make sure to tailor your resume objective to the specific position or organization you are applying to. After all, a vague “ engineer looking for an engineering job ” doesn’t impress anyone.

A tailored resume objective shows the employer that you've taken the time to research the company and the position and that you've carefully thought about how your goals align with the company.

Start by thoroughly reading the job description and picking out the key skills, work experience , and qualifications that the employer is looking for. You can also check their website to learn more about their mission statement or company culture. Then, think about how your background makes you a good match for them.

For example, if you're applying for a marketing position at a company that promotes sustainability, your objective might be:

  • Aspiring Marketing Coordinator seeking a role at EcoTextile Innovations. Strong foundation in communication and ethical business practices, aimed at promoting fair-trade textiles. Ready to drive innovative marketing strategies in a dynamic team environment with a deep commitment to sustainability.

When you match your resume objective to the employer’s needs, it shows you're not just looking for any job—you want this job. As such, tailoring your resume objective like this can make a strong impression and convey your genuine interest in the role.

#2. Include Relevant Skills

Your resume objective should include skills, knowledge, and abilities that you know will help the company achieve its goals.

This paragraph isn’t just about yourself or your career—it’s about how you’re going to help the company, which is what the hiring manager is looking to find out.

So, even when you’re professionally inexperienced, you might have skills that you’ve acquired in other ways, such as through internships, volunteer work, or any relevant coursework . What you need to do is focus on listing those in your resume objective instead of traditional work experience, and show that you’re prepared to add value from day one. Just go through the job description and reflect on what your transferable skills are and how you match the job requirements.

Always be specific and use concrete examples of where you gained those skills. For example, if you are applying for a human resources position, your resume objective could be:

  • Psychology graduate seeking an entry-level Human Resources Assistant role at Bright Futures Inc. Eager to apply strong organizational and communication skills honed through academic projects and volunteer work. Aimed at contributing to team management and enhancing employee satisfaction within a dynamic corporate environment.

This shows that you have plenty of the knowledge and soft skills that the job needs and that you can bring value to the team.

#3. Stick to the Facts

It might be tempting to use grand statements to impress your potential employer, but bragging and vague language have no place in your resume objective.

So, instead of making yourself sound cool with vast words and declarations, use as many facts and numbers as possible to back up your experience. Say, for example, that you’re going from Marketing to Advertising. It’s one thing to say “Expert at Advertising” and another to say “Experienced in managing 5-figure advertising spend from my previous position as a Facebook Marketer.”

Sticking to the facts gives you a lot more credibility. When you back up your skills and experiences with hard data, you're not just telling the employer what you can do; you're proving it.

So, how do you put this into practice? Just dig into your professional and academic history. Think about when and how you made a difference.

Did you increase sales, cut costs, or improve efficiency? Maybe you did something during an internship, any of your courses, or while working a part-time job? Quantify any of those impressive achievements you want to add to your resume objective, and you’re good to go.

Focusing on the facts shows that you know your stuff, and it demonstrates a level of professionalism and attention to detail that employers love. It’s exactly those details that can tell your story and make your resume stand out from the crowd.

#4. Relate Your Goals to the Company

If you have a resume with no work experience , you can include a career goal in your resume objective. Just make sure it’s something related to the company you’re applying to. 

Your focus should always be on showing the hiring manager how your goals support the company’s needs. For example, if you’re applying for a customer support representative position, your resume objective should relate to customer service excellence, not your dream to eventually become a professor.

For example, if you’re applying to a tech firm for a customer support role, here’s what your resume objective can be:

  • IT graduate Looking to join Company XYZ as a Customer Support Representative. Eager to use my interpersonal skills and understanding of technology to improve customer satisfaction and contribute to the company’s tech advancements.

Framing your career goals to reflect the company’s objectives shows the hiring manager that you understand the role and that you’re ready to contribute right from the start.

#5. Keep It Simple

There’s no need to use complex words in your resume objective.

Using complicated language and words to make yourself sound smart usually leaves a bad impression and makes you come off as arrogant.

For example, instead of "contemplate,” just say "think." Instead of using "undertake,” use "do.” They both mean the same thing anyway, and you want your achievements to speak louder than the fancy words you use.

This makes your resume objective much more straightforward to understand and serves as a subtle hint that shows you can communicate clearly . After all, your resume objective aims to make you shine as a candidate, not show off your vocabulary.

Good Example VS Bad Example

Let’s drive the point home by showing you the difference between a resume objective that follows our tips and one that doesn’t.

XYZ Inc. is looking for a sales representative manager for its German branch . Minimum of 3 years of working experience in management. Daily duties: planning, directing, and overseeing the sales representative team.

And here is a no-no kind of resume objective:

  • I am looking to appertain my exceptional skills in management by being part of a groundbreaking and innovative company for a few years, then eventually switching to a job in AI.

This is what makes the above a bad resume objective:

  • “Exceptional” is subjective. The hiring manager has no way of knowing whether this bold statement is true. 
  • The language needs to be simplified. Why use “appertain” when you can just say “apply”? 
  • Giving the company empty flattery doesn’t leave a great impression. Most companies think of themselves as “groundbreaking” or "innovative," so you’re not showing the company why you’re interested in them.
  • The entire resume objective sounds more focused on you than on the company, and yet it doesn’t tell them anything relevant about you as a candidate.
  • Your career goal tells them you won’t be sticking with them for too long. That’s a major red flag for any employer, so you’re not getting a call.

On the other hand, here is a great resume objective: 

  • Sales manager trained in Berlin. Looking to apply my BA in Business Management and acquired skills at XYZ Inc. by making sure the sales representative team is staffed and follows quality standards, helping XYZ increase revenue and market share in the process.

Here’s why this resume objective is good:

  • The professional experience is summarized and backed up with concrete facts.
  • It mentions abilities that make you stand out and match the job requirements, like being trained in Germany.
  • The resume objective shows that you understand the role and responsibilities the position requires, and you describe how you’ll do them successfully.
  • It also includes the skills and experience relevant to the management position.
  • The overall language is simple, down-to-earth, and objective, and it’s tailored to show that you genuinely care about the overall goals of the company.

3 Most Common Cases for a Resume Objective

By now, you have all the information you need to write an amazing resume objective.

So, let’s look at the three most common cases when you’ll need to write one.

#1. Recent Graduate Resume Objective

The most common situation where you’d need a resume objective is when you don’t have any work experience and need a way to stand out from the rest of the applicants.

So, if you’re a recent graduate looking for a job , your resume objective should focus more on your education, internships, and extracurricular activities , if applicable. Here’s an example:

  • Motivated Liberal Arts graduate eager to join ABC Inc. as a junior graphic designer. Looking forward to applying skills in Photoshop and Canva to create eye-catching visuals that captivate audiences.

You can also write an eye-catching resume objective that will grab the hiring manager’s attention, even if you’re a job-seeker without a relevant degree in the field. You just have to focus on your best personal traits, skills, and motivation instead of work experience or education.

  • Organized and hard-working professional looking to join XYZ Inc. as a marketing assistant. Looking to take advantage of my copywriting and editing skills to help XYZ Inc. with their marketing efforts.

#2. Internship Resume Objective

If you’re looking to land an internship, writing a great resume objective can be just as beneficial.

It’s your best bet at piquing the hiring manager’s attention, getting them to read the rest of your resume, and getting that internship .

In this case, you want to focus on:

  • Your educational background and achievements
  • Your most relevant hard and soft skills
  • Any other relevant experience, such as personal projects or volunteering experience

And here’s a practical example:

  • Recent graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration, looking to start a career in Finance through an internship at XYZ Inc. Experienced in analyzing financial statements and annual reports for several university projects. Seeking to further develop my theoretical know-how with strong mentorship at XYZ Inc.

#3. Career Change Resume Objective

The next most common situation where you’d use a resume objective is if you’re going for a career change . 

A resume objective helps the hiring manager understand how your skillset from a previous field helps translate into the job you’re applying for.

Here, you can mention:

  • Relevant skills for the job you’re applying for
  • Previous work experience
  • How your background will help you excel at the job

Here’s how this looks in practice:

  • Customer Support Representative with 3+ years of experience in over-the-phone technical support looking to leverage communication skills as a Sales Representative at XYZ Inc. Excellent track record in delivering quality support service, having maintained a 4.6+ star “Helpful” rating over the past 2 years.

75+ Resume Objective Examples

Now, you’re ready to write your resume objective!

But before you get started, though, you might need some inspiration.

So let’s go through our list of 75+ resume objective examples for different professions!

Sales and Customer Service Resume Objective Examples

#1. sales associate resume objective.

“Charismatic, communicative worker seeking an entry-level sales job at XYX Inc. Tech-savvy, who can pick up product knowledge quickly. Previous experience as a Sales Clerk at Random Retail Store X.”

Read the full sales associate resume example here.

#2. Account Manager Resume Objective

“Diligent graduate with a B.A. in Business Management at University Y seeking to provide excellent client service at XYZ Inc. as an Account Manager. Strong communication skills from my job as a Sales Manager at Company X. Outstanding project management skills, having worked on over a dozen business projects in university.”

#3. Technical Support Specialist Resume Objective

“IT student seeking a part-time role as a Technical Support Specialist at XYZ Inc. Experienced using help desks and CRM systems. Skilled in written communication with intermediate knowledge in the IT-sphere.”

#4. Customer Service Representative Resume Objective

“Multi-lingual communicator looking to help XYZ Inc. provide stellar customer experience. Strong communication skills. Fluent in English, French, and Russian. Basic knowledge of CRM systems.”

Read the full customer service resume example here.

#5. Cashier Resume Objective

“Enthusiastic, courteous waiter seeking the role of a Cashier at XYZ Inc. Currently working part-time at Restaurant ABC, looking to fill up the rest of my time. Strong communication skills and a genuine love for working with people. Good at carrying out mathematical calculations.”

Read the full cashier resume example here.

#6. Retail Manager Resume Objective

“Experienced retail worker looking for a job as a Retail Manager at XYZ Inc. Skilled in inventory management, having worked as a warehouse manager in two separate organizations. Dependable math skills from working as a cashier at Company X.”

Read the full retail manager resume example here.

#7. Barista Resume Objective

“Customer-focused individual with a passion for creating delightful coffee experiences, looking for a position as a barista at Coffee House X. Strong communication and teamwork skills, dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction, and a positive attitude.”

Read the full barista resume example here.

#8. Server Resume Objective

"Aspiring Server with years of restaurant experience as an expo and host. Demonstrated ability to maintain a clean and efficient dining environment, combined with a strong commitment to exceptional customer service. Eager to leverage my restaurant expertise to enhance the dining experience at Fine Dining Bistro."

Read the full server resume example here.

#9. Waiter Resume Objective

“Experienced service industry worker seeking to apply for the position of Waiter at XYZ Restaurant. Experience includes working as a bartender, busser, and line cook. Thrives in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.”

Read the full waiter resume example here.

#10. Front Desk Agent Resume Objective

“3rd-year Medical Student looking for a summer job as a Front Desk Agent at XYZ Hotel. Experience in working face-to-face with customers, having worked part-time jobs as a cashier and waitress. Social, positive, and hard-working.”

#11. Housekeeper Resume Objective

“Seasonal worker seeking a housekeeping job at XYZ Hotel. Diligent and organized, having spent the past 3 summers working in Nantucket. Previous roles include bussing at Restaurant Y and prep cooking at Local Restaurant X.”

#12. Line Cook Resume Objective

“Recent graduate from Houston Culinary Arts School seeking a position as a line cook at Fancy Restaurant XYZ. Looking to further develop cooking skills learned at school. Previous experience working in a high-stress environment as a part-time Sandwich Maker at Fast Food Place X.”

#13. Food and Beverage Management Resume Objective

“Seasoned Server with 10+ years of hospitality industry experience looking to help Restaurant XYZ take its business to the next level. During my time as a server, I helped 3+ restaurants with hiring and training new staff, as well as coming up with promotional strategies for specific foods and drinks.”

Read the full bar manager resume example here.

Administrative and HR Resume Objective Examples

#14. receptionist resume objective.

"Friendly and efficient multitasker with a knack for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, seeking a role as a Receptionist at ABC Office Solutions. Strong organizational and communication skills and dedication to providing exceptional service in a professional setting."

Read the full receptionist resume example here.

#15. Recruiter Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, equipped with a solid academic foundation and a passion for connecting talent with opportunities. Hands-on experience in conducting interviews, strong communication skills, and a commitment to finding the best candidates. Eager to launch a career as a Recruiter at XYZ Talent Solutions, where I can contribute to building exceptional teams."

Read the full recruiter resume example here.

#16. Human Resources Specialist Resume Objective

“Psychology graduate looking for a position as a Human Resources Specialist at XYZ Inc. Completed an internship at Company X. Looking to further develop my experience in the field and help XYZ Inc. go above and beyond with satisfying their employees’ needs.”

Read the full human resources resume example here.

#17. Office Manager Resume Objective

“Experienced Office Manager seeking to help XYZ Inc. provide a stellar customer experience and take the Portsmouth branch to the next level. Experienced in managing teams of 15+ in several different restaurants, such as Restaurant A and Restaurant B. Handled every aspect of the business, from hiring new staff to managing marketing initiatives.”

Read the full office manager resume example here.

#18. Secretary Resume Objective

“Recent Communications graduate looking to apply for the role of Secretary at XYZ Inc. Extremely organized with good writing and multitasking skills. Practical experience in management gained through several university projects, which involves coordinating tasks between different team members and ensuring that everyone was in sync with the latest information.”

#19. Executive Assistant Resume Objective

“Freelance Virtual Assistant looking to switch to the position of an Executive Assistant. Worked with 5+ online businesses, helping with everything from data entry to customer support. Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills. Proficient in Excel, and Photoshop. Intermediate copywriting skills.”

Read the full executive assistant resume example here.

#20. Administrative Assistant Resume Objective

“Organized and hardworking professional looking to work at XYZ Inc. as an Administrative Assistant. Previous experience in several related fields, such as working as a Secretary for 3 years, in addition to being an Executive Assistant for 1 year. Strong organizational skills, as well as a keen eye for detail.”

Read the full administrative assistant resume example here.

#21. Data Entry Resume Objective

“Meticulous graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration looking to fill the Data Entry Clerk position at company XYZ Inc. Skilful typer with an average typing speed of 85 WPM. Possessing 2+ years of experience using typing tools such as MS Word and MS Excel for task tracking and automation.”

Read the full data entry resume example here.

Finance Resume Objective Examples

#22. accountant resume objective.

“Graduate with an M.A. in Accounting and Finance seeking the position of a Junior Accountant at XYZ Inc. Highest grades in relevant courses, including Intermediate Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Advanced Finance, and more.”

Read the full accountant resume example here.

#23. Financial Analyst Resume Objective

“Finance student with 3.92 GPA seeking an entry-level Financial Analyst position at XYZ Inc. Skilled in financial data analysis, reading financial sheets, with excellent knowledge of accounting and tax legislation.”

Read the full financial analyst resume example here.

#24. Bank Teller Resume Objective

“Customer Support Representative with 2+ years working client-facing roles seeking a job as a Bank Teller at XYZ Inc. Experienced in working with customers over the phone as well as by email. Excellent math skills, having graduated high school with a specialization in mathematics.”

Read the full bank teller resume example here.

#25. Banker Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Finance, equipped with strong analytical and mathematical skills. Eager to launch my career in banking at XYZ Bank, where I can apply my knowledge gained through coursework and internships to help clients achieve their financial goals."

Read the full banker resume example here.

Business Resume Objective Examples

#26. business analyst resume objective.

“Business Student at University X seeking a summer internship as a Business Analyst at XYZ Inc. Strong business know-how, with a focus on analyzing and interpreting data. Completed 10+ real-life business consulting case studies as university projects. Skilled in financial and managerial accounting.”

Read the full business analyst resume example here.

#27. Business Development Manager Resume Objective

"Experienced Project Manager skilled in overseeing complex initiatives and achieving project goals. Seeking a role as a Business Development Manager to utilize my expertise in project planning, client relations, and market analysis for driving growth and expansion at XYZ Company.”

Read the full business development manager resume example here.

#28. Project Manager Resume Objective

“Detail-oriented software engineer with 5+ years of experience in Node.js and React looking to transition into the role of an IT-focused Project Manager. Practical experience conducting daily scrum meetings and following agile project management methodologies.”

Read the full project manager resume example here.

Marketing and Advertising Resume Objective Examples

#29. marketing executive resume objective.

"Experienced Sales Lead with a background in driving revenue growth and customer engagement. Looking to put my skills into a Marketing Executive role at XYZ Inc. Proven success in building and managing teams and a solid understanding of consumer behavior to help craft effective marketing strategies."

Read the full marketing executive resume example here.

#30. Marketing Manager Resume Objective

“Recent graduate with an M.A. in Marketing Strategy looking to further my career in advertising at XYZ Inc. Strong skills in copywriting and graphic design, coupled with a creative mind. Practical experience in creating social media ads (Facebook, Instagram) as a marketing intern.”

Read the full marketing manager resume example here.

#31. Social Media Marketing Manager Resume Objective

“Enthusiastic Marketing graduate with a passion for all things digital seeking a Social Media Marketing position at Digital XYZ Inc. Skilled in copywriting and basic graphic design. Personally started and grew a Facebook page to 5,000+ likes, and an Instagram page to 8,000+ followers. Looking to help Digital XYZ’s clients improve their social media marketing and establish an online presence.”

#32. Content Creator Resume Objective

“Articulate graduate with a B.A. in Media and Mass Communication seeking a Content Creator position at XYZ Startup. Experienced in writing articles for local newspapers and online magazines. Hoping to apply my journalistic writing abilities to improve XYZ Startup’s blog on ABC Industry/Category.”

#33. SEO Specialist Resume Objective

“Detail-oriented graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration looking to apply for a Junior SEO Specialist position at Digital XYZ Inc. Theoretical knowledge of SEO, including some practical experience in using Google Analytics. Seeking to further develop my online marketing skills as part of the Digital XYZ team.”

Read the full digital marketing resume here.

#34. PPC Specialist Resume Objective

“Result-driven SEO specialist with 3+ years of experience designing and implementing SEO campaigns for e-commerce companies. Looking for a PPC Specialist position at XYZ Agency to leverage strong knack for web analytics and SEM to drive traffic and increase sales.”

IT and Software Development Resume Objective Examples

#35. it specialist resume objective.

“Competent Support Specialist with 3+ years of experience in AWS storage cloud services. Maintained a constant customer satisfaction rate of 98% while working at XYZ Agency. Currently looking for a position as an IT Specialist with a focus on cloud services at ABC Inc.”

Read the full IT resume example here.

#36. Software Engineer Resume Objective

“Result-oriented QA Engineer with 5+ years of experience in the banking and finance sector looking for a Junior Software Engineer job at XYZ Bank. Strong understanding of software engineering paradigms and testing frameworks for C++, Java, .NET (C#).”

Read the full software engineer resume example here.

#37. Cyber Security Resume Objective

"Computer Science student with an interest in cyber security, seeking an internship at XYZ Tech. Strong analytical skills and a foundational understanding of network security, gained through academic coursework and personal projects. Committed to skills in a practical setting and contributing to XYZ Tech's cyber security initiatives while gaining hands-on experience in the field."

#38. Web Developer Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, focusing on web development. Engaged in university projects and freelance work, developing proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design. Excited to bring technical skills and creative problem-solving to ABC Web Solutions."

Read the full web developer resume example here.

#39. Computer Scientist Resume Objective

“Graduate with an M.Sc. in Computer Science and Information Systems seeking a position as a Research Assistant in the computer science department of XYZ University. 2+ years of experience in designing and implementing deep convolutional neural networks with TensorFlow and Scala. Enthusiastic about furthering research conducted on the study of artificial intelligence.”

Read the full computer scientist resume example here.

#40. Data Scientist Resume Objective

“Diligent Computer Science and Mathematics student with a 3.98 GPA looking for an internship at XYZ Inc. as a Junior Data Scientist. Specialized in statistical analysis, experienced with packages such as R, SQL, STATA, and Python.”

Read the full data scientist resume example here.

#41. Data Analyst Resume Objective

“Enthusiastic recent graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration and Mathematics seeking a Data Analyst position at Company XYZ. Competent in mathematical statistics and possessing a certification in business analysis from ABC Institute. Hoping to apply my extensive knowledge of SQL databases and SQL as a querying language to help Data Analysis Co. fulfill its goals.”

Read the full data analyst resume example here.

#42. DevOps Engineer Resume Objective

"Experienced IT professional looking for a DevOps Engineer role. Proven expertise in software development and system administration, including skills in automation, continuous integration, and cloud technologies. Looking to bring a comprehensive technical background to XYZ Company's DevOps team, driving efficiency and innovation."

Read the full DevOps engineer resume example here.

#43. AI Engineer Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a Master's in IT and a minor in Artificial Intelligence. Solid foundation in machine learning, neural networks, and data analysis through academic projects and research. Eager to apply this knowledge at ABC Tech Company and contribute to cutting-edge AI solutions and advancements."

Read the full AI engineer resume example here.

#44. Java Developer Resume Objective

"BA Software Engineering student seeking an internship at XYZ Company. Hands-on experience with Java-based projects and collaborative coding initiatives, now eager to enhance real-world development skills and contribute to Java-based solutions."

Read the full Java developer resume example here.

Health and Medicine Resume Objective Examples

#45. nurse resume objective.

“Recent RN graduate seeking to help Hospital XYZ provide an excellent level of patient care. Experienced in working in high-stress environments. An excellent team player who thrives under pressure. Passionate about helping people and making an impact.”

Read the full nurse resume example here.

#46. Medical Assistant Resume Objective

“Certified, energetic medical professional with volunteer experience for XYZ Hospital looking for a position as a Medical Assistant at ABC Clinic. Dedicated team player with the ability to work both day and night shifts.”

Read the full medical assistant resume example here.

#47. Dental Assistant Resume Objective

“Licensed and enthusiastic dental practitioner with 1+ years of experience working at a private Dental Practice ABC seeking a Dental Assistant position at XYZ Dental Inc. Highly meticulous at carrying out dental procedures and assisting during surgeries.”

#48. Dentist Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, skilled in various dental procedures and patient care. Participated in multiple clinical rotations, gaining hands-on experience in preventive and restorative dentistry. Keen to apply this expertise at ABC Dental Clinic, delivering quality dental care and contributing to patient wellness."

Read the full dentist resume example here.

#49. Pharmacist Resume Objective

"Pharmacy student in the final year of study, with a focus on clinical pharmacology and patient care. Engaged in practical training through internships and university-led clinics, developing skills in medication management and patient counseling. Seeking a position at XYZ Pharmacy to further enhance practical knowledge and community healthcare."

Read the full pharmacist resume example here.

Creative Resume Objective Examples

#50. graphic designer resume objective.

"Fine Art student with a focus on graphic arts, skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration. Proven skills through various class projects and freelance assignments. Seeking an internship at XYZ Design Agency to contribute to innovative design projects and gain professional experience."

Read the full graphic designer resume example here.

#51. Game Designer Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a degree in Game Design, equipped with knowledge of in-game mechanics and storytelling. Collaborated on university-led game projects, showcasing creativity and teamwork. Eager to join XYZ Game Studio to create engaging player experiences."

Read the full game designer resume example here.

#52. Animator Resume Objective

"Experienced Concept Artist moving towards an Animator role. Solid background in storyboarding and character design, with recent training in animation techniques. Looking to apply a unique artistic perspective and animation skills at XYZ Animations."

Read the full animator resume example here.

#53. Illustrator Resume Objective

"Aspiring Illustrator with a portfolio of freelance and personal projects. Proficient in various illustration techniques and mediums, both traditional and digital. Committed to bringing creative ideas to life at XYZ Company."

Read the full illustrator resume example here.

#54. Photographer Resume Objective

"Former model with a keen eye for composition and detail, shifting focus to professional photography. Hands-on experience behind the camera in various freelance projects. Ready to capture unique perspectives and contribute to the team at Photography Agency ABC."

Read the full photographer resume example here.

#55. Actor Resume Objective

"Drama and Theater Arts graduate, with a strong stage presence and versatility in various roles. Participated in several university theater productions, honing acting and improvisation skills. Excited to bring dramatic flair and dedication to the ensemble at XYZ Theater."

Read the full actor resume example here.

#56. Writer Resume Objective

"Aspiring Writer with a talent for storytelling and content creation honed through personal blogs and freelance assignments. Skilled in research, editing, and creative writing. Aiming to bring fresh ideas and narrative skills to the content team at XYZ Company."

Read the full writer resume here.

#57. Editor Resume Objective

"English Literature student with a minor in Translation Studies, with a passion for languages and a keen eye for detail. Experienced in proofreading and editing university publications, which further honed my understanding of grammar, style, and text clarity. Seeking an internship at XYZ Publishing to refine editing skills and contribute to high-quality publications."

Read the full editor resume example here.

Education Resume Objective Examples

#58. professor resume objective.

"Best-selling author with a rich background in contemporary literature, now aspiring to educate and inspire as a Professor of English Literature. Deep understanding of literary analysis and creative writing, eager to share knowledge and foster a love for literature at ABC University."

Read the full academic CV example here.

#59. Teacher Resume Objective

“B.Sc. in Education from University XYZ with a concentration in Chemistry seeking to start my career as a teacher at XYZ High School. Passionate about teaching, both in and out of the classroom.” 

Read the full teacher resume example here.

#60. Tutor Resume Objective

“Skilled Mathematics graduate looking to apply for the position of Math Tutor at XYZ School. Worked as a part-time Linear Algebra tutor during my time at University X. Strong knowledge of Advanced Linear Algebra, Calculus I-IV, Mathematical Statistics, and Trigonometry.”

#61. College Student Resume Objective

"College Freshman majoring in Sociology, seeking an internship to apply academic learning in a practical environment. Strong analytical skills and a passion for social research and mutual aid, aiming to contribute to meaningful projects at XYZ Nonprofit Organization."

Read the full college freshman resume example here.

#62. High School Student Resume Objective

"High school student with excellent time-management and navigational skills, looking for a part-time position as a pizza delivery driver at Delicious Pizzeria X. Responsible, reliable, and committed to providing prompt, friendly service."

Read the full high school resume example here.

Other Resume Objective Examples

#63. architect resume objective.

"Recent Architecture graduate with a strong portfolio of academic and personal design projects. Skilled in CAD software and sustainable design principles, ready to contribute innovative ideas to XYZ Architecture Firm."

Read the full architect resume example here.

#64. Electrical Engineer Resume Resume Objective

"Engineering student with a focus on mechanical and electrical systems, seeking an internship at Company X. Practical experience from university labs and team projects, aiming to apply technical skills in a professional engineering setting."

Read the full electrical engineer resume example here.

#65. Interior Designer Resume Objective

"Interior Designer with a Bachelor's in Design and a successful Instagram page showcasing personal projects. Innovative, trend-aware, and skilled in client-focused design solutions, eager to bring a unique aesthetic to Design Studio Q."

Read the full interior designer resume example here.

#67. Construction Project Manager Resume Objective

"Experienced Logistics Manager now aiming to apply organizational and leadership skills as a Construction Project Manager. Proven ability in managing resources and coordinating complex projects, ready to ensure efficiency and quality at MNO Construction."

Read the full construction project manager resume example here.

#68. Operations Manager Resume Objective

"MBA student with a focus on operations management, seeking an internship at XYZ Corp. Strong background in business analytics and process optimization, looking to apply and enhance these skills in a real-world business environment."

Read the full operations manager resume example here.

#69. Event Planner Resume Objective

"Experienced professional seeking to leverage my extensive professional background in logistics and project management to excel in the field of event planning. Proven track record of coordinating complex projects and ensuring smooth operations. Excited to contribute my skills to the dynamic world of event management at DEF Event Solutions, where precision and creativity intersect to deliver extraordinary events."

Read the full event planner resume example here.

#70. Warehouse Worker Resume Objective

“Retail worker seeking the position of a Warehouse Worker at XYZ Supermarket. Previous experience doing several retail jobs, including working as a stocker for produce and groceries at XYZ Family Market. Skilled in stocking, inventory replenishment, tracking and processing relevant paperwork, and using pallet jacks.”

Read the full warehouse worker resume example here.

#71. Welder Resume Objective

"Diligent individual skilled in various welding techniques, seeking a position as a Welder at ABC Metalworks. Proven ability in MIG and TIG welding from personal projects and vocational training. Committed to safety, precision, and high-quality craftsmanship."

Read the full welder resume example here.

#72. Real Estate Agent Resume Objective

"Former Sales Professional now pursuing a career as a Real Estate Agent. Extensive experience in client relations, negotiation, and market analysis. Ready to leverage these skills at XYZ Realty to deliver exceptional service and successful property transactions."

Read the full real estate agent resume example here.

#73. Flight Attendant Resume Objective

"Hospitality graduate with a passion for travel and customer service, aspiring to be a Flight Attendant at AirGlobal. Trained in emergency procedures and customer care, enthusiastic about ensuring passenger comfort and safety."

Read the full flight attendant resume example here.

#74. Paralegal Resume Objective

"Law student with a strong foundation in legal research and documentation, seeking a paralegal internship at XYZ Law Firm. Experience in drafting legal documents and assisting in case preparation through academic projects and volunteer work."

Read the full paralegal resume example here.

#75. Social Worker Resume Objective

"Recent graduate with a Master's in Childhood Development and Psychology, equipped with knowledge in case management, counseling, and community resources. Internship experience in child and family services, eager to contribute to the team at ABC Community Services."

Read the full social worker resume example here.

Key Takeaways

That’s a wrap on resume objectives!

We’re sure you’re ready to conquer that new career on the horizon.

But before you go, let’s go over what we mentioned so far:

  • Resume objectives are a great choice for candidates who are switching careers or don’t have enough work experience to write a resume summary.
  • The three most common cases when you’d need a resume objective are at the very beginning of your career when you have no work experience, when applying for an internship, or during a career change.
  • A good resume objective can sway the hiring manager to give you a chance if you do it right. Start by tailoring it to the job description, matching your career goals with the company’s, and focusing on your most relevant skills.
  • If you’re having trouble thinking up a resume objective, you can just scroll back up for some inspiration! Check out the examples we gave for different professions and get inspired.

Want to get the most out of your career? Don’t forget to follow our career blog for some industry-leading career advice!

cookies image

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Career Sidekick

Career Change Resume: Examples and Tips from Experts

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you want to change careers, you’re going to need a great resume to show employers why they should take a chance on you.

You need to convince them that you’ll succeed in their role, even if you’ve done different work in the past.

And while you can do some of this convincing in the job interview, you aren’t going to get interviews if your resume or CV isn’t great , too, so it all starts here!

Don’t worry if this sounds intimidating – this article has everything you need to write an effective resume for career change…

I spoke to multiple professional resume writers, coaches, and other experts and put together this list of resume tips for career changers, as well as real-life examples of resumes that got interviews.

Here’s what you need to know…

Career Change Resume/CV Format

The best resume format for a career change is the chronological resume (also known as “reverse chronological resume”). With this format, your resume or CV lists your work experience in the order it happened, starting with your most recent or current position at the top.

This is what most hiring managers and recruiters are used to seeing and prefer to see, so it’s the best format to use when switching careers (or in any job search, for that matter).

So the first thing to do with your resume is to make sure you’re using this format. Put your most recent position at the top of your “Work Experience” section , and then go backward from there. You’ll see examples of this coming up – don’t worry.

The bottom line is: You aren’t going to hide something or “sneak” through the process by using a less-common (and more confusing) resume format like a functional resume.

This will just confuse and frustrate the hiring manager or recruiter .

So rather than trying to hide gaps in your experience, you should tailor your experience to be as relevant as possible for the job you’re applying to. That’s how to approach resume formatting as a career changer.

Career Change Resume Objective (And Why NOT To Include This)

You should not include a resume objective when changing careers (or on any resume, in fact). A resume objective is an outdated section that should be replaced with a resume summary section – a brief intro summarizing your experience, skills, accomplishments, and anything else you’d like to share.

Coming up next, we’ll look at examples of how to write this “summary” section as a career changer.

Writing Your Resume Summary for Career Change

Rather than a resume objective, you should include a brief Summary section to show employers what you’ve accomplished and how you can help them in their role.

I asked multiple experts for tips and examples of how to write a resume summary for a career change, so here are some tips from coaches, resume writers, and other experts.

Career Change Resume Example: Switching Careers from Business Development at a Skilled Nursing Facility to Medical Device Sales 

This section is contributed by: Virginia Franco – Executive Resume Writer at Virginia Franco Resumes

When writing a summary section for a career change, think about what you bring to the table that aligns with the role you seek, and what makes you less of a hiring risk for the hiring manager or interviewer.

vfr sample resume summary for career change

In the example above, my client wanted to pivot from a business development role at a skilled nursing facility into medical device sales. In writing his summary, I:

  • Chose a headline that contained some keywords related to the role he currently held AND the role he was targeting.
  • Created a tagline that spoke to his success in Skilled Nursing using language that was industry-neutral.
  • Identified a few differentiators that would make him appealing to a hiring manager and help outweigh the fact that he was new to the role and industry.

In this case, the fact that he:

  • Knew lots of key players meant he could hit the ground running and build a sales funnel fast
  • Was multilingual but raised in the U.S. meant he could interface well with many cultures – important in the area where he lived, and in working with surgeons that are often from other countries.
  • Kept abreast of the industry and trends meant he was passionate about the industry and that he embraced continual learning.
  • Established trust by working to overcome obstacles in a creative fashion meant that he was a problem solver – a trait that would make him attractive to a hiring manager.

In other words, I worked to make him seem like a candidate that was a risk worth taking!

Career Change Resume Example: Changing Careers from Medical Device Sales to Advertising & Technology

This section is contributed by: Austin Belcak – Founder at Cultivated Culture

When your changing careers, one of the biggest resume challenges is getting visibility on the transferable and relevant experience that you have.

Maybe you worked on a relevant project two jobs ago, maybe you took a course that’s buried in your education section, or maybe you’ve been working on a side hustle but are worried about leading with that vs. your current job.

Using resume objectives is a good way to combat this issue.

Resume objectives allow you to cherry-pick the most relevant work experience from your career, education, and side projects and feature it right at the top of your resume. This gives you the chance to lead with the most relevant transferable experience so you make sure it’s seen instead of getting lost in the mix.

This is the exact tactic I used when I was switching careers from medical device sales into advertising/tech.

My day job was in healthcare, it didn’t offer much in the way of traditional skills, but I had been spending nights and weekends learning digital marketing. I took courses, got certified, and even started doing a bit of freelancing. I wanted that to show at the top of my resume so I used an objective to highlight that ahead of my current role:

example of how to write a resume summary for career change

Tip: Target Everything for the Role You Want

This section is contributed by: Sarah Johnston – Former Recruiter, Executive Resume Writer, and Job Search Coach at BriefcaseCoach.com

When writing a resume for a career change, it’s important to target your resume for the role that you want. I recommend finding a few job descriptions that interest you and scanning for keywords and themes. Use the target job title or skill set in the header to frame the resume.

The Ladders did an eye tracking study that found that recruiters and hiring managers only spend 7.4 seconds scanning a resume before deciding to pass or read more. The heat map showed that better-performing resumes have keywords at the top to immediately draw the eye.

Attached is the top of a career changer sample resume. This hypothetical job seeker is wanting to transition from an account manager role to being an executive assistant . The resume plays up her transferable skills and includes a header that references the job that she wants.

Sample Career Changer resume

As a former corporate recruiter, I am not a fan of functional resumes. Recruiters are taught to scan resumes chronologically. When you take the experience out of context or “order,” it often gives the recruiter the impression you are trying to hide or fudge experience.

Tip: Use Bullets to Stand Out

This section is contributed by: Madeline Mann – Human Resources Leader & Career Coach, Creator of Self Made Millennial

Consider writing your resume intro or summary in bullet format, as this makes it easier for people to quickly scan it.

The first couple of bullet points should emphasize the most important keywords from the job description.

Get creative with how you integrate these terms into your summary. For example, use phrases like “experience with” and “knowledge of” to indicate tasks that you have become familiar with inside or outside of your job.

Personal projects, volunteering, and education should all contribute to what you describe here. If the most prominent keywords in the job description are tasks and concepts that you are unfamiliar with, that is a sign that you need to build those skills on your own time. Here is a video on how to build these important skills without getting hired.

The next couple of bullet points should focus on the most relevant accomplishments to the role you are pursuing, which may not be from your most recent role.

This is where the magic of the summary section comes into play. Pull in early-career achievements, side projects, and unpaid work where you did tasks that are more closely aligned with your new career. For example, if you are a Psychology Lab Assistant, and you want to be a Building Manager, many of your lab tasks won’t translate.

But, five years ago you were the treasurer of your sorority (budgeting is a keyword), and you handled many contractors to ensure the house was renovated and maintained (knowledge of the trades is a keyword). While that experience may be buried due to it being 5 years ago and not a paid position, it can hop to the top of your career change resume as a highly relevant accomplishment in the summary.

The summary section is an opportunity for you to truly spell it out for the hiring manager where your transferable skills will be too well-matched to ignore!

Editor’s note: Bullets are also a great way to make your resume work history section stand out. This article explains how to do this with 22 resume bullet examples. 

Career Change Resume Work History Section: Samples and Tips

After a brief summary or intro paragraph, you’ll need a powerful employment history section to continue to impress the recruiter or hiring manager. Use the tips below to help you write yours.

Write Your Resume by Working Backward from the Job Description

This section is contributed by: Kyle Elliott – Career & Life Coach and Resume Writer at CaffeinatedKyle.com

The key to a successful career change resume is to work backward from the job posting. I encourage clients to literally pull language from the posting of the job they are targeting, then massage it until it truthfully reflects their experience. You really want to speak the language of the industry you are moving into.

In the example below, my client was targeting sales roles. However, she has several years of impressive experience from working in higher education that we wanted to include on her resume. So we repositioned her earlier experience as a “customer experience manager” role, pulling language directly from the job postings she was targeting.

career change resume - example of work history

Add Keywords to Get Past the ATS

This section is contributed by: Susan P. Joyce – Publisher of Job-Hunt.org

When your goal is a career change, be sure that your resume contains the relevant keywords for the career you want. Without these keywords, your resume will not be found in a recruiter’s search of the applications and resumes stored in the applicant tracking system (ATS).

Analyze the job description and pay attention to the job’s requirements as well as the nice-to-have skills. Make a list of the skills and other job requirements you meet. Those terms are typically the terms that will be used most often when the employer is searching for qualified job candidates.

If you have acquired skills or experience outside of work, don’t be afraid to include them, too. These include skills you have acquired while volunteering or participating in other non-work activities, especially if those skills are required for this job (and, thus, important keywords).

One of the best places to start including keywords on your career change resume is your “Skills” section.

The Skills section provides a quick way to show employers that you have the skills they’ve listed on their job description.

For example: Assume the job requires hard skills like QuickBooks or SQL, and you have experience with them or have certifications from training you have taken. Include the appropriate term in your Skills section, like “QuickBooks” or “QuickBooks Certified”.

Then, in the “Experience” section of your resume , include those skills in the descriptions of your past jobs (or volunteering) where you acquired and/or used those skills. This will show the employer when and where you demonstrated your skills, which they always want to see!

Repetition of keywords is usually a good thing when the repetition is natural, relevant, and appropriate. So, having these important terms in both the Skills and Experience sections of your resume will help your resume be found.

However, simply repeating keywords at the bottom of your resume is not smart or useful.

Career Change Resume Templates

You should now have a general idea of how to format and write your resume or CV for a career change.

If you need a great starting point and don’t want to create your resume from scratch (or if your existing resume is outdated and doesn’t look great) then this job search resources page has multiple free resume templates that are great for changing careers.

After clicking the link above, scroll down to the section titled: “ATS-Compliant Resume Templates.” All of the templates on that page are free to use and download.

Recap: How to Write a Resume for Career Change

If you’re planning on switching careers, you should write your resume to make your experience seem as relevant as possible for the job you want next.

Always think of the employer’s perspective when deciding what to put on your resume and what to leave off.

Write your career change CV or resume based on the employer’s job description and you’ll be much more likely to win the interview.

That’s how to get a new job in a new field. Employers want candidates who can step into a role, learn the position quickly, and succeed. They want low risk.  The more you can show similarities between what you’ve done and what the employer needs for this job, the better!

To summarize: Your CV or resume for a career change will be most successful if you start with the employer’s needs in mind, work backward, and think carefully about how to position your own experiences – both professional and personal – to make yourself seem capable of stepping into their job and being a success!

Biron Clark

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

Read our Resume Essentials Guides

10 best free resume builders, top 14 resume skills to add on your resume + examples, does a resume need an objective, resume summary with no experience: examples for students and fresh graduates, resume keywords: 80+ verbs and power words to use, previous work experience examples for a resume, 24 resume summary examples that get interviews, what to put on a resume: 9 things to include, sample list of accomplishments for resume (35+ examples).

How To Write A Resume Objective Statement (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

objective for resume

By Mike Simpson

UPDATED 5/18/2022

Resumes. We all know what they are. We all know how important having a good one is…and how much a bad one can hurt your ability to get your dream job. That’s why reviewing different resume objective examples is essential, ensuring you can create well-crafted, carefully targeted resumes for hiring managers.

So, how do you make sure your resume objective – and entire application – stands out? We’ll tell you. Come with us as we explore some resume objective statement examples, as well as tips on how to ensure yours shines.

What is a Resume Objective?

change career resume objective

“My objective? Well, that’s easy. My objective is to get the job.”

Absolutely, we couldn’t agree more. But an objective on your resume is so much more than just writing, “Hey, hire me. I’m super awesome.”

So, what is an objective for a resume?

Well, according to the Marquette University College of Business Administration , “an objective statement is a concise, position-centered statement describing the value you can add and the needs you can fulfill.”

Our friends over at Indeed.com take it a step further, saying: “A well-written resume objective statement can be customized for the job you’re applying for and add value to your resume that sets it apart from other applicants.”

Essentially, a resume objective is a targeted snippet that clearly outlines your career direction while simultaneously positioning you as someone who fits what the employer is looking for exactly.

Sounds pretty ingenious, right? So why don’t more people have them on their resumes?

Resume objectives can be a bit controversial. Some people think they can make you look amateurish…which, if you don’t do it correctly, is absolutely true. But that can be said for any section of your resume.

Other schools of thought think that the objectives should be taken out entirely and replaced with the more popular “ resume summary statement .”

You may be wondering, “What if I use a resume objective and the hiring manager looks at it and laughs? Are they going to throw out my resume…or worse, put it on the wall of shame?”

Now, nobody is going to laugh at your resume objective as long as you use the right approach. Additionally, if your career is moving in certain directions, using a resume objective makes more sense than the alternatives.

When Should You Use a Resume Objective?

Are you relatively new to the job search market or lack work experience?

Are you changing industries?

Are you targeting a specific job or position?

If you answered “YES” to any of these above questions, then the resume objective is potentially perfect. If you answered “NO” to all of the above questions, you might be better off with a “Resume Summary Statement.”

For those of you in the middle of a career change or who might just be starting out, a resume objective statement allows you to define your goal to a potential employer…something that your work history might not otherwise be able to do for you.

Imagine how confused a hiring manager would be if they were looking for candidates to fill an office coordinator position and you sent in a resume with ten years of experience in marketing. Without an objective statement, the hiring manager might just assume your resume has been accidentally sent to them and simply discard it.

With an objective statement, you can not only let the hiring manager know that your resume IS in the right spot but also explain that you’re making the switch and show that your skill set does align with this new career path.

If you’re targeting a specific job or position, a resume objective statement can help reinforce that idea that you know EXACTLY what you’re after. That can work in your favor, too.

Overall, and most importantly, the biggest reason to put an objective on your resume is…it’s better than having nothing. Remember, your goal is to catch the hiring manager’s eye and stand out from the rest of the paper in that pile.

Common Mistakes

There are several common mistakes job seekers can make when writing their statement with the number one being using the same objective for every job application.

1) Using the Same Objective For Every Job Application

To obtain a job within my chosen field that will challenge me and allow me to use my education, skills and past experiences in a way that is mutually beneficial to both myself and my employer and allow for future growth and advancement.

Your goal is to be the ideal candidate and that means making sure you’re exactly what the hiring manager is looking for…and unless you’re applying to a cookie cutter factory in a cookie cutter job town where every job every employer is listing is exactly the same then I guarantee you 100% that your statement will NOT be a “one size fits all” statement.

2) Making It All About You

This is a trap that many job seekers fall into, as they can’t resist to use the objective to list off all of the things that they want to get out of the position.

Hi, I’m Joe Jobseeker and I really want a job in a company where I make a ton of money doing as little as possible. Oh, and a corner office. A company car would be nice too. While we’re at it, let’s talk benefits, retirement…and the company vacation policy.

Yes, we’re being over the top with this one, but we need you to look at this and laugh…because even a slightly toned down one where you list only what YOU want is going to come off just as ridiculous to the hiring manager as the one we’ve blown out of proportion.

3) Being Too Vague

Mistake number three is being vague. Like we said, this isn’t a one size fits all so by being ambiguous in the hopes of somewhat fitting what they’re looking for is going to get your resume sent directly to the circular file. (In case you don’t know, the circular file is the trash can. It just sounds fancier but the end result is the same…no job.)

Looking for a long term full time job where I can apply my extensive skills and knowledge to the position for which I am hired.

Blah. Who is this person? All we know by reading this statement is that they have skills and knowledge…but other than that, not much else. What skills do they have? Do they really apply to the job? And what knowledge can they draw from that will benefit the company? See what we mean? It’s so generic you could literally fit anything into those blanks…it’s like Resume Mad Libs!

4) Going On… And On… And On… And On… and zzzzzzzzzzzzz….

Mistake number four is being too long. This isn’t a novel. It’s a quick little blurb to catch their attention so they can bring you in for an interview…then you can get into more detail!

Not going to put one here. Why? Because the example we were going to do was going to be so long and ridiculous that you and everyone else reading this post would just get bored and move onto another article. Just remember, it’s all about short and sweet. Anything over a sentence or two is TOO LONG. Remember that.

5) Adding Absolutely No Value

Mistake number five is probably the worst…and the easiest to fall into (outside of mistake number two, the “all about me” statement.) Mistake number five is writing a statement that basically fills space but doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about the value you bring to the table. This can also be confused with the too vague statement…

To obtain a position within my chosen field where I can utilize my skills as a hard-working, well-educated employee in exchange for a steady market-fair paycheck.

Congratulations. You’re educated and you’re hard working and you want to make money. So what? So are 90% of the people you’re going up against. Why are YOU the ideal candidate? What makes the hiring manager want to bring YOU in over everyone else? See what we mean?

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:

How are you going to fulfill the needs of the company?

When writing your resume objective, you should always have the intention of answering this question.

How To Write An Effective Resume Objective

So how do you write a GOOD resume objective?

One thing every one of these bad examples has in common is the fact that not a single one of them is tailored to the position you’re looking for. Any hiring manager who looks at a resume with objectives like those is going to immediately move on to the next candidate.

Because whoever those potential hires are, they’re not ideal candidates. You need to not only catch the hiring manager’s eye; you must make sure that they look at your statement and say, “Here’s the perfect fit!”

So, how do you make it happen? Well, a really good place to start is by looking at the job description. According to Indeed.com , “…when you include an objective that’s specific to the job role, the recruiter is more likely to dig deeper and learn more details about your professional experience.”

After that, make sure it’s tailored to not only the position but the company as well. By incorporating a few tidbits that speak to the company’s mission and values, you can take that quick statement up a notch.

Nice, right?

Additionally, focus on how you’re a benefit to the company, not how the company can benefit you. Showcase value, ensuring you point out what you bring to the table.

Keep it short and sweet, too. Skip overblown adjectives in favor of action verbs, which will help “raise the energy levels” of your objective and ensure that it is more dynamic and interesting.

If you’re someone who is changing careers, demonstrate how your past experiences relate to your future tasks. The same goes for those who are just starting out or who are relatively inexperienced.

Resume Objective Examples

In some cases, nothing makes the points above clearer quite like a few resume objective examples. Here are a handful of samples, each targeting different situations.

New to Workforce, No High School Diploma

“Diligent, dedicated individual looking to apply communication and collaboration skills in a fast-paced customer service role. A self-motivated team player with an outgoing personality who’s ready to learn the ins and outs of a new industry and provide ample value to a retail employer.”

New to Workforce, No College

“Well-organized high school honor graduate with exceptional problem-solving and collaboration skills seeking opportunities in the office administration field where strong communication, time management, and research skills can provide excellent value to an employer.”

College Student, Aspiring Intern

“Current accounting student with an emphasis on accounts payable and accounts receivable seeking developmental opportunities with a local firm. Diligent, focused, and tech-savvy, looking to provide value to a skilled team.”

Recent College Graduate

“Hard-working business administration graduate with proven leadership and organizational skills. Looking to leverage knowledge or operational processes, emerging commercial trends, and supply machine management to increase efficiency and support broader productivity goals.”

Recent College Graduate with Internship Experience

“Honor graduate with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources and one year of experience at a leading staffing firm looking to leverage a deep understanding of leading ATS solutions, modern interview techniques, and conflict resolution strategies to support the goals of an enterprise-level HR department.”

Career Change

“Ambitious professional looking to leverage 5+ years of customer service experience and exceptional communication skills in the fast-paced field of real estate. Proven ability to build lasting, long-term relationships, understand client needs, and find solutions designed to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Career Change with New Education

“Experienced accounting professional and recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s in IT looking to leverage mathematical and analytical capabilities in a data analyst role with an enterprise-level employer. Impeccable attention to detail and organizational skills, as well as strong desire to learn and grow on the job.”

Targeting Specific Role

“Skilled software developer with 7+ years of experience with Java, Python, and C++ seeking out opportunities in team-oriented environments that prioritize Agile methodologies, Lean strategies, and DevOps principles to accelerate timelines and achieve challenging goals.”

Speaking of specific roles, we thought that it might be prudent to dig deeper into a couple careers that we get the most questions about (in terms of resume objectives). Here are our deep-dive articles into Teacher Resume Objectives , Customer Service Resume Objectives and Nursing Resume Objectives . Enjoy!

Putting It All Together

So, there you have it. We’ve covered what a resume objective statement is, who should use one, and how to properly execute it. Plus, there are some handy resume objective examples that can serve as inspiration.

While some people might claim that the objective statement for a resume is outdated, if done properly, it can make a difference. Use all of the information above to your advantage. That way, you’ll be one step closer to your dream job.

FREE : Resume Objective PDF Cheat Sheet

Ok the next thing you should do is get our handy Resume Objective Cheat Sheet PDF .

In it you'll get word-for-word sample resume objectives covering a variety of scenarios you can use right away .

CLICK HERE TO GET THE RESUME OBJECTIVE CHEAT SHEET

change career resume objective

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

' src=

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

Copyright © 2024 · TheInterviewguys.com · All Rights Reserved

  • Our Products
  • Case Studies
  • Interview Questions
  • Jobs Articles
  • Members Login

change career resume objective

change career resume objective

Build my resume

change career resume objective

  • Resume builder
  • Build a better resume in minutes
  • Resume examples
  • 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
  • Resume templates
  • 184 free templates for all levels
  • Cover letters
  • Cover letter generator
  • It's like magic, we promise
  • Cover letter examples
  • Free downloads in Word & Docs

60+ Resume Objective Examples for 2024 & How-to Guide

Stephen Greet

  • Objective in a Nutshell
  • Do I Need an Objective?
  • Write a Resume Objective That Rocks
  • 3 General Objectives

As a job seeker, you know getting a job isn’t easy. Even with the increase in salary information, thanks to new  pay transparency laws , finding a job that suits your talents is challenging.

Now it’s time to start writing your resume, which means deciding if you’ll add optional sections like an objective statement. An objective can add valuable information, but knowing when to include one is tricky. Plus, a career objective is often confused with a  resume summary .

We’ll tell you the differences between the two, and we’ll help you write an objective that highlights the best parts of your resume. Whether you’re currently  building your resume  or wondering where to start, we’ve got the answers you need to write an amazing objective. 

change career resume objective

Resume Objective in a Nutshell

Young man in front of his laptop reading his resume

First: What is a resume objective? Well, it’s basically a snapshot of your best and most relevant expertise, given the position you’re hoping to snag.  The primary purpose of your career objective  is to quickly highlight your relevant skills and alignment with the specific company’s values and/or goals.

You want to ensure that any recruiter or potential employer sees why it would be ridiculous  not  to hire you! Your objective should hook the reader, persuading them to continue reviewing your resume—and, ultimately, shoot you an email or a phone call.

How do I know the difference between a resume objective and a summary?

Don’t worry if you’re confused about whether an objective or  resume summary  is the best choice for your resume. They’re pretty similar, and their contents can overlap quite a bit depending on the applicant, so there’s no need to overthink it! Still, there are a couple of differences to keep in mind if you’re struggling to decide:

Resume objective:

If you’re either switching careers or just starting in your field, then an objective statement could be the perfect intro to let employers know you’re the right pick. Resume objectives should stay between two and three sentences and  focus on your short-term career goals and how you’re qualified to start pursuing them .

Resume summary:

A summary, which is also two or three sentences, usually best fits folks with more experience within their career. This statement summarizes a candidate’s extensive skills and work history. The  resume summary  could be your ideal option if you want to progress in a career where you’ve already experienced success.

Do I Need a Resume Objective ?

Young lady sitting at her laptop writing her resume

To start, consider whether you need an objective at all. Any stellar resume will fall at a page, and you’ll need to make every bit of space count. So, it’s essential to consider whether your objective will add value to your resume or just waste space.

An objective generally suits those who are entry-level or are changing careers. This statement summarizes a candidate’s most relevant, job-specific skills and identifies why they want to work for a target business.

Adding a resume objective could be wise if you want to break into a new career, show the employer you genuinely desire to work for their business, or resourcefully fill up a little extra white space.

Resume objectives can add value if:

  • You’re an entry-level candidate
  • Your work history is light
  • You’ve decided to make a career change

But when should you discard the objective statement entirely?

Keep in mind that, on average, hiring managers spend just over seven seconds reviewing your resume before determining whether they’ll take a closer look. That’s a narrow window, so if your resume errs on the side of generic or bland, omitting it is best.

How to Write an Objective for a Resume

A PC monitor and laptop showing well written resumes

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially if this is your first time writing your resume objective statement. Luckily, seeing samples of how others have handled similar obstacles can help—just remember to inject your personality and make each objective statement as unique as you are. And while comparing others’ statements to your own, ask yourself: “Which of my achievements look the most impressive?”

Plus, we’ve got a fantastic formula for you that will further uncomplicate things:

The process is as easy as X + Y + Z = Eye-catching resume objective!

X = Your characteristics and personality traits Y = Years of experience and quantified success/results Z = How these results apply to the specific job role

Keep this formula in mind, and you’ll surprise yourself with professional and engaging results like the objective below:

Project manager career objective

X =  Ambitious, adaptable, eager, self-motivated, and efficient

Y =  2 years of intern experience within the field, learned skills/experience

Z =  Technical and soft skills tie in with forging strong teams and client connections

7 ingredients to resume objective success

Not sure where to start? Check out these seven tips on how to add the maximum value to your resume objective and launch yourself into the top  20 percent of job applicants who actually get interviewed  for a single job:

Don’t worry if this is a little overwhelming at first glance! Many job seekers linearly work through their resumes, but  save your objective for last,  even though it appears first. Once you fine-tune other sections, it’ll be easier to pinpoint choice details to fill in the formula and complete your perfect objective. (And who says you have to nail your statement the first time you write it?! Go through as many iterations as you need when you  outline your resume .)

1.  Inject your personality

Bonus points if you tie your personality traits in with the company’s values through skillful word choices! No one wants to read a bland resume objective that doesn’t connect the person with the company—they want to know  who  they’re hiring.

2.  Lead with strengths

These strengths could be notable projects or extensive educational background for entry-level applicants or graduates. For anyone changing careers, include successes like past work projects that demonstrate overlapping skills/values with the role you’re currently seeking. Mention relevant certifications in your objective, too!

3.  Minimize personal pronouns and contractions

Details like these may seem inconsequential and even helpful when trying to save space, but they can make your resume too informal. Also, referring to yourself instead of your skills can make it seem like you’re only interested in what the company will do for you.

(Hint: Gauge the company’s tone in its  job description  and website. You can get away with contractions more readily with informal companies).

4.  Keep it at two or three sentences

Again, resume space is invaluable! Make the most of this real estate by ensuring your objective is long enough to provide eye-catching value but short enough that it won’t get skipped. Save the details for writing a cover letter . Critique it visually, too—how does it look on the page?

5.  Talk about your relevant skills

 Revisit the job listing for crucial skills that match your expertise and leverage that in your objective statement.

6.  State why you’re interested and why you fit the role 

Other skilled applicants undoubtedly applied for this same role—so what makes you the right fit? Mentioning why you’re interested in the position and how you’re a good match will help you stand out from the crowd.

7.  Use a resume template that gives you the option to include an objective

Why reinvent the wheel? All our  free Google Docs resume templates  have space for your objective. Take advantage of a  resume template  (you can edit the one just below!) already laid out for your specific needs rather than dealing with the frustration of a template breaking because you tried to add one.

Middle School History Teacher Resume

Middle school history teacher resume example with 3 years experience

Common resume objective roadblocks

If you’re struggling, remember that starting in the wrong place is a common but avoidable pitfall: many applicants try writing their objective first, only to find they don’t know where to begin.  Lessen your stress by drafting the rest of your resume first . Writing a quality resume objective will become easier once your qualifications are laid out on the table. 

Since your objective needs to take up so little space, get selective while skimming the cream of the crop from your resume bullet points. What previous roles resulted in your most impressive contributions to a company? Put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes and think of what they’d want in their next hire, then write your objective based on your most dazzling selling points. 

Return to our objective samples in this post anytime you need some inspiration. You can also better prepare with a  resume outline . Planning out the arrangement of your background and skills will simplify filling out your resume when the time comes. 

Resume objective knockouts, hopefuls, and wannabes

To give you some examples of what we’ve been talking about, let’s look at a mock  job description for a data scientist  and compare three resume objective statements to see what passes muster.

Data scientist job description example:

Currently seeking a remote data scientist for Infinity Solars who is self-starting, innovative, and skilled with various data tools to design/create predictive customer behavioral models. Must be able to translate data for all levels of communication to support leadership groups, give team members actionable business insights, and lead machine-learning algorithm development. Must exhibit exceptional critical thinking skills by gauging the effectiveness and accuracy of data quality and mining techniques.

Now, let’s see how these example resume objective statements stack up:

I can definitely talk to people since I just got out of college for biology. I’m good with group projects and know a lot about computers.

Why it’s not a winner :   Leave out bland objectives like this one, which lacks the valuable info necessary to justify taking up space. What kind of job is this even for?

I love solar power and could use my background in data analysis to help your company. I’m also a big team player and have plenty of qualifying technical skills.

Why it’s just okay:  At least there’s some personality here, although it’s a little informal. This candidate should also specify skills that would benefit the specific company.

Knockout:  Check out our example!

Data scientist career objective

Why it’s great:  Nice—personality traits and skills that align with the job description! We also see years of experience with well-rounded skills that would benefit the company, presented with compelling and enthusiastic word choices.

3 Resume Objectives That Are General but Not Generic

Young man sitting behind his computer screen happily typing away

Keeping a few general (but not generic!) resume objective statements nearby enables you to customize your resume at any time quickly! Take a look at these general examples and note how to make them specific to you: 

Software engineer resume objective

Make resume objective #1 specific to you by:

  • Speaking to the exact obstacles the company mentions in its job ad
  • Mentioning the company name

Elementary teacher resume objective

Make resume objective #2 specific to you by:

  • Mentioning your relevant educational or professional background
  • Connecting your goals with the company’s

Business analyst resume objective

Make resume objective #3 specific to you by:

  • Mentioning a notable company from your extensive experience
  • Presenting your abilities as solutions to company obstacles

7 Resume Objective Examples by Career Stage

Young lady going over notes on a blackboard

The current stage of your career journey is crucial regarding the tone of your resume objective—a senior-level candidate who’s changing careers, for example, should sound different from a fresh graduate. See what we mean?

1. Entry-level resume objective

Data scientist career objective

Entry-level resume examples >>

2. No experience resume objective

Store associate career objective

3. Internship resume objective

Product manager career objective

4. Changing locations resume objective

Program manager career objective

5. Student resume objective

Recruiting assistant career objective

Graduate student resume examples >> College student resume examples >> High school student resume examples >>

6. College graduate resume objective

Marketing assistant career objective

College graduate resume examples >> MBA resume examples >>

7. Changing careers resume objective

Business analyst career objective

Career change resume examples >>

20 Resume Objective Examples Tailored to the Job Description

Now that you’ve made it this far, we’ve put together 20 more resume objectives—specific to various professions—so you can see how they exemplify our tips and tricks from earlier!

1.  Accountant resume objective

Accountant job description  key details:

  • Critical thinking and adept organizational skills, especially concerning client information and records
  • Information gathering and the ability to handle large data sets
  • Strong ethics and integrity with sensitive personal information

Accountant resume objective:

Accountant resume objective

Why this resume works

  • This candidate addresses skills emphasized in the job description while injecting personality and enthusiasm for the role. 
  • They also make up for their limited background experience by focusing on the skills that will make them great accountants while demonstrating an eagerness to learn.

Accountant resume examples >> Accountant cover letter examples >>

2. Attorney resume objective

Attorney job description  key details:

  • Ability to handle fast-paced and high-stress settings
  • Compassionate and caring
  • Logical and creative 

Attorney resume objective:

Attorney resume objective

  • Applicant leads in with necessary and location-specific qualifications and knowledge. 
  • The objective mentions compassion and determination to find justice, tying these values with the organization by name.

Attorney resume examples >> Attorney cover letter examples >>

3.  Business analyst resume objective

Business analyst job description  key details:

  • Analyze, evaluate, and improve business processes
  • Incredible communication and listening skills
  • Detail-oriented, innovative, and technically competent

Business analyst resume objective: 

Business analyst resume objective

  • This candidate uses language from the company site to exhibit relevance despite having limited professional experience. 
  • Applicant quickly provides experience and desirable skills that mirror the job description.

Business analyst resume examples >> Business analyst cover letter examples >>

4.  Customer service resume objective

Customer service job description  key details:

  • Critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
  • Flexible and adaptable 
  • Dependable team player

Customer service resume objective: 

Customer service resume objective

  • The candidate shows efficiency by quickly laying out experience and applicable skills. 
  • This resume objective responds directly to the company’s mission statement in both phrasing and qualification choices.

Customer service resume examples >> Customer service cover letter examples >>

5.  Data analyst resume objective

Data analyst job description  key details:

  • Exemplary analytical and data gathering skills
  • Ability to translate large data sets into actionable points
  • Monitor KPIs and generate reader-friendly reports

Data analyst resume objective: 

Data analyst resume objective

  • This candidate may not have traditional work experience but leverages freelance work to prove knowledge and impact. 
  • It’s a good idea to tie your qualifications to the company’s mission statements, just like this applicant shows how their skill set will benefit the organization.

Data analyst resume examples >> Data analyst cover letter examples >>

6.  Data engineer resume objective

Data engineer job description  key details:

  • Mine data via modern tools and programming languages
  • Ideas for innovative and creative solutions
  • Teamwork and strong collaboration skills

Data engineer resume objective:

Data engineer resume objective

  • Work culture and environment are casual here, so the candidate matches this tone. 
  • The candidate emphasizes teamwork and other skills emphasized in the job description.

Data engineer resume examples >> Data engineer cover letter examples >>

7.  Data scientist resume objective

Data scientist job description  key details:

  • Understanding of how to apply scientific methods to data analysis
  • Use algorithms KPIs to generate business insights 

Data scientist resume objective:

Data scientist resume objective

  • The applicant doesn’t have tons of experience, but they dive right into their educational and technical qualifications to make up for it.
  • The tone of this resume objective mirrors that of Barilla’s company culture, and it pulls in some unique phrasing from their website.

Data scientist resume examples >> Data scientist cover letter examples >>

8.  Graphic designer resume objective

Graphic designer job description  key details:

  • Creativity and technical ability
  • Strong understanding of how to captivate customers with visual media
  • Ability to think outside of the box and implement new ideas within the creative team

Graphic designer resume objective: 

Graphic designer resume objective

  • While the candidate’s field is creative, Felicity’s tone is professional, so the objective statement reflects this.
  • We see qualifications right out the gate, followed by a strong tie-in with company values.

Graphic designer resume examples >> Graphic designer cover letter examples >>

9.  Human resources (HR) resume objective

Human resources (HR) job description  key details:

  • Policy adherence, problem-solving, and conflict resolution
  • Super communication while educating employees and handling paperwork
  • Hiring and intake process 

Human resources resume objective:

Human resources resume objective

  • We immediately see language pulled from the company site and key skills from the job description. 
  • The candidate then brings in personal traits that make them an ideal fit for the role.

Human resources (HR) resume examples >> Human resources (HR) cover letter examples >>

10.  Nursing resume objective

Nursing job description  key details:

  • Checking, recording, and reporting patient vitals 
  • Compassionate and caring bedside manner
  • Resilience during long shifts and difficult situations

Nurse resume objective:

Nurse resume objective

  • This candidate covers all the key points from the job description perfectly.
  • The applicant also explicitly mentions the job setting by name.

Nursing resume examples >> Nursing cover letter examples >>

11.  Operations manager resume objective

Operations manager job description  key details:

  • Increase profits by improving efficiency 
  • Leadership and administration
  • Strategizing and problem-solving

Operations manager resume objective:

Operations manager resume objective

  • The applicant establishes a personal connection with Hilldrup and provides valuable skills.
  • This candidate may not have much experience to share, but they demonstrate specific abilities from the job description and reference the company mission statement.

Operations manager resume examples >> Operations manager cover letter examples >>

12.  Product manager resume objective

Product manager job description  key details:

  • Ensuring congruence between products and company strategy/goals
  • Ability to oversee all functions and aspects of a product’s lifecycle
  • Communication, collaboration, and facilitation 

Product manager resume objective:

Product manager resume objective

  • All the key “skill categories” are covered! This candidate sounds well-rounded and capable.
  • The applicant also references the company vision and specific nuances from the job description.

Product manager resume examples >> Product manager cover letter examples >>

13.  Program manager resume objective

Program manager job description  key details:

  • Leadership, delegation, and coordination abilities
  • Planning, guiding, and driving projects to enhance the company’s portfolio
  • Policy adherence and optimization

Program manager resume objective: 

Program manager resume objective

  • This applicant may be an intern, but they nail the ideal attitude of a confident program manager.
  • We see plenty of key terms from the job description with a little spark of personality from the company site.

Program manager resume examples >> Program manager cover letter examples >>

14.  Project manager resume objective

Project manager job description  key details:

  • Ability to work cross-functionally with multiple departments

Project manager resume objective: 

Project manager resume objective

  • Applicant makes up for limited-to-no professional experience by diving into powerful, relevant skills. 
  • Key phrasing from goals on the company site also makes an appearance.

Project manager resume examples >> Project manager cover letter examples >>

15.  Recruiter resume objective

Recruiter job description  key details:

  • Interpersonal skills and an eye for talent
  • Strong decision-making and organizational skills
  • Ability to guide new hires through onboarding

Recruiter resume objective: 

Recruiter resume objective

  • The soft skills are strong here and immediately tie in with other impressive qualifications. 
  • The candidate references the company’s name, goals, and mission statement.

Recruiter resume examples >> Recruiter cover letter examples >>

16.  Sales resume objective

Sales job description  key details:

  • Team leadership abilities and ability to self-motivate
  • Ability to research and analyze market trends
  • Familiarity with software as it applies to customer assistance and troubleshooting

Sales associate resume objective:

Sales associate resume objective

  • We see relevant personality traits, skills, and experience immediately.
  • The candidate ties personal abilities and past experience with a brand-new role and the company vision.

Sales resume examples >> Sales cover letter examples >>

17.  Scrum master resume objective

Scrum Master job description  key details:

  • Ability to serve as the point of contact for external communication
  • Results-driven personality and ability to pinpoint areas for improvement
  • Adaptability while teaching and adhering to Agile/Scrum values and empowering team members

Scrum master resume objective: 

Scrum master resume objective

  • The applicant’s personality shines through as they highlight personal skill growth.
  • The tone of this resume objective is ambitious and knowledgeable.

Scrum Master resume examples >> Scrum Master cover letter examples >>

18.  Social media manager resume objective

Social media manager job description  key details:

  • Ability to strategize, plan, and execute ad campaigns
  • Knack for keeping up with market trends
  • Increase target audience reach via analytics and targeting

Social media manager resume objective:

Social media manager resume objective

  • This candidate gets straight to the point, citing an impressive metric and relating it to the company.
  • Worthington’s company vision also makes an appearance. Nice!

Social media manager resume examples >> Social media manager cover letter examples >>

19.  Software engineer resume objective

Software engineer job description  key details:

  • Engineering mindset applied to software development
  • Analyze, enhance, and test existing software and code
  • Creativity while engineering new programming solutions

Software engineer resume objective:

Software engineer resume objective

  • The candidate mirrors the conversational, storytelling tone of the company site and pulls specific phrases from its vision statements. 
  • Technical skills and a go-getter attitude make up for a sparse professional history.

Software engineer resume examples >> Software engineer cover letter examples >>

20.  Teacher resume objective

Teacher job description  key details:

  • Fantastic communication and listening skills
  • Ability to pleasantly keep control of the room
  • Organization and record-keeping abilities 

Teacher resume objective:

Teacher resume objective

  • The applicant leads with a robust set of personal qualities that demonstrate the ideal archetype of a caring teacher. 
  • The candidate highlights  how  their skills will benefit people at the school where they apply.

Teacher resume examples >> Teacher cover letter examples >>

30 More Job-Specific Resume Objectives

While you look through these next 30 resume objective samples, imagine they’re tailored to a specific job description—and look for ways you can do the same while writing your own.

1.  Account manager resume objective

Account manager resume objective

2.  Barista resume objective

Barista resume objective

3.  Chef resume objective

Chef resume objective

4.  Computer science resume objective

Computer science resume objective

5.  Construction worker resume objective

Construction worker resume objective

6.  Consulting resume objective

Consulting resume objective

7.  Dentist resume objective

Dentist resume objective

8.  Electrician resume objective

Electrician resume objective

9.  Front desk receptionist resume objective

Front-desk receptionist career objective example

10.  Full-stack engineer resume objective

Full-stack engineer resume objective

11.  Hostess resume objective

Hostess resume objective

12.  Medical assistant resume objective

Medical assistant resume objective

13.  Network engineer resume objective

Network engineer resume objective

14.  Personal trainer resume objective

Personal trainer resume objective

15.  Pharmacist resume objective

Pharmacist resume objective

16.  Product owner resume objective

Product owner resume objective

17.  Programmer resume objective

Programmer resume objective

18.  Real estate agent resume objective

Real estate agent resume objective

19.  Truck driver resume objective

Truck driver career objective example

20.  Web developer resume objective

Career objective example for a web developer with JavaScript, PHP, and Mongo DB experience

21.  High school student resume objective

High school student career objective example for a cashier role

22.  Stay at home mom resume objective

Stay-at-home mom career objective example with 8 years of parenting

23.  Server resume objective

Career objective example for server position at Olive Garden

24.  Nanny resume objective

Nanny career objective with 5 years of experience

25.  Data entry resume objective

Career objective example for data entry clerk role with experience in improving record accessibility

26.  Marketing resume objective

Career objective example for a marketing associate role with experience in Hootsuite

27.  Teacher assistant resume objective

Career objective for a teacher assistant with 4 years of experience

28.  Caregiver resume objective

Caregiver career objective with 7 years of experience in pain management and motivation

29.  Social worker resume objective

Career objective for a social worker with success in increasing students' success rates

30.  Dental assistant resume objective

Career objective example for dental assistant with five years of experience

On a resume, your objective is your goal . Where do you want to be in your field, and what qualifying skills, personal traits, or experiences will help you get there? How does the next step in your career journey relate to the job description? How do your professional goals benefit the company you’re connecting with?

A good objective statement tells readers why you want the job and how you can contribute if you’re hired. Your objective should also forge your first link with the company by connecting over mutual values or goals. You also want to keep things concise and avoid repeating yourself later in the resume: Keep everything fresh!

Your resume objective should state that you want the job and then make your reader want to give it to you by supporting your qualifications with a few skills. Connect with the company to demonstrate thoroughness and ambition! If you have an example of how you align with the company or have overcome one of their current obstacles, include it briefly if you have room.

It’s almost always effective to open your objective with a few skills that demonstrate your understanding of the job. (“Given my background in networking and my extensive knowledge of MongoDB, . . .”).

Then, you can segue into how your skills align with the job description of the company you’re applying to. You can also open with your personal connection to the organization’s values.

Your career objective should just be a few concise, skillfully crafted sentences! You don’t want to use too much page space, and you want recruiters to get to your attention-grabbing credentials and experiences quickly. Show your written communication skills by limiting your objective to around 30 to 50 words.

The purpose of an objective is to help entry-level candidates (or others with limited experience or a career switch on the horizon) sum up how their personal professional goals align with the company’s. Your objective should express enthusiasm for the core mission of the job role and demonstrate that you’re a strong candidate with examples.

Resume Objective Takeaways and Your Next Steps

We know it’s easy to get lost amid so many details and tidbits of information: But don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees. Refer to the above objective examples and take inspiration from our  1,000+ resume examples . 

And when it’s time to write your resume objective statement, take a step back and don’t forget about our easy formula: 

X + Y + Z = Eye-catching objective statement! 

X =  Your applicable personal characteristics and traits 

Y =  Years of experience and/or quantified success/results 

Z =  How these results (or other relevant and comparable qualifications) apply to the specific job role 

This formula will be your resume objective statement’s lifesaver! If you don’t have experience yet, try to balance that out with your previous achievements or character traits that align with the company and its vision—these will show you’re a desirable hire even if you haven’t had the chance to prove it just yet. 

Lastly, remember that we have plenty of other helpful tools to ensure the rest of your resume is as stunning as your objective statement! Stop by and check out our  resume builder  and handy  resume tips . You’ve got everything you need to get started—so get ready to let yourself shine!

Create my free resume now

Go from 0 to job offers with our free, 4-day email course for college students and recent grads.

  • AI Content Shield
  • AI KW Research
  • AI Assistant
  • SEO Optimizer
  • AI KW Clustering
  • Customer reviews
  • The NLO Revolution
  • Press Center
  • Help Center
  • Content Resources
  • Facebook Group

Career Change Resume Objective: An Effective Guide

Table of Contents

The desire to switch careers is not bad, especially if you’re unhappy with your current job. If that’s the case, it’s time to update your resume objectives accordingly.  Changing career resume objective  requires you to tailor your objective to this new goal, demonstrating your sincere interest in making a move.

Think about what you want from your next job and focus on highlighting those skills and experiences in your resume. You will learn to write excellent career change resume objectives from this guide, making it easy to stand out from the crowd. 

What Is Career Change Resume Objective?

A career resume objective briefly describes your professional experience , and what you can offer the company you’re applying to. It helps you stand out from the pool of applicants, especially when your resume is fresh and new. 

Before writing a career change objective, decide which career you want to switch to. Your resume should describe your goals and ambitions for your new career. This section is a pitch rather than a list of job skills. This information will make hiring managers understand your interest in their organization and what it stands to gain from your expertise.

Why Is Changing Career Resume Objective Important?

There are a few reasons why having a change of career resume objective is essential. It:

  • Shows that you’re proactive and that you are willing to take the initiative.
  • Helps you stand out from the competition. 
  • Demonstrates that you have thought of what you want to do and how best to achieve your goals. 
  • Demonstrates your commitment to your career goals.
  • If done correctly, it can distinguish you from the others applying for the same position.

How to write a Career Change Resume Objective

Changing careers can be a daunting task, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding one. Your resume objective becomes extremely important when looking for a new job in a different field. It’s the first thing prospective employers will notice, and you must show that you have the skills they’re looking for.

How do you write a career change resume objective that stands out? 

white printer paper on macbook pro

1. Determine what you want to do

This step is the most important regarding career change resume objectives. Unless you know what you want to achieve, it will be difficult – if not impossible – to draft a convincing objective statement. So take some time for self-reflection and identify your passions, strengths, and skills. 

Are there any specific industries or roles that interest you? Or are there specific tasks or activities which make you feel fulfilled? Having a definite idea of what direction you’d like to head in, start brainstorming keywords related to this field/position.

2. Target your Objective Toward a Specific Organization

Target your objective toward the specific company or industry of your interest. If you want to work at an advertising agency, state why your background makes you perfect, rather than just stating what position you want.

Alternatively, if certain aspects of the job market appeal to you (strong growth potential, innovative companies), highlight them in your objective statement. 

Regardless of your approach, always ensure that your objectives reflect what YOU want – not what someone else wants from you. Employers can smell desperation from miles away, so make sure your objective reads confidently.

3. Identify Transferable Skills

Highlight the transferable skills you have from your previous jobs that are relevant to the position you’re targeting. 

4. Craft an attention-grabbing headline

A strong headline can help hook the reader and create intrigue around your background and qualifications. Good headlines are often underestimated, but they are one of the first things potential employers see. Use it to convey your unique selling point. 

5. Tailor your objective statement

When changing careers, it’s important to highlight your skills and experience in a way that relates to the new field you’re interested in. The most effective approach to do this is by creating resume objectives that target the position you’re applying for. 

6. List out specific goals or objectives that you have for your career change.

  • Use strong verbs

Use strong verbs to describe the actions and accomplishments you were responsible for in past roles. This will show off your capabilities more than passive phrases.

  • Maintain a friendly tone

Make sure to keep your tone friendly and positive, emphasizing how this new opportunity will help you grow professionally.

Changing Career Resume Objective Examples

Example 1: jobs in business development.

“To use more than seven years of experience working in a deadline-driven atmosphere to quickly learn and advance in a profession in business development. Accomplishing difficult tasks results from strong communication abilities and the demonstrated capacity to create reliable connections and successfully manage competing demands. A self-starter with a lot of drive determined to succeed in her new work.”

Use these words to create a strong, personal objective statement.

  • The capacity to communicate clearly at all levels. Results-oriented self-starter with lots of enthusiasm.
  • Showed organizational and planning abilities with the capacity to manage many priorities successfully.
  • The capacity to create and deliver persuasive presentations.
  • Skilled at using data analysis to choose the best course of action.
  • Excellent negotiating and listening abilities.

Example 2: Client service manager Jobs

“A talented and experienced administrator with experience managing several priorities and serving the demands of clients. Seeking a position in customer service. A career changer ready to improve your business’s client experience through diligent and dedication.”

Using these words, write your unique objective statement.

  • A high degree of accuracy, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to effectively manage several tasks. 
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills. 
  • Capable of solving problems and coming to wise conclusions under high-stress situations.
  • Effective writing and verbal skills.
  • Capacity to function both individually and in a group.

Writing career change resume objectives can be easy. A professional resume objective creates intrigue, interest, and opportunity . 

First, make sure your objective is specific and measurable. Next, focus on the outcomes of your actions rather than the activities themselves. This way  changing career resume objective  can work to your advantage, and potential employers can see exactly how you’re planning on advancing your career. 

Finally, always stay positive! No one wants to hire someone who sounds negative or uncertain about their ability to succeed.

Career Change Resume Objective: An Effective Guide

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

Explore All Write Job Objectives Articles

Better & effective mechanical engineer career objective examples.

If you’re looking for mechanical engineer career objective examples, you’re at the right place! A career objective is a statement…

  • Write Job Objectives

Better Guide to Customer Service Job Objective Statement

Are you looking for a job that will allow you to help people and make them happy? If so, then…

A Guide to Writing Career Objective in a CV for Civil Engineers

The job market for civil engineers is becoming more and more competitive. Landing your dream job today depends on how…

Career Objective for a Security Guard Job: an Effective Guide

A career objective for a security guard job in your resume helps secure the position you are looking for in…

A Guide to Writing Career Objectives for Hospitality Job

Do you wish to work in the hospitality sector? This quick guide will show you how to set effective career…

Effective Teacher Job Objective For Resume

A resume objective is an essential part of a teacher’s resume. It helps to quickly and effectively summarize the skills…

  • Preparation Tips
  • Interview Checklist
  • Questions&Answers
  • Difficult Questions
  • Questions to Ask

Interview Tips

  • Dress for Success
  • Job Interview Advice
  • Behavioral Interview
  • Entry Level Interview
  • Information Interview
  • Panel Interviews
  • Group Interviews
  • Phone Interviews
  • Skype Interviews
  • Second Interviews
  • Zoom Interviews
  • Job Interview Guides
  • Administrative
  • Call Center
  • Clerical Interview
  • Customer Service
  • Human Resources
  • Office Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Restaurant Jobs
  • Social Work
  • Interview Follow Up
  • Thank You Letters
  • Job References
  • Employment Tests
  • Background Checks
  • Character References
  • Accepting a Job Offer
  • Decline a Job Offer
  • Verbal Job Offer
  • Negotiate Salary
  • How to Resign
  • Job Search Strategy
  • Job Search Tips
  • Respond to Interview Request
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Surviving a Layoff
  • Sample Resumes
  • Resume Objectives

Cover Letters

Job Descriptions

  • Job Interview Blog
  • Best Articles

Privacy Policy

  • Career Change Resume Objective

Career Change Resume Objective Examples

A career change resume objective should highlight your transferable skills and competencies as they relate directly to the new job opportunity.

There are a number of job skills and behaviors that are necessary for successful job performance in a range of different career fields. Focus on these in your resume objective.

Blue illustration of white rocket taking off with text "how to write a career change resume objective"

In your objective statement demonstrate what you can contribute to the new position and the company and why you are a good fit for your new career.

How to write a persuasive objective for your career change resume

Focus on Transferable Skills

There are certain core skills and competencies that can be applied to several different careers. These include:

  • planning, organizing and prioritizing
  • verbal and written communication skills
  • problem analysis and problem solving
  • decision-making and judgment

12 Core Competencies for job success

List of Job Skills

Your resume objective statement should articulate your skills in such a way that their relevancy to the new job you are applying for is immediately clear to the employer.

Highlight Personal Qualities

You will also want to include personal qualities that will benefit a new employer. Highlight the relevant behaviors that employers look for, including:

  • reliability
  • flexibility
  • hard working

List of employee strengths

Use Relevant Keywords

Keywords are essential to getting your resume found and noticed by potential employers. This can be a challenge for a career changer as your experience may not include the necessary keywords for the new job.

The best way to get around this is to carefully study the job description and similar job postings and find the keywords that do match up to your skills, experience and strengths.

Include these keywords in your career change resume objective statement. You may be surprised at how many matching and relevant skills you find.

Resume Keywords

Career change resume objective examples

Here we look at the transferable skills and strengths required in different career fields

"To leverage over ten years experience in a deadline-driven office environment to quickly learn and grow in a sales career. Strong communication skills combined with the proven ability to build robust relationships and effectively manage competing demands result in the achievement of challenging goals. A highly motivated self-starter who is fully committed to proving herself in a new career."

Build a persuasive, personal objective statement using these phrases.

  • ability to effectively communicate at all levels
  • results-driven self starter with high energy levels
  • proven planning and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities effectively
  • ability to develop and present winning presentations
  • able to effectively analyze data to determine appropriate actions
  • well developed listening and negotiation skills

Customer Service Jobs

"Capable and professional administrator seeking a customer service position that will utilize a strong background in efficiently managing multiple priorities and successfully meeting client demands. Hard working and committed career changer who is eager to make a positive contribution to your company's customer experience."

Create your own personal objective statement using these phrases.

  • high degree of accuracy and close attention to detail
  • proven ability to efficiently handle multiple responsibilities
  • excellent organizational and planning skills
  • proven track record of maintaining composure and professionalism in a fast-paced environment
  • able to problem-solve and make sound decisions in a high energy environment
  • clear and effective verbal and written communication skills
  • ability to work independently and as a team member

Hospitality Jobs

"Seeking a hospitality position that will effectively maximize X years experience in meeting the demands of a fast-paced work environment.  Strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to effectively multitask and demonstrated success in building positive working relationships at all levels. A high-energy individual eager for a career in the hospitality industry."

Develop your own personal career change resume objective using these phrases.

  • able to work well under pressure and balance competing demands
  • intense focus on creating an outstanding customer experience
  • demonstrated ability to make independent decisions based on sound judgment
  • consistently achieved high work standards and company objectives

well developed communication and listening skills

  • ability to interact effectively with a diverse customer base

Career Change for T eachers

One of the most common career changes is from teaching into a variety of jobs including human resources, administration, sales and marketing. Teachers have a wide range of in-demand skills and competencies that can be successfully transferred to another career. These include:

  • analysis, evaluation and problem-solving
  • able to quickly adapt to changing situations and diverse individuals
  • communication skills, active listening and the ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner
  • judgment and decision-making
  • planning and organizing
  • persuading and influencing

Graphic showing steps to writing a career change resume objective in text

How to highlight being a fast learner in your resume objective

When changing careers the willingness and ability to quickly master and apply new skills is key to your success. Good phrases to use to highlight this, include:

"Able to assimilate new information quickly and efficiently"

"Able to quickly and effectively adapt to new situations"

"Able to quickly and successfully react to changing demands"

"Adept at learning and applying new skills"

How to write a career change cover letter

change career resume objective

CAREER CHANGE

Career Change Cover Letter Sample

change career resume objective

Write a Career Change Cover Letter

change career resume objective

How to Create a Winning Cover Letter

How to write a good objective for a resume

What is a Career Change Resume Objective?

General Resume Objective Examples

Entry Level Resume Objectives

Top resume pages

change career resume objective

SAMPLE RESUMES

Over 50 Sample Resumes

change career resume objective

Sample Resume Template

change career resume objective

Top Resume Writing Tips

To Top of Page

Don't Miss These Latest Updates

Problem-solving is a key skill for today's workplace. Problem-solving behavioral interview questions

Compelling sample interview answers to "Why do you want to work for this company?"

11 essential supervisor interview questions and answers plus industry specific supervisor Q&A .

How to ask for a letter of recommendation with this sample email requesting letter of recommendation .

What are the top 10 reasons for leaving your job? Find out acceptable reasons for leaving a job.

Sample employment acceptance letter and email to properly confirm your acceptance of the job offer and employment contract.

What are your strengths? Find out the 11 essential workplace strengths at list of strengths and weaknesses

Interview Preparation

Interview Questions & Answers

Interview Guides

After the Interview

The Job Offer

Latest News

© Copyright 2023  |   Best-Job-Interview.com    |   All Rights Reserved.

IMAGES

  1. Career Change Resume [Detailed Guide with Sample & Cover Letter]

    change career resume objective

  2. 9 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2023

    change career resume objective

  3. Career Change Resume Example (Guide, Samples & Tips)

    change career resume objective

  4. Changing Careers? 7 Details to Include on Your Resume

    change career resume objective

  5. Ultimate Guide to Creating a Resumé for a Career Change

    change career resume objective

  6. 33+ Best career change resume samples That You Can Imitate

    change career resume objective

VIDEO

  1. Resume Tips

  2. Career Change Resume

  3. Resume Tips and how to answer the "What is your greatest weakness" interview question

  4. Resume Revitalization

  5. Crafting Your Path: Building a Successful Career

  6. Crafting Your Perfect Resume Profile Summary or Career Objective

COMMENTS

  1. How To Craft a Career Change Resume Objective (With Examples)

    Use these steps when writing a career change resume objective: 1. Read the job description. First review the job description to gain a clear understanding of what the employer is seeking from candidates so you can tailor your objective to the role. To catch the potential employer's attention, use the same or similar language and keywords in ...

  2. How To Write a Resume Objective For a Career Change

    Put your objective at the top of your resume, just below your contact information, under the optional title of ' Summary .'. Include the title of the job you're applying for and the company name. Mention any relevant skills or experience you can bring to the role, including any impressive accomplishments you want to highlight.

  3. How to Write Your Career Change Resume Objective: Examples

    Poor Career Change Resume Objective Examples. Seeking an opportunity as a salesperson at your company. I read that you offer a great bonus, so I decided to apply because I'm greatly in need. Stressed ex-doctor looking for a 9 to 5 teaching job with kids who don't ask a lot of questions.

  4. Career Change Resume for 2024 [9+ Examples]

    Career Change Resume Objective Example. Resume Objective Example: Changing Careers. "Organized and hard-working employee looking to join XYZ as a marketing assistant. Looking to take advantage of my skills in Photoshop, graphic design, and creative copywriting to help XYZ with their marketing efforts.".

  5. Resume Examples for Making a Career Change (Plus Tips)

    Examples of resumes aimed at a career change. When crafting your resume, you may want to review a few examples. Here are three sample resumes for people looking to enter a new field: 1. Teaching resume for someone with experience in customer support.

  6. Switching Careers? Here's How to Write a Strong Resume

    Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to ...

  7. How to Write a Career Change Resume [With Template]

    Your objective should be no longer than a couple sentences. If it takes up more than two or three lines on your resume, try to shorten it. 2. Include a skills summary. If you're in the midst of changing careers, you'll want to feature your skills prominently on your resume.

  8. Career Change Resume Example (Guide, Samples & Tips)

    Career Change Resume Objective—Sample. Most resume objectives just show passion. As a career changer, you can't stop there, or you'll lose the hiring manager. This objective from a resume for a career changer does it wrong: wrong. Passionate project manager with skills in lean principles and defining requirements.

  9. How to Write a Career Change Resume (3+ Examples)

    Anyone can write a strong resume to change careers by emphasizing these two things in their application: 1.) relevant experience, and 2.) transferable skills. To make sure you cover all the information hiring managers want to see on a career change resume, follow these five steps: Use the functional resume format.

  10. Career Change Resume Examples for 2024 (+Templates & Tips)

    Career Change Resume Objective Example Good Example Energetic software engineer, seeking to use proven skills in Java and C++ to provide expert development to Blue Waffle Worldwide. Created 4 working web apps and 4 mobile apps. Debugged 15 web apps and contributed to 8 GitHub projects. Wrote code for 25+ client projects.

  11. 75+ Real-Life Resume Objective Examples [+How-to Guide]

    #3. Career Change Resume Objective. The next most common situation where you'd use a resume objective is if you're going for a career change. A resume objective helps the hiring manager understand how your skillset from a previous field helps translate into the job you're applying for. Here, you can mention:

  12. Career Change Resume: Examples and Tips from Experts

    Career Change Resume Objective (And Why NOT To Include This) You should not include a resume objective when changing careers (or on any resume, in fact). A resume objective is an outdated section that should be replaced with a resume summary section - a brief intro summarizing your experience, skills, accomplishments, and anything else you ...

  13. 11 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2024

    Whatever else, don't let building your resume or writing a cover letter be a source of anxiety. We've compiled 11 career change resume examples and a free guide to help steer you toward your dream job in 2024 . Even if your new career isn't in our samples, that's okay! What's essential in these samples is the how and why, so keep ...

  14. How to Write a Career Change Resume (Guide, Templates ...

    3. Write a resume objective or summary that frames your career change as a strength. Your resume objective or resume summary sections are a great way to convince recruiters that your past experience sets you up as the perfect candidate for the new role. These statements tie in your experience and skills with what your new career demands.

  15. Resume Objective: 20+ Career Statement Examples

    Resume Objective Sample: Legal Assistant. Right. Engaged, organized graduate with Duke Continuing Studies Legal Assistant Certificate, specializing in real estate law (1). 2+ years of experience in coordinating and organizing (2) key communications (3) and scheduling executive calendars (4) for the Tiffany Group team.

  16. How To Write A Resume Objective Statement (Examples Included)

    2) Making It All About You. This is a trap that many job seekers fall into, as they can't resist to use the objective to list off all of the things that they want to get out of the position. EXAMPLE: Hi, I'm Joe Jobseeker and I really want a job in a company where I make a ton of money doing as little as possible.

  17. 60+ Resume Objective Examples for 2024 & How-to Guide

    Changing careers resume objective. Career change resume examples >> 20 Resume Objective Examples Tailored to the Job Description. Now that you've made it this far, we've put together 20 more resume objectives—specific to various professions—so you can see how they exemplify our tips and tricks from earlier!

  18. 54+ Good Resume Objective Examples & Writing Guide

    Career change resume objective. Friendly customer care expert with 5+ years of experience in a retail environment. Switching my career focus to the hospitality industry, bringing well-developed transferable skills such as conflict resolution, empathy, and POS expertise. Ready to thrive in a new role as Front Desk Associate at Carmichael Inn.

  19. Career Change Resume Objective: An Effective Guide

    Changing career resume objective requires you to tailor your objective to this new goal, demonstrating your sincere interest in making a move. Think about what you want from your next job and focus on highlighting those skills and experiences in your resume. You will learn to write excellent career change resume objectives from this guide ...

  20. Career Change Resume Objective

    A career change resume objective should highlight your transferable skills and competencies as they relate directly to the new job opportunity. There are a number of job skills and behaviors that are necessary for successful job performance in a range of different career fields. Focus on these in your resume objective.

  21. How To Write A Career Change Resume Objective (With Samples)

    Here are some steps you can follow when writing your career change resume objective: 1. Understand the job description. Reading the job description can help you understand the company's requirements so that you can draft your resume objective to highlight your strongest and most relevant traits for the role.

  22. Resume Hack To Land A New Job: Highlight Your Unique Value

    Create a compelling resume with the value formula: [Skill] + [Achievement/Result] + [Impact] = Value. This formula helps you convey what you did, how well you did it and what effect it had. Skill ...

  23. 51 Examples of General Resume Objective Statements

    51 Examples of General Resume Objective Statements. An objective statement is a useful section on your resume that showcases your skills, experience and career goals. Hiring managers can review this statement to better understand your professional history. If you're creating a resume, reviewing examples of career objectives may be useful for you.

  24. How To Make a Career Change: Your Step-by-Step Guide

    Set career goals. Research the job market. Develop new skills. Expand your network. Apply for new positions. Here are the steps you can take as you move toward a new career path: 1. Assess your current position. When you're ready to make a career change, start with some self-reflection about your current job.