Résumé No – Gos: Ditch the Objective Statement

Last week we introduced the Law of Primacy and Recency, which tells us people remember best what they read first and what they read last. Therefore, first and last are critical locations on our resumes. Last week we addressed what the bottom line of your resume should NOT be. This week we’ll quickly discuss what NOT to include at the top: the outdated objective statement.

Now, this may be a controversial view, but wasting the valuable real estate at the top of your résumé on a generic statement about what you are looking for in a job adds little value for the employer. Rather, begin with a sharp professional summary highlighting your unique skills with a nod toward the qualifications listed in the job posting.