Myth Number Two: About Executive Resume Writing: Every résumé should have an Objective.

posted by Waffles

Here’s a quote to think about in the context of executive resume writing: “To sing the Magnificat at matins.” To do things at the wrong time, or out of place. The Magnificat does not belong to the morning service, but to vespers. ?E. Cobham Brewer, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898). Quoted in Bartleby.com.

When writing your resume for application to an executive position, should you include an Objective? No, because it doesn’t belong there.

Your executive resume writing should be guided by thinking of it as a marketing piece. It contains employer-centric statements that demonstrate what you bring to the table – and how you can improve the organization that is smart enough and fortunate enough to hire you. In most cases, your job search “objective” is focused on you, and has nothing to do with your value to an employer.

Even if you are able to write an Objective statement that is employer-focused and demonstrates your value as an executive to the organization, that doesn’t mean that it belongs in your resume. If you are going to have an Objective statement, put it in your cover letter, where it belongs.

Don’t be caught “singing the Magnificat at matins.” Even if you sing it well, you will be singing the wrong tune at the wrong time, and you just might end up singing the blues. At Career Change, our executive resume writing experts will make sure you always sing the proper tune.