Resume objective statement?

A resume objective statement is placed immediately below your contact information. The objective statement tells the reviewer what kind of position you want -- for example, "Seeking a position as an administrative assistant." Some statements include more detail, such as "Seeking an administrative position using my organizational, word processing, and customer service skills."

Objective statements are optional and are most often used by recent graduates and career changers. "I like to see an objective on a resume because it shows focus," says Jannette Beamon of Dell Computers' Central Staffing Division in Round Rock, Texas.

But writing resume objectives can be tricky. A vague statement, such as "Seeking a position that uses my skills and experience," is meaningless. And an overly specific statement can backfire, eliminating you from jobs you want that are slightly different from your objective.

If you decide to include an objective statement, make sure it fits the job you are applying for. "Tailoring is expected," says Beamon. "A statement should show that you know the type of work the company does and the type of position it needs to fill."