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A guide to determine the "best fit" for your Resume

If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.

In other words-- focus -- This definitely applies to your resume.

Generic "one size fits all" and broad based resumes just don't cut it. Employers are looking for specific job and industry experience.... And you can showcase that, starting with the Objective Statement or Professional Summary. This article is to help job seekers differentiate between the a job objective statement and a professional summary and determine which best suits your situation.

Career Objective: A career objective is your current employment goal. Its focus is short term rather than long term. It defines what you desire as your next career move, however states that from the perspective of how it can benefit your future employer. Whether or not a career objective is visible on a resume, one should be determined by the job seeker before writing the resume. It will provide focus for the reader and sets the tone for the rest of the resume.

The career objective is a specific statement which reflects the following:

• The specific position/ industry/ field sought.


• Specific skills/ experience which qualify the job seekers, relevant to the position


• The benefit or value the job seeker brings to the employer.

• 
  Career Change: In the case of a career change, it is necessary to state up front the specific career desired and the willingness to take an entry level position


• 
  Specific requirements: Such as location, part-time or internship employment, or a specific position or organizational culture.


• 
  Less than 3 years professional experience: Generally, the alternative to a career or job objective is a professional summary. New graduates or individuals re-entering the work force rarely have enough recent relevant experience for an impactful professional summary.

Professional Summary: A professional summary is a statement which defines the desired job and summarizes why you are qualified for the job. It is a summary of your professional expertise, experience and accomplishments which are relevant to the employer. Its purpose is to highlight the fit between your expertise and the employer's needs.

The Professional Summary provides the employer with an overall summary of your years of relevant experience, rather than relying upon their ability to extract it from your various work experiences. It also provides an opportunity to "brand" yourself to the employer. The Professional Summary may also be known as the Qualifications Summary, Professional Strengths, Core Skills or Core Competency Section.

The Professional Summary is a brief paragraph of 3-4 sentences which reflect the following:

• Provides a clear indication and summary of your skills, experience (including number of years), accomplishments, advanced degrees/ licenses and professional characteristics worth noting.


• Contains key skills and attributes in the form of industry specific keywords


• Contains a clear value proposition from the perspective of meeting the employer's needs and proof of your ability to deliver.

• 
  Seasoned Professional: You have 5 or more years of professional experience in the specific industry and position requirements


• 
  Management or Executive: You are qualified for professional management or executive level.


• 
  Noteworthy Accomplishments: You have noteworthy accomplishments skills, or experience which may not otherwise be seen until later in the work history.

Here's to your Success

Now, to get started right away writing an impactful objective statement or professional summary, download my step-by-step handbook, complete with examples. Just go to http://www.JobSeekersGold.com and click on the Career objective and professional summary guide. From Dominique Koukol, Author of Job Seekers Gold: What Savvy Job Seekers Know about Resumes.

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