A career coach weighs in on whether you should include a Summary or an Objective in your resume - or neither.
a year ago • 4 min read
Applying for jobs can feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to knowing what to put in your resume. One of the biggest questions you may have is whether they should include an objective or summary for your resume.
Before we get started, let’s clarify the difference between a resume objective and a summary.
Traditionally, the objective for a resume is focused on you. It usually focuses on their goals and desires. For example, “Seeking a challenging software development role to further enhance my coding skills.”
Alternatively, a summary highlights your professional journey and showcases how you can contribute to the company. For example, “Experienced software developer with a passion for creating innovative solutions. Proven track record of improving system efficiency by over 20%.”
In the sections below, you’ll learn whether you need a summary or career objective for your resume, as well as some best practices for crafting these sections.
In most cases, you can skip writing an objective or summary altogether. Here are some reasons why you probably should:
Of course, there are times when a summary (not an objective) might be appropriate. You should include a summary in your resume if you have a lot of experience that relates to the job you’re applying for. And if you’re a career changer, including a summary can be a productive way to explain how your previous job relates to the one you’re applying for.
If you want to add an introduction to your resume, a summary is more effective than an objective. That’s because objectives usually focus on how the company will benefit you, whereas summaries usually focus on how you will benefit the company.
As mentioned above, you probably don’t need to include a job objective or summary in your resume. However, if you want to include one, a summary is better. Here are some resume objective examples and summaries that highlight why.
Summary statements focus on what you offer the employer — not what you gain from the job.
A summary allows you to highlight your most relevant skills and achievements upfront.
Summary statements can quickly encapsulate your career progression and success.
I recommend uploading your resume to the tool below – it will scan your resume summary (or objective) and provide feedback on its relevance to your resume. Additionally, it will highlight the effective parts of your resume and identify areas that need improvement.
Some applicants can benefit from including a summary in their resumes. If you fall into one of the categories below, you might be one of them.
As an established professional, having a summary allows you to highlight your achievements upfront.
Seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry. Led successful campaigns that increased brand visibility by 50% and contributed to a 30% growth in sales annually.
If you’re shifting industries or roles, a summary can bridge the gap between past experience and the new job target.
Former financial analyst transitioning to data science. Leveraged advanced statistical analysis skills to guide high-stakes decision-making in past roles. Recently completed a data science bootcamp and looking to apply these new skills to help companies make data-driven decisions.
A summary can provide context around employment gaps, helping to mitigate potential concerns upfront.
Dedicated healthcare professional returning to work after a sabbatical taken to care of a family member. Kept skills updated through continuous education. Known for compassionate patient care and excellent team leadership.
If you’re aiming for a senior role, a summary can demonstrate leadership skills, achievements, and strategic capabilities.
Chief Financial Officer with 10+ years of experience in the finance industry. A strategic planner with a record of improving operational efficiency by 30%. Successfully raised $5M in company funding.
If you have a diverse range of experiences across various industries or roles, a summary can help tie your experiences together and create a cohesive narrative.
Versatile professional with experience in sales, customer service, and marketing. Skilled at building relationships, identifying customer needs, and developing effective marketing strategies. Seeking to leverage this experience to drive sales growth.
If you want help crafting a compelling resume introduction, give our free Resume Summary Generator a try!
