Resume Objectives
By Sayaka Seino
A critical part of a resume is the objectives section. This has been a changing part of resumes. Many objectives are becoming profiles. This is usually the first section the employer reviews. They want to see what you want to accomplish and what you will bring to their company. If this section is bold and straightforward, your resume will stick out to them. The main difference between objectives and profiles is the tense in which you write it. Objectives are written in first person while profiles are written in third person. Profiles can make you appeal more boldly than objectives can. The main thing to do when making this transition is to change your mindset. Profiles will have you think what you can do for others and how you can make a positive impact on the company, as opposed to what the company can do for you.

	Objectives are written in first person while profiles are written in third person.

Resumes have certainly evolved over the years. One of the biggest changes they are going through currently is the transition from objectives to profiles. Undoubtedly, the space right underneath the contact information is vital in getting the applicant noticed because it is the first place most employers look upon their first 20 second review. Therefore it is important to plan this section carefully, and it is important to know why you would want to choose the profile format over the traditional objective.

A profile or statement of qualification basically serves the same purpose as an objective statement. It tells the employer what kind of job you want and how you will benefit their company with your skills and qualifications. Like an objective, it gives the employer a quick idea of the type of candidate you are and what you have to offer.

The difference between profiles and objectives stands in the tone of the statement. Traditionally, job objectives are written in first person, starting with phrases like ''I seek a job where,'' or ''I look to work in.'' They are written in this way because it is a direct and easy way to tell the employer exactly what you are looking for. Profiles, on the other hand, are written in third person predicate, with phrases that sound more like they are written about you rather than in your own voice. This is also an effective way to concisely describe your career goals and what you can bring to the table.

Find out ahead of time exactly what skills and qualifications the company is looking for so you can emphasize the skills that match what they want.

The reason why you may want to choose to write a profile over an objective statement is that with an objective, you are using statements that are oriented towards yourself with words like ''I'' and ''my,'' whereas with profiles, the statements are more oriented towards the employer, or to ''them.'' By concentrating on how you can help the company instead of how the company can help you, you are more likely to present yourself in a way that is appealing for hire.

You will want to take advantage of your profile statement and boldly insert positive statements that show you are the best person for the job. Find out ahead of time exactly what skills and qualifications the company is looking for so you can emphasize the skills that match what they want. Catering to the people who are doing the hiring is the best way to get noticed, and the profile is the best place to do just that.

In order to make the switch from objectives to profiles, you will need to switch your mindset. If you have been writing objectives in the past, you may be used to talking about the things you want and the things you are going to achieve. However, in order to switch to the mindset required for profiles, you need to start thinking in terms of what you can do for others and how you can bring something positive to the business. By changing your mindset in this way you are sure to improve your candidacy for the positions for which you apply.