A Guide to Writing Career Objective And Summary

You’ve probably already heard about a career objective and a career summary. Both are great tools for providing potential employers with an overview of your skills and experience. They share many similarities in terms of their function. But what is the difference between a career objective vs career summary?

In this quick guide, we’re going to discuss the importance and uses of a career objective and summary. We’ll also look at their differences, so you can know which one to use. Keep reading to learn how to use these tools to make your resume stand out!

The Importance of Career Objectives and Summaries

Career objectives and summaries are essential because they give potential employers a concise overview of your skills, experience, and goals. They provide an easy way to see what you can offer an organization. This is especially important if the employer is looking to fill a specific position.

Furthermore, these documents can help you stand out from the long list of other job applicants by highlighting your unique strengths and qualifications.

What is a Career Objective and Career Summary?

To better understand the difference between these two, it’s vital first to understand their definitions. Let’s take a deeper look at both.

Career Objective

A career objective is usually one or two lines long. It’s a brief statement that describes your career goals.

Career objectives typically have to do with your aspirations and needs. Those with minimal experiences, such as recent graduates or teens looking for their first job, should use this approach.

Some examples of career objectives are:

• I am an Electronics Engineer with experience in designing and developing electronic products. I am looking for a position where I can put my skills to use and further develop my knowledge.
• A fresh graduate of Marketing Management looking to advance his career with [Company Name]. Capable of developing effective sales strategies and adapting to a fast-paced and exciting environment.
• Job seeker looking for a mid-level customer service position in the hospitality industry. I aim to gain knowledge and advance my career through exceptional performance with your company.

Career Summary

Your career summary gives a more in-depth description of your experience in a particular field. This includes an overview of the achievements, awards, and titles you held.

You can also discuss your current goals concerning the job you want. It gives employers an idea of what you contribute to the industry in a concise paragraph. A career summary is usually ideal for those with an established work history.

Some examples of career summaries are:

• Sales professional with five years of experience in the field with an emphasis on selling shoe sales to high-end retailers. Looking for a long-term sales position in a diverse organization where I can demonstrate my communication and customer service skills.
• As a financial planner, I’ve had over 150 client relationships while developing and managing a new financial planning system for the company. My eye for innovation and ability to build relationships with clients can be applied to even larger ad-hoc operations in your company.
•  A highly motivated, creative, and strategic thinker with experience in developing successful marketing plans and campaigns for various companies. Possesses strong analytical skills with an ability to identify opportunities and translate them into tangible results.

Career Objective Vs Career Summary: What’s The Difference?

Now that we’ve defined these two essential resume elements, it’s time to draw out their differences.

•  A career objective is a specific statement about what you want to do with your role. On the other hand, a career summary is a brief overview of your qualifications and experience. 
•  Career objectives are usually tailored to individual jobs, whereas Career Summaries can be used for any position.
• Objectives focus on WHAT you want in a job, while summaries focus on YOUR skills and experiences.
• Career objectives are ideal for new job seekers and people looking to change careers. A career summary is more suited to seasoned professionals looking for a new opportunity in the job market.

So Which Should You Use?

There are many subtle differences between a career objective vs career summary. But they differ mainly in what you want to highlight and whether you’re new to the job market. So the answer to this will mostly depend on your preference and what job you’re applying for.

You’ll still give employers an idea of who you are and what role you’d be best in, whether you use a summary or objective. Take a few minutes to write your resume and include it in your resume. This will surely help boost your resume and get you that next interview!