How to write an impressive CV objective statement

You know the quote, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”?

Well, we need to add a second part to the classic expression.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover…but the cover still matters an awful lot.”

After all, President Obama dropped by a popular Washington DC bookstore over Thanksgiving weekend and bought 17 titles.

Books like “Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China” and “All the Light We Cannot See.” With just a few moments to spare, perhaps the covers grabbed his attention.

Same goes for our resumes. When done well, the objective statement (AKA your front cover) can hook even the busiest employer. A poorly written statement, like a blase’ book title, may land your application back on the shelf.

Today, let’s break down the resume objective statement. I mean, look at all these killer, well-paying jobs. Physician assistant with a salary of over $90,000?

Judge your resume by its cover, and the job could be yours.

How to Write an Impressive Resume Objective Statement

With an objective statement, our instinct is to dazzle employers with adjectives:

“Highly motivated professional with excellent leadership skills. Performance-drivenindividual who can create immeasurable success on a team and turn complex problems into solutions.”

We think “If I tell the boss I will create ‘immeasurable success,’ THAT’S going to set me apart. Nailed it.”

Here’s the rub: the boss has a stack of 50 resumes from people who ALL claim to create “immeasurable success.”

On a resume, adjectives don’t make us stand out; they lump us in with everyone else.

As I explain with cover letters, don’t tell employers you’re “highly motivated.” Show them with concrete examples. Rely on key details to craft an objective statement — ahem, book title — no one else can match.

Let’s say “Dave” has three years of work experience in medical sales and wants a new job in the same field.

Old objective statement:

“Highly motivated professional with excellent customer service skills and a strong ability to turn complex problems into solutions. Accomplished sales leader with a track record of success.”

Again, the rub: Dave’s objective statement could appear on anyone’s resume for any job. It’s not specific to his career in medical sales and uses empty rhetoric (“accomplished sales leader”). Dave, don’t TELL me you’re “accomplished.” SHOW me.

New objective statement:

“Experienced medical sales professional who provides surgical supplies to hospitals throughout Georgia and South Carolina; manage 18 accounts and in 2014 grew sales totals 22% to $1.3 million.”

How many other people could write an objective statement like Dave? That’s right. Zero. It’s his story and his alone.

Every time Dave could have been bland, he doubles down on the details.

• “Highly motivated professional” becomes “Experienced medical sales professional”
• “Excellent customers service skills” becomes “manage 18 accounts”
• “Complex problems into solutions” (the most cliche’ phrase EVER on a resume) becomes “grew sales totals 22% to $1.3 million”

If Dave’s objective statement were a book title, it would fly off the shelf. His description is impressive from start to finish because it’s 100% substance.

You might think, “OK, great for Dave. But I just graduated and don’t have work experience. What then, Mr. Writer Man?”

Here’s the key: don’t define yourself as an unbelievable talent waiting to explode in the job market.

For example, “Sarah” just graduated and wants a job at a nonprofit that raises money for inner-city youth programs.

Old objective statement:

“Highly motivated professional who is energetic, driven and committed to success. Well-versed in all areas of communication and an accomplished leader among my peers.”

Yuck, the adjectives are everywhere. Motivated, energetic, driven, well-versed, accomplished.

Is Sarah a 22-year-old college grad or the freaking Dalai Lama? Employers either see right through or look right past all the trumped-up language.

In a job application, don’t run from who you are. Embrace it.

New objective statement:

“Recent graduate passionate about improving the lives of disadvantaged children. In college, created “Swingsets for Stamford” and led a group of 16 students to build 14 playgrounds in underserved communities.”

More here on the importance of quantifying your success.

Sarah never claims she’s “motivated” and “driven.” Oh no. She uses a tangible example to say “Hey, boss man. You better hire me because I can prove my value.” Her “Swingsets for Stamford” experience also lends itself to great conversation in a job interview.

Job applications are a funny thing. We’re afraid to be ourselves so we hide behind words that make us look like everyone else. I say screw that.

Let down your guard. Tout your record. Share your experiences.

This is your story.

Make it worth reading.

Published in collaboration with LinkedIn

Author: Danny Rubin is the Vice President of the Rubin Communication Group.

Image: A Hays Recruitment Consultancy manager interviews a candidate at the Hays offices in downtown Madrid December 5, 2008. REUTERS.