The first part of a resume is critical as it will be the first thing an employer will see when they look at your resume. Since most hiring managers only spend 6 seconds reviewing a resume, you must catch their attention quickly.

When researching "How to Write a Resume," you have probably seen that most resumes will either include an "Objective" or a "Professional Summary" toward the top of the document. This may leave you wondering the difference between the two and which one you should use. While they are similar, they also have some distinct differences. Both are usually short paragraphs, comprised of only 3-4 lines of text. They both also have the end goal of trying to convince an employer to hire you.

So, how are they different? An "Objective" is typically used by entry-level or career-changing candidates. In this case, the objective will typically highlight the type of job a candidate hopes to obtain and willingness to take a role. If you decide to create an "Objective," try to avoid things like,

"Human Resource employee looking to obtain an entry-level career with a professional organization so that I can use my skills and talents to contribute to the team and advance professionally." 

Instead, try something like,

"Human Resource Graduate with extensive knowledge in labor law, employee relations, and workforce management looking to obtain a Human Resource Assistant position with ABC Company."

A "Professional Summary" is designed for job seekers looking to stay within a similar role or industry. In this case, the professional summary will highlight the candidate's professional skills, knowledge, and accomplishments. The goal is to establish suitability for a role quickly and show that you are the ideal candidate. A professional summary may look like this,

"Driven and dynamic Human Resources Professional with 10 years of leadership experience in benefits administration and employee relations. A relationship-focused leader with a history of reducing employee turnover, minimizing staffing vacancies, and preventing labor disputes.

Are you still unsure how to create a professional resume or need more guidance? We offer a variety of packages and services to meet the needs of every job seeker, from entry-level graduates to C-Suite executives. You can find out more about what we offer here. You can also subscribe to our email list so you don’t miss out on future posts with resume writing and career counseling advice.