Dear Deb,

Q. I have been looking at résumé samples on the internet and many of them have Objectives. I was told that Objectives are no longer used on résumés. Now I am confused. Is it true that Career Objectives are history? - D.P, Los Angeles, CA

A. While there are times that a candidate will want to convey specific information about what he is seeking in a job, it is definitely better to keep the focus on what the company wants in an employee. For example, if someone is relocating from California and wants to make that clear, a line mentioning that he/she is seeking opportunities in the Northeast region would be helpful within the body of a summary statement.

What are the key elements of a summary statement? A summary statement should provide a brief and accurate description of what a candidate can do to bring value to a firm. It should include an overview of the most relevant skills, areas of specialization, accomplishments, and personal attributes.

Candidates should avoid using vague phrases like quick learner or self starter. They should not mention a desire for career advancement or a need to grow into management. These are things that can be discussed in a cover letter or during an interview depending upon the role.

Instead, the summary should focus on concise and targeted information about what the candidate offers that will give the hiring manager a flavor of the candidate’s key strengths. Many of the sample résumés online are dated and there are still some résumé writers that do use Objectives. However, I believe that summary statements are a much better approach to effectively convey your brand.