Student Resume Objectives: Definition and Examples

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A student is sitting at a desk with a computer and writing on paper. There is a list titled "Objective for a Student Resume" with the following directions:
• Review the job posting
• Connect skills to qualifications
• Draft the first sentence
• Write the second sentence
• Include the third sentence if needed

Resumes are valuable tools for gaining employment for students to seasoned professionals. Student resumes differ from professional resumes in several ways, including the use of objective statements. Objectives can be a great way for students to list their skills when they do not have work experience to rely on.

In this article, we describe student resume objectives, explain how to write an objective statement and give examples in a variety of fields.

Related: 13 Best Jobs for High School Students

What is a student resume objective?

A student resume objective is a statement at the top of the resume indicating the job sought and the skills necessary to perform the job. Objectives should be tailored for each job application you submit to match the qualifications and skills necessary for that particular position. While objectives are an older resume strategy and not often used by more experienced members of the workforce, objectives are a great way for students to fill out their resumes while catching the attention of the hiring manager.

Ideally, a student resume objective will provide the hiring manager with three things: applicable skills, education and experience and an explanation of any relevant training. These three items should connect to achieving the company's mission. Objectives are usually two or three sentences long.

Related: Best Jobs for College Students

How to write an effective student resume objective

Follow these steps to write an attention-grabbing objective for your resume:

1. Look at the job posting.

2. Tie skills to qualifications.

3. Draft the first sentence.

4. Draft the second sentence.

5. Draft the third sentence if needed.

1. Look at the job posting.

Begin by looking closely at the job posting. Identify the necessary qualifications for the position and make a list of those qualifications. These will help you assess which skills you should identify in your objective.

2. Tie skills to qualifications.

Identify the skills you have that tie directly to the qualifications necessary for the job. These will demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are a qualified candidate for the position.

3. Draft the first sentence

The first sentence of your objective should explain your education, experience and name the position you are applying for. It's okay if you are still in high school or college and do not have a degree. State that you are in school to demonstrate that you are academically focused. Since objectives are short and direct, it is okay to write sentence fragments rather than complete sentences.

4. Draft the second sentence.

The second sentence of your objective should demonstrate how your skills qualify you for the position. This is where you will use the job qualifications and related skills you identified in step two. Use the language of the job posting to draft your sentence.

5. Draft the third sentence if needed

You can include a third sentence if you feel your objective lacks depth. The third sentence is a great place to emphasize your work ethic and willingness to learn on the job.

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Related: How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Student Resume

Examples of student resume objectives by job type

Student resumes can refer to high school students or college students. Here are some examples of student resume objectives by job type:

1. Clothing retail associate

2. Fast food service

3. Lifeguard

4. Waiter

5. Cashier

6. Hotel attendant

7. Line cook

8. Clerical office worker

9. Carpenter's apprentice

10. Library assistant

11. Computer technician

12. Healthcare assistant

13. Social media marketing assistant

14. Tutor

15. Executive assistant

1. Clothing retail associate

High school student interested in fashion and experienced in outfit design seeking a retail associate position. Enthusiastic, outgoing and determined to make customers look good and make a purchase. Committed to expanding my skill set and learning on the job.

2. Fast food service

Dedicated high school student interested in expanding skills in fast food service. Focused, attentive and good with numbers. Hard-working and a fast learner.

3. Lifeguard

CPR and lifeguard-certified high school student with a year of experience ready to work as a lifeguard. Strong swimmer with excellent attention and focus.

4. Waiter

Confident high school student with fast food experience excited to learn new skills as a waiter. Strong number sense and communication skills. Interested in learning in a fast-paced environment.

5. Cashier

Experienced cashier looking for a position with a dynamic company while completing high school. Excellent accounting skills. Ready to advance my skills on the job.

6. Hotel attendant

High-achieving high school student seeking a position as a hotel attendant. Physically strong with excellent customer service skills. Prepared to work hard to gain experience.

7. Line cook

Self-taught cook seeking a position in a restaurant. High school student with ambition and drive. Ready to learn from experienced cooks and work hard.

8. Clerical office worker

Business major with data entry experience seeking a dynamic role with a growing company. Capable of basic accounting and possesses exceptional organizational skills.

9. Carpenter's apprentice

Experienced woodworking assistant seeks apprentice role with carpentry firm. Possesses basic carpentry skills and trained in the use of woodworking tools. Ready and willing to work hard and learn from professional craftsmen.

10. Library assistant

Book-loving English major seeking a position as a library assistant. Trained in the Dewey Decimal System and knowledgeable about many different book genres.

11. Computer technician

Computer science student experienced in computer repair seeking a position as a computer technician. Capable of fixing basic hardware and software problems. Ready to work hard and learn on the job.

12. Healthcare assistant

Nursing student seeking a position in a healthcare setting. Trained in CPR and possesses outstanding communication skills. Interested in learning on the job from dedicated professionals.

13. Social media marketing assistant

Marketing student well-versed in social media interested in a role as a social media marketing assistant. Background in all types of social media and basic marketing terms and skills. Hard-working and dedicated to finding success.

14. Tutor

Science major seeking role as a student tutor. High-achieving in chemistry, biology and physics. Interested in education and helping other students achieve their goals.

15. Executive assistant

Communications major seeking an executive assistant role with a marketing firm. Trained in basic marketing and highly organized. Ready and willing to multi-task and meet the needs of the company.