An objective on a resume is a short statement that summarizes a job seekers career goals and intentions. It is typically placed at the top of a resume and is meant to provide a snapshot of the job seekers professional experience, skills, and achievements, and explain why they are the right candidate for the job. An objective statement or professional summary is an optional resume section that can serve as a topic sentence for the resume. The objective should be tailored to the specific organization the job seeker is applying to and should avoid cliches or generalizations. It should be backed up by the information listed in the resume. A resume objective is most commonly used when a job seeker is new to the workforce, changing careers, switching industries, returning to the workforce after a long period of time, or moving to a new geographic area. When writing a resume objective, it is important to keep it concise and clear, avoid buzzwords and generic goals, and be clear and detailed about the job the job seeker wants.