One of the most important components of a job application is the objective. The objective is the first thing that an employer sees on your application, and it sums up how valuable you can be as a potential employee. Because employers take only a few minutes to screen each of the hundreds of applications received for a single vacancy, your objective must be strong enough to catch and hold an employer’s attention from the get-go.

Keep or Delete

Generally, it’s a good idea to write an objective on your job application. There are instances where it isn’t necessary, though. This is because an objective must be as tight a fit for a position as possible. So, you might not need to include one on a job application if you’re applying through avenues where general resume details would suffice – such as career fairs, company websites and job search sites – or if you’re qualified for multiple positions within a single organization.

Be Specific

If you choose to include an objective, make it detailed. For instance, a statement like “Seeking a position where I can use my skills to benefit the company” won’t do because it’s too vague. Instead, name the position you want, the skills you have to offer and how they would benefit the company.

Be Concise

Just because your objective has to be detailed doesn’t mean it has to be a long, wordy paragraph. A statement like “to gain a managerial position where I can use my skills in human resources to advance the company’s goals” is enough to summarize what the company can expect from you and vice versa. Avoid including skills, experience or other qualifications that are irrelevant to the company or position for which you’re applying. To illustrate, elaborating on your sales skills isn’t likely to increase your chances of landing a job as a computer programmer.

Be Different

Before you craft your objective, research the prospective employer and the position you want. In your objective, use the information you gather to state at least three qualifications that set you apart from other candidates. Convince the employer that you’re the best fit by showing that you understand the job and the company.