Don’t overlook the importance of the resume objective for government jobs. A strong federal resume objective at the top of the page could give you a competitive advantage over other applicants.
Competition for government jobs can be huge. USAJobs processes over 2,000,000 applications a year. The government, however, typically hires about 90,000 new employees each year.
The resume objective is your first chance to catch a recruiter’s attention. It should immediately communicate that you can meet the employer’s goals.
Tailor your resume objective for each government job
Don’t:
Avoid speaking in vague terms like a politician
Minimize the usage of abstract words
Politicians rarely say anything of substance when they answer questions. Your objective needs to go beyond a generic statement about wanting a full-time position in a dynamic environment.
Although it might feel impressive to use words that describe your qualities and characteristics, they lack the power of concrete words. Abstract words like cooperative, organized, or dedicated sound appealing, but most applicants are going to use these commonplace adjectives.
Select concrete language that draws attention to actual things that you’ve done. Concrete language describes objects or activities instead of attributes or feelings. Industry-specific words resonate more easily with people because their minds attach immediate meaning to them.
If you apply for federal job on USAJOBS, pick up a few keywords from Responsibilities section, and include it into your resume objective. Let’s consider one of such examples for the Biologist job posting:
And now look how keywords from Responsibilities section transformed to the Biologist resume objective:
Biologist experienced at collecting quarterly water and soil samples at 18 landfill sites and reporting results to 3 waste companies seek employment as an Environmental Health Scientist at the EPA. With a strong technical background in water science, assisted 24 interns in water purification plan development. Ensured professional support in the project implementation.
This objective statement allows the reader to visualize the applicant measuring contaminants, making reports, and working with multiple parties. These imply cooperation, organization, and dedication without simply saying those things and hoping someone believes them.
Resume Objective for Government Job Examples
A good resume objective for a government job makes a resume immediately appealing. It includes keywords associated with the specific job and communicates your value to the employer. Use your skills and traits to build the objective statement. Be sure to mention the position and employer specifically.
Entry-Level Resume Objective
Outdoor enthusiast seeks to protect habitat and structures in the role of Wildland Firefighter at the U.S. Forest Service. Connect with an opportunity to develop job skills alongside dedicated colleagues.
To shift from a 15-year career as a high school history teacher to engage with the public in the position of Museum Curator at the Department of the Interior. Candidate desires to instill a joy for the past among museum visitors.
College Student Resume Objective
Organized and empathetic college nursing student seeking to aid people experiencing natural disasters as a Relief Worker for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Promote safety within crises by bringing hands-on experience with first aid and CPR to the position.
Administrative Assistant Resume Objective
Bilingual candidate with 7 years experience as a receptionist at a busy real estate agency seeks a career in public service as an Administrative Assistant at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Apply extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite to produce accurate documentation and correspondence within deadlines.
Secretary Resume Objective
Anticipate needs of management at the U.S. Department of Labor in a secretarial position. Apply experience with teleconference systems and Microsoft Office to manage internal and external communications after 10 years as a secretary at a staffing agency.
Human Resources Manager Resume Objective
Adaptable candidate with Human Resources MBA and 12 years of experience as a recruiter at a Fortune 500 company wishes to advance to the position of Human Resources Manager at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Customs Inspector Resume Objective
A trustworthy individual with 11 years of experience in warehousing desires to apply experience with diverse inventories and international trade in the role of Customs Inspector at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Border Patrol Agent Resume Objective
Individual dedicated to protecting the country from illegal materials and criminals seek meaningful work as a Border Patrol Agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The bilingual candidate wishes to enter a disciplined environment and build upon watercraft piloting skills developed during 4 years with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Technical Engineer Resume Objective
Creative-thinking candidate pursuing new challenges within the Department of Defense as a Technical Engineer. Candidate plans to deliver expertise with communications infrastructure from day one and expand skills in a secure environment.
Budget Analyst Resume Objective
Organized candidate with bachelor’s degree in mathematics and 7 years of employment at a large, urban school district seeking to benefit the U.S. Department of Education as a Budget Analyst with financial software and grant writing skills.
Air Traffic Controller Resume Objective
Team player qualified for Veterans’ Preference possesses AT-CTI certified associate’s degree in Air Traffic Control and desires an opportunity to build a career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller.
Accountant Resume Objective
Certified Public Accountant with 6 years of experience assisting a CFO at a mid-sized corporation seeking to contribute to the mission of the U.S. Department of Treasury as an Accountant. Benefit the agency with knowledge of multiple enterprise accounting software systems
Criminal Investigator Resume Objective
Enter a high stakes environment as a Criminal Investigator with the U.S. Secret Service to counteract serious security threats. Support agency’s mission with experience acquired after earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and working for 6 years as a police detective.
Attorney Resume Objective
An attorney with bar association memberships in 2 states seeking complex challenges at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a General Attorney. The candidate will adapt experience with domestic and international trade laws acquired during 9 years of practice in business and patent law.
Medical Assistant Resume Objective
People-oriented candidate with Health Sciences associate’s degree and 5 years of employment in a clinical setting desires opportunity to help veterans access accurate health care in the position of Medical Assistant at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Nurse Resume Objective
Career-oriented registered nurse with clinical experience with HIV patients and communicable diseases desires to maintain health standards within the prison population as a Nurse at the Bureau of Prisons.
Marketing Manager Resume Objective
MBA desires to apply management and communication skills developed during 12 years of conducting market research and advertising campaigns to refine and improve recruitment efforts at the Department of the Air Force in the role of Marketing Specialist.
Auto Mechanic Resume Objective
ASE certified mechanic with 6 years of private-sector experience repairing foreign and domestic vehicles and 4 years of experience as a U.S. Army mechanic seeks to maintain the readiness of motor vehicles at the Defense Logistics Agency as an Auto Mechanic.
Teacher Resume Objective
Self-disciplined candidate desires to instill an appreciation for science among disadvantaged youth as a Science Teacher at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Maintain high agency standards by applying 7 years of experience teaching middle and high school students.
IT Manager Resume Objective
Technology enthusiast certified in multiple programming languages with previous security clearance at the Department of Defense desires participation in the vital scientific mission of NASA by executing strategic contract initiatives.
Loan Officer Resume Objective
Critical-thinking professional with a business bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience as a loan underwriter with a national bank seek to promote positive economic outcomes as a Loan Specialist at the Small Business Administration.
Warehouse Associate Resume Objective
Hard-working team player with forklift operator license seeks the opportunity to ensure the safe and timely delivery and storage of supplies as a Warehouse Associate for the Department of Defense.