Nearly everyone is familiar with the classic “Objective Statement” that tops off so many résumés. It usually starts with “Seeking a challenging position…” and proceeds to roll downhill from there.

When you are trying to distinguish yourself from the competition, slapping the same line on your résumé as thousands of others hardly sets you apart! The good news is that there is another way to convey your career goal plus give a picture of what you OFFER instead.

This strategy involves writing a Qualifications Profile or Summary for your résumé, rather than an Objective Statement.

To help you write an effective, eye-catching summary that will persuade employers to read further, consider these tips:

The Qualifications Profile should include 3-4 sentences that accurately describe your credentials.

In other words, don’t copy your friend’s résumé, since this profile needs to sell YOU.

Add some vivid descriptions of your success in past roles, including your track record for completing projects on time or stabilizing operations. THIS is the kind of information that gets you noticed!

Sprinkle some personal qualities throughout the summary—and go beyond the tired phrases used by everyone else.

Know any good “self-motivated team players?” So do most employers.

Save your résumé space for valuable attributes such as “dynamic,” “results-focused,” or “driven.”

Throw in a notable achievement to spark some interest.

Pull out a major accomplishment or two, and summarize these up to show what kind of reputation you have at work.

“Recognized for 30% year-over-year sales increases at Fortune 500 corporations” hits a home run faster than “Skilled sales professional with closing experience” ever will.

The key take-away here is that hiring managers want to read something new, fresh, and thought-provoking on your résumé.

Skip the non-objective Objective Statement, and give them a strong message that speaks to your true strengths!

Laura Smith-Proulx, CPRW, CIC is the author of “Solve Your Toughest Resume Challenges to Win More Interviews! 25 Secrets to Achieving Fast-Track Career Success.” A nationally recognized résumé expert, she has achieved a 98% success rate landing interviews for job seekers.

Get Laura’s tips on creating a knockout resume and advancing in your career with a FREE 7-Part E-Course on “The 7 Biggest Resume Mistakes That Can Keep You from Your Dream Job… And How to Avoid Them” by visiting www.AnExpertResume.com .