There’s so much advice going around about what to include and what not to include that it’s hard to keep up. One of the never-ending debates concerns whether or not to include an objective. The answer largely depends on your circumstances and what works best for you.

Use an objective – If you decide to include an objective in your resume, be sure to make it count. If you’re going to write something like “To be able to get a position where I can use my skills and experiences in helping the company,” it would be better for you not to include one. When you write an objective, it has to be clear and concise. The reader only has so much time to go through hundreds of applicants, so you have to be able to convey the intent of your message quickly.

Don’t use an objective – There is limited space on a resume, and the objective often takes up a prime spot near the top of the first page. Why waste this space on an objective that rarely gets read anyway? Instead, you could use that space for additional key skills and accomplishments that could further support why you are a better candidate.

Sometimes use an objective – There are situations when an employer might not understand your reason for doing something, such as changing careers. In these cases, you can use the objective to help an employer understand.

When writing your resume, a major consideration is that you only have a few seconds to catch the interest of the reader. If you don’t believe that you can write an objective that will help to convince an employer, it might be better for you to add skills, experiences, or accomplishments instead. It’s all about making the most of those few seconds that employers will look at your resume—seconds that can make the difference between getting the job or remaining unemployed.