How To Write a Criminal Justice Resume Objective Written by the Indeed Editorial Team

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/criminal-justice-resume-objective

When applying for a criminal justice position, it’s important to include a compelling objective statement on your resume. A strong criminal justice resume objective may encourage hiring managers to continue reading your resume. In this article, we explain what a criminal justice resume objective is, list the steps for writing this type of resume objective and provide you with examples of a criminal justice resume objective.

What is a criminal justice resume objective?

A criminal justice resume objective is a short and targeted statement that explains your career goals and what makes you the best candidate for the criminal justice position you’re applying for. It provides hiring managers with a short outline of where you’ve been in your career and where you want to go with their company. Placed near the top of a resume, a criminal justice resume objective essentially gives hiring managers a quick idea of whether or not you’re qualified for the role and whether your career goals align with what they can offer as an employer.

How to write a criminal justice resume objective

A strong criminal justice resume objective may convince hiring managers of your ability to perform well in the role you’re applying for. Keep in mind that it’s important to tailor your resume objective to fit the position and the company you’re hiring for. It also needs to add value and set you apart from other job applicants. Use these steps to write a criminal justice resume objective:

1. Review the job post

Recruiters create job posts that include a job description and the qualifications they want applicants to meet. Review the job post for the criminal justice position you’re interested in to learn about the type of employee the company wants to hire. The information in the job post can help you create a resume objective for your criminal justice resume that justifies you as the best candidate for the job.

2. Be specific

As you write your resume objective, aim to provide as much detail as you can without writing over two sentences. Make sure to write a new resume objective for each position you apply for. You can tailor your resume objective by mentioning the name of the company or the position you’re applying for. Focus on the skills and experience you have that directly relate to the job you’re applying for.

3. Use keywords

Use any relevant keywords you read in the job post throughout your resume objective. Including these keywords gives your resume a better chance of getting noticed by an applicant tracking system and hiring manager. It also shows how your qualifications align with what they’re looking for in a candidate and employee.

4. Mention your career goals

State your career goals as they relate to the company you’re applying for. For example, if you want to become a broadcast reporter but you’re applying for a job with your local newspaper, keep your focus on the newspaper position rather than mentioning your broadcast aspirations. This shows hiring managers your commitment and interest in their company. Show them how your career goals align with what they can offer as an employer.

5. Explain your potential contribution

While it’s important to state your career goals, it’s also important to explain how you can add value to a company upon hire. In other words, while your resume needs to include information regarding the career you want to attain, you also need to highlight your qualifications and include examples of how you can add value or improve the company you want to work for.

For example, you can mention your five years of experience writing investigative stories and state how you want to apply what you learned to provide more in-depth story coverage at the company. Essentially, make sure to focus on what you can offer the company upon hire and how you can help it achieve its own goals rather than how the company can benefit you.

Examples

As you write your criminal justice resume objective, carefully consider the keywords and adjectives you want to use. Use these examples of criminal justice resume objectives to help you write your own objective:

  • Seeking position as a probation officer at Davidson Forensics where I can utilize my seven years of professional experience.

  • Dedicated pretrial service officer with 10 years of experience seeking to work for the state of New York as a criminal justice liaison to promote community safety and unbiased justice administration.

  • Experienced detective desires criminal investigator

  • position with Stanislaus County to utilize six years of field experience and strong track record of solving cases.

  • To obtain a criminal justice instructor position at Greenwood Academy, bringing five years of law enforcement experience and exceptional communication skills

  • to promote student success.

  • Looking to work as a criminal investigator in San Clemente County to utilize strong analytical and logistical skills when promoting a safer community for all citizens.

  • Veteran criminal justice professional eager to join Paso Robles County as a probation officer to put conflict resolution and inmate monitoring skills to use.

  • To start career in the criminal justice field, bringing robust analytical and strong interpersonal skills

  • to Davidson Forensics.

  • Seeking entry-level position

  • in the criminal justice field, aiming to bring exceptional multitasking and problem-solving abilities to Marin County.

  • Criminal justice professional seeking to bring change to the justice system through dedication and self-motivation. Also, bringing strong analytical and communication skills.

  • Results-oriented professional seeking to obtain the position of criminal justice coordinator with the City of Santa Barbara to apply four years of experience providing placement services and excellent interpersonal skills.

    Tips for writing a resume objective

    Before submitting your application and finalizing your resume, look for ways to improve your resume objective. Consider these tips:

    • Make it short. Keep your resume objective one or two sentences long. Get right to the point and avoid adding unnecessary fluff words. Keep in mind that you need to quickly get a hiring manager’s attention so they can schedule you for an interview.

    • Tie in your past experiences. If you’re changing careers, explain how your past experiences can relate to your future job responsibilities. You can also do this if you’re barely entering the workforce or if you have minimal work experience.

    • Provide detail. While you need to keep your resume objective short, avoid being vague. Help hiring managers get to know you by mentioning your relevant skills and proving that you’re not only interested in the position, but that you also applied.

By Jennifer Marasco
Jennifer Marasco Operations Manager