In my opinion – and I think I’m safe because it’s shared with lots of resume writers – that section at the top of most dental hygiene resumes called “Objective” is by far the biggest waste of space on your entire resume.

At least if you write it like many do.

The number one goal of a resume should be to stand out and be different. Unfortunately, objective statements too often read exactly the same: “To obtain a job in dental hygiene with a great office,” or something similar.

Isn’t that every applicant’s intent – how does that make you stand out?

Simply put, the objective statement on a resume is antiquated. And the worst crime of all is it’s located near the top of the resume – as though it’s one of the most important features.

There’s a better way to use that space that will help you differentiate yourself from other hygienists. So here are five guidelines or ideas for making the most of that space:

• Give it a better title. Instead of “Objective” call it “About Me” or even “About Amber” (insert your own name)
• Keep it at the top of the page, just below your name (it’s still important). When done right, this statement can help give an employer better insight about you than anything else on the page.
• Keep it short. One to two sentences in most cases, and somewhere between 35 and 50 words. If you get too wordy they won’t read it.
• Talk about your personal brand – the two or three things that make you especially unique or different (yes, everyone has a personal brand).
• Talk about the type of work situation you seek. But do it in a way that continues to sell you. Between the lines an employer should be able to read that you will achieve results for them by working well with the staff and making patients happy.
• Finally, one alternative, or possibly an add-on to the statement is to share a story of why you became a hygienist. Stories are both engaging and can give readers great insight into you. Just keep it short and with a point, then go into your brand the work situation you seek.

Simple as that, right?

Well, not everyone loves to come up with this stuff. So here are a couple samples to hopefully get you started:

Example One: “As a focused yet compassionate dental hygienist, I am confident in my skill and ability to create great patient experiences and look forward to working with a fun and awesome team of hard-working dental professionals.”

Example Two: “I became a dental hygienist because I loved how I felt after visiting my hygienist – she made me feel good inside and out. Now I get to do the same for others, sharing my love for oral health with a great team of compassionate professionals.”