An effective resume should include a clearly stated objective.

It is essential that your executive resume is audience-focused, it must succinctly communicate that you understand the employer's needs and that you are uniquely qualified to meet those needs. While the use of an objective is a controversial issue, at its basis, an objective tells the reader what you want from him or her. A popular and often more effective alternative to the objective, the executive profile, allows you to establish focus for the resume while summarizing the key qualifications and value you offer the employer. This is a subtle but critical difference --one that may weigh heavily in opening the door to an interview.