When used effectively, a career objective statement can quickly provide hiring managers with a clear picture of the type of job and work environment you seek. But it's an optional element that should be included only if it is narrowly focused and targeted to each employer you contact. Generic objective statements do little more than take up valuable space. Consider these examples:

"OBJECTIVE: To secure a job or a career."

Why not go for both?

"OBJECTIVE: I am looking for any type of job."

We'll need more to go on.

Keep your statement to a single short — and clear — sentence.

"OBJECTIVE: I aim to work with your organization. You will provide me with challenging tasks to perform in an efficient way and then reach the top and achieve the maximum out of the given opportunities enriching my strengths and beating all my weaknesses."

That's quite a plan.

Following are some more problematic objective statements from the "Resumania" archives:

"OBJECTIVE: To be able to make banana bread and share it with coworkers."

With nuts or without?

"OBJECTIVE: My position will have pleasant surroundings, a reasonable salary, low pressure, not require me to bring work home and good benefits."

Isn't that everyone's ideal?

"OBJECTIVE: To secure challenging opportunities in which I can see a real value in terms of rendering a valuable and valued service to people."

Definitely a "value-added" candidate.

"OBJECTIVE: My dream job would be as a professional baseball player, but since I can't do that, I'll settle on being an accountant."

Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.

"OBJECTIVE: I would like to work for a company that is very lax when it comes to tardiness."

We'll get back to you.

Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm, and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies and Job Hunting For Dummies. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies.