|
Step
2: Establishing a Job Objective
For more information, go to the Virtual
Resource Centre
"Once
you have determined where you are going,
figuring out how to get there will be a far easier task."
- Richard C. Miller
What
is a job objective?
A job objective is basically an employment goal. When
you are establishing a job objective, you want to narrow your
employment field to the type of jobs you can adequately perform,
or jobs that you would like to have.
Why
do I need one?
A job objective is required for establishing a direction.
Without a job objective - specific or general - you will have
a difficult time determining what to include on your résumé,
and where to send it. You need to tailor your résumé
based on your job objective, and give the employer a variety
of reasons why you are the right person for the job.
Where
will I use it?
You will need one in order to start your job search! It
is not a wise idea to be willing to take anything. The more
specific you can be about what you want, the more likely you
are to find what you're looking for. If you are looking for
just anything, your job search will lack the direction you
need to find the right job.
How
do I establish one?
Using the guidelines from Step 1, make a note of the skills
you have. You have to take into consideration the following:
your work experience, volunteer experience, and education.
Developing
a job objective is like a journey. We move in a direction
rather than towards a specific target. Reaching the goal is
less important than the growth and experience we gather as
we move along the path that we're continually creating. This
journey happens at different levels - at home, at work, during
leisure time, etc.
View
sample job objectives.
In summary,
what would you like to gain from a job? See if anything in
this checklist applies to you:
 Social
contact
Respect
Intellectual
stimulation
A
chance to use your expertise
A
chance to make decisions
A
chance to be creative
A
chance to exercise leadership
Power |
Adventure
Challenge
Security
Influence
Independence
Wealth
Fame |
(This
idea is taken from The New Quick Job-Hunting Map by
Richard Nelson Bolles, 1990.)
There
may be other aspects that are important to you too, but think
about these things when establishing a job objective.
One option that is becoming
increasingly popular is to work abroad. Many online job search
tools offer you a wide selection of employment opportunities
in a variety of countries. HotJobs,
MSN Careers,
CareerBuilder.com,
and Monster.com
are just a few. You can use regular search engines, such as
Google,
to look for recruiting agents in other countries, and then post
your résumé online for employers to see. Remember
that no matter where you apply, you need an eye-catching résumé
and cover letter in order to sell yourself.
For more
information, go to the Virtual
Resource Centre
|
