Before you can establish a job
objective, you may be thinking "what is a job objective?, why do I need one, and
where will I use it?". Hopefully the following information will help you.
What is a job objective?
A job objective is basically an employment goal. When
you are establishing a job objective, you will want to narrow down your field to the type
of jobs you would have the skills for, and the type of job you would like.
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 resume, and where to send it. You will want to give a
variety of reasons why you are the one!
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 "anything", the job search will lack focus.
How do I establish one?
Using the guidelines in our last segment on
identifying your skills, 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.
As mentioned in the last segment of steps to
employment, "Identifying Your Skills", there are many routes you can take in
order to establish a job objective. What are you trying to accomplish? What is your long
term goal? There are many sources of information and tools available to assist you in
developing an employment goal.
Job Objective Tools
Choices
Choices is a computerized career assessment program
that provides you with information on 1204 different occupations. It is divided into three
component - Skills, Interests, and Work Preference assessments. Each component has a
yes/no like/dislike rating, and your responses are compiled at the end of each one. The
program also lets you explore post secondary schools and programs across Canada. As well,
you can input your earning expectations, education level, interests, and aptitudes, and
the computer interprets the information you provide. It will narrow down the database to
identify occupations that may be of interest to you. Choices can be accessed at the U.H.C.
and C.A.R.E. or at a resource centre near you (check for costs).
True Colors
True Colors is a personal evaluation of oneself. This
workshop at C.A.R.E. and the Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre (DRUHC). is designed to
teach you more about yourself and others. It assesses your strengths, skills, interests,
values, interests, and learning styles. It is also a good method of discovering why people
react differently in certain situations, and what makes us all unique.
Discovery
Discovery, like Choices, is an interactive computer
program. It consists of a questionnaire which assesses your skills and interests. This
gathered information is compiled by the computer and relates it to jobs. It may be
available at your local Human Resources Council of Canada (HRCC) .
Testing
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) provides a
useful measure of personality by looking at eight personality preferences that all people
use at different times. These eight preference are organized into four scales. When you
take the indicator, the four preferences you identify as most like you are combined into
what is called a "type". There are other tests available - the Strong, CAPS COPS
and COPES, GMAT, and JVIS, just to name a few. The internet provides sites where you can
do testing which is self-scored. Skills and Values cards are another route, accessible at
C.A.R.E. and the DRUHC. You can organize your skills and values to discover what factors
are important to you and how you can incorporate them into your work. They will help to
establish a career goal that will lead you to a job you will be happy in. Not all agencies
have tests, and if they do, check for costs.
Are there any barriers perhaps getting in your way of
developing a job objective? Are there issues you have to address before seeking work? Do
you have to arrange daycare or transportation? How is this change going to affect other
people in your life? When you have determined a job objective, other factors to be taken
into consideration include location of where you would like to work, the labour market,
your level of education, etc.
There are many resources available at the Durham
Region Unemployed Help Centre and C.A.R.E. to aid in determining a job objective.
