Career Objective

Do you know what your Career Objective is? I had no clear notion of my career objective was for about 20 years. I had a clear notion of what I thought my objective  ‘should’ be. I had no clarity regarding what my professional objective actually was. Here’s a little guidance that made me chuckle:

What the Resume Objective IS supposed to say:
A short blurb telling the hiring manager what skills, knowledge, and abilities you have that will help the company achieve its goals.

What the Resume Objective IS NOT supposed to say:
A short blurb telling the hiring manager what you want from the company, and in terms of how it will help your own career.

On the C.V you present to any company I would have to say that the above guidance is good. What I notice however, is that it is impossible to have the former ‘finished product’, without the exploration and knowledge of the second description. If you do not know ” what you want from the company, and in terms of how it will help your own career.” then you cannot identify the sweet-spot. The sweet-spot is that place where the role or organisation and YOU meet. Without the sweet-spot the job you are applying for is unsustainable. Should you interview well and get the job, it would be unlikely that you could make it work for either yorker or the organisation in the long term.

So how is it that you identify this sweet-spot between these two things? Firstly, trust your instincts. If you are drawn to a role or organisation there will almost certainly be something important in the pull you are experiencing. You can then honour your career desires by taking the time to work it backwards in other to understand what it is that draws you. In knowing what exactly draws you to them, you will be able to work out ” what skills, knowledge, and abilities you have that will help the company achieve its goals.”. When you know what you want from them, and when you know what you bring to them, then you will know the meeting place between you.

This is where the detective work begins: Take the time to identify what you seek from your working environment and what you desire for your professional behaviours. Be really honest about what capabilities you bring from you past and what values and beliefs you contribute. Make time to name the professional identity you seek. Then, and only then, will you recognise the opportunity within a role or business that meets your remit. Suddenly, as a result of the investment of your time in this process, the way forward becomes clear. When the way forward is clear then everything begins to line up in support of your endeavour.

Name your career objective for yourself and you will be able to recognise when the opportunity presents itself out in your professional world. You will have the clarity that will enable you to identify exactly what you bring to them, and you will know why that benefits you too. “Know thyself” is an invaluable piece of guidance for your CPD.

Explore here to learn more of career coaching with Rebecca and here for a glimpse into her coaching world.