Definition
Personal career goals, established by professionals in the workplace, are often referred to as career objectives. These are the goals an individual plans to accomplish, hoping to reach their full potential as a member of the workforce. A well-written career objective outlines the specific actions to be taken to reach both long and short term goals.
Explanation
The formal process of outlining clear career objectives will help the individual to better understand their priorities. When subsequently faced with a decision point in their careers, the individual can always refer back to their career objectives to help choose the path that is better aligned with their wants and needs.
A career objective should be a concisely written statement that provides the reader with a clear understanding of the individual's personal career aspirations. The goal can include a specific job title, field of work or industry, or a functional discipline.
Example
Job Title Objective
To work as a senior analyst at an equities brokerage house, eventually working as a quantitative risk manager.
Industry Specific Objective
To work as a geological engineer in the petroleum industry.
Functional Discipline Objective
To work in the health and safety department of a Fortune 200 company.
Skills-Based Objective
To use my scientific skills to work as an organic chemist at a cosmetics company.
Related Terms
The term used to describe the historical sequence of jobs or positions held over one's working life is career path. The term can also be used to describe the logical progression of future jobs that an employee strives to hold in order to meet their long-term career objectives.
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