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.
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.
The process or tools an individual can use to gain insights into their likes and dislikes at work is called a career assessment. Typically, this is a formal process and the career assessment is conducted by an outside service provider or administered through a detailed questionnaire.
The term career coach refers to a professional that works with clients to achieve both their employment and career aspirations. Career coaches will provide their clients with advice on a number of topics, including employment opportunities, skills development, as well as how to go about changing careers.
The term career counselor refers to a professional that works with clients, and specializes in successfully helping them to find a new job. Career counselors provide insights into transitioning, managing, and advancing their client's careers.
The process an employee goes through to help them determine the course of action they need to take in order to achieve their career objectives is called career planning. Typically performed annually, the career planning process evaluates the skills and knowledge gained to date, and identifies any remaining gaps.
The term resignation letter refers to a written notice an employee provides to their employer when they intend to leave the company. Tendering a letter of resignation can help employees to maintain a positive relationship with their employer, while providing notice they intend to resign.
The term job shadowing refers to working alongside another employee to learn about their organization, skills, roles, and responsibilities. Job shadowing provides an opportunity for participants to share knowledge, hone their leadership skills, and have a better understanding of their career options.
The term placement test refers to an assessment that can help an individual identify optimal jobs and career paths. Placement tests take into consideration factors such as the individual's aptitude, interests, personality, skills, and values.