Your career goals and objectives statement outlines the path along which you want to travel. Think of it as a career map; the roads being your skills, accomplishments and experiences. You can use your objectives statement to help your career planning and help match yourself with appropriate employers. Just like dating, if you and your employer don't have goals in common, you'll end up strained and far away from where you want to be.
Step 1
Begin with a statement of where you are. This is very similar to a headline on your resume. Where the resume looks back over your previous experiences, your career objectives statement looks forward. Write a short sentence or statement revolving around phrases such as "recent business graduate," "experienced accountant" or "focused research scientist with seven years experience."
Step 2
State the immediate goals in your career. When planning for a new job, this will be the job you want. Focus on the primary skills you have and how you want to practice them. For example, you may want to apply the quantitative and analytical skills you developed as an accountant in a new role in strategic planning as you seek new challenges and more rapid advancement.
Step 3
Discuss the environment in which you want to work. If you're seeking rapid advancement, talk about how you're motivated to travel frequently and stay long hours when focused on a problem. Or you may want a challenging job that allows a flexible schedule for you to spend time with your family.
Step 4
Match the aspects of a particular job with both the application of your skills and the environment you desire. An employer will want to know that you're a good fit, and if you have trouble matching the job to your desires, it may not be the right one for you.
Step 5
Describe your long-term goals and how shorter-term goals will set you on the right path. In thinking of these, also list the skills you will need in order to meet these longer goals. This can help you plan additional training to pursue along with your upcoming jobs.
Step 6
List any other goals or objectives that are important to you but do not fully mesh with your narrative. You may want to have your name on a patent one day, but don't see that happening in your current role as an analyst. This still demonstrates to a prospective employer your desire to improve the tools and processes you'll encounter in your work.
References
Writer Bio
Chris Daniels covers advances in nutrition and fitness online. Daniels has numerous certifications and degrees covering human health, nutritional requirements and sports performance. An avid cyclist, weightlifter and swimmer, Daniels has experienced the journey of fitness in the role of both an athlete and coach.