CAREER OBJECTIVE STATEMENT

without the permission of the Darden School Foundation.

JOB OBJECTIVE EXERCISE

This exercise is designed to help you think about the “who”, “what”, “when” and “where” of your next

career move. Recognizing and categorizing key issues in your professional and personal life are essential

when developing a targeted job objective statement. A well-formed job objective is crucial for

successful networking, marketing (resume, social media), and interviewing.

Part 1: Defining Your Key Objectives

Expressing your preferences, likes and dislikes over a set of key professional and personal variables will

help focus and prioritize your objectives. What are the key variables to assess? The following list is a

good start:

 What do I want to do?

 Industry, Products, Services

 Organizational Characteristics (size, structure, position, etc.)

 Functional Role(s), Skills, Strengths (tasks, position, titles, etc.)

 Career Path Goals (level, span, advancement, etc.)

 With Whom do I want to work?

 Leadership (vision, mission)

 Culture (shared values, beliefs, attitudes)

 People (subordinates, teammates, clients, vendors, etc.)

 Personal Growth Potential (challenge, learning curve, etc.)

 Where do I want to be?

 Geography, Climate

 Location (urban/rural, city/town, etc.)

 Community

 Mobility, Flexibility (travel, commute, vacations, etc.)

 Family Issues (relationships, schools, healthcare, etc.)

 When is my timeframe for change?

 How many steps are involved?

In Part 1, use the following table write out as many specific attributes as you can for each variable (some

“sample” entries appear on pages 5-6). Those things that you “like” can be simply a desired state, or

they may be non-negotiable, “must-haves”. Highlight the non-negotiable or critical attributes for you

(and your family). Those things that you “dislike” are job and life attributes that you want to avoid or

eliminate. Your likes and dislikes will form a template for reviewing job and career choices.

Part 2: Writing Your Objective Statement

Develop an actionable Job Objectives Statement using the key attributes from Part 1 to shape the

direction of the statement.

PART 1 - DEFINING YOUR KEY OBJECTIVES

WHAT do I want to do?

LIKES

DISLIKES

NDUSTRY

RODUCTS

ERVICES

RGANIZATIONAL

HARACTERISTICS

(

SIZE

STRUCTURE

POSITION

ETC

UNCTIONAL

OLES

KILLS

TRENGTHS

(

TASKS

POSITIONS

TITLES

ETC

AREER

ATH

OALS

(

LEVEL

SPAN

ADVANCEMENT

ETC

Other: _________________________________

With WHOM do I want to work?

LIKES DISLIKES

LEADERSHIP (VISION, MISSION)

CULTURE (SHARED VALUES, BELIEFS, ATTITUDES)

PEOPLE (SUBORDINATES, TEAMMATES, CLIENTS, VENDORS, ETC.)

PERSONAL GROWTH POTENTIAL (CHALLENGE, LEARNING CURVE)

Other: _________________________________

WHERE do I want be?

LIKES DISLIKES

GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE

OCATION

(

URBAN

RURAL

CITY

TOWN

ETC

OMMUNITY

MOBILITY, FLEXIBILITY (TRAVEL, COMMUTE, RELOCATION POTENTIAL, VACATIONS, ETC.)

AMILY

ONSIDERATIONS

(

RELATIONSHIPS

SCHOOLS

HEALTHCARE

ETC

Other: _________________________________

WHEN Is My Time Frame For Change?

OW MANY AND WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED TO MAKE A CHANGE

STEPS TIMEFRAME

Part 2 - Create Your Job Objective Statement

In 100 words or less develop a first draft of your job objectives statement using notes and thoughts

from Part 1.

Example #1:

I am seeking a significant marketing role in a dynamic and growing mid-market products company. The

title of the position is less important than the responsibilities, and I prefer to be very hands-on doing

analysis and developing media plans and marketing strategy with cross-functional teams. I have a solid

marketing background to offer and thrive in a collegial, high-energy atmosphere that respects diversity

and fosters new learning. I will live in the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast where there is access to outdoors,

sports, arts and community culture.

Example #2:

I am seeking a position in planning and strategy. This might include strategy consulting, a planning and

strategy position in a corporation or a business development position if strategic planning were the

principal component. I would prefer a major, established firm with a reputation for high integrity.

Geographically, I would prefer a medium size city on the East Coast. I want to work in a team oriented

environment with individuals that seek and respect diversity. I need to be in a new position within 6-9

months or earlier if possible.

Making Your Job Objective “Market” Sensitive

It is important to convert your desires to show how you will add value to a potential hiring company.

Review the two samples below and be sure that you are using your objective statement to show the

listener what’s in it for them!

Job “Internal” Objective Statement

I am seeking a Senior Business Development or Strategic Consulting position to

contribute to the revenue and market share growth of an organization by developing

and executing strategic plans for new high-tech products and markets. I would prefer a

major, established firm that has a reputation for high integrity. Geographically, I would

prefer the greater Washington, D.C. area. I want to work in a teamwork environment

with individuals that seek and respect diversity. I wish to be in my new position by year

end.

“External” Objective Statement

I am seeking to contribute to the revenue and market share growth of an organization

by developing and executing strategic plans for new products and markets. The position

could be a Senior Business Development, Planning and Strategy or Strategic Consulting

position. I want to be part of an organization which works hard and delivers “value” to

its clients. I have a strong preference for the greater DC area or other regional

technology centers.

DEFINING YOUR KEY OBJECTIVES – Abbreviated Sample

WHAT do I want to do?

LIKES

DISLIKES

NDUSTRY

RODUCTS

ERVICES

Consumer goods/Hospitality/Service/Retail

B-2-B products/services, Healthcare

RGANIZATIONAL

HARACTERISTICS

(

SIZE

STRUCTURE

POSITION

ETC

Medium, high-growth Privately held

Too large >$billion revenue / Highly Structured

UNCTIONAL

OLES

KILLS

TRENGTHS

(

TASKS

POSITIONS

TITLES

ETC

Marketing and/or PR and/or Social Media

People development, HR, rote management tasks

AREER

ATH

OALS

(

LEVEL

SPAN

ADVANCEMENT

ETC

Director level / Access to C-level decision makers

Lack of cross-functional influence / exposure

With WHOM do I want to work?

LIKES DISLIKES

LEADERSHIP (VISION, MISSION)

Clearly defined – mission driven

Ego-driven decision making

CULTURE (SHARED VALUES, BELIEFS, ATTITUDES)

Teamwork, consensus and participatory

Formal rules and policies

PEOPLE (SUBORDINATES, TEAMMATES, CLIENTS, VENDORS, ETC.)

Enthusiastic, High-energy, High Diversity

Complainers / Gossip

PERSONAL GROWTH POTENTIAL (CHALLENGE, LEARNING CURVE)

Professional development a ++

Stagnant culture

DEFINING YOUR KEY OBJECTIVES – Abbreviated Sample, continued

WHERE do I want be?

LIKES DISLIKES

EOGRAPHY

LIMATE

Mid-Atlantic or Southeast / Four Seasons

West Coast

LOCATION (URBAN/RURAL, CITY/TOWN, ETC.)

Medium-sized city / Urban feel

OMMUNITY

Reasonable cost of living

Too Political

MOBILITY, FLEXIBILITY (TRAVEL, COMMUTE, RELOCATION POTENTIAL, VACATIONS, ETC.)

Access to decent airport

Long commutes

AMILY

ONSIDERATIONS

(

RELATIONSHIPS

SCHOOLS

HEALTHCARE

ETC

Accessible day-care

Poor or declining public schools

WHEN Is My Time Frame For Change?

HOW MANY AND WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED TO MAKE A CHANGE?

STEPS TIMEFRAME

2. Furthered education – MBA

3. Determined functional focus – developed

skills with more depth and breadth

4. Oppty to join non-traditional start-up

5. Targeting and researching companies in

my focus area; developing search strategy

and networking to make change

2 ½ years investment of time – loans to pay

5 years in traditional CPG marketing roles with

large companies

1 year – company did not thrive in recession

6-12 months