| FindJobsQuickly 21st century resources to help job seekers with less than 5 years work experience Get The Job They Really Want Quickly |
a service of LADD Educational Services
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Defining Your Job Objective
In all my years researching the best job search methods to help people find the jobs they really
want, one of the most relevant statements I have ever read about the need to define your job
objective comes from the founder of the self-directed career planning and job search
movement, Michael Farr.
“Most people jump into an education or training program or a job search without much
consideration of their true job objective. Instead, they often begin and end with a job
objective that is poorly formed and that excludes many possibilities. In most cases, they look
for a job similar to one they had in the past or that they think is related to their education or
training. Rather than analyze what they really want to do, they stick to what they believe
they are qualified for.
Many people simply look for any job that will pay them enough to live on. Because they have
not done the work to define what they really want, they are very likely to get “a” job rather
than work that is a good match for them.
Too many people overlook many job opportunities. They simply go about their careers with
very little information about the universe of career and job possibilities that might suit
them. They often end up in an educational program that prepares them for work that may or
may not suite them, and later find jobs in a haphazard way.
I think that most of us can do better. While I am not suggesting that the process of defining a
job objective is a simple one, I do think there are a few simple things you can do to help you
make better decisions.”
want, one of the most relevant statements I have ever read about the need to define your job
objective comes from the founder of the self-directed career planning and job search
movement, Michael Farr.
“Most people jump into an education or training program or a job search without much
consideration of their true job objective. Instead, they often begin and end with a job
objective that is poorly formed and that excludes many possibilities. In most cases, they look
for a job similar to one they had in the past or that they think is related to their education or
training. Rather than analyze what they really want to do, they stick to what they believe
they are qualified for.
Many people simply look for any job that will pay them enough to live on. Because they have
not done the work to define what they really want, they are very likely to get “a” job rather
than work that is a good match for them.
Too many people overlook many job opportunities. They simply go about their careers with
very little information about the universe of career and job possibilities that might suit
them. They often end up in an educational program that prepares them for work that may or
may not suite them, and later find jobs in a haphazard way.
I think that most of us can do better. While I am not suggesting that the process of defining a
job objective is a simple one, I do think there are a few simple things you can do to help you
make better decisions.”
How to Explore Specific Job Titles and Industries
You might find your ideal job in an occupation you
haven't considered. And, even if you are sure of
the occupation you want, it may be in an industry
with that you're not familiar. This combination of
occupation and industry forms the basis for your
job search, and you should explore a variety of
options.
The most often used source of information on
jobs is a book titled the Occupational Outlook
Handbook (OOH), published by the U.S.
Department of Labor. You can simply find a job
title that interests you and then get additional
information on it from the OOH. The descriptions
provide details on earning, education or training
required, skills and abilities needed, working
conditions, related jobs, sources of additional
information (including Internet sources), and
other particulars.
Many libraries and bookstores carry the
Occupational Outlook Handbook, or you can get
OOH job descriptions on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/oco
haven't considered. And, even if you are sure of
the occupation you want, it may be in an industry
with that you're not familiar. This combination of
occupation and industry forms the basis for your
job search, and you should explore a variety of
options.
The most often used source of information on
jobs is a book titled the Occupational Outlook
Handbook (OOH), published by the U.S.
Department of Labor. You can simply find a job
title that interests you and then get additional
information on it from the OOH. The descriptions
provide details on earning, education or training
required, skills and abilities needed, working
conditions, related jobs, sources of additional
information (including Internet sources), and
other particulars.
Many libraries and bookstores carry the
Occupational Outlook Handbook, or you can get
OOH job descriptions on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/oco
The industry you work in can often be just as
important as the occupation you select. For
example, if you are interested in the medical field
but are looking for a position using your
accounting skills - why not consider looking for an
accounting-related job in the medical industry?
Some industries will simply be more interesting to
you than others, so focus your job search in those
industries.
The Career Guide to Industries, another book by
the U.S. Department of Labor, contains very
helpful reviews for each of the major industries.
Organized in groups of related industries, the
Guide covers about 70% of the nation's workforce.
Many libraries and bookstores carry the Career
Guide to Industries, or you can find the
information on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/oco/cg
important as the occupation you select. For
example, if you are interested in the medical field
but are looking for a position using your
accounting skills - why not consider looking for an
accounting-related job in the medical industry?
Some industries will simply be more interesting to
you than others, so focus your job search in those
industries.
The Career Guide to Industries, another book by
the U.S. Department of Labor, contains very
helpful reviews for each of the major industries.
Organized in groups of related industries, the
Guide covers about 70% of the nation's workforce.
Many libraries and bookstores carry the Career
Guide to Industries, or you can find the
information on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/oco/cg
| FindJobsQuickly℠ is a service mark of LADD Educational Services 2300 Howes Street, Merrick, New York 11566 (516) 672-6773 • info@LADDEducationalServices.org |