CV Writing Secrets: How to Write a Career Objective. (With Sample)

CV Writing Secrets: How to Write a Career Objective. (With Sample)

Do you want a great job? Arm yourself with a great CV! A career objective is a brief summary of your entire CV. In today’s CV writing world, the name career objective has been replaced by ‘Profile Summary’. Essentially, they mean the same thing, but a profile summary captures more information about you and your skills as compared to a career objective.

The purpose of a Career objective is to give the employer an insight into who you are, in a nutshell, as it serves as a summary of your CV and cover letter.

5 Things to include in your Profile Summary (Career Objective)

1. Who you are

When writing about who you are, you need to highlight a key strength that describes you. For example, “I am a highly organized…,” I am a highly reliable…,” “A devoted, highly efficient….”

This should always appear in the opening line of the profile summary.

Related Article >>> How To Write A CV That Stands Out 

2. Your Profession (What do you do?)

The next step is to talk about your profession. What are you currently practicing? What’s your background?

E.g. “I am a highly devoted Procurement Professional with a background in…”

Ensure that your profession is coherent with the job you are applying for.

For example, it would be disastrous to write that you are a Procurement Officer, whereas the job you are applying for is an Accounting Job.

3. Key Skills and Competencies (What are you good at?)

It’s not enough to say that you are a devoted sales executive for example. You must explain to the employer which skills you have acquired along the way that makes you an expert in the profession.

Are you an expert in people skills or numbers?

Every employer will be keen to see what your skills. What exactly can you do and how can you be of value to their company? Express that in the profile summary.

For example, “I have acquired significant skills in procurement and sourcing, negotiation, supply planning and inventory management.

4. Key success/achievements (What have you been able to do very well in your profession?)

This section of the profile summary introduces the prospective employer to your strengths and expertise in your profession. In most cases, this is what will sell you to an employer.

Every employer will be blown away to find out that you were a key factor to the success of your previous company in one way or another.

Therefore, highlight key achievements and milestones.

E.g. “ While working as a procurement Officer, I have registered remarkable success in ensuring timely delivery of results, improving customer satisfaction and meeting sales targets.”

Read Also >>> CV Writing Tips. How To Write A Powerful Career Profile

5. Career Goal, Where Do you want to be in the near future?

As you come to the end of your profile summary, state the career goals you have for yourself. What are you looking to offer the company? Which role are you looking to fill and where do you want to go in your career?

E.g. I am currently seeking to secure a job as a Procurement Officer with a view to further grow in my career and to ensure cost saving and that deliveries are made in time.

Sample Profile Summary of a Project Officer

I am a highly efficient and resilient Community Development Professional with a passion for motivating and mobilizing community members to incorporate change. Being highly skilled and knowledgeable in my area of expertise has seen my participation in social work such as volunteering and spending time with community members.

In addition, I have successfully carried out Sales Management roles including; handling new launches, promotion of products and building and maintaining customer relationships in order to build strong loyalty. My focus is to secure an entry level position as a project officer, project assistant or research associate with an organization seeking to employ my expertise in the areas of community development, sociology and project management.

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Wondering how to articulate the above in an interview? Book an Interview Coaching Session at clientservice@corporatestaffing.co.ke and prepare for that upcoming interview.

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