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In Part 1, we have learnt how to use the result from your personality test to match a suitable job type. Even if you have found your suitable job type, don’t just rush into your job search focusing into that particular job type only without really understanding where you want to be i.e. what is your career objective?

Based on the book “To Find A Job….Start A New Career” by Marvin Rafal, PhD, there are 4 types of common career objectives which are categorized as Job Enrichment, Upward Movement, Job Exploration and Sideways Movement.

Let me briefly elaborate what does each of these categories mean:

Job Enrichment

Your career objective is to remain in your current job type but at the same time build your knowledge, skill & experience by taking more challenging responsibilities. In Job Enrichment, you will most likely be looking for a job in the same company but in a different department or entirely in a different company but doing the same type of job. Basically your career objective is to be better & skillful (become expert) in what you are currently doing to make yourself marketable for future career growth or personal ambition.

Upward Movement

Typically, once you have gone through the Job Enrichment stage, you will want an Upward Movement career objective. This is the time where you are looking for a career growth opportunity to improve your status, income and take on higher level job responsibilities. You will need to have some period of working experience with established accomplishments and at the same time possess  leadership skills to lead and manage a bigger organization.

Job Exploration

If you are a fresh graduate or you are not really sure which job type to pursue in but wanted to explore different job type before finding a suitable one then this career objective will be suitable for you. Even though you do not have a specific job type to focus on but you must at least know how to generalize your career objective to fit into the organization that you would like to join. However, you will need to be very careful not to leave an impression that you are just on trial basis and will leave if found not suitable for you. You will need to have a competitive advantage (special skills, knowledge, experience & ability to contribute) as a win-win deal with your future employer.

Sideways Movement

Specifically Sideways Movement career objective is for you if you are looking for a lateral direction career movement in the same company and wanted to learn new skills including meeting new people. With this career objective, your personality is is a sociability type and at the same time you are successful in your current position and has the ability to contribute successfully in other department in the company. The acquired skills & knowledge will help to build a good foundation for your career growth.

Now, you have 4 categories to choose your suitable career objective. Based on these brief explanation as above, you are highly recommended to do the following before finalizing your career objective:

• Learn to know yourself better. Find a realistic options worth to pursue based on your personality as a guide but not as the ultimatum.
• Asses your ability (skill, knowledge, experience, education & etc) to fit into your choice of career objective. Talk to those who has experience in the same field; ask the right question to the right people.
• If you have some thoughts about your career objective in mind, spend some time to assess the suitability by discussing with your family & friends. Take their inputs into consideration.
• Reflect on your past experience especially on what has been working well for you and what is not. Focus on your bad experience and avoid making the same mistake.
• Never choose your career objective based on the financial reward only. Consider holistically especially on the non-financial reward (health, time, family, skill, knowledge, experience).
• Get expert advice from career counselor who is able to propose some options and at the same time remind you on the consequence of the given options. Remember that even the career counselor is the best in the world but it does not mean he/she knows you better than yourself. The final decision still lies on you.

Give it a try and once your have firm up your career objective, you will find that your job search will be more effective since you are more focus and know where you want to be.

Good luck.