Applying for Graduate Jobs: Writing your Career Objective

When writing your CV, it's very important to summarise your career objectives, as well as what you're looking for in a current role. This is particularly useful when you're applying for graduate jobs where your previous work experience won't necessarily be as relevant.

Including a career objective can help you:

• Outline the type of role you're looking for in a graduate career.
• Show your potential employer the type of skill-sets or qualifications you have.
• Demonstrate what you're hoping to achieve in the future.

How to write a compelling career objective for graduate jobs:

• Be honest. Think about what you really, genuinely want from a role. Don't write something that just sounds cliché or like you've taken it from somewhere else.
• Be specific. Rather than saying that you're looking for "a job in advertising", say that you're interested in "managing client relationships as an Account Executive".
• Be realistic. When talking about your career goals, don't suggest that you want to become the CEO within two years or that you want to make a million dollars by the time you're 35. Instead, mention achievable goals like, "Put the skills I learnt in my Business Management degree into practice in a real environment – and eventually assume the role of Account Manager for some of the agency's key clients".