Outlining Your Job Search "Why"

THE REASONING BEHIND YOUR WHY

If you are applying for a job you should know exactly why you want the role. It seems like a given, but having an exceptionally strong grasp on your intentions before you submit the application will help you immensely through the process.

With technical interviews, it can be easy to get caught up in all the technicalities but it’s important to remember that half of the interview is about gauging your non-technical skills. Rather than solely focusing on your hard skills, you should also brush up on your interpersonal skills and hone in on how to sell your interest.

Prior to interviewing for any job, you need to sit down and ask yourself exactly why you want the job. Know your why.

Not only will this brainstorming session help you get past the application phase, but it will also help you excel in your interview. I can guarantee that your interviewer will ask you why you want the job. A well-thought-out answer will prove that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role itself.

BRINGING IT TO LIFE

‍Traditionally, cover letters were a great place to sell your objectives and passions. However, times have turned and the new age of quick-apply features leads to hundreds and thousands of applications. Climate People averages 800+ applications for every job that we post, we don’t have the time to read cover letters.

With an influx of applications and dwindling attention spans, it’s essential to have a clear and concise objective statement at the forefront of your resume to replace a page-long cover letter.

Your objective statement is your one early opportunity to appeal to the emotions of your hiring manager. This will be the very thing that will determine if your application ends with an application or an interview.

The goal here is to be compelling enough that the hiring manager can see a human through the words on the page. If you catch them early on, they will read your full resume and can then be further persuaded by your technical abilities.

There is no one set length for a proper objective statement. It should be 2-5 sentences and convey your genuine interest and intentions.

An effective objective statement covers these three points:

1. Your interest in the industry

Your objective statement should show your passion for solving the inefficiencies in the applicable sector. Where did your passion for this space begin, how has it developed over time, or how do you want to utilize your skills to advance the solutions? If you recently discovered your interest, ensure that you express why it appeals to you and how you anticipate growing within the industry.

2. Why you’re impressed by the company

Get to know the company. Look at their website, browse their social media, check out employees’ LinkedIn pages, etc. You should go further than the requirements listed in the job description and make your objective tailored to the mission of the company.

3. Why you’re different than the other applicants

This is your opportunity to sell yourself and your skills. What sets you apart from everyone else? Is it your experience in the space, is it a compelling story from your childhood, or is it a skill that you’ve perfected over time?

If you were to apply to be a Technical Recruiter at Climate People, a great example of an objective statement would be:

Your objective statement should be different for every job application that you submit.

REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES

Climate People’s Senior Recruiter, Aruna, used to be a technical recruiter for a research center. She worked with an entry-level professional who had pivoted into software engineering. The candidate didn’t have the required experience for the job nor did she have all the technical skills. However, she got the role because of her objective statement.

Her statement encompassed why the cause was so personal to her and explained the emotional toll it has taken on her family. She brought her resume to life with her personal story and direct emotional connection to the sector. Her objective statement was so compelling that it resulted in Aruna giving her resume a second chance. Aruna was then able to represent this candidate to her hiring manager and compensate for her lack of technical excellence with her passion for the cause.

It was obvious that this candidate would be an exceptional fit because she showed a passion that cannot be taught. She effectively sold her direct value add to the company while conveying that she could learn the hard skills if given the opportunity.

At Climate People, Aruna worked with another candidate who perfected her application with a compelling why.

Keiko was able to convey her entire sustainability journey in a way that set her apart. She explained that she has had this long-standing passion that stemmed from her childhood and her relationship with her father. She then connected the dots between her values, the company’s mission, and her desire to make a lasting impact on the climate.

BRINGING IT BACK FULL CIRCLE

‍Having a strong grasp on your why will help you at every phase of the application process. Your why will be at the forefront of your resume, it will help your recruiter sell your profile to their clients, it will answer the “why do you want this job?” interview question, and it will be a great story on your first day of work once accepting the role.

Hiring managers are people, and people feel real emotions. Craft a personal connection and sell your interpersonal skills through your objective statement, this is equally as important as conveying your hard skills.

We always encourage applicants to focus on what they bring to the table rather than dwelling on what they don’t have to offer. If you’re missing a few technical skills, your objective statement is a great place to compensate and set yourself apart with your passion.

Your objective will serve as the north star for your job search. Job searches and rejections go hand-in-hand. Coming to terms with rejection can be a demoralizing process, but if you rely on your “why” you will find the drive to continue on this search with an optimistic attitude.

As always, good luck out there! If you need a helping hand on your job search journey, you can find us at [email protected].