en

Services

Belgium’s leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient hiring solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources

Read more

About Robert Walters Belgium

For us, recruitment is more than just a job. We understand that behind every opportunity is the chance to make a difference to people’s lives

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters Belgium

Learn more

Contact Us

Truly global and proudly local, we’ve been serving Belgium for over 30 years with offices in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Groot-Bijgaarden and Zaventem.

Get in touch
Jobs

Our industry specialists will listen to your aspirations and share your story with Belgium’s most prestigious organisations. Together, let’s write the next chapter of your career.

See all jobs
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your career ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more
Services

Belgium’s leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient hiring solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources

Read more
About Robert Walters Belgium

For us, recruitment is more than just a job. We understand that behind every opportunity is the chance to make a difference to people’s lives

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters Belgium

Learn more
Contact Us

Truly global and proudly local, we’ve been serving Belgium for over 30 years with offices in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Groot-Bijgaarden and Zaventem.

Get in touch

Expressing your ambitions on your CV? This is how you do it!

Naming your ambitions is not always easy. When you don't know exactly what your ambitions are, it is also more difficult to prioritise certain goals, which can influence your job satisfaction. If you are looking for a new professional challenge, it is advisable to also briefly articulate your ambitions on your CV. But how do you do that? Thomas Vieuxjean, senior consultant at staffing specialist Walters People, offers some tips. 

Ambitions go hand in hand with your strengths 

Your ambitions are about how you want to make a career, and where you want to be within a few years. Thomas: "They give you the drive to complete projects successfully. When you finally achieve your goal, you get new energy from it. In addition, ambitions are often linked to your strengths. To know those, you can find out how you achieved your greatest successes.  Also think about how you can use those strengths again to set and achieve new goals. This will help you stay productive and continue to grow." Note that ambitions are only a plus when they are realistic, otherwise they can be more likely to backfire.  

Make a concrete plan or get help 

Taking your strengths into account helps to define your ambitions more clearly, but there are still things you can do. "For example, think about where you want to be in five years and draw up a career plan. Do this as concretely as possible so it is easier to work towards your goal in steps. 'What do you want to learn?' 'What job do you want to do?' and 'What specific steps do you need to take to reach that goal?' are questions you can ask yourself here. By writing everything down clearly, you can always refer to your goals when you can no longer see the wood for the trees," says Thomas.   

If you are not convinced of your own plan or do not know how to get started, you can also seek professional help. "For example, many employees get guidance from a 'career coach'. Friends, family and colleagues can also help you pinpoint your ambitions. For example, ask them what you are good at, or what job they think would suit you best. They sometimes have a better idea of what you are like and what you are capable of than you yourself" Thomas knows.  

What ambitions do you mention? 

If you are an employee with ambition, that plays to your advantage. After all, companies see you as driven and productive when you know what you want, and that makes you very attractive in their eyes.

Therefore, it is not a bad idea to also mention your ambitions on your CV, and to adjust them slightly according to the position you are applying for.

"Usually, they will fit pretty well with the job you are applying for. After all, you respond to a vacancy because you think the job is for you. Still, it is possible that some ambitions may fit one job better than another. For example, you might apply for a temporary position because no job has become available yet at the employer you really want to work for. Then it may be better not to mention certain ambitions on your CV," says Thomas. 

Stand out without being unrealistic 

Once you have decided which ambitions you want to list on your CV, you need to make sure you stand out without overdoing it or being unrealistic in your expectations. "It is important to avoid clichés and be as specific as possible. For example, don't just say 'I am very ambitious', but describe why that is. For example, do not say: 'I want to be CEO of this company within a year', but rather: 'My ambition is to develop myself, learn a lot and grow quickly in the company'.  That way, you show that you are career-oriented," says Thomas.  

It is also important to put your ambitions in the right place on your CV. A CV usually consists of 3 parts: your personal details, your education and your work experience. Ambitions and goals don't fit any of these. Therefore, it is recommended to add a fourth section. This could be a 'personal profile' or an 'about me' title in which you tell a bit more about your personality, your goals and your ambitions. 

Both on cover letter and CV 

Finally, it is good to remember that it is best to state your ambitions on both your cover letter and CV. "A common mistake is to only mention your ambitions on your cover letter. After all, many employers open the CV first, and only then the cover letter. And that is normal, because from a CV a recruiter can see perfectly whether the candidate is suitable for the job or not. If you only add your ambitions in the cover letter, there is a chance that they will be overlooked, and that would be a shame," Thomas concludes.   

 

Looking for a new challenge?

Check out our latest jobs and apply today! Download our free digital Salary Survey tool and find out what you're worth. 

Share this article
Related Solutions

Sign up for job alerts

Salary Survey

Career Advice

Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Thomas Vieuxjean

Principal
Phone: +32 471 99 43 84

Related content

View all
A gap in your CV? Here's how to handle it

A trip around the world, a career switch, taking care of your family or just taking a breather.... There are countless reasons why there could be a gap in your CV. And the good news? Such a gap really doesn't have to be a hurdle in your next job application. Recruitment specialist Robert Walters sha

Read More
Spring cleaning for your CV in 6 steps

Spring is just around the corner and that means not only longer days, blooming flowers and warmer weather, but also ... the annual spring cleaning! But while you're busy tidying up your house or sprucing up your garden, why not give your CV the same boost? Even if you are not actively applying for j

Read More
How to write a successful cover letter

Looking for a new job can be time-consuming and writing a cover letter is often the most difficult part of applying for a job. Yet it has a significant impact on your success in finding a job. A good cover letter gives your potential new employer a deeper insight into why you are fit for the job. It

Read More