Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve been told you don’t have enough experience? The obvious reply is to say “I understand, which is why I’m applying – to learn and gain experience.” Unfortunately, in the business world, a lack of experience can be a major stumbling block. Without the right amount, there won’t be many open doors you can walk through.
Thankfully, even though lots of people believe it to be the case, their experience isn’t the be all and end all of when it comes finding a job. After all, you can learn on the job and carve out opportunities if you have the right stuff. It’s about being creative enough to find ways around roadblocks rather than succumbing to the pressure.
For those who may lack the necessary experience, here are some options you can consider.
Rely On Your Past
When employers ask about previous experience, they want anecdotes and stories that center on the industry. They want names, dates and times so that they can check them out and rank candidates accordingly. What they don’t want is an account of your childhood and how it molded you into the person you are today.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not important. If anything, it’s an essential part of breaking down barriers and earning the right to sit at the table. The Cynthia Telles Kaiser Permanente board member story is a prime example. Through watching her father serve his country, she became committed to helping others while a mosquito bite helped form her perspective of self and community.
You can do the same by tapping into your past and highlighting relevant parts. Let your experiences, such as rejection, drive you on and give you the passion to succeed where others have failed. The fire to achieve can be more important than any form of experience.
Circumnavigate The Company
More often than not, you’ll find the solution to lacking real-time experience is to volunteer. Volunteering enables you to get the hands-on practice you require and the business will appreciate the free labor. But, that’s the hard part for you. The downside of volunteering is that you won’t get paid. If you can’t afford to forego a paycheck, it’s not the right move for you.
An alternative is to secure another position in the company that doesn’t require the same qualifications. Although it may not be the role you wanted initially, this can kill two birds with one stone. First, it allows you to gain experience in the same live, fast-paced environment you wish to work in the future. Second, it’s a paid position so you’ll actually earn a paycheck.
If the experience an employer wants you to gain is general, this can be a smart move. After all, they will already know you and this will come in handy as companies like to promote internally. It makes sense considering current employees understand the culture of the company and don’t need as much training when transitioning to a new position.
Make Connections And Earn Recommendations
Remember the industry is often about who you know and not what you know. Therefore, your level of experience, as well as qualifications, doesn’t count for much if you have someone vouching for you. Employers almost always use their contacts to find employees or partners as they trust and value their opinion.
To get recommended to someone, you need first to build a large base of contacts. Without the help of a friend or acquaintance, it can be difficult to get a position in the company you want to work for. Understandably so, you may find it difficult to ask for help. Asking for a favor means you’re vulnerable and may show you lack the relevant skills whatever they may be. However, asking others for help when you lack experience can help acquire a position much faster.
Showcase Your Journey
Experience is important as it fills in the gaps in knowledge and shows you have actually demonstrated the skills you say you have. Recruiters see it and know the person has a level of hands-on practice. You need to show potential employers experience isn’t a requirement in your case. This can may seem like a large obstacle to overcome, but it is not impossible.
During the interview prove that you can overcome any obstacle, and it can negate the need for experience. Sure, you may lack some skills but they will know you will work hard to learn them and be an asset to the company. Showing them the trajectory of your rise in the industry should grab their attention.
It’s easy for a company to find an employee with the knowledge and experience to do the job. What’s hard is to find someone that is the right fit for the company who is driven and willing to work hard. Just because you don’t have every skill set you need, doesn’t mean you’re not the right fit. Follow these steps and show them you are just the person they were looking for.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Executive and Leadership Coach. She is the President of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where she can help you up-level your skills, so you can up-level your income, career, business or life. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides coaching, organizational training, personality assessments, and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
