Christopher Massie
The Experience Catch-22 We’ve all heard it before.
“I can’t get a job because I don’t have experience. But I can’t get experience because I don’t have a job.” For those of us who remember the 90’s PSA on this exact topic- you are not alone!
Feeling stuck in the cycle of can’t, is frustrating, and it’s something students, recent graduates run into all the time. Here’s a secret you may not know, experience doesn’t always have to come from a paying job.
You can build relevant experience through school, volunteering, temporary work, personal projects, courses and even skills you’ve developed in a completely different industry.
Identify the Experience You Actually Need
Start by looking at job descriptions for the position you want.
What qualifications pop up on all of them? Maybe every posting asks for experience with a specific software program. Maybe employers ask for customer service, project coordination, or a certain certification or education level.
If every employer requires a specific certification, and you do not have it, then it’s probably something you’ll need to work toward if you really want a job in this field.
If they want experience with software you’ve never used, that could be something you realistically could do yourself. Online tutorials or certification programs, LinkedIn learning, Google all have great resources.
Recognize the Experience You Already Have
If you’re moving into a new industry, don’t sell yourself short. You may already have relevant skills from previous jobs, school, volunteering, sports or other activities.
Look for transferable skills such as:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Project coordination
- Relationship building
- Organization and time management
- Teamwork
Those skills don’t disappear because the industry changes.
Create Your Own Opportunities to Practice the Skills
Don’t wait for someone else to give you permission to start practicing or growing your experience. If you’re interested in marketing, create a simple social media plan for a local organization or build a mock campaign. Even if it doesn’t get seen by the organization, it’s a way to polish your skills and show a potential employer that you have these skills.
If you want to work in graphic design, start building a portfolio.
The goal is not to say I understand this, it’s to showcase what you can do.
Volunteer Strategically
Volunteering can be a great way to gain experience while supporting an organization or cause you care about. And your volunteer experience is still experience.
Treat your volunteer experience the same way you would a paid position.
Build Your Dream Career
Your first major career might not be your dream job, and that’s ok. Your first big career change, may not be your last either.
A role can be a value add to you, if it can help you get closer to your dream job. It could help you gain valuable experience, expose you to new programs and platforms, or help you make connections to people who will help move you towards your goals.
Start Building Before You’re Hired
You can’t add years of experience to your resume in a day. These things take time and strategy, but eery day that you are working towards your goal will put you one step ahead of where you are today.
then, the next time an employer asks about your experience you will be able to provide solid examples, and build your career, one step at a time.