TIPS TO TAKE WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE EXPERIENCE TO APPLY FOR A JOB.
Most time we have graduated from school and we want to get a job but we are limited by the word and phrase known as experience.
Most people see jobs that they are passionate about and would really love to engage in but the lack of experience impedes or restrains them from applying, I come with good news.
There is a better way to even the chance of getting your dream job.
1. Get a recommendation.
A letter of recommendation is a letter written on behalf of an applicant by someone who can vouch for that person’s educational or professional performance. This letter is typically sent to an admissions officer or hiring manager considering a candidate for admission, employment, or a scholarship.
This letter vetos the inexperience of an applicant and the recommender is standing in on behalf of the person to say that I can vouch for this applicant, his or her honesty, skills, passion and character.
When the person recommending the applicant is well known in that industry, this becomes a strong alternative to getting experience.
2. Internship
An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interest. An internship gives a student the opportunity for career exploration and development, and to learn new skills.
With an internship, the applicant can work for either a small salary, non at all sometimes or a stipend while they learn the necessary skills and knowledge they need in the future, although when an intern is good enough, they finally get promoted to a higher level.
You can choose to apply as an intern to a company regardless of whether there is a job opening or vacancy.
3. Volunteering
One of the ways to build experience is through different volunteers for projects, programs and operations.
Sometimes most of these volunteering work could be done for free, for friends, for individuals through pitching.
As a graphic designer, you could volunteer to do a design for a friend who has a large audience and when the audience of your friend get to see your work, you can get referrals.
4. Starting your own Project.
Sometimes you might need to just start your own thing to be noticed enough to handle yours, so I’m a website developer, I might need to do a website for myself and add to my portfolio, that way it adds up to my own personal experience.
As a Cv writer, you can start by doing the CV for yourself then you can switch to doing for others.
5. Highlight your transferable skills
This part is for those transitioning from one career into another career that they have little or no experience in, you can highlight your transferable skills.
For instance, someone who was a growth strategist transitioning into business development can highlight that he has closing and negotiation skills which can work perfectly in both roles.
A teacher transitioning into a community manager can highlight that she has people management skills and teaching which works perfectly in both roles.
6. Adequate skills and certification.
Sometimes your skill can be what sets you apart, a person applying for a role of a copywriter, even though he or she is not with experience can add brand storytelling to their skill and use that as a leverage over other applicants.
And luckily, we have a lot of platforms to get skilled and mentored like LinkedIn learning, Coursera, Udemy, Youtube, Allison etc
Some of these platforms can allow you have certification of these skills from reputable universities and institutions.
7. Lastly one can ask for a probation period.
A probationary period is a period of specified time (usually 6 or 12 months) at the beginning of an appointment that is used for a close review of an employee’s performance prior to granting the employee permanent status. This is the final step in the selection process.
Probation can be broadly defined as a trial period for newly recruited workers. Probation periods commonly last for three months, six months, or a year. It’s usually a fixed period of time at the beginning of the employment relationship, during which the new employee is exempt from some contractual items.
While you might not be able to get the full benefits of the job upon resumption because you are still under probation, but it shows the hiring manager how passionate you are about learning and wanting to take the role.
You could even state to them in an interview that
“I applied despite my lack of experience because I went through the job requirements and I saw that I have the required skill to carry out the job description, having learnt (mention skill) from different tutors and (mention institution).
Also, I have asked other (mention mentors and role models) for advise and what it takes to be a better (job role). They have all disclosed the requirements to me as well and I have assessed myself and seen that I’m equal to the task.
I would love to be tested during the probation period where I’ll give my best and if after the probation, I’ll take whatever decision the board decides.
Thank you!”
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