Need more experience to land that job? Here’s how to get it!
It’s a catch-22. You need experience to get a job, but if you don’t have a job how will you get that experience? Employers value experience when it comes to assessing candidates because it illustrates that an employee can perform desired duties and tasks, hopefully at a high level (that’s why it’s important to showcase accomplishments on your resume). The good news is there are many ways that you can gain experience that aligns with the skills and abilities affiliated with your target jobs. That’s right, full-time employment is not the only way to gain professional experience! Whether you are a college student or seasoned employee, you can gain valuable professional experience through internships, volunteer opportunities, and project work.
Internships are excellent ways to gain critical experience in your desired field while learning about the industry from the inside and making contacts to build your professional network. There are so many advantages! There is an increased emphasis for colleges and universities to integrate experiential learning and field experience into their curricula. While internships that can be earned for credit are an important part of a future professional’s college experience, internships are not limited to students! Many companies accept candidates not enrolled in higher education for internship programs. I may be dating myself, but here’s an example. On the sitcom Friends the character Chandler, who was in his thirties at the time, changed career fields. In order to get established in the advertising industry, he started as an intern! Internships can be paid or unpaid, for-credit or not for-credit. Another bonus benefit of internships is that many people that intern at companies and organizations are able to turn those internships into full-time jobs! The key is to connect with companies that interest you to see if they have an internship program that will accommodate your skills, experience, and career aspirations.
Project work is often overlooked as a way to gain experience in a desired career field because its structure and opportunities are flexible and sometimes more difficult to identify. Some companies advertise project work positions, but many opportunities are part of the hidden job market (jobs that aren’t posted or advertised, and are filled via ways including referrals and internal promotions). Project work can be flexible in terms of duties, duration, pay rate, and location (in-office or remote). The critical factor to keep in mind when considering project work is its applicability to your career. Will it help you build your resume and acquire accomplishments relevant to your career objectives? Like internships, project work can turn into a full-time job if you perform well and are a fit with company culture. It is flexible and allows you to prove that you can do the work. And for you students, project work is something you can do while you’re in college either for an employer or in class. The key for you is to complete a project that allows you to show how you take your skills and experience (acquired in academia) and apply them to a professional setting. Whether it’s professional or academic in nature, it can be featured under the relevant experience section of your resume. Remember, experience on your resume isn’t limited to paid positions. Be proactive when seeking project work in order to find opportunities that fit your needs, and those of an employer’s. Research opportunities and then reach out to target companies and organizations to determine if they have projects that will help them achieve their objectives and allow you to gain valuable experience.
Volunteer opportunities are greats ways to gain relevant professional experience and support a worthy cause. Nonprofit organizations feature diverse needs, and as a result, many ways to apply professional skills. You can help design a website (gain graphic design or computer science-related experience), run an event (gain skills in teamwork, problem solving, communications, or management), or help promote the organization and its objectives (gain experience in marketing, PR, journalism, and communications). These are just a few ways that you can help and gain experience to support your career! You are only limited by your imagination and the opportunities you find. Determine what services you can offer and then reach out to potential organizations to see if they can benefit from your help. The more you connect with professionals in the field, the better the chances are that you’ll find opportunities. An added benefit? You’ll connect with other people and can build your professional network. Don’t forget to feature your volunteer experience on your resume. Be sure to illustrate what you did and how you made a positive impact that helped the organization serve its target population and meet its objectives.
The fact is, experience is important. You need it to compete for your target jobs. Rather than limiting yourself to gaining experience exclusively through full-time positions, consider how internships, project work, and volunteer opportunities can help you build your resume in a way that connects with your professional aspirations. Work hard, connect with others, and be creative!
