You need experience to get a job. The first thing you see in an advertisement is that the employer wants a candidate with years of experience. The problem is that you need a job before you can gain experience, which leaves you in a tricky position. How are you going to bridge the gap? Your only option is to apply for a job without any or little experience. Don’t assume that you can’t do it because it is possible. In fact, thousands of candidates across the country secure a job without the relevant experience. The difference between them and you is that they know what to do and say to make it happen. Here are the eight things you can do to join them and land a good job.
Invest in Your Resume
Consult resume writers and career consultants to find how you can represent your skills in the best possible way on your resume. It pays to invest time and money in building a convincing resume that gets you through the door.
Volunteer
If you don’t need the money, you are in a good position to gain experience. Employers might not pay you, but they will take advantage of free labor. After all, everyone loves a freebie. By volunteering to work for a company, you can learn how the role works. And, you can also learn the skills that will make you stand out from the other candidates. If you are lucky, the firm might offer you a paid position due to all of your hard work. There’s no better way to get your foot in the door than to volunteer. More importantly, volunteering looks good on your resume. It shows employers that you are not just interested in money but the job.
Do Your Research
Every candidate needs to research the job role and the company before they apply or go for an interview. Researching the relevant topics gives you a better chance of making an impression, and makes up for your lack of on the job experience. Employers love candidates that understand the company because it shows them two things: drive and a willingness to learn. Both of these qualities are essential for employees. To learn how to research, you can discover more here with this case study. The link shows you everything you need to know from the working hours to the management prospects.
Start Small
Your dream job is just that at the moment – a dream. Please don’t let that stop you from dreaming because everyone needs a goal. But, you aren’t going to come across your dream job until you have the right amount of experience. With that in mind, don’t go for too much too soon because it will end up in rejection. Instead, start on the bottom rung of the ladder and work your way to the top. Applying for a lesser job gives you a better chance of being successful. And, once you have your foot in the door, the world is your oyster.
Be A Politician
Have you ever wondered how captains of industry and higher ups get their titles? It isn’t because they are the best, necessarily – it’s because they know how to play the game. Successful careers hinge on more than just your ability in the office. To work your way up the ladder, you also need to know what to say and how to act around the right people. If you impress the right people, they will reward you for your hard work. The saying goes that it isn’t what you know, but who you know. There aren’t truer words spoken in business.
Network Smart
Once you understand that you need people on your side, you need to make more friends. Making friends in the industry isn’t easy, especially if you are not a big deal. But, it is possible if you know how to network properly. Networking is all about charming the people in charge. The basics are that you introduce yourself to them so that they know your face and then chat with them politely for a couple of minutes. A good joke always goes far because people love others that can make them laugh. Also, remember not to overstay your welcome. After all, you’re a stranger, not their best friend. Try and do this with a hand full of people per function for the best results. And, never miss an opportunity to help in their time of need. Nothing is better than a person with power that owes you a favor.
Use Your Soft Skills
What are soft skills? Soft skills are skills like friendliness or professionalism, and they help make a good first impression. Employers love them because they are hard to teach. In fact, a lot of employers are of the mind that you can’t teach soft skills. That means that the skills you have are in demand, and employers have handed out jobs for less. Always showcase your soft skills because they might be the difference between being accepted and being rejected. Remember that experience is important, but it isn’t the only trait that employers desire.
Be Realistic
Even all of the above won’t help you if you are applying for the wrong roles. You already know that you stand less chance of getting the job if it is a reputable role. But, you also have less chance if it is a popular role. A popular job role or employer means that they will get hundreds of applicants, and most of them will fit the brief. Why would they take a punt on you when they can have their pick of the candidates? Instead, carefully target the roles and the companies that are more likely to accept your application.
Finally, keep a positive frame of mind. Looking for a job isn’t an easy process, and it is easy to feel defeated and stop applying.