If you haven’t got a job, how do you list experience on your resume? And if you haven’t got experience, how do you land a job?
Jasmeet has just finished an MBA from an Institute in Delhi. Each day he opens the appointment pages of the papers with a lot of hope, but closes them a disappointed man. He knows he can't do much about it: he just doesn't have the experience. But that's not something which should run him down.
Like the best of corporations that have been built from scratch, the best of careers can also begin from zilch. So what do you do if employers stonewall you simply because you do not have experience? After all, you have to begin somewhere. Give these hints a go if you’re a first time job seeker, ‘with no experience’.
PEG LOWER
If you have to take a job a peg lower than what you expect, take it. Just make sure the company you join has equity. That way whatever you do here will add to your portfolio. You can get ahead in time, even if you have to start lower.
A lot of people are disappointed in their jobs because their expectations were too high to begin with. You'll get to the job you want. But you can't skip the necessary steps that will take you there.
After a point, what you’re doing is as important as your qualifications. Get good remarks entered in your record book. It’ll all make up for your temporary compromise.
MAXIMISE YOUR 'TRAINEE' EXPERIENCE
Many companies hire freshers only as trainees. Most trainees are not paid. The situation isn’t ideal, but it’s at least quid pro quo—you get your experience, they get an extra hand.
A traineeship isn’t the most exciting prospect, but it isn’t the dumps either. You work with a peer group, learn team values, and work impossible deadlines—perfect fodder for future success.
GATHER PROJECTS
The more projects you have on your CV the better. Work on challenging projects, it's the best way to learn.
ETIQUETTE MATTERS
Persuasion prevails. Don’t take a 'no' at face value, at least not always. Your persuasiveness will add a plus point to your profile. Especially in a marketing/sales opening.
Always remember to write in to say thank you after an interview. It increases recall. It also tells your potential employer you have etiquette. For all you know, this might fill in for the lack of experience.
BE INFORMED
Research the company where you go for a job interview. It says that you're not hanging out for just any company that comes your way. You've taken the trouble to learn more about the company you want to work with. That makes your coming for an interview an informed decision.
APPLY AT THE RIGHT PLACE
When you're researching prospective employers, find out what qualifications a company prefers when they recruit freshers. Do they show a preference for a particular qualification sequence or specialisation? Apply to the companies that show a partiality to the qualifications you have. After all, a person who seems to be not getting a job anywhere may not be applying to the right places.
STRESS THE LEARNING FACTOR
Stress that you're just raring to learn as much as you can. Companies like enthusiastic youngsters who're ready to fit in with their way of working, who don't come in with rigid mind-sets.
KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING
When an interviewer asks you where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years don't say you don't know, even if it's true! Make a course for yourself, realistically ambitious. You don't have to say exactly what you'll be doing and in which company, but you can outline the kind of work of work you'd like to be doing or the challenges you see yourself as facing.
HONESTY PAYS
Be honest about what you can do and tell them your talents. Nobody is going to do that for you. At the same time don't say yes, I'm really comfortable with speaking German if you know well enough that if you spoke to a German he'd tell you no speak English!
Don't take a rejection to heart. Just take it to head and perk up your determination. It's very difficult to keep the chin up but remember there’s a job out there for you. Try hard enough and you’ll find it. Sooner rather than later.
ZERO IN ON INTEREST AREAS
You can also analyse your checklist and try to find out what you love and what you're good at.
Take advantage of self-assessment tools your career centre has to offer and maybe even sit down with a counselor to evaluate all this information.
Review your calendar and mark off events that are you want to participate in.
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