Amongst the many requirements for a certain job, we always encounter that of experience. Two, five or even seven years of experience in a certain position are required along with a college certificate or bachelor depending on the type of job. This might not be the case if you are trying to apply for a job at a restaurant or as a baby sitter but if you are in the search for a serious full-time or decent part-time job this will certainly represent a problem.
Why is it a problem?
The requirement of experience represents two things, the importance of the maintenance of the working environment and the excellence policy of the company. When you are someone who has already had a job in a certain position for a long time, you already know the working etiquette and know how to deal with different challenges and find solutions. At the same time, your time serving in the same area will help you become an expert at it and therefore will contribute with the company’s excellence in your area.
This is understandable, for who wouldn’t want their company to be successful and have skilled and well trained people on board? The problem comes when it is time for the next generation to come in so that new ideas can be born, developed and carried on. Most school or university graduates are characterised by their enthusiasm, recently learned skills and knowledge, but as you can see none of them is normally characterised by experience.
How is it possible to get a job then? For most of these students the only jobs they have had the opportunity to have are in restaurants or other part-time jobs that do not really add a lot to their carriers, unless they were one of the lucky ones and got to work at a job related to their field of study.
On the other hand, why is it that such expectation is placed on graduates if the possibilities of it being reached are little to zero?
What can you do?
It might seem impossible to reach at first but there are many options that you could follow in order to get that dream job not too late after you finish college.
- Internships
These sometimes are provided by the university, or can be found through it. If that is not the case, many internships are normally offered online or at different companies. These will help you gain experience to include it in your CV and you might even be paid for it, even though that is not normally the case. They will also help you learn to work at a fast pace and professional environment that will allow you to be a step ahead of other applicants.
- Apply for a position that does not require experience
What you could also do is apply for another position in the same company that does not require as much experience and start building your career from there. You might be impressed to know how many people choose this option simply because it gives you the opportunity to get to know the company, prove yourself and earn the desired position after a while.
- Contact with the right people
This might sound cheeky, but college is the best time to get in contact with people that will be of great help for your future. Make the most out of conferences and workshops given on your field so that you can get in contact with people that might make the way easier for you to find a job later.
- Apply for a scholarship that offers a job opportunity
Not everyone gets the opportunity but if your grades allow you, it might be a great idea to apply for a college scholarship that promises a job opportunity after you graduate. These are not rare offers but you just need to know where to look for them.
In the end, as much as required experience can represent a problem, it is not one that cannot be solved. Tell us, What else can help graduates get a job without having the required amount of experience?
