If you are searching for your first job or a great opportunity in a new career field, you may feel like you are running up against a brick wall. One with a great big sign that says, “Minimum two years experience required.” On the other side of the wall, you know there are people with the same educational background as you and similar skills. You are confident in your ability to do the same work they are doing, but you lack the required work experience. That single requirement seems to stand between you and employment single-handedly. From your perspective, this insurmountable roadblock may as well be the Great Wall of China.
Landing your first job in your chosen field is a rite of passage that opens the door to the rest of your career by allowing you to add relevant work experience to your resume. If you are struggling to get that first job, there are other ways to add work experience to your resume. Utah recruiters recognize there is more than one way to gain relevant skills and prove your worth to a future employer. Here are some types of experience you should consider including and omitting when crafting your resume.
Education
The classes that you took in college likely provided you with a strong foundation of knowledge to build your career. However, these classes do not count as relevant experience. Formal education belongs under the education or skills categories on your resume. Employers will want to see that you have a solid background in your field, but it will not help you meet the work experience requirements.
The exceptions to this rule are roles in which you may have completed tasks on a schedule, under the supervision of another person, or received compensation for doing so. Common examples include:
- Working as a teaching assistant.
- Tutoring other students in a formal setting.
- Participating in postgraduate research.
These positions may count as work experience on your resume. However, they do not carry as much weight as a paid position.
Temporary
Contract positions, though short, definitely fall into the work experience category. While short stints working for companies generally can be a red flag to recruiters, they understand that temporary employment ends when the contract ends. It is not an indication that the employee’s work was unsatisfactory. Temporary employees perform many of the same tasks and are held to the same standards as permanent employees. Thus, the work experience can be very relevant. Once you gain further experience, replacing temp work with permanent placements may be wise. Full-time work experience is always more desirable.
Consider grouping similar roles when adding temporary work to your resume to avoid cluttering the page. IFocus on transferable skills learned from these experiences, as these will apply to a wide range of jobs.
Unpaid
If you can’t find someone to take a chance on you and pay you to do the job, getting your foot in the door is often easier by offering your services for free. This type of arrangement may include volunteering, personal projects, or internships. Employers do not value time in an unpaid position as much as paid work experience, but it can help prove you can apply your skills in a real-world setting.
Deciding when and how to list these types of experience on your resume begins with determining whether it is relevant to the position. If it is not relevant and you have other experiences you can list, it may be best to leave it off. However, if you lack job experience, listing unpaid positions can demonstrate mastery of some transferable skills and work ethic.
- Volunteering – Because volunteering usually comes with the same commitment and performance expectations, listing them on your resume is often a good play. Once you gain more experience, you can replace the volunteer position with job experience.
- Internships – Internships are great at highlighting your ability to perform tasks in a professional capacity. However, most recruiters do not consider this type of unpaid work as experience.
- Personal Projects – Using your skills outside of a formal setting can be an excellent way to grow and develop. However, these projects do not meet the requirements of work experience. In some industries, personal projects can help you showcase skills such as graphic design, programming, or writing.
Outside Activities
Unlike your college application, most job recruiters will not put you on their shortlist because you participated in clubs, organizations, or groups. They generally do not belong on your resume, but there are exceptions. Activities directly related to the position you are applying for or during which you learned transferable skills or achieved notable accomplishments may be worth including. When deciding what belongs on your resume, it is important to prioritize the experiences and education most relevant to the position you are applying for. In many cases, that will eliminate hobbies and activities.
What if I don’t have enough experience?
In some industries, work experience is a must, and entry-level positions are few and far between. If the traditional route of getting a job isn’t working, there are other approaches you may want to consider.
- Freelance – Consider advertising your skills on online platforms. Gig work experience can help you get your foot in the door.
- Remote Work – Your dream company may be just down the road, but they aren’t interested in hiring you until you get more experience. Try applying for remote work positions. These jobs are plentiful and open up the nationwide job market to you.
- Staffing Firm – Finding the right job match on your own can be a challenge. An employment agency can help you find a temporary job that matches your skills and helps you get the experience you need to move up to the job you really want.
- Network – Many individuals find employment through friends, family, or other contacts. The wider your network, the better your chances of finding a job that may not even be listed.
Work experience is the golden ticket to entering the workforce and launching your career. If getting your career off on the right foot is proving challenging, contact PrincePerelson. We help companies across Utah fill open positions with skilled individuals, and we can help you find a job that fits your skills and will give you the experience you need.