How do I get experience, when employers only want the ‘experienced’?
It’s the age old saying, ‘How am I supposed to get work experience, if they don’t give me any experience?!’. The job market these days is tough, and it seems like almost every job advertisement mentions those few ghastly little words, ‘must have experience’.
So, how do you get experience in an industry or job where it seems as though no one is willing to give you a go!
Work on your employability skills
Employers don’t just want someone who can do the job, they want someone who can do the job, do it well and be an awesome addition to the workplace. This means you need to find ways to showcase and work on:
- Written and oral communication
- Industry knowledge
- Teamwork skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership skills
- Planning and organising skills
- Technology skills
Read our ‘Employability Skills Unpacked’ for tips and tricks.
Volunteering and work experience
And by volunteering we don’t mean at your local soup kitchen (unless that is a cause you are passionate about). We mean volunteering for a cause that you believe strongly in can be a great addition to your resume and show your drive and personal integrity too.
Additionally, get in contact with some organisations that you would like to work for and ask them if they have any work experience opportunities.
Gain a qualification
A Certificate III qualification can be really beneficial in giving you the foregrounding knowledge you need to break into a new industry and secure gainful employment. You may be eligible for government funding under the Queensland Government’s Certificate 3 Guarantee program which aims to help you with the costs of your study.
To find out if you’re eligible, read more about it here.
Or if you’re unsure of the career path you’d like to take, browse the endless list of job roles on our Your Career database!