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Do I need experience?
I’m self motivated,hard working with an positive attitude towards life and career #career
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6 answers
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Kim’s Answer
If you have the ability to demonstrate your knowledge and effectively communicate it to prospective employers, this will be helpful. Over time you will gain experience and be able to speak to it. I would recommend trying different things to gain experience. Experience can be found in so many things, such as, volunteering, religious activities, if they apply, school activities and so much more. Be open to it all and try to look for a lesson or knowledge in the act.
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Desiree’s Answer
Your answer will depend on where you are in your career. I'll be honest: it's going to be hard to land a Chief Executive Officer position with no experience! :) However, if you are an "entry level"/"recent graduate" hire, then most employers will understand that you have had limited opportunity to gain professional experience.
But don't discount your experiences outside of "work".
-- Did you lead a team - in anything: sports, band/orchestra, extra-circular clubs, scouting (leadership skills, decision making, delivering hard news)?
-- Did you volunteer (maintained regular volunteer schedule, performed tasks, perhaps even grew into new responsibilities)?
-- Did you find a problem in your school/place of worship/community and organize to get it resolved (that's creative problem solving, organization, influencing, being part of a solution)?
-- Have you helped plan an event - a drama production, a visit by a speaker/politician, your sibling's wedding, your parents anniversary (that's relevant to project management - budget, schedules, vendors, people management)?
-- Have you coached/tutored (talent development, people skills, motivating others, communication)?
Take a look at where you spend your time and how that could translated into a professional setting, then craft your resume accordingly.
But whatever you do be TRUTHFUL and don't be "sneaky" about it. Don't embellish or exaggerate -- that could come across as untrustworthy or land you with responsibilities which you are unprepared to handle.
Assess your past & current activities and consider how they translate into experiences relevant for the job you seek
But don't discount your experiences outside of "work".
-- Did you lead a team - in anything: sports, band/orchestra, extra-circular clubs, scouting (leadership skills, decision making, delivering hard news)?
-- Did you volunteer (maintained regular volunteer schedule, performed tasks, perhaps even grew into new responsibilities)?
-- Did you find a problem in your school/place of worship/community and organize to get it resolved (that's creative problem solving, organization, influencing, being part of a solution)?
-- Have you helped plan an event - a drama production, a visit by a speaker/politician, your sibling's wedding, your parents anniversary (that's relevant to project management - budget, schedules, vendors, people management)?
-- Have you coached/tutored (talent development, people skills, motivating others, communication)?
Take a look at where you spend your time and how that could translated into a professional setting, then craft your resume accordingly.
But whatever you do be TRUTHFUL and don't be "sneaky" about it. Don't embellish or exaggerate -- that could come across as untrustworthy or land you with responsibilities which you are unprepared to handle.
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
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Kathleen’s Answer
I can only speak as a software engineer, so I will be doing that...
As a software engineer, I would say you need at least school or personal experience in programming in order to start your career. Programming is something that takes a lot of work to teach from scratch, so you might struggle to find companies that will invest the time to teach you all the basics. That said, you don't need a college education to start as a software engineer! Even something as simple as learning a single language using free online resources, and then practicing your learned knowledge with a personal project can be enough to get you started in the field!
That said, being able to demonstrate you can work alongside others, creatively solve problems, and learn on your own, are more often than not way more valuable than just having a ton of experience. I would look to things you do in your daily life -- whether they be sports, hobbies, clubs, volunteering, etc. -- and think of how you can apply those to whatever job you would like to apply for.
As a software engineer, I would say you need at least school or personal experience in programming in order to start your career. Programming is something that takes a lot of work to teach from scratch, so you might struggle to find companies that will invest the time to teach you all the basics. That said, you don't need a college education to start as a software engineer! Even something as simple as learning a single language using free online resources, and then practicing your learned knowledge with a personal project can be enough to get you started in the field!
That said, being able to demonstrate you can work alongside others, creatively solve problems, and learn on your own, are more often than not way more valuable than just having a ton of experience. I would look to things you do in your daily life -- whether they be sports, hobbies, clubs, volunteering, etc. -- and think of how you can apply those to whatever job you would like to apply for.
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Dan’s Answer
Hi Nongcebo,
One thing I have found throughout my career is that experience comes in many shapes and forms. How you connect your experiences to your potential role you are seeking is key. For example, a job may have a requirement of experience in a particular software that you may have never used before. However, you can relate your previous experience of working with similar softwares as well as your ability to quickly learn new technologies which may still apply in that circumstance.
When you have limited or no work experience, you can also draw from your experience in school or church activities, as well as any extra curricular activities you may be affiliated with. It's helpful to make a list of your experiences and relate them to attributes such as leadership, mentoring, technology, logical/problem solving skills, etc.
Best of luck.
Dan
One thing I have found throughout my career is that experience comes in many shapes and forms. How you connect your experiences to your potential role you are seeking is key. For example, a job may have a requirement of experience in a particular software that you may have never used before. However, you can relate your previous experience of working with similar softwares as well as your ability to quickly learn new technologies which may still apply in that circumstance.
When you have limited or no work experience, you can also draw from your experience in school or church activities, as well as any extra curricular activities you may be affiliated with. It's helpful to make a list of your experiences and relate them to attributes such as leadership, mentoring, technology, logical/problem solving skills, etc.
Best of luck.
Dan
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cecily’s Answer
Hello Nongcebo's ,
good to know that you have this right attitude , please only work on technical skills update yourself with latest in the industry so you can the garb the right opportunity, experience shouldn't be an issue at all ,
good to know that you have this right attitude , please only work on technical skills update yourself with latest in the industry so you can the garb the right opportunity, experience shouldn't be an issue at all ,
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Priyanka’s Answer
Hello Nongcebo's
Really good to hear that u have positive attitude towards life.
you just need to get knowledge in your area. Knowledge is the key here experience is not.
All the best !!
Really good to hear that u have positive attitude towards life.
you just need to get knowledge in your area. Knowledge is the key here experience is not.
All the best !!
I agree; knowledge is key.
Kim Hunter, MBA
