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RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Career development requires a commitment to gaining
new skills and sometimes transitioning into a new
field. So what does a newcomer do to get experience
in a new field or using a new skill? |
This may seem like the biggest problem that a new graduate
or a person trying to make a career change will face.
It’s a classic problem: Employers are looking for
people with specific experience and skills, but you can't
get experience unless an employer affords you the opportunity.
Is there a solution to this problem? Yes, there is!
1. Promote Your Coursework
The value of completed course assignments and internships
should not be overlooked. These hands-on projects definitely
count as experience, but the success of them getting you
a job depends on how well you show your prospective employer
that your coursework can benefit his or her organization.
In order to do this, you should present your work in a
portfolio and on your résumé in a professional way. Use
tangible items to show your skills, such as a web page
you’ve developed, a code sample from a computer
program you’ve written, a database you’ve
designed, or a business proposal or essay you’ve
written.
2. Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to gain experience while really making a difference in your community. It could be the first step to a brand new career or a way to sharpen your skills and show your expertise to a prospective employer. Volunteering can afford you the valuable experience that may be the key to landing your next job. Volunteering can help fill gaps on your résumé, if you are out-of-work. The key is finding the right volunteer opportunity.
To get the most out of your volunteer experience, you should have a real desire to help the person or organization you select. Volunteering only to gain quick experience doesn’t always give the best impression to those you will be working with. Those people could be great for networking; either for a position within that organization or with one of their colleagues.
Some examples of great organizations to volunteer for are non-profit organizations such as churches, social services agencies, local government agencies, hospitals and schools. Volunteer opportunities could range from making a website for the local little league team to mentoring students on computer usage or even teaching a class at your community church. Great volunteer opportunities are all around you!
Below are some websites that list volunteer opportunities:
3. Temping
Working long and/or short term temporary assignments is
a great way to gain experience in a new field. In many
cases, temporary positions can also lead to permanent
jobs. Temping gives you the opportunity to try working
in different industries and work environments, while getting
invaluable experience and making money. Since you are
often able to choose the length and location of an assignment,
temping is great for a person who needs flexibility. There
are many temporary placement agencies that work with a
diverse group of employers in a variety of industries.
Author: Emy Goldsmith |
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