What to do when you have too little experience to show?
written by UltraJob
This drawback usually plagues the interview due to lack of experience to show on the resume. There are many things that can be improvised in this scenario:
- Bring the attention of the prospective employer away from the lack of experience by highlighting your match to the job in terms of skills and personal traits. Be sure you use those skills and traits that are best required by the job you are applying for
A skills CV (see also functional resume)will be the best bet for you - more so when you can highlight you willingness to work hard and long hours to gain valuable experience. Your willingness to work hard should come strong enough to attract the attention of the prospective employer, so it should not be written as an after-thought, rather as an emphasis after your description of skills.
- If you have an outstanding academic background, highlight this explaining that you are a fast learner who can in no time be a valuable member of the organization. Attract attention to the subjects and/or areas where the matters are supportive of the job's requirements.
- Do you have any extra-curricular activities that would boost your skills (with respect to the job you applied for). For example if you are applying for a PR or marketing position, your standing first in elocution and debate competition (proving the gift of the gab) would stand you in good stead.
- You can also use the experience gained in your summer projects or any other hands-on projects that you have done during your college days to show that you are aware of your match to the job and that the past experience, even not in a paid job, made you confident that you can be successful if given a chance to prove yourself.
Highlight the fact that you will be honored to start your career in an elite company such as X (name of the organization) and assure that you would be happy to work harder than anyone else to prove your abilities and become a valuable employee of the organization
- Be candid in your application and down-to-earth. People usually like young people because they have a nothing-is-impossible attitude. Try to project that attitude without sounding over confident or cocky. You can do that by repeating at different intervals that you are willing to learn and work hard so you can fit even better not only in the job, but also the goals of the company overall (do your homework and be specific here; vagueness will seem like boasting) You indicate that you would be willing to travel, relocate and/or work late (even on weekends) so as to learn the ropes as fast as possible
It is rare that companies resist the enthusiasm of young people applying - and unless the job really needs a lot of experience, you will definitely reach the interview stage if you keep your CV crisp, focused and highlighting yourself as a go-getter.