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By Ray Rock
One of the major obstacle you will come across when trying to establish your career is the old adage "have you any previous experience."
If you have just left one of the educational facilities, then the answer is obviously NO!
Therefore, you will now find yourself in a catch twenty-two situation. You can not find a company willing to employ you due to your lack of your experience. However, no one will give you the chance to gain the work experience you need. A crazy and frustrating situation to be in, but one that is all too prevalent in today's market place. So what can you do to you get round this major setback, is there a solution? Fortunately for you, the answer is YES!
The answer being, to gain the experience that you need you may have to take an interim job that requires fewer qualifications and any previous experience is not a requirement. Let's take any example; say for argument's sake that you have your heart set on becoming a police person. However, joining the police force is a problem due to the lack of your experience. Then take a job as a security guard, knowing you want to be a police person and not a security guard but here is the secret.
If you have to take a job as a security guard make sure it is a near to the police as you can possibly get. For example, a security guard looking after a warehouse at night is no good to you, they never see anybody. Think about it for a minute, what do the police do? They deal with the public, so you must do the same. In other words, get a security job that deals with the public on a day to day basis as in a shopping mall or airport. The important thing is to stay in that job for a least a year. After you have been there for about six months and got to know your supervisor or boss well. Mention to them that you actually have your heart set on joining the police force but the lack of experience let you down. Would they mind giving you a reference as you are going to re-apply?
Now if you have done your job well and to the best of your ability, they will only be too happy to give you the reference you require. On the other hand, they may not want to lose you and offer you a promotion or an increase in salary. If this happens then it is up to you to make the decision as to what you want to do. Remember it is your future, so thing carefully before coming to any decision. Weigh up all the advantages and disadvantages of the two careers, pension, sick pay, holidays etc. Then make your decision accordingly when you have studied all the facts. Whichever way you decide to go a good reference should be your ultimate target. Because the reference you get, is the key that will open the door to the police force for you. That is, if you use it correctly and in the right context, accompanied by an introductory letter.
When the time comes for you to re-apply to join the police force. You must send in three important pieces of information. That information being your application form, your references and your introductory letter. Your introductory letter is very important as it can say a lot about your character, your attitude, and your personality. When writing your introductory letter takes your time and thinks about the information you want the reader to understand.
In your introductory letter, write something along these lines.
Mr. Your Name
19 Anywhere Street
Town
County or State
Post or zip code
Telephone No 11111 111 111
December 8, 2001
<
<
<>
Dear Sir or Madam: (or the person's name)
Please accept this application for the vacant <
I applied to join the police force in <
Having just left<
I believe my background provides the skills you require for this position. I would welcome the opportunity for a personal interview to further discuss my qualifications and your needs.
If, after review of my resume and references you would be interested in conducting an interview please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I am very eager to meet with you and explore the possibility of utilizing my experience and knowledge to benefit the police force <
Yours sincerely,
<
Mr/Mrs/Ms. <
Keep the introductory letter short and to the point, do not go on about anything that is not relevant. Your introductory letter and your references are powerful tools when used correctly. They can tell the reader a great deal about you and your character.
1) Although being turned down initially you still want to join the police force
2) You do not give up at the first obstacle. (thereby showing depth of character)
3) You knew you had a shortfall so you have taken steps to rectify the problem.
If you want a job as a computer programmer, a nurse, a driver, or whatever it is you want to be and you come up against the old adage of experience. Then try going to the employment agencies; look in your yellow pages or telephone book under either employment agencies or recruitment agencies. Agencies can be a great way to gain experience of any career. To give you an example I was a freelance Construction Manager and I used agencies for over twenty years to gain introductions to companies. Some of the contracts only lasted six months, with this in mind I made sure I did a good job for them. So the next time they needed a Construction Manager, I was the first person they contacted to see if I was available. However, it is vital that the interim jobs you undertake are, as close to the career you want to pursue as possible. I know this is not always possible so use your own discretion when deciding which jobs to take.
Concerning the agencies and how they operate, there are one or two points you must understand. The jobs they offer you, (depending on your type of career) can range from two weeks holiday cover, to up to a year. Agencies also pay you a lot more than you would normally get working full time for a company. Because they can not always guarantee, you work each day of the week. However as I have said they are a great way of getting you into companies to gain experience. Once you have started for a company then you to make the most of that opportunity. Whatever you do not blow that chance, remember you are there for two very good reasons.
1) To gain the vital experience that you need.
2) To obtain that important reference.
With regard to references, I used to only ask for a reference from a company where I had been there longer than three months. Under that amount of time, they carry very little weight. With regard to short contracts, I used to ask the person directly above me for permission to use their name and telephone number. Thereby, giving other companies a contact if they should require an up to date reference.
When you apply for a permanent job with a company, your introductory letter needs wording different from the one above.
Mr. Your Name
19 Anywhere Street
Town
County or State
Post or zip code
Telephone. No 11111 111 111
December 8, 2001
<
<
<
<>
Dear Sir or Madam: (or the person's name)
I am extremely interested in obtaining a <
Since I left <
Please find enclosed a reference or contact details of company's I have worked for through the agency. Working through the agency has exposed me to different methods and work practices which I believe could only be of benefit to yourselves.
I believe that you will find, through the references that I exhibit intelligence, common sense, initiative, maturity, and stability, and that I am eager to make a positive contribution to your organization.
I believe my background provides the skills you require for this position. I would welcome the opportunity for a personal interview to further discuss my qualifications and your needs.
If, after review of my resume and references you would be interested in conducting an interview please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I am very eager to meet with you and explore the possibility of utilizing my experience and knowledge to benefit the company. Thanking you in advance for your time and consideration of my application.
Yours sincerely,
<
Mr/Mrs/Ms. <
There is also a chance that if you have done a good job while working there for the agency, they may offer you a permanent position. On numerous occasions, the company offered me a permanent position rather than working for the agency. There is something though that you should bear in mind concerning agencies. If the company you are working for want to take you on to their permanent staff, they have to pay the agency an introductory fee. This is approximately $2000 dollars; it can vary from agency to agency. If the company does offer you a permanent position, you can be proud of yourself. Knowing that you have done an excellent job for them while you have been there. Most agencies also have a section that will help you secures a permanent positions if you so desire. After you have worked with the agency for some time and they have built up a record of your work history. You can approach them to find you a permanent position. In the meantime, you will still have work through their contract side of the business.
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