Question:

I am about to complete my degree and am searching for a permanent position upon graduation. Because I was so busy with my studies, I did not work while I was in school. The companies that I've interviewed with so far have not been turned off by my lack of work experience. How do I get work experience if I can't get a job?

First Answer:

There is an old saying that says that "we have to pay our dues sometime." Unfortunately, that often holds true in the workplace too. Without knowing what kind of degree you have and the career field you want to work in, it is hard to give you a specific answer. While you are looking, I would suggest that you consider talking with staffing agencies (new name for temporary agencies) than specialize in your career field and take some temporary assignments in your field. Over half of individuals who take a temporary position are offered that job full time. It would give you some valuable experience in the field, expose you to some networking possibilities and also generate income. Until you find a permanent position, this is a win-win situation.

-- Linda Wyatt, Career Center Director, Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Second Answer:

Consider temporary work agencies as a way to gain the experience your interviewer's feel you lack. Temporary services, both traditional and professional (sometimes called executive or project services) play a critical role in today's changing employment picture.

It is a good way to beef-up your resume, strengthen your skills, and keep current or update yourself on the latest technologies. Often free training, particularly with the larger national/international temporary firms, is available that can enhance your hiring-value. Additionally, you will learn flexibility, have the money to keep the wolf from your door while you pursue an in-depth, focused job search. You may have to sacrifice a benefits package for a while but perhaps not, depending on the agency policies.

It is a good way to investigate the job market. You get to look at companies from the inside and decide which industries and/or companies in your area are growing and which are fading.

You will be able to access internal job postings and develop opportunities to increase your network. Many times a temporary assignment can lead to an offer of permanent work.

Temporary work allows you to sample different work environments. You can be exposed to the frenetic pace of entrepreneurial firms, the erratic management styles of sole ownership firms, the serenity and predictability of the giant corporation. It can be a lesson in business culture that may prove a valued lifetime experience.

Visit a couple of temp agencies and get a feel for how they work, talk to their "counselors", gain a sense for the available opportunities and the industries on which they focus. Ask questions about their policies, pay, how they handle their employees. Approach them with an open yet skeptical mind realizing they are not invested in your future. That is your responsibility.

--Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College.

Third Answer:

You undoubtedly have a great deal of experience that applies for the job you are seeking. Just because you have not been paid for that experience does not mean that you do not possess it. This is one of the most common pitfalls in job seeking. A job candidate will fail to mention developed skills and experience just because they have never been compensated for the experience they do have.

When interviewing, try to ascertain exactly what it is the hiring manager is seeking. For example, if he or she asks "Do you have any experience with computers?", don't just answer "no" because you've never had a job in computing. Tell them of your experience in computing. Give real examples of problems you solved and results you obtained. This is an essential skill in not only your job search, but also in maintaining business relationships. Please see this article on CollegeRecruiter.com for more information on polishing this skill: http://www.collegerecruiter.com/pages/articles/article185.php.

If you are certain you're getting no where in an interview because you lack job experience the hiring company requires, don't leave until you get some honest responses. It's okay to ask them the very same question. Remember, an interview is an exchange of information. Make sure you get what's coming to you!

-- Jeff Westover, Writer based in Salt Lake City, Utah and Managing Editor of JobMarketReport.com.

Fourth Answer:

An internship is an excellent way to break into a company, as it allows a job seeker to gain valuable industry experience while at the same time gaining access to the company's "inside track." Check with your school's career counseling office to learn about available opportunities. If the company you're interested in doesn't offer an internship program, consider partnering with the advising staff to initiate one!

--Rene' Hart, Resumes for Success!

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