Experience is the key

I have given this a lot of thought and this has led to me to pursue my latest possible opportunity. This entry is in part in response to a comment made by Jacky and part by own musings on the subject.

As I have hazarded before, experience is everything particularly in a recession. Everyone is in the business of playing it safe whether it be in business ventures, employees or finances. They are likely to ignore the diamond in the rough, the promising candidate, the risky but brilliant individual in favour of someone who will do the job adequently and who has shown they can do it in the past. Dont get me wrong I am not suggesting I am any of the above, but I do consider myself an unsafe choice for an organisation. Young, unemployed and with no experience. Okay I have shown some application by getting a degree and a diploma but otherwise I am a blank canvas. Organisations it would seem would sooner take the painting over the canvas even if the canvas could become potentially a masterpiece the fact it could also prove a disaster means its not worth the risk.

This is best seen in agencies and their change of policy to only be interested in people with experience, in a way defeating the point of themselves.

A few weeks back someone suggested I look into volunteering, I have followed this up and now see it as my best chance of gaining that all important experience. I have been in correspondence with someone at the local volunteering agency and they are looking to place me somewhere in the New Year. Although I would (for obvious reasons) prefer a paying job, the idea of being able to gain experience whilst making a difference in the community is one that really appeals to me. I firmly believe that it was experience holding me back from getting a job, a view only vilified by the feedback from my latest interview.

Hi Anthony

Thank you for getting back in touch.

With reference as to why the other candidate got the position – it basically came down to the fact that they had previous administrative experience in an office environment.
Regards
Rachal


Now this is not to say other things do not matter but experience is the big differentiator so far, its the thing that has come up time and time again and without it I am not sure it mattters if I am the most enthusiastic, hard working, creative candidate who wants the job more than anyone else, I am the candidate with the least experience and that tells.