THE year has just started, you are feeling all hyped up for the new year and it’s a good time to start job haunting for a new job. There are reasons why companies don't hire inexperienced candidates over experienced ones but don't be worried because there are ways to find your dream job regardless of your previous experience.
USE ALL YOUR SKILLS
If you have never worked before some of your previous activities can be packaged as being equivalent to the experience that is needed in some jobs. For instance, if you are used to organising big family events like your siblings’ weddings or kids’ birthday parties, you could use the experience to help organise events in a junior position at an events company. The founder of Potential Exponents, a motivational speaking and management consulting agency, Shoni Khangala, explains that you shouldn’t be shy to apply for jobs simply because you do not have the experience needed. You should learn how to create experience by learning to view your life in its totality. That is from a young age to your current stage. Vivid Staffing senior recruiter, Sharon Keune, warns against comparing yourself to other people when looking for a job. “Don’t have unrealistic expectations. We all have to start at the bottom of the food chain and work our way up,” she says. The senior recruiter says that even if you don’t have the necessary experience, you need to offer the employer some unique traits. “For example if you are really good at twisting people’s arms a bit to get your way in a good way then you could be recruited to the sales department. Always have well thought-out, truthful and convincing statements to mitigate your lack of experience on your CV,” she says. Sharon adds that leadership positions in the community and volunteer work will make finding your dream job a bit easier.
APPLY FOR A FITTING JOB
It is not only young inexperienced people who struggle to find work, older people also find changing jobs or going back on the job market after a break challenging. Being old doesn’t mean you should stop job hunting though, it means you have a lot more experience to offer in your field. “Professions like being an lawyer or luxury cars sales person are more suited for older candidates with more industry exposure. The luxury car market usually targets older clients while law is a specialised skill that requires experience over the years to master,” explains Viv Gordon, owner and managing director of Viv Gordon Placements, a recruitment agency. Due to the current job climate and economic instability in the country, searching for jobs is like looking for a needle in a haystack because companies are reluctant to hire because they are not generating enough income to expand. Viv explains that knowledge is power – so it is important to stay as up to date as possible on industry trends and the latest best-practice in recruitment.
JOB HUNTING TIPS
¦ Use your qualification to your advantage and discuss your skills.
¦ Just know that you are not the only one looking for a job and never give up.
¦ Always update your CV by reflecting on the skills learned over the years.
¦ Open accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn so that your CV can reach more recruiters faster.
¦ During an interview, don’t forget to mention how your skills can help the company.
WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS
Being out of work is stressful and this stress can make you do desperate things to find a job and there are those people that feed off this desperation, so you could easily find yourself in a situation where you end up being a victim of scam. Life coach, Vivien Katzav, says that some people will scam you by asking for money for a training manual for instance. This is a scam and those people will never call you back. “I don’t believe in miracle jobs, if it sounds too good to be true, they are asking you for money or do not have contactable references, it is a scam,” she explains.
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS
If all else fails and you can’t seem to find a job, consider using your skills to start your own business. These days social media has made it easier to market your skills and reach potential clients very quickly. Viv adds that you don’t have to feel sorry for yourself and wait for work to come your way. Be proactive and you will eventually succeed.
