Experience required.
But how am I supposed to get experience if I can’t get a job in that role?! It’s a frustration for both people coming out of school or trying to change roles.
There is no secret to overcoming these obstacles, but here are some tips that might help you, whether this is your first job, or you want to changing roles completely. The key is translating what you can do into what the organization is looking for.
- You will have a tough time getting through the HR filters, so posting for jobs won’t be very productive. They are going to filter based on job titles and key words. You still need a HR friendly resume, but don’t think posting will get you an interview.
- The key is translating your skills and accomplishments to fit the qualifications for your desired role. You’ve probably already done similar work under a different job title. How can you change your story to fit the role you want?
- Consider online courses, webinars, or certificate programs that can be used to justify your skills. Certificate programs often don’t require experience and can be easier than certifications that do. Conferences are a terrific way to meet people and learn more about your desired role.
- Focus on your network and personal introductions. Find people in companies where you see job postings or you might want to work, reach out to people in your network who work there, and see if they are willing for a short call to talk about their teams and company based on your interest in starting your career there. Find opportunities to tell short stories during the conversation that reinforces how you’ve succeeded in that area.
- In the end, your best way to get a job is through a personal referral. One of your networking calls may lead to a warm introduction to the hiring manager or project lead. End with something like, “I think I’d be a great asset to the organization. If you see a need or opportunity on one of your teams, would you be willing to recommend me to the hiring manager?”
- Promote leadership, soft skills, teamwork, critical thinking, and analysis skills based on your background. Find other job experiences or volunteer work that can be used to demonstrate role skills they are looking for.
- Consider starting with a company where your degree or experience provides industry knowledge. Domain knowledge and subject matter expertise might be enough to get you in the new role.
- Look for internships, especially with government. Those are easier to gain entry, and many are designed as growth positions.
- Volunteer with a non-profit or other group to build and demonstrate your skills, then list that as work experience. Give yourself a role title if the organization doesn’t mind.
- Build your marketing kit. You need one resume loaded with keywords aligned to the job you want. Next, create a one-page overview that promotes your skills and experiences that parallel what is expected from the role. Use school projects, volunteer work, or similar work to demonstrate experience lacking in a job role.
- Create sample deliverables on any subject to demonstrate abilities. For example, a business or process analyst might create a fun requirements specification: How to make a grilled cheese sandwich? Process flows, requirements, acceptance criteria, prioritization criteria, requirements approach, etc.
- I have a presentation on how to market yourself that might help: https://hanseckman.com/guides/marketing-yourself-for-a-better-career-8/
- Don’t be afraid to hire a resume or LinkedIn profile specialist to help you translate your experience into your new career path. It’s very hard to do look at your own career objectively and figure out what best sells you.
In the end, you are reshaping you core skills and experience to look like the perfect candidate for the role. Start with the job description and what you know about the position, then create a truthful representation of how you fit the role. Be honest and transparent where you have gaps and show how you can quickly pick up any missing skills like you’ve done in similar instances. I can’t stress this enough: do not misrepresent your skills or lie about your experience. It can really damage your career in the long run.
Good luck!
