Help wanted: Experience required. Proven track record required.

 

It’s hard to land a decent job when you do not have the experience on your resume, or be able to provide specific examples of your experience.

 

So what’s an aspiring young worker to do without holding formal positions? Plenty! If you are interested in becoming a desirable candidate, then here are 5 ways to get experience without having had an actual job:

 

1. Lead a project. The skills required to be an effective employee are very similar to the skills required to be an effective leader: planning, organizing, setting goals, managing budgets, leading people, and juggling multiple priorities. If you have never managed a project before, then start by volunteering for project teams, HOSA teams, school projects, or at community volunteer organizations. It does not have to be a huge project – start small – perhaps volunteering to be a part of the office holiday food basket drive. Hopefully, you will get to see what a good project manager does. Or, watch what an ineffective project manager does and do the opposite. Then, once you have established yourself as a dependable team member, place it on your resume.

 

Take an online course in your area of interest, read a good book on leadership, or request an interview, as part of a school project, of a successful manager at the place you would like to work. This is a great way to make yourself known to the staff responsible for hiring you when the time is right. 

 

2. Train, teach, coach, and mentor. A big part of being an effective employee is developing "team skills." In order to do that, you need to have experience working with teams. Join a team, coach a team, be a mentor. Any and all participation as part of a team speaks well of your ability to be a team player. 

 

3. Hone your interviewing skills. Many organizations use selection committees, hiring teams, or will involve others when interviewing job candidates. Again, volunteer for these opportunities. However, don’t just “wing it” when it is your turn to interview. Develop a list of great interview answers, practice active listening and asking insightful questions, and learn how to establish a rapport quickly.

 

4. Learn to manage conflict, have a “crucial conversation”, and give feedback. Yes, dealing with those sticky “people issues” is the most challenging part of a work. Demonstrating that you have advanced skills in the area of conflict will impress future employers and serve you well in the long run. We all face challenging people issues – with our teammates, family members, and friends. Life is “target rich” when it comes to opportunities to resolve conflict. Learn to do it in a positive, constructive way. I would recommend reading the book Crucial Conversations and look for opportunities to practice and get good at it. Being able to provide specific examples of when you were able to handle a conflict, provide difficult feedback, or address a sensitive issue will demonstrate that you have the willingness and capability to handle the “people” aspect of a valuable position. 

 

5. Create and manage a budget. As an employee, you need to be aware that organizations must be prudent about their bottom-line. While some workers pay no attention to the numbers and allow the employers to worry about that, it is refreshing for mangers to see employees taking note of how decisions effect profit. If you demonstrate an ability to maintain a budget, and the skills to manage a successful budget in Excel, you will surely gain the respect of potential employers. A good place to start is with your finances. Create and use your own personal budget.

 

There are many leadership skills you can practice during break, including presentation skills, communication skills, leading change, and strategic thinking. However, it is important to talk about what you have done, not what you could do. The suggestions listed above will give you that practical experience needed to help land your first position.