Noobs Need Jobs Too

Like the chicken verses egg debate, job seekers wonder which comes first, the job or the experience. Most employers don’t want to hire candidates without experience but many workers wonder how they can get the experience unless they get the job.

It seems to be the double edged sword of the recent grad or the mid career shift. Just because you haven’t mastered your desired field doesn’t mean you never will. A good attitude will get you a lot farther than just aptitude. A skilled worker stuck in the rut of “this is the way things have always been done” might not be as desirable in an interview as a clean slate. Someone who is eager to be inspired and willing to embrace innovative ideas may be the best match.

Hiring manager for Western Union, Julie Rulis says "I can think of more than one instance in which a candidate was able to sell himself for a specific role despite having little or no experience and who then moved on to being a fantastic fit for the position long term. It's much easier for companies to train their employees on technical skills versus core competencies like leadership skills, analytical abilities, motivation, ambition and problem-solving. These traits span multiple industries and functional areas."

The challenge is making the interviewer see the potential instead of the past. Try these tips to get them to take a chance on training you:

• Translate aspects of previous employment to your desired position


• Create a functional resume instead of a traditional one


• Demonstrate eagerness to learn and loyalty to the company


• Don’t overstate your credentials


• Be ready to work for less or intern for the company


• Study the field and track subjects relating to it


• Go to professional conferences or workshops pertaining to your potential position

Rulis says, "It's really important to spend time understanding the role before the interview takes place so the applicant can position him or herself accordingly and be prepared for any questions that come up." A good way to do this it to pull the job requirements right out of the ad and list point by point places where your skills are strong and have answers prepared for places they aren’t.

Ready to get started working in technology? Check out the job listings at TechCareers.com.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for TechCareers.com, she is co-founder of design and promotion company, Creative Kazoo with fellow Nexxt blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.