Breaking the 'no experience' cycle?

Question

I'm 26 and a university graduate. However, since graduating I have struggled to get onto anything like a meaningful career path because all the jobs that I'm qualified for require me to have years of experience - something which I don't possess yet. I need relevant experience to get the jobs but I also need the jobs to get relevant experience. Anyone else familiar with this catch 22? and furthermore, how can I break out of it? thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You have answered your own question. You need work experience before those jobs are open to you. So get yourself some experience. Take any job that is convenient and learn as much as you can while there. Regardless of the type of work you do there are basic skills, experience and knowledge that are gained in the workplace. Some of these are the ability to follow instructions, the ability to meet deadlines and to work as a member of a team. The opportunity to be innovative and resourceful and creative. The opportunity to show leadership qualities and the willingness to accept responsibility and above all the ability to adapt to  to change and to make decisions. These are essential experiences that will help you get the job you are looking for as a future career.

Answer 2

If you're lucky and work hard you can get an internship.  Or start a job in the same field but not necessarily the title you ultimately want.  Sorry, that's all I have... I'm just starting classes next Monday.

Answer 3

Q: You're 26? When did you graduate? If it was at 21 then there's something wrong as you've had five years to build up experience...

Q: You say that "all the jobs that I'm qualified for require me to have years of experience" - If this is true then you are by definition NOT qualified... Who told you that you would be qualified?? The people who sold you the course(!)? How did the other people get into those jobs?? Did they do the degree route - If not then your course was mis-sold to you...

Q: You say you have "struggled to get onto anything like a meaningful career path" - Who decides what meaningful is? What were the people you want to emulate doing at your age or younger??

My advice because I want to help (but you won't like it) is stop whingeing, roll your sleeves up and take what you can get rather than what YOU think you should be being offered:- You obviously interview badly because of your "entitled" attitude... A "meaningful" career is always hard fought for (unless you're given a free ride by the class/fame system)...

Answer 4

i'm in the same boat as you. i have my degree but not enough experience to find a job and i even did a 160 hour externship. i'm just gonna keep applying eventually somewhere will give

Answer 5

You need to change your mindset. If you don't have experience, then you're not qualified for the jobs you're seeking. You might have the "book knowledge" but not the actual experience at working the jobs.

Take a lower job, to gain actual experience, then, either continue with the company and work your way up or apply for the job you want, at a different company, citing your work history

Answer 6

Uni lulls you into a false sense of security that the qualifications you achieve will get you the job you want.

The reality is that once you graduate you are in the same boat as everyone else. Add to this the fact that you are not actually qualified to do the job. By this I mean, you know the theory but have no practical experience in dealing with the day to day issues that your chosen career will present you with. As always, theory and practical are poles apart when it really comes down to it.

You need to find an entry level job in your chosen career rather than the full deal. Try and find some work experience placements or similar. You may have to work for free to begin with but it all counts.

Answer 7

you need to work your way up there... with an interhship or assistant position... it'll be better for you too cuz you'll have the skills and knowledge to be good at what you'll be doing... good luck

Answer 8

I wonder if you're perhaps applying to the wrong jobs.  It's difficult these days now that it is illegal to state on a job ad how many years experience a person must have to tell exactly what level the job is, but if you read the ad carefully you can usually tell.  As an example, I'm a recruiter and I have a job advertised at the moment with the title "PR Director".  I'm really looking for someone with 10-12 years' experience, but I have numerous graduates applying.  Well, I wouldn't have thought that it would take a genius to figure out that regardless of your level of education, with no experience, you're not qualified for anything with "Director" in the title.

You should look specifically at jobs which are aimed at graduates, and there ARE jobs out there.  It's hard to advise exactly without you saying what your degree is in and what you're interested in doing now, but as a start I would try Milkround which is a site that is aimed at graduates, and the Guardian which has a good graduate section.  Then you will find other jobs advertised in places which are specific to the field that you want to work in.  Also, the careers service at your university should be able to guide you.

Now, you don't say when you graduated but if you're 26, it's possible that you could have graduated four or five years ago.  This is going to be your biggest problem.  You are going to have to explain what you've been doing for the last few years, and why you haven't managed to get a job.  Also if you are looking at jobs which are specifically aimed at graduates, you're going to be competing against people with a fresher, more up-to-date education than yours.

If indeed you have been out of university for four or five years now, I would suggest that the best way forwards might be to return to university and study for a Master's degree or a postgraduate diploma.  You'll have more success at finding a graduate job after more recent study and it won't automatically appear to employers that you haven't been doing anything useful recently.