Companies with recruitments often go for people with experience on the new posted vacancies. This has always failed fresh graduates and those who never landed their foot on the ladder.
Job seekers as well run to anywhere that promises an opportunity without considering their specialisation back at universities and yet, winning a job that you have no experience in may look like a dream yet frustrating especially having an idea of the people you are competing with for the post.
James Katuhaire, Microfinance Operation Manager, says that many candidates are unable to get job opportunities because they have no experience, yet you need a job to get experience. How do you get your foot on the ladder?
He says that job recruiters have less time to check on everything written on your resume yet it is an opportunity to highlight the value you can bring to your next employer.
"Employers have different needs and require different skills, experience and qualifications, even if they are advertising for the same position. It is important that you tailor your resume to each specific position to which you are applying in order to improve your chances of getting an interview” Katuhaire says
When you make it to the interview, Katuhaire adds that understanding the specifics of the company you are seeking a job in can guarantee you that you pass the interview with confidence.
He says that an interview is one of the most important stages of selection for a job and both candidates and interviewer identify mutual interest and get answers to questions. Showing that you have got information to the company you are seeking a job for will pick interest to your interviewer and indicate that you are serious and know what you want.
"Doing research about the recruiting company will help you experience correlates with the information published by the company on their website and in social networks and what exactly in your skills makes you a great fit for the vacancy” Katuhaire says
According to Richard Gakuba, a banker, creating work of experience may earn you experience in the job you are looking for.
"Many companies out here may be looking for volunteers, however, some people are not willing to volunteer as one of the long lasting solutions, and they are only seeking ways to get money. You can look for internships that help people learn, especially if you are still making your first step. This will create connection and build experience to your next career job”
Gakuba adds that highlighting your transferable skills may also help you to achieve your dream, since companies have different needs and requirements for the job posted, regardless of the titles being the same.
"Highlighting your relevant transferable skills is a good way to demonstrate your value to an employer. You might not win even the job you are looking for, but compete in other better position in the same company, based on the skills your resume presents and how your assure them”, he says
You can also start courses that demand required skills in the preferred job. Online learning programs provide better and easier learning systems that provide cost-effective courses and associate degree programs for a few months and offer the opportunity to study a subject in-depth.
Indeed.com also states that for those with no work experience at all, think about other ways you might have cultivated or demonstrated some of the soft skills in your daily life or even back at school, because they are also essential for doing the job.
Soft skills include, communication skills, organisation skills, problem solving, attention to detail, time management, interpersonal skills, and creativity, flexibility, teamwork and leadership skills.
Asking for feedback will as well help you identify what areas to work on most and a great way to learn more about what tweaks you can make on your resume and what you can do to improve your overall performance in the interview. You can do that by sending a friendly email asking for their honest feedback regarding your application, after you have made it to the interview stage.