NO EXPERIENCE? NO PROBLEM!

One of the biggest fears of many first time employees is the lack of experience in their fields. This insecurity is common and understandable due to the learning curve that most of us face when we are entering a new field or a new position. The good news is, however, that the lack of experience has many positive advantages!

So, when you’re preparing for your interview and feel like you might not be ready for the job, remember you just might have more to offer than you think!

(And, this week, we are going to cheat on our Friday Fives and give you the first 4 from Glassdoor Blog and the last one from us! Why are we cheating? Because we like what they have to say!)

Today’s Friday Five!

5 Advantages Inexperienced Job Seekers Bring to Employers

1.    You Are Moldable

First of all, you haven’t developed any of the bad habits that someone with years of ‘know-how’ may have picked up along the way. What this means to a hiring manager is that you can be molded and trained to their way of doing things. And, the last thing any manager wants to hear from a newly hired employee is how the last company they worked for did things ‘this way’ or ‘that way.

Employers have already spent the time and money developing their own way of doing things, and an inexperienced employee is usually more likely to be on board with learning and taking ownership of these established practices. This, of course, helps to keep things moving along smoothly since the disruptive nature of someone set in their ways can sometimes upset the workplace apple cart.

2.    You Are Excited

Your lack of experience lends itself to youthful exuberance for the task at hand. Like someone seeing the Grand Canyon or Disney World for the first time, a neophyte is seen as being more excited about learning all there is to know about their new position. You are seen as not only receptive, but anticipatory of the next challenge, and can hardly wait to meet and conquer whatever challenge is put before you. This is a trait that is more often than not almost non-existent in someone who “has been there, done that.”

3.    You Pitch In

While more experienced employees may have created impenetrable boundaries as to what their job duties are, you lack preconceived notions as to your job description limitations, knocking down impassable walls toward productivity. Your openness to doing “whatever it takes” to pitch in and get the job done for the good of the team is refreshing.

4.    You Are a Bargain

Of course, it would be naive to think that the company isn’t watching its bottom line when they choose to hire someone lacking experience. Profit is and always will be the key motivator for any company. And that’s a good thing for all involved. After all, if the company isn’t making money, they certainly don’t need you.

5.    You Have a Fresh Perspective

Seeing things through new eyes often uncovers a perspective that hasn’t been seen. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and let your employer know that you are able to. A company with diverse staff with diverse thinking creates an innovative environment – be ready to jump in and add your own flavor!

(Source: Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, MRW; Glassdoor.com)

If you are looking for training or work readiness services, visit Hire Learning Career Development Academy at www.hirelearningonline.org, follow us on Twitter at #hire_learning, or contact us 708-856-0623.

Look for more great information in our next Friday Five next week!