How do you ever get "experience" for a job or career?

Question

Good or well-paying jobs always require some experience whether it be 1 or 5 years. How do you gain experience if no company is ever willing to train? Wouldn't companies rather have someone with limited experience to be able to train them the way they want? I have a college degree and plenty of experience in healthcare but I am looking to change career fields. Most of my business experience is transferrable ascross many industries, however, I have no industry experience for the one I am looking to get into. How do you ever gain this experience if you are never given a chance?

Answer 1

Usually it involves a lot of perseverance, rejection and compromise. You have to accept that crossing industries usually requires you to drop many rungs on the ladder, requires you to re-prove all the basics and normally means a dramatic drop in income. On the other hand there are a fairly good number of people out there that appreciate that those with a more diverse background can bring new and different skills to bear in a very productive way.You need to be able to convey the vision of why you are switching not in negative terms wrt your old sector but in a very positive way as to what drives you towards your new career. Seek short term work at any available salary (don't sell yourself at too low a price, that looks like desperation, instead say you're after the experience and any reasonable offer will be accepted by you). Hopefully one of your short term employers will realise the potential of what you have and keep you on but at least you're building some experience.
Most important, if it's really what you want then don't lose heart.

Answer 2

That is a damn good question. I have 10+ years of medical experience and a paralegal degree, and no one will give me a chance in a law office. Right now I work in the accounting department of a big furniture company, but that's only because I'm through a temp agency and someone was FINALLY willing to give me a chance in an office.
I say, send your resume anyway. The job postings describe the "ideal" candidate, not a real person. Apply for all the jobs you can, whether you have the experience or not. All they can do is tell you no, and you may get lucky.

Answer 3

u dont need 2 hv real xperiance. just fake it. nobody is going to look up from the organisation to check ur xperiance. but just make sure the no. of yrs u worked 4, and the place(s) u worked at are believable and a little less known. also prepare some good long winding stories for them to hear , if the need be. dont talk about any such (made-up) previous exp. unless need arises. make sure the place u r applying for does not and will not hv any biz with the co. u hv cooked up.
alternately u can go 2 some place where u think u can get some fake documentation in this regard. u kno some ppl can in the industry can provide u help in return for small favours!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Look for an internship or volunteer part-time in a related field. Anything to build the resume a little. Most companies will be open to new, young, innovative individuals so long as you have something to prove that you can do it.

Answer 5

Unfortunately they call it "paying your dues". The best way to get experience is to take a lower level job and work your way up. That may not sound like fun, but it works and it works well. You may not get specific experience in your field, but perhaps working at a health care mission or clinic will get you that experience.

Answer 6

Internships are the best method for gaining experience, and alot of times, they end up turning into jobs themselves. Working for free does have many downsides, but it can be a great opportunity if you can manage the hours & lack of pay.

Answer 7

volunteer