Amongst the many frequently used words you’ll hear if you spend time coming to careers events and appointments (CV, internships, jobs) there’s one that arguably stands as being used more than any other – experience. Whether it’s an employer stating that they like to see experience in similar roles and industries from applicants, Careers Consultants advising you to gain experience in different areas to find out what career might suit you, or simply a friend or parent encouraging you to get experience over the summer, the word is everywhere in the career discussion.
Which all makes sense and is great….if you have this experience. But if you feel like you’re at a stage where you don’t already have this experience, then the idea of being able to gain this can seem overwhelming. Which begs the question, how do you gain experience if you don’t already have it?
Apply for an internship
Advising you to address a lack of experience by applying to a job, albeit a short-term one, might seem like a contradiction. But while internships in competitive sectors such as law and consulting will realistically require a level of prior experience, many are aimed at current students or graduates with the employer knowing that applicants may not have, and indeed won’t require, vast amounts. They know that they can employ someone for a mutually beneficial period in which they’ll receive the skills and talents of an eager student, and the student will be able to gain experiences they can take forward in their future career. And if the internship goes well, they may be open to extending it further, or even making it permanent.
Make sure that in your application you emphasise the skills and motivation you do have, and explain what you think you’d gain from it, as well as what they’d gain from you. Best of all, King’s Careers is involved in running two internships schemes, which you may be able to find viable opportunities through.
Work shadowing
This is a short form of work experience typically lasting only a couple of days, which involves you observing the work of an individual or a small group of people from the same organisation. You’ll be able to ask questions about their line of work, watch particular activities being carried out and possibly get involved with a few tasks. As a result, you’ll have an increased knowledge of the sector and jobs you’re applying to in the future, and may be able to develop a few contacts for the future.
These opportunities don’t tend to be advertised, so you’ll need to contact employers directly. Have a read about unadvertised opportunities here.
Volunteering
Taking a voluntary position is a great way of making yourself stand out to employers, allowing you to develop skills while also making a positive contribution to an organisation who need your assistance. While a small number of voluntary positions require prior experience, most organisations will be more than happy to have you on board even if you have little or no experience.
KCLSU advertise a wide range of volunteering opportunities through their website and Do It is a great database of volunteering opportunities that allows you to search by times you’re available and the skills you want to develop. Prospects also has a useful list of how to get voluntary experience in different sectors.
Check back tomorrow, same time, same place for Part 2 of this blog!