What's Experience Got to Do With It? 5 Strategies to Strengthen Your Career Story
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| Green Career Tip of the Week |
"We learn by example and by direct experience because there are
real limits to the adequacy of verbal instruction."
--Malcolm Gladwell
Are you running into the "experience conundrum" in your quest for a greener, more sustainable career? You know the one, when companies will only hire you if you have experience and you can't figure out how to get experience unless one of these companies hires you? In today's article find out five strategies you can use to build your green experience to strengthen your career story for your target position.
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Tip of the Week: What's Experience Got to Do With It? 5 Strategies to Strengthen Your Career Story
Read this article online
You are excited about your goal to transition into a greener, more sustainable career. You've completed a degree (or you are working toward a degree) or you've invested in a green certification program.
You know you've put in a lot of effort. You've learned so much.
You are ready to contribute what you know to the emerging economy. You are excited about your prospects.
Then Reality Sets In...
The prospective employers you talk to are looking for someone with experience.
Experience...you don't have!
What's the Deal?
Employers always fill their open positions with the best candidate they can find. After all, their primary goal is to build the strongest business/department/team possible. You can't blame them for putting their business needs first. Can you?
Face it...in this economy, employers have a lot of qualified candidates to choose from!
So unless you are intentionally applying for an entry level position, you can presume that any potential employer will be looking for experience. Indeed, the candidate with the most relevant, convincing experience will be the one to get the job you are targeting.
So What's Your Plan?
How are you planning to gain the experience to land your next position?
1) If you are still in school or working toward a certification, do whatever you can to gain relevant, targeted experience in your coursework and school projects. Be strategic in making choices about how you use your time. The more focused you are about your future target career, the easier it will be to choose opportunities that enhance your career story.
2) Look at your previous work experience to identify experience you do have that's analogous to what's required in your target position. Position this experience in a way that bolsters your credibility.
3) Identify where you have gaps in your work history. Be strategic in participating in activities that build out your career story in ways that prove you can do the work associated with this position. Get creative! Look for relevant volunteer opportunities. Identify ways to engage in your profession/industry. Search for short-term projects that give you the experience you need. (If you'd like some help brainstorming ways to build your credibility, check out our ebook, 101 Ways to Gain Green Experience.)
4) Figure out the best way to tell your career story in a way that demonstrates your value to your target employers. Remember, it's up to you to connect the dots between your past history and the position you are targeting. Don't rely on hiring managers to see what you can do for them. Articulate your value as clearly and concisely as possible.
5) If you can't make the case to move from where you are now to your target position, look at an interim position that will be a stepping stone for you. What position would leverage your existing experience while strengthening your case to step into your target position in the future? Be strategic!
Use this reality check to reevaluate your strategy for getting your next position. Pace yourself for the long haul. Build your career story piece by piece so that by the time you are ready to transition into your target career you'll have a compelling resume to back up your desire.
Copyright 21012 Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc
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Have You Had It with Your Current Career?
- Are you looking for your path forward?
- Are you searching for a clear vision of the work you are meant to do?
I know what you're going through! In addition to the career transition you read about above, I've made several other major career transitions. I know how hard it is to be in a career that's not fulfilling or meaningful.
I also know how frustrating it is when you want to change,
but you don't see a clear path to your next career.
By not knowing what steps to take, you lose the chance to connect with valuable contacts. In addition you miss powerful opportunities to become engaged in your target industry.
I've been helping people transition to careers that align with their values for more than 20 years. On a consistent basis I help people go from confusion to clarity about their career focus in the matter of weeks rather than months or years!
If you are ready to smooth out your transition
to a greener, more sustainable career, I invite you to apply for a complimentary one-on-one Green Career Strategy Session with me. During our time together, we'll explore your
biggest challenges and identify the steps you can take
to step forward on your path to your new career.
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About Us
Green Career Central(TM) is an online coaching and resource center designed to help mid-career professionals, students, new grads, and career counselors make sense of the green economy and the green job market.
Carol McClelland, PhD, author of the award-winning, Green Careers For Dummies, is one of the nation's leading green career experts and founder of Green Career Central. Throughout her career, Carol has helped thousands of people find careers that match their values and interests.
Copyright (c) Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc. 2007-2012.
All Rights Reserved.
Green Career CentralR is a trademark of
Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc
PO Box 354, Menlo Park, CA 94026
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