Experience Vs. Education - A Catch-22?

Many graduates find themselves in the perplexing catch-22 situation... To get the job you need experience and to get experience you need the job.

But sometimes it's the little things. For example, if you were the captain of your baseball team in college, this shows a distinct quality of leadership, and the ability to work with a team and motivate people. It can also show that you are able to work under pressure. These are all high-quality traits that an employer would likely consider as transferable experience for a managerial type job position.

While education is extremely important and one of the first things looked at on a resume by hiring managers, experience is also important and sometimes of equal value. Heck, sometimes it is of more value.

For example, let's say you graduated from Boston University with a Masters Degree in Business. Now let's say you then spent the next 5 years enjoying your social life and working miscellaneous jobs while preparing to embark on your real career.

Finally you are ready. You scour the online job boards and see a job opening at a promising corporation where you could earn good pay, great benefits and a possible landing spot for your career for the next few decades. You apply for the job. The first problem I see here is that your first step should be to find a local recruiter - one with years of experience and a good size client list. But regardless, you find the job opening and apply.

Now, let's say I am the hiring manager or recruiter that receives your resume. I am comparing it to over 50 that I have received. I like that fact that you graduated near the top of your class at a great college. But I am comparing you to a graduate of a local college, not as prestigious college. This other applicant has 5 years specific experience with profit and loss - which is one of the key required skill sets required for the position. Guess what? Well... you guessed it. Your resume would be placed under the one with the lesser ranked degree and more specific experience.

If this were a real situation and you were looking for advice on career path, I would more than likely tell you the following. Pick something that you feel passionate about. Something that interests and excites you and go develop a skill set around it. The Internet provides us with a wealth of information whereby we could learn things at a rapid rate. We can even certify skill sets via a very robust and growing amount of online certification courses. Go and get a job that either hinges on that skill set or places you working side by side an individual or team that hinges on that skill set so you can learn and gain the experience that will end up on your marketing portfolio - your resume.

Three years goes by quickly. With a solid degree and the right experience, you can raise your job market value by leaps and bounds by following simple advise like this.

Now get off your lazy rear ends and map out your future. It is a must!

For more job advice and information, please visit http://www.jtlservices.com/

Greg Angelillo
Online Editor
JTL Services, Inc.
725 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike
Southington, CT 06489
Phone 860-426-0583
FAX 860-628-5008

216 East Chatham Street, Suite 101
Cary, NC 27511
Phone 919-465-7289
FAX 919-465-7281