Breaking the “Not Enough Job Experience” Barrier with Morgan Sanner (@resumeofficial)
Sep 10, 2024
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Morgan Sanner, an HR professional and resume specialist, joins the discussion to tackle the frustrating experience gap faced by entry-level job seekers. She shares essential tips on reframing work experiences to showcase transferable skills effectively. The conversation dives into the importance of self-advocacy in the job application process, particularly for recent graduates and individuals of color. The hosts also touch on lighter topics like workplace dress codes while encouraging listeners to embrace their unique career journeys.
Entry-level job descriptions often set unrealistic experience requirements, causing confusion and discouragement for new graduates and career changers.
Candidates can enhance their resumes by reframing their work experiences, emphasizing transferable skills gained through internships, projects, or volunteer work.
Rejections in the job application process should be viewed as growth opportunities, prompting candidates to seek feedback and improve their application strategies.
Deep dives
The Reality of Job Applications
Navigating the job market can be particularly daunting for those seeking entry-level positions, largely due to unrealistic expectations regarding experience requirements. Many job descriptions demand several years of experience for roles labeled as 'entry-level', making it confusing for new graduates or career changers. This paradox creates a challenging environment where candidates feel dissuaded from applying, fearing they may not meet these often arbitrary standards. It is vital to pursue these opportunities regardless of how many boxes are checked, as applying could lead to valuable experience and eventual success.
Framing Experience Effectively
An effective way to enhance a resume is to thoughtfully reframe one's experiences, placing emphasis on relevant skills acquired through various avenues. Job seekers can showcase their student projects, volunteer work, and internships, positioning those experiences as applicable to the desired role. Additionally, many candidates overlook the significance of transferable skills gained from non-related jobs, such as customer service positions. By outlining these competencies and their impacts, candidates can present themselves as viable contenders for opportunities that might initially seem beyond their reach.
The Importance of Highlighting Skills
It's essential for applicants to clearly communicate their skills within their resumes, directly aligning them with the qualifications stated in job descriptions. The practice of explicitly stating relevant competencies, particularly those that may be technical in nature, is crucial since recruiters may not have direct experience in the roles they are hiring for. If a job listing highlights specific skills or technologies, they must be mentioned in the applicant's resume to ensure that the recruiter sees the candidate as qualified. Overlooking the mention of such skills can result in missed opportunities, as recruiters do not make assumptions about a candidate's qualifications.
Dealing with Rejection and Building Resilience
Rejection is an inevitable part of the job search process and can often feel overwhelming, especially when faced with numerous applications and little feedback. Many candidates assume that their lack of callbacks signifies inadequacy; however, it is essential to view rejections as opportunities for growth and learning. Building resilience in the face of disappointment involves seeking constructive feedback and continuously refining application materials, rather than internalizing the perception of failure. Each application experience can provide insights that enable better preparation for future opportunities.
Applying Beyond the Job Description
Successful candidates often approach job applications with an open mind, considering roles even if they don’t perfectly match their skills or experiences as listed in job descriptions. Job seekers are encouraged to think critically about the specific duties and industries and apply for positions that may not seem a perfect fit. This approach not only widens the job-seeking horizon but can also lead to discovering unexpected pathways into new fields or career transformations. By expanding their search and being adaptable, candidates can uncover hidden opportunities that may not be immediately apparent.
Entry-level positions often require 3+ years of experience. But how are you supposed to get years of experience before qualifying for an entry-level role? And what does “entry level” even mean? We’re talking with resume specialist Morgan Sanner, aka Resume Official, about how to reframe your work experience and show hiring managers that you’re a qualified candidate.
Do you have any burning questions about work? We want to hear them! You can email us your questions at letstalkoffline@linkedin.com.
And thank you to Morgan Sanner for joining us this week! Follow Morgan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgansanner).
For more, follow Gianna (http://linkedin.com/in/giannaprudente) and Jamé (http://linkedin.com/in/jamejackson) on LinkedIn and subscribe to Gianna’s weekly newsletter: https://linkedin.com/letstalkoffline.
Credits Gianna Prudente - Co-host, Early Career Development Editor, LinkedIn Jamé Jackson - Co-host, Community Manager, LinkedIn Sabrina Fang - Producer, Western Sound Maya Pope-Chappell - Director of Content & Audience Development, LinkedIn Jessi Hempel - Chief Content Officer, LinkedIn Savannah Wright - Senior Producer, Western Sound Sarah Dealy - Associate Producer, Western Sound Alex MacInnis - Engineer, Western Sound Courtney Coupe - Head of Original Programming, LinkedIn Dan Roth - Editor in Chief, LinkedIn Ben Adair - Executive Producer, Western Sound Katrina Norvell - Executive Producer, iHeartMedia Nikke Ettore - Executive Producer, iHeartMedia
