Perhaps one of the most frustrating plights of job seekers is the paradox of needing to have experience to be considered qualified to get experience. Finding the right role is hard enough without the added complication of having to search out a company willing to take a chance on developing an inexperienced employee. However, being a relative rookie isn’t all bad! In fact, there are quite a few positives to still having a lot to learn. The better you can articulate the positives of your position, the better chance you’ll stand of landing the dream job when you find it.
- No bad habits
One of the nicest things about being a newbie to something is that you have not had much of a chance to develop bad habits. Employees who have extensive experience in a particular field or with a certain skill are often used to doing things in a very specific way. However, in the real world, the adaptable usually produce the best results. It can be a huge benefit to an organization to bring in relatively inexperienced talent that can be trained to do things in the way that works best for that environment. These less-seasoned employees don’t come with any preconceived notions or bad habits and may be far more flexible than their more well-versed counterparts.
- Unbridled enthusiasm
Burnout is a very real problem in the workplace. However, it is far less of an issue when dealing with inexperienced employees. Whether it’s a new skill, a new industry, or an entirely new career, the untried employee will be far more resistant to burnout. You’ll be learning something new and will have the energy and enthusiasm to prove it, which could infuse your next workplace with much-needed energy and excitement.
- Great developmental opportunities
The organization which takes a chance on hiring a less experienced employee not only gets an adaptable, enthusiastic employee, they also get an employee who can be engaged and developed internally for far longer than a seasoned veteran. Though you might require more training on the front end, the fact that you will be actively engaged in the opportunity to learn will mean that your employer can rest easy knowing that they have a grateful and motivated employee with plenty of runway for future development.
- A fresh perspective
Perhaps the biggest value-add that an inexperienced employee can bring to the table is a fresh perspective. While having someone who’s “seen it all” can be handy in the workplace, it may also lead to an overly narrowed focus. It’s easier for those who haven’t had such specific experience to think about problems from different angles. For organizations looking to infuse a fresh viewpoint and creative ways of looking at problems, bringing in some inexpert talent may make all the difference.
While your experience can go a long way towards showing a potential employer what you’re capable of, your inexperience can also be a great opportunity for the right organization. As a candidate-hopeful, being able to highlight these elements will be critical to your ability to persuade a hiring manager to take a chance and invest the development you’ll need to get a deeper experience. If you are looking to bridge the gap between inexperience and your next big career move, remind hiring managers that you are flexible and open to training, that you are enthusiastic and unspoiled, that you are eager to take advantage of new developmental opportunities, and that you offer a fresh new perspective. Doing this well can be your ticket to the next level in your career.