How To Gain Hands-On Experience for a Job - TheJobNetwork

How To Gain Hands-On Experience for a Job - TheJobNetworkYou know you need experience to get a job. Trouble is, you cant get any on-the-job experience without first having a job. Its the classic early career Catch-22. The good news, however, is that there are a ton of ways to gain work experience before you ever get your first proper job. Make sure to plan ahead and accumulate valuable skills and knowledge from ansicht experiences in time to apply for your first job. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Here are a few great ways to get experience without getting hired.1. InternshipsAn internship is just like a job in that you do a ton of work, learn a lot, and gain valuable experience in a field. But its not at all like a job in that you usually get paid very little or nothing at alland the term is usually short. Internships are widely available, in almost every field. Figure out what industry you want to work in eventually, and then get invo lved learning the tricks of the trade. Youll have to fetch some coffee, but it just might get you hired one day.2. ShadowingUse your network, professional association, school career office, other programs, or even family members to find someone in your chosen field who would let you shadow them. This could be anywhere from a few hours to a few days, but lets you get valuable insight into the day-to-day experience of that field.3. VolunteeringYou definitely wont be paid, except in the satisfaction of helping others, but you will gain a ton of experience that will look excellent on your future resume. Many provide training. All will give you access to learning the skills youll want, whether that be in child or elder care, administration, writing, teaching, coaching, fundraising, sales, mentoring, phone manner, construction, arts, etc.4. School/Community WorkThink your extracurricular activities dont count? Any time you participate in a club or organization, whether sports or arts or r eligion related, you can gain a ton of experience that will set you up surprisingly well for the job market.5. FreelancingSometimes you have to prove you have what it takes before you can actually be brought on board. If you freelance, you can prove your talents and skills and expertise first and then make your way onto the payroll. And after your first gig, youll have racked up a ton of professional experience for next time.6. NetworkingIt isnt always all about what you know. Sometimes a job will come down to who you know. Make sure to start growing a robust network of contacts and keeping yourself as current as possible.