Experience vs Qualifications

Young people in general find it very difficult to get employment. As a young person, I totally understand the frustration of not quite fitting into the “candidates must be below x number of years with x number of years experience” box. Usually, I am well within the age range but almost always fall short of the required experience. This is largely due to the societal expectation to be highly educated in order to qualify for a job.  So we spend years slaving away in college and gaining very little working experience expected by many employers once we graduate. And so we end up as unemployed, educated individuals. What an oxymoron.

The question then is, how does one gain experience while studying in order to have relevant, professional qualifications? Below, are my own thoughts on what young people can begin to do in order to boost their employability.

Volunteer!

A significant number of young people shun the ‘V’ word. It seems volunteering is synonymous with slavery – hard labour with no remuneration. However, volunteering is probably one of the easiest ways to gain experience. You are exposed to a wealth of knowledge and can get excellent references/recommendations for the future.

 In addition, proven volunteerism is favoured by many employers as it demonstrates that the candidate is proactive and can perform duties diligently without expecting a reward. Intrinsic motivation is a valuable characteristic and volunteering is one way of nurturing this trait.

Learn a critical skill!

The job market is saturated by myriads of individuals who are as equally qualified as you. What will make you stand out from ten other applicants with a first class degree? Usually, unique skills are one way guaranteed to make you stand out. There is no excuse not to obtain a skill. Unlike abilities, which are often thought of as innate, skills are usually acquired or learned. It is important to take note of skills that are in demand which are not obtained through the conventional education system. With the help of the Internet, most skills can be self taught nowadays.

Network!

My dad told me something that I have held onto since high school. He said, “It isn’t about what you are, but who you know”. Certainly, this statement is debatable, but its validity is solid. How many times have you managed to get something because of a connection you had or lost out on an opportunity because you didn’t have the right link?

Human existence revolves around relationships; no man is an island. Therefore, networking is an essential part of positioning oneself for a job. Workshops, public lectures, social gatherings, etc are great places to meet new people. You never know who you might meet and how they will impact your life.

There are so many ways to get your foot in the door and admittedly, there is no correct formula to life. Nonetheless, I trust you found this information useful.

by Khayelihle Moyo