How to get experience if you don't have experience! - Part 1 of 2

My biggest frustration when I left uni was that all the entry level job ads I saw asked for, "a minimum of 12 months experience". All I could think was, "Man, I've just left uni, how exactly am I meant to get 12 months experience if no one will give me a shot!?

Well, the good news is there are plenty of ways to get experience if you show a bit of tenacity and are willing to do the hard yards to get your foot in the door.

One of the best ways to get started is to get a job as an intern in the industry you want to work in. You'll probably start out getting coffees for people and doing the filing - but that's OK! While it's a long way from the CEO gig, remember just about everyone has gone through this at some point in their career... it's a right of passage.

The biggest frustration for employers is when a new starter believes they are above the job they were brought in for, or huff and puff about the menial tasks they've been assigned. In most cases, employees with this attitude won't last long, so do the best job you possibly can at whatever it is you've been asked to do, because this will help you stand out. Prove you're willing to do an absolutely outstanding job of anything that's thrown your way and it's far more likely you'll be the one who stands out and gets assigned the best tasks eventually, meaning you get the experience you came for. At an absolute minimum, what you'll get out of interning is 6 to 12 months in a relevant business within your industry and a good reference on your CV to set you up for the next challenge. That's when it'll all be worthwhile.

The trade-off is that you may need to work for free, or at least very cheaply. If you're reading this before you finish uni, get your interning done while you're still studying if you can and leap ahead of your peers!

Pulling beers at the pub, or selling underwear at David Jones won't help you get a job in your chosen career, unless it's hospitality or retail. Believe me, I know how tight money is when you're studying, so if this isn't possible for you, don't stress, but just to be clear I'm not talking about working for free full-time, even as little as a few hours a week will help massively. Depending on what industry you're considering, you may also be able to find a paid internship - a double win!

So, how to you find companies to intern with?

TO BE CONTINUED...

Source: 

http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/career-development/professional-development/how-to-get-experience-if-you-dont-have-experience/article.aspx