Gaining Experience (Part II)

In part I you found how to use networking as an ongoing strategy to find and reveal opportunities to gain experience. In this second part, you’ll find descriptions of some the opportunities that can come from branded networking. You’ll also find perspective on how traditional opportunities can be of value while you build your career. By implementing a dynamic gaining experience strategy, you will maximize your opportunities and set yourself up for success.

Temp Agencies

Agencies are typically free to join and because they do all the work for you, you can carry out other element of your gaining experience strategy (that you may love, but bring you no income) while paid opportunities are being found for you! Being a temp agency client is a smart move for any gaining experience strategy.

Volunteering

Volunteer opportunities are everywhere, even in a slow job market you will be able to find opportunities to volunteer. Volunteering gives you legitimate experience while allowing you to explore different work roles and occupations with limited commitment. You can also use volunteer jobs as a way to harness or build new skills. Prevent gaps in your employment history by volunteering while you’re employed; it also shows potential employers that you have initiative to do something constructive during your free time.

Freelancing

Freelancing allows you to make money while doing something of your choosing; usually a service and always something you’re good at if not at least competent in doing. Choose something you love then sell yourself to a market of people who would benefit from your services. Easier said than done, but if you’ve branded yourself well then half the challenge is already over.

Blogging

Blogging not only gives you marketing and writing experience, but it is also a great way to build your network and add value to your branding strategy (if you blog on a topic relevant to your brand). Clickhere to read about blogging from the point of view of student fashion blogger,Stephanie Ukpere.

Direct Sales

The business of direct selling is horrible!...if heard from the point of view of someone who has been bothered by friends, family, or colleagues, but from the perspective of a careerist, direct sales companies offer great opportunities for professional development while gaining experience; and they're always hiring. Through the training and development programs that many direct sales companies offer, a consultant can learn and gain experience in business management and sales. Note: Direct sales companies all come with different policies, commissions, and start up fees (no risk, no reward) —so do your research before making the leap.

Some comapnies now offer special training programs to students

Even with all the options and approaches to gaining experience available to you, you may still struggle to find available opportunities; if you find yourself in this situation, my philosophy is this: if you can’t find an opportunity, create one! With that said, try finding ways you can help a local charity or small business in exchange for a letter of recommendation, referrals, or even a JOB. Create your own project proposals or help with an existing one.

What strategies and options have you used during your efforts to gain experience? Share in the comments below!

#ShesaBoss and #theGB blog

Gaining Experience (Part I)

Lack of experience can stagnate you at any point in your career, especially as a student or young professional launching a career or just landing a job can be a challenge. In fact, in some cases you may have experience, but not the right kind. In any case, you may need to do some research on what would qualify you to land the job of your dreams.

Finding time to research can be frustrating if your current situation doesn’t allow you to slow down or waste time, but breathe and research anyway; it will save you tons of time and effort in the long run.

This article and its second part will share advice and make you aware of options you have when trying to gaining experience.

Do informational interviews with people in your desired field

MY Best Advice: Do Your Research…

Before you worry about gaining experience, first seek to understand what kind of experience — as well as knowledge, skills, and connections — you need to land an opportunity AND succeed at it.

One way to do that is through job shadowing and informational interviews. Both help with occupational research by facilitating a better understanding of work role requirements. Informational interviews give you a chance to ask a professional career related questions in an informal environment. Job shadowing allows you to accompany a professional while they carry out their daily duties and is a great compliment to informational interviews.

How do you find someone to shadow? Some career centers have placement programs that will locate and secure a professional for you; otherwise, you have to rely on the power of your network.

…then Brand Yourself and NETWORK!

Maintaining a good network is the single most important thing you can do for your career! For students and young professionals, networking can lead to internships and job opportunities if you practice good networking habits. With that said, good networkers are ones who brand themselves. They present a consistent on and offline image that mirrors their career and professional interests (you can mirror your interests through your online and offline interactions by sharing advice, opinions, and content related to your professional interests).  

Be careful not to exaggerate your qualifications or present yourself in a way that leads others to think you are in a position greater than you actually are. Be confident in your strengths, be willing to work on your weaknesses, and be ready to apply yourself in whatever opportunity comes next because not everyone is looking for an expert or seasoned professional — YOU, the way you are right now may be just what someone is looking for; it’s your job to let them know you’re available.

Other Ways to Gain Experience

Temp agencies, Volunteering, Freelancing, Blogging, and Direct Sales Companies are other proactive ways you can gain experience — experience that builds your resume and allows you to practice new skills and sharpen old ones.

Keep your eyes out for part II where each tactic above is elaborated on to include how it works to gain you your much needed experience.

#ShesaBoss and #theGB blog

Inbox Interview 5: Little Miss Mary, Student and Entrepreneur

Little Miss Mary, a handmade accessories company, is a small Ohio based business founded by rising Siena College freshman, Mary Hartwick, when she was sixteen.

After reading this interview, “impressive” is one word that should come to mind. Enjoy ©

#ShesaBoss: Describe the products you sell?

Mary Hartwick: I design and sell wallets, bags, and earrings. The messenger bags that I make are made out of recycled marching band uniforms. I sell my products at shows that are located around my hometown.

#ShesaBoss: What gave you the idea to start Little Miss Mary and how long have you been in business?

Mary: I have been in business since May 2009. I started my business because I had already started making bags and people had said that they wanted to buy one. I was also diagnosed with a thyroid disease that gave me a new perspective. Once I got better I realized I didn't want to wait to start it, there was no reason to wait.

#ShesaBoss: What's one challenge you've faced since being in business and how'd you overcome it?

Mary: Being able to juggle everything. It was hard going to high school and getting my products ready to sell at shows. I overcame it by setting aside time everyday that was just devoted to my business.

#ShesaBoss: What plans do you have for the future of Little Miss Mary?

Mary: That I don't know. I see it more as a learning tool. I learned a lot about business from it and a lot about customers. I also learned a lot about marketing and how to sell a product to a certain market.

#ShesaBoss: What are your plans for after graduation?
I'm not completely sure about what I want to do, but I'm really interested in working in a company that does international business. I love learning languages, I'm working on an Italian minor and I am pretty fluent in Spanish.

Mary is one example of student entrepreneurship and strategic professional development done right. Her destination may not be final, but the path she is traveling to her future is being paved with passion, ambition, and drive!

If you would like more information on purchasing her products please send inquiries through our contact page.

#ShesaBoss and #theGB blog