Hot Tip -- by Shane Clements

Sometimes this seems impossible. Employers appear to want everything, including recent experience and training. It is easy to get discouraged. BUT don't let this stop you There are things you can do that will help you get your foot in the door without having both recent training and experience. What it requires is changing the way you look at work and jobs. Here are some things to try:

• Get Into Employer's Needs

  Most often when one is deciding what type of work to do they think about salary, benefits and hours. Don't get me wrong, that stuff is important, but take time to consider that the employer is basing his/her decision on the company's needs. Do some research on the company. Find out about the work and ask an employee what the company is looking for. The more you sound like what the company needs, the more interest they will have in you.

• Be Skill Oriented

  Now that you have an idea about what type of person the company is looking for, your presentation needs to reflect that. When you write your resumé or when you talk to employers, highlight your applicable skills. Try to take the emphasis off of your lack of experience/training and sell what you have. There is no guarantee, but it may bring you closer to getting the job.

• What Do You Mean It's Not Full-Time?

  Volunteering or contract work may not be ideal for you, but it can be a good way to get known in an organization. Companies often "recruit from within" for their full-time staff. Try working as a volunteer or in a short term position.

• Make Contact

  Talk to as many people as you can about the work that you would like to do. Fifty per cent of the jobs that you are going to get in your lifetime will be from people you know. The more people that you include in your network, the more opportunities will come your way. Consider booking appointments with people in your industry to find out more about what companies are looking for in an employee. Making contact often gives employers the chance to put a face to the name.

• Lifetime Learning; Not Just a Public Service Ad

  Presently, employers are looking for people who will do more than just their job description Ð people who continuously develop their skills, anticipate company needs and look at new ways of doing things. Volunteers and contract workers that continue with the company in a more permanent way have demonstrated this commitment to grow.

• Don't Worry, Be Happy...

  Being positive, friendly and approachable is a real asset employers are just starting to recognize. It used to be the person who seemed the "smartest" got the job. Now employers recognize that their best employees weren't often Ivy League, but easy to work with.

  Changing the focus from education or experience to applicable skills is your ticket to the job market. To stay in, continued growth and development is essential. Please send your questions and comments to Shane at:

(Shane Clements is a career counsellor at the Calgary Youth Employment Centre.)