Gaining Experience: Finding a Job from the "Inside"
The majority of vacant positions are filled internally. In fact, most jobs are never even posted to the outside world, and many employers would not even consider hiring someone about whom they know nothing. Hiring someone from the inside can be done in many ways: by promoting a current full-time or part-time employee, by hiring former full-time or part-time workers, or by hiring interns, volunteers, contract workers, or temporary workers. Employers like this strategy because it is very low-risk: they already have an established relationship and know the quality of the work of the person they are hiring.
Getting some experience in the field or organization you want to work in is the only way to find a job from the inside. Also, gaining some experience before embarking on a full-time job search is essential, especially if you are a graduate student who has had very few work experiences outside academia. This gives you more credibility and demonstrates your commitment to the field. It is also a great way to transition into the nonacademic world and gain some experience for your résumé. Although most graduate students are extremely busy, there are many ways to gain experience that might be conducive to your schedule.
Internships
An internship is probably the best way to gain experience with an organization. An internship is a short-term work experience that may be paid or unpaid. Internships often occur during the summer, but can also be done part-time during the academic year. Internships provide the intern with the opportunity to "test-drive" a particular field and simultaneously gain valuable work experience. The process used to find an internship is similar to the process involved in finding a full-time job, so this is a good opportunity to practice those skills.
The structure of an internship is generally agreed upon by both the student and the employer; it is important to develop a plan for any internship to ensure that the experiences you are given match your goals. Some companies permit flexible hours, particularly for unpaid internships. Any experience you can gain is valuable, so take advantage of these opportunities, learn as much as you can, and make as many contacts as possible.
Job Shadowing
If you are unable to spare the time or locate an internship, shadowing someone in the workplace can be extremely valuable. Job shadowing is similar to an extended version of an informational interview, and can range in length from a couple of hours to several days. The advantage to shadowing is that you really get to see what a typical day is like for someone in a particular field or organization, and it will provide you with topics of discussion in a potential job interview.
Other Ways to Gain Experience
If you are unable to arrange an internship or job shadowing experience, be creative and try to find other ways to gain experience. Some suggestions include:
- Find a part-time job in a company or industry that interests you. For example, if you want to work in banking or finance, a part-time job as a bank teller would provide you with meaningful experience and help you develop contacts.
- Volunteer for an organization to gain some experience and exposure. Nonprofit and government agencies are usually anxious for extra help and often can't afford to pay for it.
- Try doing some paid or unpaid consulting, projects, or even some administrative or secretarial work for an organization that interests you.