Whether you’re a bright-eyed college graduate, a high school teenager trying to make some money, or just breaking into a new field, chances are you’ve been confronted by the “Permission Paradox”. Simply put, the Permission Paradox is one of the most enigmatic Catch-22’s there is: you need the experience to get the job, but you need the job to get experience. Being able to overcome this challenge is paramount to successfully launching your career, or can be the difference between the freedom of having a car and having to bum rides from your friends whenever you need to go somewhere (gas is expensive). This phenomenon can be frustrating for anyone, especially when you know you can be great at this job and yet you don’t have the chance to show it.
According to James Citrin’s article How to Get the Job When You Don't Have the Experience,
“A distinguishing characteristic of the most successful professionals - at every stage – is that they find ways to gain access to attractive opportunities. And when they do, they deliver and make good on that leap of faith that someone took on them.”
So, here’s a list of strategies and tips that will help you combat the “Permission Paradox” and will hopefully help you get that job… and that money.
- Why are you great for this job? What drew you into this job? What about its description made you think “Hey, I could do that!”. Think about the traits or knowledge that you’d bring to this job and underscore them in your resume/interview.
- Write an amazing cover letter. This is where you need to spend a good chunk of your time. If your cover letter were a person, they would be the ultimate wingman. Your cover letter’s job is to sell you, make you look appealing, desirable, and worthy of a second glance. Explain why you and this job are a match made in heaven. What would you bring to this company? Why should you be given this opportunity?
- Highlight non-obvious experiences. Even if you don’t have too much formal experience, there is likely something in your background that speaks to the skills you do have. Draw on past volunteer work, internships, hobbies, etc.
- Get Credentials. Credentials make you stand out and they also make you a more desirable hire. Credentials can range from formal (Ph.D’s) or more informal ones (CPR certification). Find a course or program that can add to your credibility as an employee.
- Volunteer. Even if you need experience to get the job, sometimes you don’t necessarily need the job to get experience. Volunteering is a great way to get down and dirty and get some experience under your belt, because you typically don’t need previous experience to volunteer. Start-ups and small businesses are a great place to do this.
- Start at the bottom. There’s a reason one of Drake’s most quoted lines is “started from the bottom now we’re here”. Don’t look down on a job simply because you feel overqualified for it (even though you might be). A majority of the time, being at the bottom of the totem pole will help you get a foot in the door and lead you to better places.
Go get that job!
