“You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.” Sound familiar? It’s a common frustration for students and recent graduates entering the workforce. Employers often require prior experience-but how do you gain any if no one gives you a chance?
The truth is, experience doesn’t always have to come from paid work. Volunteering, internships, online training, and even community projects can help you build a credible foundation. It’s about thinking strategically, getting creative, and making small, intentional steps towards your long-term goals.
At Lateral Connect, we guide students to turn these challenges into opportunities. Our mentoring and training programme connects you with industry professionals, real-world scenarios, and practical support to help you bridge the gap between education and employment.
Here’s how you can start stacking yours:
1. Break Down Your Long-Term Goals
Clarity is key. Identify the role or industry you’re interested in and break it down into manageable steps. What skills do you need? What knowledge gaps exist? This allows you to map out your path and start small but meaningfully.
2. Start With Internships or Shadowing
Even if it’s unpaid, internships or job shadowing offer firsthand exposure to real-world environments. Employers value this kind of initiative because it shows you’re proactive and serious about development.
3. Take Courses and Upskill Online
Platforms like Coursera, FutureLearn, or LinkedIn Learning can help you develop industry-relevant skills. Certifications from these platforms can be added to your CV or LinkedIn profile to prove your commitment to growth.
4. Volunteer Locally or Join Projects
Community work, charity events, school committees, or university clubs offer practical experiences. You’ll build transferable skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork-which all look great on a CV.
5. Tailor Your CV with a Skills-Based Format
If your work history is limited, focus on skills instead. A skills-based CV highlights your abilities and shows how you’ve applied them in other contexts-whether during education, volunteering, or extracurricular activities.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take a step back. Starting small now can lead to big opportunities later. Employers respect candidates who take initiative, learn independently, and work hard to gain relevant experience.
Experience is Earned, Not Given
Starting out is hard-but it’s not impossible. By thinking creatively, staying committed, and taking small, consistent actions, you can gain valuable experience that makes your CV stand out.
Ready to build your future from the ground up?
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