Jason Monastra

My life and thoughts out on the web

I read most recently some advice about beating out the professional competition if you are entering the process with less experience, or in some cases none.  Major areas of focus were terms, flexibility, gathering of experience, etc.  I did not agree with some of the areas, specifically as they allow for the company to take advantage of the new employee.  Win-Win scenarios are difficult to develop, however when properly formulated offer the foundation for long term relationships and devoted employees.

So how do you compete when you have less experience.  Terms are a major area.  This goes well beyond compensation.  Specifically, we look to address the company in a way that solves an issue that they have.  You need to be able to address that situation in a unique way, specific to your talents, and make yourself a more viable candidate.  For example, say a company is looking for a mid level Project Manager and they are seeking someone with 5-8 yrs experience across a variety of projects.  Your experience, may exist only of 2 yrs though you feel that you can do the job and would be a solid asset.  Look at your background and understand your skills, look at projects that might have been managed in non-work scenarios and then align the complexity of those with the needs of the client.  Discuss with them what a young moldable employee offers in the way of coming in their culture, bringing no bad habits, and being a sponge for what the company is doing.  Stress flexible but not breakable.

Compensation is a large factor but it can only be discussed after you have showed value.  You have now presented your value, showing the company your abilities even though they do not match word for word.  Manager appears to agree, then you drop compensation.  Not only are you just as qualified, but you are also less money.  Looking for direct experience and not having the overhead expense of an older person in life, you are working for experience, personal growth and the opportunity for advancement.  You understand that the experience is a part of the compensation and therefore do not demand as much in hard dollars.  This can be a strong asset for companies, especially those on limited budgets.

When it is all said and done, it always come down to you and the person sitting across the desk or conference room.  How did you connect, what was the communication like, and does he/she/they like you for the role?  Can they see themselves working daily with you, ordering take out when overtime comes about and heading into the trenches with you when things go bad.  If they can see that, the experience needed and what you have becomes a small issue.  If they can’t, no matter what you say to overcome the hump - move on because you are not getting the job.