25 One of the most common frustrations that AgCareers hears from students looking for their first job out of college is this: How do I get a job without experience? How do I get the experience needed to land a job? Young professionals often lament that “All the job postings require five years of experience!” This seems like a contradiction for an entry-level position. The job search process can be exasperating for students. Still, I’m here to tell you that you can compete and may even have an advantage over experienced professionals in some circumstances! Stand out even next to seasoned pros! Employers see the value in the innovative, resourceful ideas recent graduates bring to their organisation. Many organizations have dedicated programs and departments for student work experience, co-ops, internships, and recruitment. Canadian employers are considering the value of new graduates as they plan for career progression and future leadership, which, along with competition for talent, has prompted companies to pursue recent graduates. (AgCareers Canadian HR Review). To help you identify organizations actively recruiting students and new graduates, start by learning about employers that hire interns and coop students with development and career exploration programs. Additionally, all the employers advertising in this publication are dedicated to connecting with emerging talent and are eager to connect with students like you. Selling yourself without work experience: What advantages do YOU bring to the workplace? Top five to consider: FRESH PERSPECTIVES & OPEN MIND As a student or recent graduate, you may have limited internship and student work experience, but that also means that you do not have as many preconceived notions about how the workplace should be and how the new organization compares to prior employers. “We’ve always done it this way….” As a long-term employee, I’ll admit that it’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of “this is how we’ve always done it” or “we’ve tried that before.” New graduates are often openminded and eager to try new things right out of school. We, and many other businesses, look to students, interns and recent graduate hires to think beyond the standard box they’ve been working in, bringing in fresh perspectives from the outside world. TECH SAVVINESS Has a parent or grandparent asked you to figure out an app on their cell phone? Have you introduced older friends and family members to social networks? Most students and recent graduates today are members of Generation Z, born 1997–2012. Gen Z has always had internet access and is known as the most digitally fluent generation. Therefore, it’s no surprise that technology is the most obvious and often-mentioned trait recent graduates bring to the workplace. LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: HOW NEW GRADS CAN STAND OUT 1 BY BONNIE JOHNSON, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, AGCAREERS 2 PHOTO: Just_Super / iStock / Getty Images Plus
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