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As part of another conversation, @MatthewVGreene asked an incredibly relevant & sadly common question ( https://twitter.com/MatthewVGreene/status/1346593633227526144) that boils down to:
"Can't get experience without a job, can't get a job without experience."
"Can't get experience without a job, can't get a job without experience."
This is a whole frakking mood for me, so strap in kids. Me and my 32 years in IT have some stories to tell you.
I'm going to start with the key observation: Corp HR departments exist for 1 purpose: to keep the company out of law suits. PERIOD.
I'm going to start with the key observation: Corp HR departments exist for 1 purpose: to keep the company out of law suits. PERIOD.
With this in mind, understand that job postings are written (or at least approved) by HR. There's a small chance they understand IT but even if they do, it doesn't matter. They're writing the job req with ONE goal in mind: to keep the company out of lawsuits.
HR isn't going to say "We're OK letting you learn as you go" or "partial experience is fine" or "newbies welcome" because a year down the road when you make the (inevitable, we all make them) mistake, down the customer-facing website, & customers want to sue...
...lawyers will jump on that job posting and say "AHA! THEY HIRE INEXPERIENCED PEOPLE ON PURPOSE!"
What's the answer?
***Dodge HR early and often.***
What's the answer?
***Dodge HR early and often.***
When you see a job posting, put on your IT super-sleuth hat and investigate them like you were trying to identify what's crashing your server.
- Find out who you know who works or worked there.
- Find out who you know who knows someone who works or worked there
- Find out who you know who works or worked there.
- Find out who you know who knows someone who works or worked there
- Find out who the hiring manager for the job you want is.
- Find out if you know (or can get an intro to) someone who knows them, and get an intro to the manager.
Be up-front as you talk to everyone.
- Find out if you know (or can get an intro to) someone who knows them, and get an intro to the manager.
Be up-front as you talk to everyone.
This isn't hacking or social engineering (although it leverages similar skills). Explain your interest in the company (their processes, teams, mission, product(s), etc.); your curiosity about what day-to-day work looks like. etc.
When you finally make contact with the manager, just ask for a conversation. Because the truth is you might find out the job is crap, the team is falling apart, the company is evil, or whatever.
But if you find out the job is what you want, SAY THAT.
But if you find out the job is what you want, SAY THAT.
You have no idea how many times I've interviewed candidates and they walk out of the room and I have NO IDEA if they want the job or not.
I'm here to tell you: Playing it cool serves nobody.
I'm here to tell you: Playing it cool serves nobody.
You can be excited & enthusiastic & still not "blow" your negotiating capacity for compensation. "I want this job, but I also want to be compensated fairly." is a valid talking point if you're offered the job.
Back to the manager: you've met them, had a conversation (or 2) about the work. You've discussed your skills, your willingness to learn and grow, etc.
You ask them if they would consider you for the job.
They might say "no way in hell".
You ask them if they would consider you for the job.
They might say "no way in hell".
At which point you ask what you'd need to be considered. And you work on those skills.
But if they say "Absolutely" then THAT is when you apply for the job. The posting still says 5+ yrs experience blah blah blah.
But if they say "Absolutely" then THAT is when you apply for the job. The posting still says 5+ yrs experience blah blah blah.
But you tell the manager you're applying and they'll do this magic thing: They'll contact HR and say "I want to see this person anyway."
Obviously this doesn't work at all companies.
Obviously this doesn't work at all companies.
Some are so regulated that HR's "keep us out of lawsuits" mandate overrides the manager's "I wanna see this person" fiat. But honestly, 8 out of 10 times, it's goes in the manager's favor.
Is this a shit-tonne of work? Absolutely. Because looking for a job IS a job in itself.
Treat it that way.
Treat it that way.
Does it suck because you have to talk to a lot of people? 100%. News flash: Talking to people, getting requirements, clarifying details, validating results, following up on leads: These are all skills used in every job, every where.
If you demonstrate your unwillingness to do this stuff when it's YOUR life, career, rent, etc on the line, why would a hiring manager believe you would do it for "Project x"?
It's OK to say "This part of IT work is still uncomfortable for me. I'm still working on building up my competence in it." That's not only fine, it's admirable. It shows you're self-aware & willing to do the work of the work.
So that's by advice. Avoid HR until you've basically already had the pre-interview interview.
THEN all those memes that are floating around saying "only have half the job requirements? apply anyway" make sense. Because you're having a HUMAN conversation, not a robotic one.
HTH.
THEN all those memes that are floating around saying "only have half the job requirements? apply anyway" make sense. Because you're having a HUMAN conversation, not a robotic one.
HTH.
