How to Get a Job Beyond Your Experience

Brazen Careerist offers some thoughts on how to get a job beyond your experience (and, as a result, or at least I'm guessing, way beyond your current pay) as follows:

1. Use the informational interview as a sales pitch.
2. Sell yourself as a consultant.
3. Get people to use you as a reference.
4. Blog to become an expert.
5. Have a realistic idea of your skill set.

I'm not so sure this is great advice. It just seems too impractical. Here's what I'd recommend instead:

1. Over-perform at first job. By over-perform I mean deliver way more (and better) results than what are expected. If you're expected to save 10% on two cost-savings projects, come up with three that save 15% each.

2. Use this experience to get a better job (either with the same company or with a new one.)

3. Over-perform at that job. Use it as a stepping-stone to the next position.

4. Repeat this over and over until you can prove that you've consistently over-performed. Then you can talk about how you regularly do much more than expected and thus DESERVE a job that's currently beyond your experience (you can also note that all those jobs you over-achieved on were once beyond your experience as well.)

These are the steps that have worked for me throughout my career. How about you? Anything to add?

Comments

[Chris]

So basically work yourself to the bone. No thanks, not worth it.

[Lily]

I don't particularly like Penelope Trunk, but I have to agree with her method over yours. Over-performing at a job implies that you're already an expert and that, while you can improve, the job no longer truly challenges you. Why spend years doing this over and over again, when the new corporate paradigm allows you to really stretch for a job beyond your experience? As long as you can demonstrate that you'll be able to keep up with a steep learning curve, then you DO deserve that job.

Not to be nitpicky, but in point 4, when you "note that all those jobs you over-achieved on were once beyond your experience," that's basically what Penelope's advocating: getting jobs beyond your experience, then learning to excel at them. She never said that entry-level people ought to aim for C-level jobs.

[zen]

The problem with "over-performing" is then it becomes expected that you will always "go the extra mile." Stay late, work weekends, and - in general - create an unrealistic expectation of yourself (or kill yourself trying). Maybe that's great for a career-focused individual, but any family man will run into problems where they're constantly trying to over-perform in any number of areas.

I'd have to say I'm with Lily (and Penelope) - you focus on learning and selling yourself, while keeping yourself realistic. You don't say you "may" you say "I can, I learn quick, and I get results."

[Alex]

I disagree with your suggestion. If you want a raise you need to get additional education, learn to sell yourself, apply to lots of places, network, and not be hesitant to move if a better job awaits you in a different locale.

Only true workaholics can consistently "over perform" by working themselves to the bone. There really isn't a point to getting a raise if you're never going to be able to enjoy any of the additional income since you're always at work.

I agree with FMF. Selling yourself doesn't mean anything if it's not backed up by a solid work ethic. If you work hard, go above and beyond, etc., I guarantee your superiors will notice and that will get you bigger raises than taking classes and selling yourself. If people think you will work hard, they will realize your potential and offer you opportunities to learn a new skill set and get ahead.

And I disagree that working hard will lock you in to that forever. First impressions mean a lot. My first year of work I worked extra hard, came in on weekends (even the day I moved into a new house), postponed vacations when I was needed at work, etc. That earned me a couple of outstanding reviews and raises, and now I am more respected when I say I can't work late on a certain day, etc.