Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

For more information, contact
Roger Gantzarow, 608/266-8390

Madison, Wis. -- Landing a good job with little prior work experience is easier when job seekers know how to recognize and explain the experience they already have, according to state job experts.

Self-employment, special projects and volunteer positions improve the value of a job seeker’s resume in the eyes of potential employers.

That’s the advice of Roger Gantzarow, coordinator of assessment and career information programs with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

Getting experience and recognizing that experience improve a young adult’s employment prospects when that matches an employer’s fundamental needs -- appearance, dependability, and skills.

According to Gantzarow, who has 28 years of state service in the employment and training field, there are several ways to get experience with one’s employer of choice. These may include:

• Internships or special projects

• Job "shadowing" with a current employee to observe the workplace culture

• Informational or "company" interviewing to learn more about the organization

Taking steps to "create" experience demonstrates a positive work ethic and may help that person to also develop skills which can be transferrable to other positions.

Gantzarow said this is a desirable characteristic to an employer and one which can dramatically improve a job seeker’s value in the labor market.

Examples of "creating" experience include:

• Self employment

• Temporary employment

• Volunteerism, especially holding leadership positions

• Taking certification courses

• Involvement in campus activities, especially involving leadership positions

"Wisconsin Job Centers have ways to measure skills using charts and questions people answer about themselves," Gantzarow said.

"Can you manage others? Are you good with your hands? Can you analyze data? Are you detail oriented? Can you explain things to others?

"These skills apply to positions in a variety of career fields."

Crafting and refining a resume is only the first step toward a successful employment outcome. Networking, direct employer contact, and knowledge of personal goals are components of the plan.

Gantzarow recommends involving friends and family in the job search. About six out of every 10 job seekers find work through informal methods.

"Networking is important because it covers more areas than you can cover in a given day," he said. Distribute copies of your resume among your network.

Contacting employers directly is one of the more important principles of job search. Most employers fill a job before they make a formal job posting.

"Make cold contacts," Gantzarow advises. "Anticipate the employer’s expectations and needs for personal appearance, attendance, punctuality, skills, abilities, and interests."

"Then, you need to understand yourself and be able to relate that to the employer in terms of the qualifications of that job and your own skills."

For additional information on crafting a resume or other job search strategies, contact your Wisconsin Job Center. To learn the address and phone number of the nearest Job Center, call toll free 888/258-9966.

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