Frustrated Job Seeker Asks “Is Experience The Only Thing Recruiters Are Interested in?”

By Elizabeth Benu,

For the longest time ever,  job seekers have been complaining about the level of experience needed to land even the simplest of jobs.  And often times you will hear frustrated young people ask, “How am I supposed to get ‘this’ experience if no one is willing to give us a chance to earn it?”

Such is Jane Kimanzi who narrates that, “I come across about 15 job openings daily which I can comfortably say I am qualified for only to reach the dreaded part where it reads ‘2 or more year’s experience’.

The young job seekers adds that, “I cleared campus six months ago and experience is usually my limiting factor. My query is,  why do HR managers  not consider my academic qualifications, character, drive and set aside experience? Is experience the criteria they use to judge a successful candidate?”

Andrew Masese, Human Resources Manager Butali Sugar Mills Limited, sheds some light on why most HR managers put more emphasis on candidates having relevant experience of say 2-3 years as Ms Kimanzi’s case.

“Job seekers have to understand that not all positions call for experience. For instance there are entry level positions i.e. management trainees. However, the essence of asking for experience is dependent on the job specifications and expectations. For HR officers the presumption is that a candidate is coming in for an existing position not as a trainee,” he says

Mr. Masese adds that with experience a candidate learns of their strength and weaknesses and HR wants to have a critical person who understands their weaknesses and strengths.

But why do most HR Managers solely rely on experience?

“Organizations are in business and that is why they have to source an employee who will add value hence the calls for experience. Most HR people will want to see what you have done and how good you have done it. This will show that you are motivated and will drive the company into change,” he explains.

Mr. Masese also adds that experience increases a candidate’s confidence and savvy apart from just exhibiting responsibility and dedication.

“It gives them an idea of what to expect in the job. Those with no experience are accommodated as Trainees or Interns. It depends on the position,” he says.

There are cases where a candidate has relevant experience but the academic qualifications do not match. For example a sales and marketing experience of 2 years but has a social science degree.

“When you are recruiting you are picking from the pool of the multitude hence when you have a criteria it eases your work. Even with experience academic qualifications are also a big factor. There are many people who could be good through experience, however we have to appreciate people trained academically for that field,” he says.

What about cases where people who still have the required experience end up earning so little?

Mr. Masese says that each organization sets its own salary perks it all depends on what the company’s budget and the market rate.

His advice to job seekers is that even attachments and internships add up as experience

“Challenge yourself to go for longer internship periods or even two attachments. This is important because the experienced one has a better chance of surviving the job search journey. As a potential employer I will be impressed by that candidate since as HR we need to see that you can thrive in the work place,” he concludes.

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