20 Nov Experience Vs. Talent: Which Will Help You Get the Job?
The job hunt is an overwhelming process. You want to feature yourself in the best light to certain companies. You want to show how you can become an asset to their team, help their business succeed, and be a valuable resource. However, to market yourself, should you highlight your experience in a particular field or should you focus on your talent? What qualities are companies looking for?
Hiring for Experience
When you highlight your experience on your resume or in your job interview, you showcase your knowledge. Experience tells the managers, recruiters, and HR personnel that you are less likely to make rookie mistakes that can cost the company time and money. If you are applying for a leadership position, highlighting your experience is a must. Many companies look for someone with strong experience who can manage a team of individuals. They can use their experience to make wise business decisions.
Additionally, many businesses may hire based on experience if they do not have strong onboarding or training capabilities. They need someone who can immediately step into the position without much training or mentoring. You may wish to highlight your experience if applying for a job with a small business or with a company that is struggling.
Hiring for Talent
Today, many companies are hiring for talent rather than experience. Just because an individual has a lot of experience, it does not mean he or she performs well. These individuals may be lazy, have established poor work habits, lack technology, and updated skills for the current workforce, etc. Experience is not always what makes a good candidate.
In many situations, companies are looking for individuals that they can train with a focus on their company, in-house technology, business goals, etc. They may also focus on soft skills, rather than a list of past achievements. Soft skills that many managers look for include strong communication, problem-solving, the ability to learn, and patience. A positive attitude and the ability to enhance the work culture — not create tension and conflict — is also crucial and highly sought after by employers.
However, companies are not likely to hire an individual simply because they have strong communication skills and a bubbly personality. Companies are still looking for individuals with some type of work experience. According to the latest National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook Survey, 91% of candidates desire some work experience while 65% indicate they want candidates with relevant work experience.
As you create your resume or prepare for a job interview, you must do your research and learn all you can about the company and the job position. This will make a significant difference in the qualifications that you focus on. Often, however, it is best to highlight both your talent and experience to show potential employers how you can benefit their company, what makes you different, and why you are the best candidate for the job.