i agree i still have that problem. every company is gonna need someone with time management, organization, etc skills i had an employer told me oh anybody can get that why do u need to volunteer in order to get it? i was so dumbfounded. i knew then that interview wasn't for me.

i can't sell much without enough work experience yet have a degree. the problem is in school your not taught how to sell yourself and these workshops should teach you one on one not just present it on a whiteboard....

"Selling" yourself is part bullshit, part showmanship and part filling a need in the company. It's almost like you are acting as a consultant. If you see an ad that picques your interest you might find a way to help the company beyond that simple position. It really comes out of working for companies and seeing how they function and make money. These are the people they are looking for.

they say if u have to fib to get the job do so. it won't take long for the employers to know that you fib. i told my bf what's more important honestly or lying? seems lying does the job hence is why they are called sales jobs!

Selling yourself isn't about lying. It's about standing out from the crowd. About making people want to work with you rather than someone else. Just try to put some personality and maybe humour in your applications. Most importantly, never ever appear desperate. Even if you are.

well, at the workshops, they said it is partially lying just to get the job. i have heard both sides selling yourself isn't lying and it is etc. i was told in workshops to stretch the truth which i have done and didn't land me a job. i'm like so much for that. after that, i have been honest in job interviews but nothing i say impresses them.

try telling an employer you're volunteering they say oh that's nice but we want someone with experience and a paid job. i get dumbfounded when they say that not sure what to say.

'Partially lying' is just plain lying. So is 'stretching the truth'. And no one wants to work with a liar. People can (and should) make their skills sound as good as possible. But you can't make up experience you don't have. I think the main thing about interviews is coming across as a nice, genuine, enthusiastic person who would be good to have around. There are so many applicants the question is how do you stand out. If they say they want someone with experience - how about saying how you want to have experience too so would work extra hard if you were given the opportunity. Turn the negative into a positive and give them a reason to hire you. If you prepare the answer in advance you won't have to sit there dumfounded.

It's like this. Let's say they ask if you have experience with Cisco ios 13.7? Now you may have worked with 12.4, which is an older version but you know it's very similar to 13.7. At that point you might stretch the truth and claim that in fact you have worked with 13.7. Someone may counter with a question about 13.7 but most of them are probably cluseless because they guy/woman that you're replacing is gone so they have no idea about any of this. You're still taking a risk of getting called on it but if they're following closely a set of requirements they may need the stupid requirement to be filled even though you could learn 13.7 in a day of study.

They want to know if you have enough confidence to go with some requirements that you really don't have exactly perhaps just to make HR happy. Most of them could care less and realize much of it is bullshit.

If they like you and you can fulfill most of the requirements you're golden. When you get your job following this advice feel free to send a tiny consulting fee my way :)

Also, if you get as far as the interview with limited experience then it's not absolutely necessary. Maybe they had little chance to read your resume. Just go with it because someone there wanted to bring you in and *she* may be fighting her own political battles with the men inside the company.

Politics is everywhere and you may need be able to read the context of what you're getting into. That's why so many American companies suck is because everything becomes politicized. Use that to your advantage.

i have told employers that i don't have experience and would like to learn if given the opportunity. they liked it some didn't have any expression. nobody wants to work with liars? really? u got them in jobs daily and that's a fact.

i do agree they want to know if u have the confidence. i was told that's my problem not showing the confidence to do the job. i told my therapist last year that i just care about getting a job and a check confidence can come later. she just looked at me she said doesn't work that way. for me, i believe i can have the confidence as long as i am getting training...

"try telling an employer you're volunteering they say oh that's nice but we want someone with experience and a paid job. i get dumbfounded when they say that not sure what to say. "

The answer>
" I may not get paid by dollars, but what I have learned in human reactions and wants. There is a whole lot more there than just a paycheck. I find it easy to see the customers needs, and can find what is available to help in a product line I am passionate about.

You offer that product line."

Btw, I also lacked technical skills, but when given examples of problem solving during interviews, I was able to show that my personal ability to communicate and offer solutions in a positive manner were worth the training of tech skills.

I give great interviews, but my physical disabilities has sidelined me.
At one time I gave seminars on career seeking to colleges. Me a lowly housewife, with an ability to step into others shoes.

it's true, ive done problem solving skills at home never really on the job. for me, it takes forever to be quick with the mind to come to a solution. all my life, i had to think it through, play it out, and hope it works.

a lot more to a paycheck? then, we shouldn't pay our bills if that's the case. so offer the product line? the product being what the employers want/seeking. however, i did tell some employers the new skills i gained the ones they wanted and talked a little bit about customer service. i am always in the backroom so i rarely interact with any customers.

to answer these questions, these are the answers that are never taught. like i said i've had employers say you can learn those xyz skills anywhere don't need to volunteer to do it. i do need to change my cover letter around and see if i can get more calls.