Is there a considered work experience level?

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rayonline

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#147015 5-Jun-2014 20:27

Some of you that work in more senior positions - is there a ballpoint figure of how much experience a person should have before they are taken seriously?

I am doing temping work now and then. Had a cardiac arrest so I do some more training in finance to coincide with my generic management studies when I first graduated. I have 2yrs of that desk job experience and a few yrs of admin type work in finance/projects working with the manager doing forecast etc.

I've been told that even for some 1-3 weeks or 1-3 month roles - they got someone with more calibre or that I am overqualified. One even asked the agency to ask me if I can give them the assurance I won't leave in the 3 months and then they came back and said I am still overqualified.

Are there people out there who fight for 1-3 week contracts? The going pay is $30-40/hr that particular role was maybe closer to the $40.

MikeB4

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#1060048 5-Jun-2014 20:41

During the time(a long time) I was employing staff experience was only part of the equation, it was not the deciding or declining factor. I took into account all that the candidates had to offer.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

oxnsox

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#1060064 5-Jun-2014 20:49

I've always found you're only as good as your last job.... so you're either over or under qualified.
The key is to be seen as a contractor, and the rates can then vary against the task/job as part of your negotiation. You have to be able to get them to focus on your skills relative to the job. Rates will always be based between where they see the role and what you'll do the job for.

JimmyH

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#1060067 5-Jun-2014 21:01

Experience (including how relevant and recent it is) is only one aspect of a candidate. Most sensible employers look at much more than that. Things such as attitude, likely fit with the team etc also come into it.

How much experience is considered "enough" to do a job is highly dependent on the type of the position and the level of position in question.

Even if you are clearly suitable for the job, whether you get it depends on how you stack up relative to the other candidates. All other things being equal the employer might want (say) four years relevant experience, you have five, but another applicant has seven.

I have lost out to contracts I could clearly do because the employer claimed they had someone with better relevant experience, and that's their right. Equally, I suspect other applicants have also lost out to me.

Overqualified is a different kettle of fish. Employers don't want to hire someone, invest time in getting them up to speed, and then have them quickly move on. That's reasonable, as it is likely inconvenient and expensive for them. It's not unreasonable for them to see a high risk that if they hire someone for a job that is well below their experience and skill level, they are unlikely to stick around.

rayonline

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#1060092 5-Jun-2014 21:29

Many of them I haven't met the employer. It's short term so the get my CV from the agency and they might alter it and hide some stuff like my mobile number. These are like 1-3 weeks or 1-3 months, got a call 2 day ago by the agency and I was asked if I could start Monday. But still .. for these short terms, are overqualified a factor it's not that I have much chance of jumping ship or maybe they feel someone else could benefit more from that position for skilling up.

Batman

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#1060152 5-Jun-2014 23:20

depends on job market.

in a saturated market (today) it's about being the right person knocking at the right place at the right time.

once in a while the employer has a need to fill. if you happen to be there and happen to tick the boxes you're hired (assuming a clean record).

so where ever you knock you need to find out what the boss needs. if he needs a steady do what is left and you sell yourself a forecaster you won't be hired. if he needs a planner and you sell yourself as a follower you won't be hired.

TwoSeven

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#1060204 6-Jun-2014 07:48

For my personal view, job seeking to be is about self confidence in ones abilities and knowledge, and good marketing; also being able to tailor your pitch to the needs of the organisation one is dealing with, that might mean doing research on the company before sending in a resume or it may require working with a recruitment agent to understand the company and what type of staff they have hired before.

The other lesson I have learned is write for your audience, which is a way of saying that I would create a resume targeted at the company I am applying for a role with - I take my full CV to the interview if it is required. If one is getting asked similar questions from interview to interview, it can be often a good idea to include some of the answers up front if you have the opportunity.

The other thing is that its important not under-estimate the power of networking. I find trade-shows and events (ok, I am in a different field) good things to attend where possible.

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#1060224 6-Jun-2014 08:35

rayonline: Some of you that work in more senior positions - is there a ballpoint figure of how much experience a person should have before they are taken seriously?

I am doing temping work now and then. Had a cardiac arrest so I do some more training in finance to coincide with my generic management studies when I first graduated. I have 2yrs of that desk job experience and a few yrs of admin type work in finance/projects working with the manager doing forecast etc.

I've been told that even for some 1-3 weeks or 1-3 month roles - they got someone with more calibre or that I am overqualified. One even asked the agency to ask me if I can give them the assurance I won't leave in the 3 months and then they came back and said I am still overqualified.

Are there people out there who fight for 1-3 week contracts? The going pay is $30-40/hr that particular role was maybe closer to the $40.

Ballpark, not ballpoint!

Jaxson

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#1060255 6-Jun-2014 09:44

KiwiNZ: During the time(a long time) I was employing staff experience was only part of the equation, it was not the deciding or declining factor. I took into account all that the candidates had to offer.

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