Give Someone Their First Chance

There is untapped potential out there

There is a person out there who could become a brilliant employee. Someone who's motivated, curious, ready to learn, reliable, hardworking and full of ideas.

The only issue is that they don't have enough experience, and the reason for this is likely very simple. Nobody has given them the chance to get it.

The experience paradox

Young people are constantly told to get some experience, but when they apply for a job they're told they need experience. So then they apply for another role and get the same answer, and this cycle continues and they continue to apply for jobs.

Eventually, it becomes incredibly difficult to get through the door, and this isn't because they're incapable or don't want to work. They just haven't been given the opportunity to open the door.

What if you looked at potential instead?

Imagine interviewing someone who doesn't have three years of experience.

Instead, they have:

• A genuine interest in your industry
• A willingness to learn
• A school or university project they're proud of
• Volunteering experience
• A part-time job
• Personal projects
• The ability to communicate clearly
• The determination to improve

They haven't done the job before, but they could learn

They haven't done the job before, but they could learn.

Your next great employee might be inexperienced

The person you hire today might not be the most polished employee, and they're not supposed to be. If you give them training, support, feedback, and responsibility as they develop, then in six months they could be doing things you never expected. A year from now, they could be an essential member of your team. And a few years from now, they could be mentoring the next person you give an opportunity to.

Someone gave you a chance once

Think back to your own career. At some point, someone had to look at you before you had all the experience you have today. Someone decided to give you a chance, and maybe that opportunity changed the direction of your career, helped you discover what you were capable of, or simply gave you the first step you needed to take. You can do the same for someone else.

Experience has to start somewhere

If every employer demands experience, who gives young people their first opportunity?

You can. Look at your next vacancy and ask:

• Whether every experience requirement is genuinely necessary
• What you could teach
• Whether you're looking for experience, or whether you're really looking for potential

Somewhere out there is someone waiting for their first chance

Somewhere out there is someone who doesn't have the experience you're asking for, not because they aren't capable of doing the job, but because they haven't been given the opportunity to prove it yet.