Experience

In my prior career in leadership I interviewed well over two hundred people for general positions, as well as leadership positions. Not only that, I also interviewed as a candidate over 30 times in my 18 years. One of the most frustrating things from both sides of the table is the idea of experience.

Interviewers are often looking for people with great experience so that they are ready to go right when they start. This was frustrating to me, because as a hiring manager, I was looking for the person with the greatest potential to grow and improve. No one is ever 100% ready for the promotion.

As a training manager, I focused on potential because I wanted to find people who were able to learn and grow in the position. Having employees who felt as though they already have it all figured out limits the growth opportunities. I would rather teach someone and help guide them as they learn. This means that experience important, yet secondary to potential.

Please know that there is a sweet spot where someone is as prepared as they can be, and thus has "experience", but is also willing and open to being coached and trained. This is the idea situation where you can get the best of both worlds. The frustrating part really comes when you are the interviewee.

I remember being turned down for promotion opportunities because they wanted someone with more experience. This was very deflating. How was I supposed to get experience if no one ever gave me a chance? One thing I prided myself on was trying to be teachable. This was easier under some leaders than others, however, everyone offers a lesson if we are willing to learn.

This is how we gain experience, we become life long learners. Being a life long learner means that we recognize that there are lessons embedded in all of life's experiences. Whether it is picking up a new skill by trying something that challenges you, or through trial and error, or by paying attention to what is happening around you and then soaking up the information, there are lessons happening all the time.

Be a learner, and gain as much experience as you can, that way you will be as prepared as possible when opportunity comes. What lesson are you learning today?