Getting Experience For General Labor Jobs

If you're looking for general labor jobs, you may have found yourself in a catch-22. These are considered to be entry-level positions, but many general labor jobs do require experience. What type of experience would you need for a general labor job? It can vary widely, but here are some tips for how to get experience that can help land you a general labor job.

Connect with Employment Agencies

General labor employment agencies and temp agencies can often find you work eventually, but it may take time. Employment agencies may have waiting lists, and there may be more experienced candidates on those waiting lists. You may need to wait some time to get connected with a position, but once you show that you can work hard, the employment agency will be more willing to send you work.

Do Some Volunteer Work

Volunteer work can be just as difficult as maintaining a job. If you have volunteer work in the area that you're attempting to get a job in, you'll be able to list it as relevant experience. If you aren't currently working, you likely have quite a lot of time to volunteer. Volunteering also helps you network and gives you opportunities to find out about other potential jobs. If you volunteer at a place long enough, you could find yourself getting hired on.

Don't Forget to Inquire Further

If you're being rejected for lack of past experience, you may want to politely inquire with the hiring manager. Ask them what type of experience they're looking for and if they can give you a general picture of the more experienced applicants. Though not everyone will have the time to help you, many people do enjoy giving advice and imparting their own knowledge. This will give you a better picture of what you need to work on, or in some cases how to better present your experience in a way that will impress hiring managers.

Ask Around and Network

Don't forget that often the most powerful way to get a job is networking. Make sure everyone you know is aware that you're looking for work, and be specific about the type of work you want. Your local community groups can help. Talk to school advisers, places you've worked before, and local businesses that are in your neighborhood. A personal introduction can help. 

Getting experience is often a matter of being persistent. As long as you keep signing up for jobs and responding every time you get a call, you'll eventually be able to build up your experience and get progressively better projects and pay. As you get started, you may want to connect with an employment office or employment service.

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