Q:   I recently graduated from college and am having difficulty finding a job because I lack the actual experience of all other candidates. However, how am I ever going to gain this experience if no one is willing to give me the chance to prove myself and my abilities?
 
A: You express a classic issue. The good news is that eventually you will find a spot and you will launch your career. You'll need to be a bit creative in the meantime. Actually, many colleges today are solving this problem for students by offering programs in conjunction with their studies that are internships or cooperative education programs. This means taking some time out during your college study to work in the field you are considering after graduation. Many times employers are so impressed with the quality of the interns or co-op students that they offer job opportunities upon graduation. Here are some suggestions for you to explore. Perhaps they will stimulate your thinking and will lead you to think of other approaches you can try:  Contact the school you graduated from and see if they would work with you and the local employers to create a post graduation internship. Start with the department you majored in and/or the career planning office on campus. Find a business on your own and offer to volunteer your services for a period of time (3 to six months) in turn for a letter of recommendation upon the successful completion of this project. (Re)Write your resume in a functional format, using college course content, demonstrating your knowledge of the field. For ideas about how to do this, visit Yana Parker's Web site that compliments her books.

Write a proposal for a project that will meet an unmet need of businesses in the field you are pursuing and start heavily networking in the industry until you find someone who will take you up on your project. (You may need to do a bit of research to pull this off successfully.) Look for a job in an emerging industry such as new media where the criteria for credentials is less stringent than that in older, more established fields. Network heavily with alumni from your college. Obtain their names from the alumni office at your school. People who have graduated from your alma mater will have more of a vested interest in your career success and may be more inclined to take a chance on you. Get yourself some publicity or get yourself published. If you write an article or book or get recognition for some sort of contribution in your community, you will have a feather in your cap and employers will see you as having something worthwhile to offer them. Join a job search club or start a success team. Others may have some ideas and insights for you that you can't see for yourself. There are affiliates in many churches around the country or there is an organization called the 5 O'clock Club. Hire yourself a career coach. Visit the International Coach Federation and investigate the numerous coaches listed through their referral service. Look particularly for those who specialize in career and job search matters. Many coaches offer free sample sessions.