Industry experience

[Clippy]

With the tough job market being made tougher by recruiters/clients insisting on 'industry experience' what are those of you who are currently on the bench doing re: applications.

Are you bothering to submit your CV for industries you have not worked in or are you taking a punt anyway?

[nomadd]

With the tough job market being made tougher by recruiters/clients insisting on 'industry experience' what are those of you who are currently on the bench doing re: applications.

Are you bothering to submit your CV for industries you have not worked in or are you taking a punt anyway?

Not on the bench any more myself, but I was last year for 7 months. Really, really wanted to get into Investment Banking, so just kept banging out cv's. Most of them ended up in the Agent's bin, but after 350-400 applications I got two interviews; both resulted in offers. Now, six months later, I've dropped into role number two without even raising a finger - same agent as the last contract found me this new one (better money, better role, etc.) So, from my experience, just keeping applying, you never know what might come of it (and it's not as if an email is costing you much. )

[jmo21]

You're on the bench, so have lots of free time, so why not!

We've all worked at places where 'tractors and/or permies don't have a clue, so why not you?!

[Scrag Meister]

Not on the bench any more myself, but I was last year for 7 months. Really, really wanted to get into Investment Banking, so just kept banging out cv's. Most of them ended up in the Agent's bin, but after 350-400 applications I got two interviews; both resulted in offers. Now, six months later, I've dropped into role number two without even raising a finger - same agent as the last contract found me this new one (better money, better role, etc.) So, from my experience, just keeping applying, you never know what might come of it (and it's not as if an email is costing you much. )

Very similar story, took me 3 months on the bench,mainly by choice I hasten to add. I was also aiming for IB and got there, now just ending 3 years, and moving to another bank.

Never say never, as long as you match a good proportion of the skills required, go for it, if you don't apply I can guarantee you won't get the gig.

GL.

[al_cam]

now just ending 3 years

Easy to say, but the job market wasn't tough 3 years ago...

If the advert says "only applicants with x industry experience will be considered" or something then don't apply if you don't have that experience. Agents don't put it there for a laugh and applying regardless will just piss the agents off, eventually get you blacklisted and just make it harder for everyone else.
That said, if I were an excellent fit apart from the industry then I would take a punt at it but only if the other required skills/experience were uncommon.

[Scrag Meister]

Easy to say, but the job market wasn't tough 3 years ago...

Point taken, but also, if you are aiming for a particular market which I guess the OP is and doesn't have the necessary industry experience, then you aren't gonna get there without applying for roles that you see.

They all ask for the necessary industry experience as they are looking for the ideal candidate.

[The Agents View]

Point taken, but also, if you are aiming for a particular market which I guess the OP is and doesn't have the necessary industry experience, then you aren't gonna get there without applying for roles that you see.

They all ask for the necessary industry experience as they are looking for the ideal candidate.

Yes we want the ideal candidate - but it's rarely our choice - frankly we'd all rather clients didn't want specific experience - You seem to think we want to make it harder for you to get the gig? Why would we do that? it makes no sense!

The issue is that clients have more choice - so if they say ideally I need X industry experience, then whilst that SOUNDS like a desirable skill, in this market, everything that they mention is essential - otherwise you're just not in the game.

Have a little sense - if the job says that X exposure is required, it's not there because WE want it to be - it's because the CLIENT wants it there - We'd rather you could place the first person to respond!!