A former colleague once worked in our strategy team but dreamed of switching to marketing. She had no formal experience – just a strong instinct for storytelling and customer insight. Her applications kept getting rejected. So, instead of waiting, she created her own shot: she volunteered for an internal campaign, took marketing courses over weekends and offered to lead cross-functional teams. Within a year, she landed a marketing role.

This colleague’s story is a reminder that while experience is important, it isn’t everything. When you take initiative, build proof, and show what you can do, you shift the conversation from “What have you done?” to “What else could you do?”

Whether you’re trying to land your first job, pivot into a new industry, or break into the C-suite, you’ll likely face the Permission Paradox more than once in your career. It’s one of the most frustrating catch-22s in the world of work:

“You can’t get the job without the experience, but you can’t get the experience without the job!”

You’re confident in your potential. You know you can do the job well if given the chance. But the system often rewards those who’ve already done it before. The result? You feel stuck, overlooked, and sometimes even question your worth.

The good news? There are ways to overcome this conundrum, no matter what career stage you’re at. So, this week, let’s explore how you can maximise your chances of getting a job even when you don’t have the relevant experience.

Future Potential Vs. Past Performance

During any hiring process, recruiters typically assess two things:

• Past Performance  – what you’ve done
• Future Potential  – what you could do

When you’re at the start of your career or trying to land a new role, your “past performance” might not look impressive. You don’t have a track record yet because you haven’t held positions like the one you’re applying for, which is why many recruiters will turn down your application. BUT the only way to build a track record is to get the job! This is the fundamental disconnect at the heart of the Permission Paradox.

To overcome the catch-22, you will need to better demonstrate your “future potential” – as well as add some weight and shine to your “past performance.”

Leadership expert and author James Citrin recounts the example of a fresh graduate who, during an interview with a real estate brokerage firm, asked: “What would you do to grow your business if you had an extra day in your week?” The interviewer replied that he would do a market research study for the young urban rental market. Highlighting her own suitability for this work, the graduate volunteered to complete the project at a nominal rate. Within a few weeks, she presented an impressive report, following which she was hired as a market researcher. This is a great example of creating an opportunity for yourself to break the Permission Paradox.

Getting the Job: 6 Strategies to Overcome the Experience Gap

Don’t let the Permission Paradox hold you back from launching and building an ambitious, rewarding career. Here are six suggestions to help you go past the “no experience” barrier and land the job you want:

1. Showcase the experience you DO have.

Even if you don’t have formal experience in your desired job, you can still bring value to the table. Highlight the transferable skills you’ve gained through academic life, internships, passion projects or volunteering roles. Look back at your journey with fresh eyes – you may have more experience than you think.

Ask yourself:

• Have I solved a problem that’s similar to what this job requires?
• Have I led or created something from scratch?
• Have I delivered results or received recognition for my work?

Translate those stories into strong, focused examples on your resumé, in your cover letter, and during interviews. At the entry level, employers care deeply about mindset and learning agility. At a more senior level, they’re looking for people who show ownership and pattern recognition, regardless of title. These are all good ways to bolster the “past performance” aspect of your application.

2. Stand out from the crowd.

When you apply for a role — especially one that’s highly competitive — you’re going up against dozens or even hundreds of other candidates. That’s why you need to find a way to stand out. Can you create something tangible that demonstrates your skills before you’re hired? A mock proposal, a portfolio project, a case study, or even a well-written blog post can be your differentiator. These “pre-interview projects” show initiative and signal your seriousness. Even your resumé and cover letter can stand out if they’re clear, tailored, and full of personality. Avoid jargon and clichés. Be memorable, not just competent.

3. Customize to the company.

A tailored approach could also help your application stand out more. Do your homework about the organization you’re applying to – their mission, culture and USPs. Focus on connecting these with your own skillset, interests and experiences. Where and how can you add value? Share your understanding of the company and why you’re keen to join the team, going beyond the usual predictable reasons. Customizing your resumé can help you get to the interview stage, where you can sell your strengths in person.

4. Earn relevant credentials.

Are you trying to break into a role, field or industry that’s outside of your academic and work experience so far? If yes, it’s time to burnish that resumé. We’re lucky enough to live in a time where countless courses and workshops are available at the touch of a finger. Get moving, get learning, get certified. Not only will you gain vital knowledge and skills but also show potential employers that you’re serious about launching this new chapter of your career.

5. Be willing to work your way up.

Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t the most glamorous one. That could mean accepting an entry-level or adjacent role, taking on a short-term project, or stepping into a position that gives you more hands-on exposure, even if the title is a step down.

In HeadStart: Unlock the Keys to Career Success, co-authored with Sunder Ramachandran, we call these slingshots. A slingshot is when you intentionally take a step sideways—or even back—to learn, grow, and build the foundations for something bigger. Just like a real slingshot pulls back before launching forward, these career moves might seem like detours, but they help you build momentum that can carry you much farther later on.

Whether it’s joining a smaller company, entering through a different function, or shadowing a team, these moves can be powerful springboards. The key is to stay focused on the long game.

6. Work your network.

Compensate for the experience gap by leveraging the power of relationships. Your personal network can be an excellent way to get your application to the right person and land face-to-face meetings with potential employers, giving you the all-important chance you need to make your case. Nurture your circle of contacts and draw on it for potential job openings, introductions and references.

A personal recommendation strengthens a recruiter’s confidence in your abilities and work ethic, making them more likely to overlook your lack of experience. You can also demonstrate your intent and increase your visibility by joining industry groups, attending events and getting involved in online discussions.

Final Thoughts

The Permission Paradox can feel like a wall. But often, that wall is built on assumptions — yours and others. You can challenge those assumptions with action, creativity, and a clear sense of your own value.

Today, more than ever, employers are looking for potential. They’re drawn to curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to figure things out. You don’t need to have done the job before to prove you can do it well.

So, take the leap. Look for slingshot opportunities. Put yourself out there, even if your resumé isn’t a perfect match.

Getting the job without the experience may not be easy – but it’s entirely possible.