Why Aren't You Getting It - No More "Learning on the Job"

 "I am a fast learner."

When we were teenagers looking for summer jobs, that's what we Boomers told employers. In those days the post-WWII economy was kicking off. Manpower was needed. Eager-to-learn was the right hustle. See, businesses did train. Actually they preferred to train you in how they do things. You wouldn't have to unlearn bad work procedures.

Now, expressing eagerness to learn or if it's obvious you need training beyond a brief onboarding - that immediately knocks you out of the box. The current labor market mandates that you perform the required tasks from day-one. And better than the other hundreds applying for that postion or gig.

That's exactly why entry-levels can't get in. Those new academic graduates include PhDs. Here's a snippet from Reddit:

"I don’t see why companies would want to let anyone with a PhD, who expects better pay, to learn on the job. You gotta think value. What can you bring them? Highlight that and engage in projects/events/conferences on those specific aspects."

Those forced into a career change also often find themselves hitting up against that not-work-ready wall. A classic is the lawyer I coached. They were shifting from real estate to bankruptcy. The small law firm they applied to turned them down because they hadn't already mastered several software programs. Naively, they countered with what Boomers could get away with: I learn fast. That didn't cut it, of course.

Moreover, once on the job, what used to be called "employee development" typically becomes your own reponsibility, funded with your own money. You connect the dots that advanced skills in graphic design or AI prompting would be useful to the organization - and your upward mobility within the company. Likely you will not request the go-ahead in learning/financing the expense from your manager. You will learn on your own, then alert the appropriate people about this added capability.

In self-employment, the market is equally unforgiving. To develop new business as well as hold onto current clients we entrepreneurs have to operate with all the moving parts expected. In addition, some moving parts have to be shut down. 

When a recruiter was reviewing my credentials for a contract coaching assignment, they flagged my long list of publications about employment as a distraction. The overall takeaway for me, as for all work-searchers, is this: Experience is everything. Abstract knowledge won't be paid for.  Even elite consultants are expected to follow up their abstractions with hands-on implementation.

So, in college, in advanced degree programs, in a bout of unemployment: Grab work, any kind. Keep adding on in-demand skills. Forget about the sunk costs in what's no longer marketable.

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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