Is there a substitute for experience?
Seriously, is there? I’m interested in your thoughts.
Substitute for Experience
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Hi! I'm Sharlyn Lauby, an HR pro turned consultant. I created the HR Bartender blog so people would have a friendly place to discuss workplace issues. And since, over the years, I've developed an appreciation for the culinary arts (translation: I'm a Foodie) you'll see some of that here too. So, pull up a stool and order your favorite drink . . . the bar is always open.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
With education, wit, savvy, a good set of reasoning skills, etc you can get more out of, or make the most of your experiences, but as an experienced based have to see it, touch, it feel it and sometimes feel the pain to learn from it kind of girl, I have to step out there and say no, there is no substitute for experience.
Being omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent?
The older and grayer I get, the more important I think experience is.
My kids don’t think so.
No, I don’t think there is a true substitute for experience — but in the absence of it, being smart and resourceful can do in a pinch
Sincerity, objectivity, passion, commitment. I have some interns who do more/better work then some of the more experienced HR folks I know.
I’ll take someone who’s passionate about the work over someone who knows how to do it, but does it by rote any day. As they say in the sports world, upside is huge.
It depends upon the job. If the job is managing a manufacturing plant, then I would say a good substitute for an experienced ‘Activity Based Costing’ accountant, would be an inexperienced, fresh out of college, but took a course in Theory of Constraints.
If the person has experience, but has been doing it wrong for 30 years, then that experience isn’t very helpful.
I don’t work in TOC or Manufacturing, but it was an example I thought I would share with you.
Great Topic: Although experience is vital it’s not always beneficial. I look for other qualities first. Mainly common sense and initiative.
Examples: When we sold our firm I worked for one of the alphabet brokers. An individual with management experience was appointed manager of our office and moral suffered greatly. I…n fact most of the original crew is gone at the old firm which enjoyed a high degree of respect. (I took the manager on an appointment with a key client – it was required. Afterwards the CAO told me the manager style was very demeaning.)
On the other hand, I appointed an individual with no industry experience to run analytics and be an account manager. She had to use common sense and initiative working with a sophisticated clientele, far beyond her experience. Today, she’s head of National Accounts for a well know ancillary carrier.
I don’t think there is a true substitute for real experience, however, I also find that I benefit from listening to others share their experiences. So many people these days don’t pay attention to conversations that could really benefit them. I like to listen and learn from other people’s experiences and these conversations tend to stick with me. I find them useful tools.
I totally agree with Avi. We have some employees that are wicked smart, but have no passion or real life experience. Their years have been spent in college, their noses in books and not dealing with real life business. Dont get me wrong, education is a great thing, however, nothing can replace “learning by doing”. Give me someone hardworking and passionate that has put in their time! Usually a much better employee in my opinion!
Experience, blah, blah…it’s all in how well you interview.
Amanda
I have to disagree. A good interviewer can read thru the the BS. If the right questions are asked during an interview, you can determine if the candidate has the EXPERIENCE and or just the knowledge… there is a big difference!
Thanks to everyone for the comments and conversation. There are a lot of thought provoking ideas being tossed around. I think enthusiasm, passion, education, etc. are great attributes and certainly will take a person far. But I can’t help but believe there’s a point where experience has to kick in. At that point, the person with more experience has the advantage.
If two people have the same level of KSA and passion, is there something a person can do to compensate for experience?
When I was young and brash I didn’t think experience was important. Now that I’m older, a bit gray and mellower, suffice to say, there is no substitute for experience. Expecially in third party recruiting and search, each year is a notch on the belt (and the grayer I get.)
Thanks for the comment Mike. It’s amazing how much I tap into my prior experiences to deal with everyday issues.