Does it always go to someone with experience?

[PurpleFruit1]

I applied for a job and was offered an interview next week. I’m very interested in the role and have done an online course in that area but no in person experience. Surely this is a set back? I feel like I won’t be offered the position over someone who has got direct experience so I’m not sure what to do?

The obvious answer is prep for the interview, go to the interview, do your best, hope for the best, and if unsuccessful ask for feedback which you can then act on..?

All things being equal the person with most experience will typically have the best chance.

But there’s often more to it than that; so many intangibles.

There might be people with more experience who are dug into other companies and don’t want to move. There will be some who have more experience but aren’t a good fit culturally or whatever. There will certainly be some with more experience who the recruiting company can’t afford to pay.

Its always worth trying because you never know who you are up against. Go for it.

As with all interviews / applications, a lot will depend on who else applied.

Two equally enthusiastic, and equally qualified people ? - yes, the one with more experience would often get a role

One person recently trained, who the company could then train in their ways can often be an advantage.

Depends a lot on the role of course - a Senior Manager's job is going to want experience, but an apprenticeship won't. There are several steps in between.

In some professions, someone more experienced would be expecting a higher salary and that can influence the employers' choice too.

I was once up against another person for a role. I had years of experience. He was a recent graduate.

And he could be paid about half what I would be due, so guess who they employed...