Don’t Use Your Lack of Experience as an Excuse
Posted By: Andy Barker
It seems my comments last week have rattled a few therapists when I said that experience is not as important as you might think.
My inbox was flooded with many more emails just like this.
Some therapists got in touch to say they agreed…
And shared their stories privately as to how they have been able to dismiss this ‘experience’ myth and secure roles way beyond what most therapists would think possible.
But most disagreed.
I expected no different.
In 100% of the replies I got, after I asked for a little more information on why these therapists thought they had not progressed, I got the same sort of answers…
‘’I’ve been told I need to do my rotations and get more experience before I can progress’’
‘’I can’t get the job I want because they require 2, 3 or 5 years experience and I just don’t have it’’
‘’Someone with more experience than me got the job ahead of me’’
…etc, etc, etc.
I always get the same sort of replies.
There is always a reason why you are not quite able to get the patient results you really want…
Or start to climb the career ladder like you were thought you would…
And it has nothing to do with experience.
The problem is…
Therapists want to use their lack of experience as an excuse.
I get it.
It is very hard to admit that the reason that you might not be getting the results you want…
Or the jobs you want…
Is actually you…
And not something else outside your control.
Maybe you are not getting the patient results you want because your assessments are not good enough and you can not nail the right diagnosis…
Or because your hands-on or rehab skills are not up to scratch.
Maybe you just do a poor job putting together your CV and letter of application or you do not perform as well as the other candidates in the interview room.
Whatever you may think…
There are physio’s, sports therapists and sports rehabilatator’s that qualified at the same time as you, that have the same level of experience as you…
That are ahead of you right now.
They have the jobs you want.
They are getting more money than you are…
And are getting the respect and recognition you deserve as a graduate therapist.
This picture was taken after the Grand Final in 2012 having just won the Super League with the Leeds Rhinos. I was only two years out of Uni and the guy next to me on the on the left is Rob Parkinson, the assistant physio, who was in his first job post Uni and little over 1 year graduated!
They are not busting their arses like you trying to get that next break, getting paid peanuts to do it…
Just waiting for something to happen…
Blaming something else, or someone else as to why it has not worked out for them so far.
If you think that in a few years time you will magically become better at your patient assessments, treatments and rehab…
And that top sports club or clinic will come calling with that job offer…
You may be waiting a while!
Please do not hide behind the experience excuse.
If you are struggling to get your career going and want some help then please reach out to me.
Just hit reply to this email with the subject ‘experience’ and I’ll get right back to you with some help.
Andy
PS. If you want to really get going with your career and find out what you really need to do to get the results, and the jobs, well beyond your years, then find out if you are suitable for my New Grad Physio Membership.
Check out what it is all about and to find out if it is right for you here.