Dear Joan,

I have a problem that maybe you can help me with. I've had sufficient education in school, although I don't have a degree, to get some sort of entry level job in Bookkeeping/Accounting. I know I can't expect a real high position, especially starting out, but everyone is looking for experience. It seems nobody wants to be the one to break in a new person. How does a person go about getting some experience?

It used to be when someone called into a school for potential employees they were willing to hire a greenhorn. But whenever I've looked at the job board the job asks for experience. It seems in the "lean and mean" attitude of business in the 1980's, they don't have time for beginners anymore.

I've followed up on jobs that say, experience preferred, but someone always seems to come along that is exactly what they are looking for. Some say send me a resume. My resume doesn't show that I'm a perfect candidate for the job so I don't get considered.

I wouldn't mind doing some moonlighting part time, but part-time jobs are always during the day and I work during the day and I can't live on just part-time work.

I've read that doing volunteer work is a good way to start out. Do you have any ideas where I could do some volunteer work on the side? Also, does running an ad in the work wanted section of the newspaper ever bring positive results?

You are quickly finding out that job hunting in the 80's isn't what it used to be. Other candidates are well armed with degrees and experience, which gives them the advantage when stalking jobs. It's as if they have a rifle and you only have a bow and arrow...you have to be twice as skilled at sneaking up on what you want and have excellent aim as a marksman.

Let's talk about some stalking skills. A good way to practice for the hunt is to do volunteer work in nonprofit organizations, small companies, or for professional organizations. This can then be added to your quiver as "work experience," whether it's paid or non-paid.

There are hundreds of organizations in this area that are likely to be in need of your skills. A good place to start is the Volunteer Center, which coordinates activities for agencies. Much of this work could be done at night.

If you do some good work for an agency, be sure to ask for a letter of recommendation as well as a "job reference." It's not enough to simply do a good job, however. You need to ask, "who do you know?" as soon as you start demonstrating that you have valuable skills to offer an employer.

Watch the paper for stories about entrepreneurs who may be too small to hire a staff but who might welcome some assistance in this area. You could probably negotiate a reasonable fee or you may even offer to do the work for free for a few months to prove your worth. Sometimes these freelance experiences lead to full-time work if the business grows. At the same time, you may be able to use this experience to attract other small business owners. Before you know it, you could have more freelance work than you could handle. At that point, you can decide if it's time to move in on one employer.

Experience is only one arrow in your quiver. You're missing another one: a degree. There is no question that this is going to put you at a disadvantage in any competition. You mention "sufficient education" but without a degree and some related computer experience, you will find yourself getting farther away from the targets you aim for as time goes by.

Work wanted sections of newspapers may be worth a try if you hope to snare a small business owner looking for some help but I think you'd be better off on the prowl yourself. Most people don't automatically think of looking there for help. They tend to ask, "who do you know?" or place an add themselves.

There is no doubt that the spoils will go to the hunter with the degree and the experience in the 1980's and beyond. If getting a degree is not possible for you, begin to track down creative ways to build your experience. If you work your way into a company with tuition refund as a benefit, take advantage of it so the next time you're stalking a job you'll be fully armed.