I’ve definitely seen instances where entry-level workers enter their job search thinking

 I’ve definitely seen instances where entry-level workers enter their job search thinking 

 they don’t have enough experience, despite the fact they’ve already had a summer and/or part-time job,” says Andrew McCaskill, LinkedIn Career Expert and creator of The Black Guy in Marketing newsletter. “While it might be easy to write-off these jobs as ‘not real’ or ‘not enough work experience,’ the skills you gain during these work days are actually quite invaluable and can be leveraged for future roles.”

In a recent email conversation, McCaskill and I talked about how every employment experience represents an opportunity for growth—and how to leverage those experiences and skills for maximum effect in your job search.

Part-time skills, full-time value

If you’ve ever worked part-time in a service industry like fast food or retail, you know these roles don’t usually come with a lot of glamor. But, leveraged correctly, these are exactly the type of positions that can serve as your personal “bootcamp” for vital workplace skills you will need for the rest of your career—no matter where it takes you.