•  First stage is to identify right field to hands-on experience. It might be easy if one is very clear in her/his interests. For example: If you are a computer science graduate and very well know that you need to proceed in IT-Software line. However, IT-Software line itself has many options and the interest has to be narrowed down. Refer Career Options in IT-Software Field or How to Gain Hands-on Experience Without Job in IT Software Industry
• If one do not have any specific line of graduation or diploma or not very clear on which field to proceed based on interviews, then it is best to take some time and analyze what are your core interests and choose a field accordingly. Every field requires good dedication, time and commitment hence changing it multiple times will not be a good use of anyone’s time.

• Once you are clear, which field you want to proceed with, one should analyze what you already know about the same. For example: Are you a Novice or Beginner or have good knowledge. It is assumed that based on Stage 1 recommendations, you have not selected the field just because it is fascinating and your friends or family have suggested the same.

• There are many free and cheap trainings available along with certifications in this field however one should look for the ones which have wider recognition. 
• You should not keep doing endless number of trainings as well whatever is available. Take some time to understand the topics which will be covered in those trainings before you opt to do it even if it is free because you will anyway be spending time on it.
• You must choose a training which offers hands-on experience in the form of a project, practical implementation & case studies etc. of the learnings than just theory. Any employer will look for how you solve problems than just knowing concepts.
• Also, please do not do many trainings on any area and subject whatever comes your away. This will definitely confuse you as well as the client and employer who sees these random trainings in your resume.
• You can join good Facebook & LinkedIn groups related to the area you are interested in and ask there as well about good trainings and certifications.

• You must complete the training whatever you have selected along with hands-on project & case studies.
• If you are training in a group, you yourself can identify problem statements related to the subject, form a team, defines roles and execute it as a real-time project.

If you have done enough hands-on projects as part of the training then probably you can skip this step but the more you do the better it is. Hence even after training and projects till you find a job, you must keep on doing projects to keep the concepts alive. 

There are many exercises which you can identify and do on our own. For example:

• If you have learnt website development, create a website for yourself. 
• If you have learnt programming languages, create website, blogs, small applications using these. This way you will increase your presence on internet and it will be a great showcase to the employer.

• First get the training, try some hands-on exercises then do the certification. Doing practical and hands-on exercises can help passing certification in one attempt. 
• Also, please choose the certifications which are valued in the market than doing just any.
• Please do not get disappointed even if you do not get any certifications because employer will still look for experience, practical projects which you have done, case studies which you have solved than just certifications.
• If you do not have find a good value certification for free or with decent price, you can leave it as well.
• For digital marketing, analytics area, google certifications are valued well and are free as well.

As mentioned above, you must do the projects. Identifying right projects depends on your skill set. For example:

• If you are learning website development platforms like WordPress, Wix etc. the best project can be your own website or for a friend etc. You can also choose a subject for the website which you find still missing on internet. For example: I found that internet was still missing a lot of information for people with disability hence I created this website.
• I also found internet did not have consolidated information about senior citizens where elderly can find where to book health check, order medicines, which books are good, games to be played, entertainment options etc. hence I created a site Everything for Seniors for the same.
• If you have done the programming languages training, you can choose to create dynamic websites, donor applications etc.
• If you have learnt mobile technologies, you can create an app which tells the sign for alphabets and common sentences. Sign language also has many dialects hence the app can be enhanced to choose the language before providing the sign.

There could be many more such examples.

You must try to complete the project or at least bring to a shape that it can be showcased and others can access it. For example: 

• If you are creating a website then you must get it to decent shape and publish it. There are absolutely free options available which can be used to host and publish your website. Some of these are Awardspace and Profreehost. 
• Similarly if you are creating mobile application, make sure it is in decent shape, not with huge errors and you generate installable for the same which can be used by others.

• After doing training, certification and hands-on exercises, you gain experience and should know your proficiency level in this field. This leaves a good impression on the interviewer as it showcases that even though you might not be an expert, you know the field well hence would have better understanding of your growth path as well.

• It is advisable not to add in your resume unless you complete the training, do hands-on exercises and complete certification as our objective is show hands-on experience than just completed training.

• While mentioning your hands-on experience during interviews, showcase this as a proactive initiative from your side to prepare for the prospective job. This will differentiate you from other candidates in a positive way.
• Also, please understand, this hands-on experience is different from professional experience which is mostly referred which you gain while working with a company or in business.