If you a recent college grad or starting out your career, you are most likely trying to land a job with no experience. Finding a job in the profession you want to work in can be a challenge. This is especially true if you don’t have a lot of experience to include on your resume. However, it is possible to land a job with little to no experience, and there are several strategies on how you can do this. Read on to learn the key strategies on how to get a job with no experience.
How To Get A Job With No Experience
Fortunately, there are many ways that you can emphasize your relevant skills as well as develop new ones to be successful in a new position. When you implement these strategies, you show employers that you’re the right candidate for the job, regardless of your experience level.
1. Tailor Your Resume For Each Job Listing
This is a rule of thumb for anyone who is applying for a job, but especially if lack the experience. Always look at the job description and try to identify what skills and traits that company is looking for. Take note of the skills and traits that are mentioned first or often.
Despite a lack of job experience, think about places you’ve volunteered, internships, projects or even courses you’ve taken. Consider how all of this relates to the job you’re applying to. What seems to be the most important aspect of the job description? Is it leadership? Problem solving? Being a self-starter? Next, highlight these qualities in your resume. You can also do this by reordering items on your resume as well as adding bullets and other content if you notice a gap between what the employer wants and what you mention.
Even though it takes a little bit of extra time to customize your resume, you’ll be getting more responses as a result. Think about it this way: Would you rather send out 100 applications and get only 1 response? Or would you rather send 20 applications and get 5 responses?
However, you might be thinking “Well, I don’t have any experience to share on my resume, so how can I customize it for a specific job?” Well, keep on reading!
2. Highlight Any Academic Experience As Much as Possible
If you do not have any work experience, your academic experience IS your work experience. Think back to any class projects, presentations, internships and even individual work that you completed for your education.
When to showcase this on a resume or job interview, it shows employers that you are a great fit for the role. Additionally, you can use your academic experience to highlight any job related skills (like excel or Adobe Photoshop). Additionally, you can highlight any soft skills such as public speaking, leadership and more.
Make sure to put your education on the top of your resume (below your contact info). When you list your accomplishments, use words like “led”, “organized” or “facilitated”.
3. Consider Volunteer Work or Internships
If you don’t have the work experience to fill a resume, consider adding any volunteer work or internships. Additionally, you can search for volunteer or internship opportunities related to your career goals. For instance, if you wanted to work in music production, you can volunteer at a studio or to edit any media. You can even do it for a local group or nonprofit organization. Through completing this type of work, you will be able to learn more about the industry as well as the day-to-day responsibilities of this position. Additionally, you will gain relevant experience that you can include on your resume.
4. Build Your Network
In 2023, it’s all about WHO you know. So, building your network is essential. Through networking with people in positions or industries you want to work in, you will be able to develop professional connections to further your career. Additionally, you can even ask your family or friends if they know anyone working in your desired industry and request and introduction. Take things a step further- contact people through your network on LinkedIn and invite them for lunch or a coffee to speak with them about their work. These are also known as informational interviews. They can guide you and help you learn more about your desired career while making professional connections with others in the industry.
There are many ways that you can build your network:
– Become a member of a professional organization related to your desired role
– Attend industry events, conferences or seminars
– Connect with industry-specific groups on social media
5. Complete Courses or Certifications
If you don’t have the skills needed, you can always develop the skills for your desired career. Start by taking courses or earning a professional certification that’s relevant to what you want to do. You can always take courses from a local community college or local organization on your area. There are also so many online options for classes and degree programs. Additionally, you can take online courses from many e-learning platforms. Here are just a few of the top platforms:
Udemy
Skillshare
Coursera
Khan Academy
Udacity
LinkedIn Learning
LearnDash
FutureLearn
6. Apply To Entry-Level Jobs
While you’re looking for a job in a profession you don’t have experience in, primarily focus on entry-level roles. You are always able to apply for higher-level roles and “shoot for the moon”. However, it is a better use of your time to start with entry-level roles. Entry-level roles will allow you to build the skills you need to progress later in your career. Ideally, you should stay at an entry-level position for 1-2 years before you take on a role with more responsibility in your chosen profession.
Don’t Let Lack of Experience Deter You
Even if you do not have any experience with the job you are applying to, it won’t automatically disqualify you. These are just a few strategies that you can use to gain leverage to land the job without experience. It may take some time and patience, but you can find the right role if you follow the right steps.
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Career Depot Podcast was launched to address the needs of Americans and their careers. Stay up to date on the latest news and tips to assist you in taking your career too the next level. Take control of where your future is headed. Tune into Career Depot Podcast as they navigate the ins and outs of today’s job market, & workforce.
