They say you have to have experience to get a job, but what if you don’t? Or if you’re young and looking to make your mark on the world? In this article, we will share tips you can utilise to give yourself a greater chance of getting a job and understanding how to get a job with zero experience.
Contents
The Importance of What You Put on Your Resume
On the internet you will find plenty of jobs, many in your local area. Applying for jobs has never been easier, however, competition is fierce. When you can’t introduce yourself personally, your resume (and cover letter) has to do all the talking for you.
People with years of work experience will be able to document their working history and detail their achievements on their resume. Just because you can’t doesn’t mean that you can’t make use of the space on the page.
If you lack a wealth of work experience, include:
- Ambitions
- Goals
- Skills
- Education
- Enthusiasm
…for the type of role and industry you’re applying to.
Not only should your resume have the right information to present you as an enthusiastic and proactive person who is determined to find and succeed in work, but it should also look professional and be tailored to the specific job role that you are applying for. A well-presented resume gives the impression of someone who has taken their time in applying, is serious about their job search and knows how to present themselves.
You can create an attractive resume in all good word processing software packages such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs that also come with example resume templates. If you don’t like the ones included check out websites such as Resume Genius.
Apply for jobs in person
The internet can be great for identifying and applying for jobs, but while it provides convenience, it lacks the personal touch of meeting someone face-to-face and greeting them with a handshake.
If you identify jobs in your local area and have the means to do so, consider applying for jobs in person, smartly presented with a printed copy of your resume. Making the effort to introduce yourself to the hiring manager and taking a couple of minutes of their time to tell them a brief bit about yourself can make a strong first impression and leave them with a lasting memory. Enough for them to consider inviting you back for a job interview.
Before venturing out, be sure to do some preliminary research on the company you are going to. A quick chat with the hiring manager is advantageous but if they begin asking questions, you want to be able to answer them and clearly articulate why you want to work there.
Internships & Work Experience To Help You Get a Full-Time Job
A lack of work experience can be a difficult obstacle to overcome when applying for jobs. A great way to overcome this is by taking on volunteering positions or internships which will help build your resume. Although gaining experience in the industry you’d like to obtain full-time work in would be advantageous, it doesn’t matter where you find work, what matters is that you take the time to learn and develop your skills.
An internship or unpaid work experience can help you strengthen your resume and job interview performance by now giving you more content to add relating to your skill set, how you approached tasks and what challenges you faced during your time as an intern.
Here’s why internships and relevant work experience are valuable:
Real-World Experience
Internships provide a platform to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. This hands-on experience is invaluable as it helps you understand the nuances of the job and industry, making you more prepared and confident when you transition to a full-time role.
Skill Development
Internships and part-time jobs help you develop essential professional skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and problem-solving. These experiences allow you to acquire new technical skills specific to your industry, which can be a significant advantage over other candidates who may only have academic knowledge.
Networking Opportunities
Internships offer a unique opportunity to build a professional network. The connections you make during your internship can lead to job referrals, mentorship, and industry insights. Networking within the company or industry can often open doors to full-time positions that might not be advertised publicly.
Understanding Company Culture
Internships allow you to get a feel for the company culture and work environment, helping you decide if it’s a good fit for your long-term career goals. This insight is beneficial as it can guide you in choosing the right company and role that align with your values and career aspirations.
Enhancing Your Resume
Having internship experience on your resume can make a significant difference. Employers often prefer candidates who have some level of professional experience. Internships show that you have been proactive in gaining relevant skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate.
Finding Internships
There are various platforms and resources where you can find internship opportunities:
• University/College Career Services: Most educational institutions have dedicated career services (for current and past students) that connect students with internship or work experience opportunities. Reach out to them and see what is available.
• Online Job Boards: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Internship-USA are excellent resources for finding internship listings.
• Company Websites: Check the careers section of companies you are interested in. Many companies post internship opportunities directly on their websites.
• Professional Associations: Join industry-specific professional organizations which often provide job boards and internship listings for their members.
• Networking: Utilize your network, including family, friends, professors, and alumni, to learn about potential internships. Networking events and career fairs can also be valuable in finding internship opportunities.
Understand your strengths and skills
One of the best ways to secure a job offer and impress in a job interview situation is to understand your skills and strengths. When you understand what you are good at, then you can draft an effective resume that highlights these skills and perform better under interview conditions.
Figure out what are your strengths and skills that are relevant for the roles you want to apply for. Look at the job descriptions carefully to identify the skills required for these positions and use what you have to build an impressive resume for that job role.
A good exercise is to list all the work-related skills you have so you know which ones you can confidently put on your resume, and where possible provide examples of where you have used them. If you’re not sure what skills you may or may not have, look around online for web pages such as 99+ Key Skills for a CV.
After doing this exercise, when browsing various job roles you may find your skills are suited to jobs you hadn’t previously considered.
Understand Your Interests and Values
Understanding your interests and personal values will help you to discover what kind of jobs you are interested in and what kind of company culture might suit you.
There is a lot to be said about having experience when applying for jobs but also a lot can be said for bringing a genuine interest and passion to a job role. Just because someone has more experience than you doesn’t mean they will beat you to the job if you show that you want it more.
With this in mind, you can begin to research different companies that might be a good fit for you. You can do this by looking at their website, social media profiles or even talking to an employee working there, if you happen to know someone.
Once you find a company with the right culture and values, see if they have any job opportunities available. Even if they don’t, a lot of companies will have a dedicated careers page on their website. Visit this and see if there is a way of submitting your resume for future positions or just a way to introduce yourself to the business.
Networking
Most job hunters will have heard the saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know”, and that saying exists for a reason.
As a new graduate or someone looking to understand how to get a job with zero experience, it can be difficult. However, with the help of your personal network and social circle, you will be able to find your next opportunity more easily.
Your friends and family are the first people that will help you find a job. They are likely to have been in a similar situation as you are at one point and they will most likely know about the latest openings in their company or industry.
The benefit of using your personal network is that you know the individuals well. They are able to give insight into what kind of duties that would be involved within any advertised role. They can also help when it comes to understanding how this position may fit into your career goals.
It is important to start networking as early as possible if you want to find a job without experience. Make sure you take advantage of any connections that come up, such as friends or family members who work at companies that might hire for positions where you would like to work.
Enthusiasm and Personality
When applying for jobs you should look to use your personality and enthusiasm to let them know more about you. That means putting some thought into your resume and cover letter, but it also means coming up with some different ideas about how to stand out when applying for jobs.
This way, they’ll get a sense of who you are as a person and what you can bring to their company.
Whilst having work experience to list would be great, it’s also important to showcase your personality. Hiring managers are looking for more than just experience, they want to see someone with passion, drive and a fire in their belly to succeed.
When an employer sees that you are passionate about your work and interested in their company they will be more likely to offer you a job interview and if you can carry that energy into your interview you stand a better chance of getting the job.
Practical Tips for Showcasing Enthusiasm and Personality
• Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to express why you’re passionate about the industry and the specific role. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm.
• Interview: Be prepared to discuss why you’re excited about the opportunity. Show genuine interest by asking insightful questions about the company and the role.
• Body Language: During the interview, maintain eye contact, smile, and use positive body language to convey your enthusiasm.
• Follow-Up: Send a thank-you email after the interview, reiterating your excitement about the position and appreciation for the opportunity to interview.
Certain jobs will require skills and experience that is essential and can only be learned through years of work or education, but many jobs have skills that can be taught on the job allowing you to get the experience while you train and learn. The one thing that can’t be taught is enthusiasm and character. These are things that are special to you.
Conclusion
Securing a job with zero experience may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it’s entirely achievable. Focus on highlighting your transferable skills, tailoring your resume, and building a strong network. Gaining experience through internships or volunteering can provide practical insights and improve your resume. Showcasing enthusiasm and personality in your applications and interviews will help you stand out and make a positive impression on potential employers.
Remember, persistence and a proactive attitude are key. By continuously improving your skills and leveraging available resources, you can successfully navigate the job market and land your desired role. Stay positive, keep learning, and take each step with confidence. Your efforts will pay off as you move closer to achieving your career goals.
You may also find some of our other articles useful in your job search:
13 Top Job Interview Tips – The Definitive Guide
