5 Ways to Get a Job With No Experience

Looking for a job is hard, but what do you do when you have no experience?
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If you've just graduated school you might be on the hunt for your first real job. Or, perhaps, you've just decided on a career change and are looking to try something new. You might be asking yourself, "how do I get a job without experience?" This is one of the biggest challenges many job seekers face. Before you start to stress out about not having tangible experience remember one thing: everyone starts off without experience, so you're not alone. It is easy to feel intimated but with some hard work, ambition and confidence you can make it happen.

  1. Accept your situation.

    If you are applying to entry-level positions, employers are not going to be expecting your resume to be filled with experience. Embrace your inexperience and use it as your motivation to learn. Highlighting examples of your dedication and commitment to learning and growth can go a long way. Hiring managers are always looking for individuals who are willing to work hard and learn.

  2. Since you can't go in through the door, find an open window.

    Just because you don't have a resume full of experience doesn't mean that you don't have skills to offer companies. Some skill sets are valuable in jobs that can help you get a job close to the one you want. For example, if you have great social media skills and you want to work in the publishing industry, you can try to see if there's an opportunity to help manage their Facebook or Twitter.

  3. Emphasize your soft skills.

    Soft skills are those skills unrelated to specific knowledge. Showcase qualities like professionalism, friendliness, etc. It might be difficult to put "gets along with everyone" on your resume, but writing "excellent communication skills in a group environment to ensure team worked in harmony" will resonate with an employer and could help you get the job without experience.

  4. Work for free.

    It isn't an ideal situation, but you are able to get that experience and it is padding for your resume. Volunteering or taking on an unpaid internship can help you build a network and get a foot in the door.

  5. Network.

    Building a personal network is a great and reliable path to a job at any stage of your career. Connecting with everyone you know and having access to their contacts through social media can go a long way. You never know who in your network can help set you on the right path for you to seize the open opportunity.

Be realistic about your situation all the while maintaining your optimism. Do something every day to find a job with the mind-set that it is a chance for you to learn and grow. As you're doing this, think about what would make employers excited about you? Create a compelling case for yourself and take charge at getting experience of promoting yourself.

 

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