How to get a job with no experience

Applying for a job when you have no experience might seem intimidating when you're trying to move up the professional ladder; but, if you have a little bit of perseverance and drive, you can still find the possibilities that are appropriate for you. 

If you haven't held a job throughout your time at college, you can find yourself in the proverbial "catch-22" predicament, in which you need experience to get a job but you also need a job in order to land more experience.

Keep in mind that even though this may make you feel alone, you are in no way the only one going through this. Many other students who are in their last year of school or who have just graduated will be at the same location as you. Like you, they have spent the last few years concentrating on their academics.

It is true that getting job immediately after graduating from university without having any experience to add on your CV might seem like an insurmountable feat; but, there are lots of methods to give your CV a boost, obtain the skills that prospective employers are pursuing, and get your foot in the door.

Look for available positions such as internships and apprenticeships.

Internships and apprenticeships are excellent methods to get the necessary experience, and they are a terrific option for job seekers who are having trouble finding long-term or permanent work. They make it possible to earn a pay while obtaining first-hand knowledge of a job or organization, they are helpful for creating a network of connections, and they may occasionally lead to permanent employment.

Your internship will seem very good on your resume, and it may help you separate out from the other applicants. Check the websites of the firms and organizations that interest you to find out whether they offer formal internship programs and what opportunities are currently available to apply. Because openings at small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are seldom posted, you may be required to submit unsolicited applications to these businesses.

Because internships may last anything from a few weeks to a whole year and because they are so popular, applicants should be prepared to go through a competitive application process, particularly at bigger businesses.

During an apprenticeship, you will be paid to do actual work while also pursuing a recognized academic credential. You will first enter into an agreement with your company, and then you will begin your training for a certain occupation.

Apprenticeships include a commitment over a longer period of time and often take between one and four years to finish. After completing their respective training programs, the vast majority of apprentices are offered permanent employment.

Find out how to submit your application for a position as an apprentice.

Start volunteering

Volunteering is a certain method to increase your employability, particularly if you do not have any experience that is related to the field in which you are interested. Typically, volunteering roles are easier to get than internships. Even if the work is unpaid, you will benefit in the long run from the skills and connections you acquire.

Experience gained via volunteering demonstrates dedication, initiative, and a strong work ethic, all of which are attributes that potential employers see as useful and desirable.

You will also learn a wide variety of transferrable skills that are in high demand, such as:

teamwork

confidence

time management

adaptability

communication

organisation.

You should make an effort to get volunteer work that is relevant to the field you would want to work in. For instance, if you would like to work with children, you should try to volunteer in schools or with organizations that serve young people.

Don't worry if you can't find anything relevant; any experience gained via volunteering will look great on your resume and provide you with examples from real life that you can discuss during an interview.

You may be able to discover possibilities in your region by contacting organizations such as:

Do-it.org

Studenteer

Volunteering Matters

Conduct a search for all chances to volunteer.

Create a web of connections.

When you're just getting started with little to no experience, the people you know might be just as vital as the information you have at your disposal. It's always helpful when someone you know personally can suggest you to a potential job. However, if you're having trouble breaking into the working world, how can you go about establishing a network of contacts?

Utilize the connections that are accessible to you before you graduate if you are currently enrolled in an academic institution. Take use of opportunities such as job fairs, events for recruiting and networking, and speeches or lectures given by employers. You could talk to the jobs department at your institution to find out if they can connect you with companies that are active in the field that interests you.

You never know when the individuals you encounter through work experience assignments or internships, as well as other volunteers, may come in handy, so it's important to stay in contact with them. Lecturers are a good place to start.

The use of social media is not only an efficient method for creating but also for preserving your professional network. The benefits that may accrue from participating in conversations on social networking sites like Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as following and connecting with businesses and people working in your industry of choice, can be very substantial. It is not unheard of for a job to be provided to a student or graduate based on their social media accounts. [Case in point:] the LinkedIn profile of a recent graduate.

Put your focus on the abilities you already possess.

Volunteering, internships, and other forms of work experience are very necessary if you want to prevent your resume from seeming to be empty while you are applying for jobs.

When you're composing your curriculum vitae, put more of an emphasis on the talents you already possess as opposed to the ones you don't. Review the job description, then write a list of all of your qualifications—both professional and personal—that make you a suitable candidate for the position.

Communicating well, being able to lead others, being able to collaborate effectively with others, and paying close attention to detail should all be highlighted. Take a look at the vital talents that companies are seeking for, as this will be helpful to you.

Do not gloss over this reality, though, since it is quite possible that you do not have any firsthand experience in the sector that you have selected. Make advantage of it instead to show that you are passionate about learning and are motivated to do so. It is important to highlight instances of your passion and commitment to learning that you have received from volunteer work, internships, or observing others in the workplace.

In addition, make sure that you don't undervalue the dedication that you've shown to any clubs or sports teams that you've participated in throughout your time at the institution. This is due to the fact that you will have gained abilities in areas such as working with a team and becoming a leader. Discover more about the value of participating in activities outside of the classroom.

Check out our sample resumes and cover letters to get a better idea of how to present yourself to potential employers even if you don't have any work experience.

Aim for more realistic roles.

There's nothing wrong with having lofty goals, but if you don't have any work experience under your belt, it's a waste of time to begin your job hunt by applying for senior positions. Realistically, you should aim for positions at entry level or junior levels, and you should be ready to begin your career from the bottom and work your way up.

Applying for positions in regional offices, which may have a lower level of competition, or applying to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), which may have been missed by other applicants, are also good options.

It is also advisable to take proactive measures by submitting speculative applications to potential employers. Even while the vast majority of jobs that are listed need applicants to have some kind of relevant experience, there's nothing to indicate that you couldn't create your own opening by presenting what you can bring to the table for the company.

You should apply to businesses that interest you after doing research on them. Since you are trying to break into the business, you should tailor each application to the specific job opening and inquire whether there are any entry-level employment available.

Even if the organization may not have any relevant positions at this moment, you can still make the most of the chance by asking if you might do some work experience for the firm or shadow one of its workers. This will allow you to make the most of the opportunity.