Get my job

Look for opportunities for internships and apprenticeships.

Internships and apprenticeships are excellent opportunities to get valuable experience if you are unable to secure a long-term or permanent career. They let you to earn money while learning about a profession or organization firsthand, are great for networking, and may occasionally lead to permanent employment.

An internship looks good on your resume and may help you stand out from the crowd. Some bigger corporations may offer formal internship programs, so visit the websites of organizations that interest you to see what's available. Because small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) seldom announce their openings, you may need to apply speculatively.

Internships may last anything from a few weeks to a year and are quite popular; anticipate a tough application process, particularly at bigger firms.

An apprenticeship will place you in a genuine work while you study for a recognized certification. You'll sign a contract with your company after which you'll be trained in a certain job.

Apprenticeships are a long-term commitment that may last anywhere from one to four years. The majority of apprentices are promised employment upon completion of their training program.

Learn how to apply for a job as an apprentice.

Begin volunteering.

Volunteering roles, which are often easier to get than internships, are a sure-fire approach to increase your employability, particularly if you lack relevant experience. Even if it is unpaid, you will benefit from the skills and relationships you learn.

Volunteering demonstrates dedication, initiative, and a strong work ethic, all of which are important and attractive qualities to potential employers.

You'll also gain a variety of valuable, transferrable skills, such as:

teamwork self-assurance time management adaptability communication organization

Volunteer in areas related to the field you want to work in; for example, if you want to work with children, volunteer in schools or with youth organizations.

If you can't find something relevant, don't panic; any volunteer experience can strengthen your CV and provide you with real-life examples to cite during an interview.

Opportunities in your region may be found via organizations such as:

Create your networks.

When you first start out, who you know might be just as essential as what you know. A personal referral to an employer might be quite beneficial. But how can you create a network of connections while you're unable to get work?

Use the connections accessible to you at university before you graduate. Use employment fairs, recruitment networking events, and company speeches or lectures to your advantage. Visit your university's career center to see if they can connect you with companies in your field.

Maintain communication with instructors, individuals you meet on work placements or internships, and other volunteers; you never know when these connections may come in handy.

Social media may also help you create and manage your professional network. Following and interacting with firms and people in your chosen sector on sites like Twitter and LinkedIn may offer astounding results. It is fairly uncommon for students and grads to be offered jobs based on their social media presence.

Highlight your abilities.

Work experience, internships, and volunteering are all necessary to ensure that your CV does not seem empty throughout the application process.

When creating your CV, emphasize your strengths rather than your weaknesses. Analyze the job description and build a list of all the talents and personal attributes that qualify you for the position.

Make a point of emphasizing soft and transferrable abilities such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and attention to detail. Take a look at the vital talents that companies are searching for to assist you.

Don't ignore this truth, though, since you're likely to lack firsthand experience in your chosen industry. Instead, utilize it to display your want to learn. Showcase your devotion and commitment to learning via volunteer work, internships, or job shadowing.

Also, don't underestimate your dedication to any societies or sports teams you've been a member of while at university. This is because you will have honed abilities such as teamwork and leadership. Find out more about the significance of extracurricular activities.

View our sample CVs and learn how to create a cover letter for a job applicant with no experience.

Identify positions that are realistic.

There's nothing wrong with striving high, but if you have no prior experience, applying for senior positions is meaningless. Instead, go for entry-level or junior positions and be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up.

Applying for positions in regional offices may be less competitive, and applying to SMEs may let you uncover excellent firms that others may have ignored.

It is also beneficial to be proactive by sending out speculative applications. While the majority of announced openings demand prior experience, who says you couldn't create your own vacancy by emphasizing what you can add to the company?

Conduct your homework and apply to firms that pique your interest. As you strive to enter into the sector, tailor each application and inquire about entry-level opportunities.

Although the organization may not have any relevant vacancies at this moment, you may still take use of the chance by asking if you might perform some work experience for the firm or shadow one of its workers.