Search for a job near me

Examine your transferrable skills.

Lack of experience in a certain sector does not inevitably make you an unsuitable candidate. Things learnt in one employment are often transferable to another.

"I can think of more than one incident when a candidate was able to pitch themselves for a certain function despite having little or no experience and who subsequently went on to be a terrific match for the position long term," says Julie Rulis, Western Union's talent acquisition manager.

"Companies can teach their staff on technical skills far more easily than on basic characteristics such as leadership, analytical ability, drive, ambition, and problem-solving. These characteristics apply to a wide range of businesses and functional domains."

According to David Couper, a career counselor and author of "Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career... Even When You Don't Fit In," consider how your previous industry and your intended one are similar. "Insurance claims processing is comparable to medical claims processing. This comparison would be appropriate if you wished to go from financial services to health care."

Take a look around the office.

Employment is not the only factor that influences a candidate. "Do an examination of your extracurricular activities and identify the skills you employed," Couper suggests. "These tasks might range from chairing a PTA group to recreating a chair at home. My coaching client had expertise in charity fundraising via his extreme cycling hobby, where he gathered funds to sponsor significant events. He used his skills to get a full-time position in business development at an advertising firm."

Make a functional resume.

Your job is to show a potential employer what you have to give, not what you don't. Thus, replacing a traditional résumé that focuses on employment history with a functional résumé that focuses on competencies may be beneficial.

"If an applicant lacks experience, his résumé should highlight examples of professional skills, such as problem-solving, time management, or other skills related to the specific industry and position he desires," says John Robak, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Greeley and Hansen, a leading national niche firm based in Chicago that specializes in innovative engineering solutions.

"Most significantly, the job seeker should clarify how his abilities would benefit an employer and how he may utilize these skills in the position he is seeking."

Couper also suggests include a recommendation from a personal contact in your cover letter. "Having a reference from someone the employer respects can assist to offset any flaws in your history that he may notice."

In the interview, sell yourself.

With a good understanding of what you bring to the table, the interview is the opportunity to make the link evident to the hiring manager. This entails not just understanding your own talents, but also how those skills relate to the company's objectives and demands.

"It's critical to spend time learning the job prior to the interview so the candidate may position himself or herself appropriately and be prepared for any questions that come up," Rulis adds.

If the interviewer brings out your lack of experience, experts advise you to attempt to shift the discussion to the talents you do have. What you should not do: lie.

"Don't act," Couper cautions. "The interviewer is aware of your level of experience. For example, a recruiting manager I know would inquire about applicants' familiarity with Microsoft Excel. If the applicant could not understand what a pivot table was, the manager recognized he lacked in-depth understanding."

Demonstrate commitment

Finally, it is vital to show employers that your interest in their field is more than just a fleeting idea or a desperate effort to get work. Among the options are:

• Conducting preliminary research on a firm before an interview.

• Consistently researching the subject.

• Participating at professional conferences.

• Speaking with (and networking with) the right people.