Getting your first job with no prior work experience can seem daunting. Many employers require 1-3 years of experience even for entry-level roles. However, don’t get discouraged. There are still plenty of ways to land a job even if you don’t have any experience on your resume yet.
In this article, we’ll explore how to get a job with no experience. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why do employers want experience?
- Strategies to get a job with no experience
- Where to find entry-level jobs that don’t require experience
- How to write an effective resume with no experience
- Acing the interview without experience
Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to landing your first job in no time.
Why Do Employers Want Experience?
Many employers request 1-3 years of experience, even for entry-level roles. Why is that? There are a few reasons employers highly value prior experience:
- Proven skills – With previous jobs, candidates can clearly showcase skills they’ve already used in a professional setting.
- Lower training time – Experienced hires require less training to get up to speed. They have existing knowledge to build off of.
- Higher productivity faster – Experienced workers are productive faster than new hires who need to learn everything from scratch.
- Demonstrated reliability – Experience shows a candidate can consistently show up and deliver results in a work environment.
However, don’t let the catch-22 of needing experience to gain experience deter you. With the right strategies, you can get a job without any prior experience on your resume.
Strategies to Get a Job With No Experience
Here are the top strategies for getting a job when you have no relevant work experience:
1. Leverage Your Other Experience
Have you volunteered, participated in internships, or held leadership roles? Every form of experience counts.
Highlight your transferable skills from:
- Internships
- Volunteering
- Club leadership roles
- Academic projects
- Sports
- Hobbies
For example, volunteering demonstrates reliability, leadership roles showcase management abilities, and academics projects prove you can solve complex problems.
2. Get an Entry-Level Job in the Field
Look for entry-level roles where employers are open to training fresh talent:
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Assistant positions
- Trainee programs
- Paid externships
- Fellowships
These roles expect candidates to learn on the job. Use them to get your foot in the door, gain skills and prove yourself.
3. Take Courses to Build Your Skills
Beef up your skills portfolio through:
- Certification programs
- Online classes and tutorials
- Seminars
- Workshops
Get training for in-demand skills like Excel, coding languages, social media marketing and more.
4. Network and Make Connections
Tapping into your personal and professional networks is key:
- Leverage your school’s career center and alumni network
- Attend industry events to build connections
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn
- Join local Chambers of Commerce and network
- Seek out informational interviews
- Consider freelancing to build experience and connections
Many jobs are never posted publicly and networking is the only way in. Over 80% of jobs are filled through networking.
5. Highlight Your Motivation and Soft Skills
Flaunt your soft skills and eagerness to learn through your resume, interview and references:
- Work ethic
- Quick learner
- Team player
- Problem solver
- Communication
- Motivation and passion
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
These qualities demonstrate your potential even if you lack direct experience.
Where to Find Entry-Level Jobs That Don’t Require Experience
Focus your job search on newer companies and startups. Established firms tend to require experience. Try these sources:
Entry-Level Job Boards
- LinkedIn Entry Level Jobs
- Monster College Jobs
- WayUp
- Internships.com
- AfterCollege
- CareerRookie
These sites cater to college students and recent grads seeking their first jobs.
Startups and Smaller Companies
Look for startups and small companies where you can get in on the ground floor. Great places to find these include:
- AngelList
- Built In
- VentureLoop
- SeedJobs
- Under30CEO Jobs
Professional Associations
Industry and professional groups often list entry-level openings:
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- Associations for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
- And more associations in your specific field…
Local Job Boards
Your city or town likely has local job boards as well featuring entry-level roles close to home.
How to Write an Effective Resume With No Experience
With no professional experience, focus on highlighting your skills, achievements and quantifiable examples through volunteering, academics, projects and transferable skills.
Tips for Writing a Solid Entry Level Resume
- Lead with a Skills or Summary section prominently outlining applicable abilities.
- Include a Skills subsection under each role citing examples and achievements.
- Prioritize Education over Experience and include relevant coursework.
- Add Projects section outlining academic, volunteer or hobby projects.
- Incorporate numbers, statistics and metrics to quantify achievements.
- Mention any awards, honors, scholarships or recognitions earned.
- List relevant coursework, workshops or training programs completed.
You have more great skills and experience than you think. With the right resume strategy, you can make them shine.
Good Skills to Include
- Communication skills
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Technical skills like Excel, coding or software
- Writing and verbal skills
- Foreign language skills
- Research/analytical abilities
- Social media, marketing and sales talents
- Customer service and interpersonal skills
These transferable abilities demonstrate your potential in a variety of first jobs.
Acing the Interview Without Experience
Interviews are your chance to stand out and prove you have what it takes to excel on the job.
Strategies to Impress Interviewers Without Experience
- Share specific examples demonstrating relevant skills and motivation to learn.
- Ask thoughtful questions to show interest in the role and company mission.
- Highlight successes from academics, activities or volunteer work.
- Explain how your skills from other experiences translate to the position.
- Show passion and excitement for the opportunity to break into the field.
- Research the company beforehand and reference facts.
- Send a follow up thank you note after the interview.
Confidence, authenticity and fit matter more than direct experience. Come prepared to showcase why you’re the right candidate for the job.
Common Entry Level Interview Questions
Expect interviewers to ask about your abilities, motivation for the role and background. Practice great answers to questions like:
- Why are you interested in this opportunity?
- What applicable skills do you have for this role?
- What would make you a great addition to our team?
- How do you manage learning new skills quickly?
- What motivates you most in a job?
- How do you prioritize tasks when multitasking?
- Tell me about a challenging situation and how you handled it.
- Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years?
Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to craft compelling examples demonstrating times you’ve used relevant abilities.
Conclusion
While it can be tricky landing your first job without experience, it is possible. Showcase your motivation, transferable skills and quick learning abilities. Pursue entry-level openings at startups and smaller companies. Beef up your skills portfolio with courses and certifications. Network consistently. Finally, craft a strong resume and ace the interview.
With determination and the right strategies, you can get your foot in the door even without experience. Before you know it, you’ll have that first job on your resume and be on your way to career success.