If you want to know how to get hired without experience, we have 7 simple strategies to help you find a job.
Landing your first job can be difficult, as most employers like to see that you have previous experience related in some way to the position. If you are looking at job postings and have no experience in this field, you are already at a clear disadvantage, especially if the job market is competitive. But I don’t think you should give up just yet.
Remember that everyone has faced the challenge of getting their first job with no experience, and some employers are more understanding about this and regularly offer entry-level jobs. The key is knowing how to find these opportunities and how to stand out from other candidates.
Also remember that even if you don’t have any work experience, you may have other life experiences relevant to the job(s) you’re interested in.
Here are seven clever tips to help you get hired without experience.
1. Start with an internship or volunteer opportunities
Internships are a great way to combat that initial lack of experience that can raise red flags with employers. This gives you the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a specific career field that you can add to a resume. It’s a great idea to research internship opportunities when you’re in college or trade school, but you can probably find some of these opportunities at any point in your career.
I ended up doing two internships while in college. They were both unpaid, but they gave me a ton of practical, useful work experience, and I was able to pad out my resume that way. I also made valuable connections with people at these companies and obtained work samples for my walletsince I was just beginning my writing career.
You can find leads on internship opportunities at your college or use sites like Search for internships, IdealisticOr External. Popular job boards like LinkedIn also occasionally list companies hiring for internships or apprenticeships, providing hands-on experience in your field. If you are interested in pursuing a trade, you may be able to contact different companies and ask if you can work as a helper or apprentice to gain valuable experience.
Volunteering Working in local organizations or joining a committee can also be a great way to gain experience and meet people. Earlier in my writing career, I volunteered to edit the National Resume Writers Association newsletter. I had no experience other than a journalism degree, but I simply asked for the role and they were happy to let me try it. I learned more about the editing process and how to manage deadlines, as well as improved my communication thanks to this volunteer role.
2. Consider getting professional certification
Get certified doesn’t guarantee you’ll land a job, but it may give you a competitive advantage or even meet a requirement in your field. If your desired job field values certifications, going this route can help you land a job without much experience.
My first job out of high school was cooking and serving samples in grocery stores. The job didn’t require a lot of experience, but I did need to get my food safety certification because I would be handling different types of food, depending on what products I was preparing during my shift. It was a short course to get certified, but it helped me start the new job with almost no prior experience.
In some areas, certifications are required to work with certain clients or handle certain materials. In other cases, it demonstrates your dedication to developing your skills and advancing your career. Regardless, take the time to thoroughly research your job market and what employers are looking for before investing your time or money in obtaining a certification.
Going to college is expensive, and there are many high-paying professional positions that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. So it’s always important to do your research and know what your ideal employer is looking for.
3. Apply for an entry-level job with no experience
Some companies hire people with no experience. Some of these jobs may include customer service Or sales rolesor other remote roles like data entry.
Whether or not you are looking for a new career path, these jobs are often plentiful and can train you and help you develop certain skills. These skills and experiences can transfer to other positions in the future, even if it’s a completely different job field.
Another tip I recommend is to use the filtering features offered by most online job platforms. You can often specify the type of job opportunities you want by choosing options like “entry-level positions” or “no experience required” to better help you find positions that might be a good fit for you.
Related: 36 Legitimate Work From Home Jobs With No Experience
4. Expand your network
As the popular saying goes, “it’s not always what you know, but who you know.” There’s never a better time to build and grow your network than when you don’t have a lot of professional experience.
Create a profile on LinkedIn and connect with former classmates, recruiters, and follow jobs that interest you. If you’re interning or trying to build a portfolio, you can post on LinkedIn to expand your reach and connect with more people.
LinkedIn is more than just a place to share your resume and skills. It has become a real social platform in recent years, and there is now even a feature that allows you to create your own long-form newsletters.
You might also consider testing LinkedIn Premium (a paid feature) to see if it adds value to your job search.
5. Attend industry events
Don’t count out industry events or conferences, even if you’re early in your career. While I wouldn’t recommend attending a random conference, attending an event strategically can help you grow your career.
Be sure to weigh out-of-pocket expenses and realistically estimate how you might get a return on your investment. I used to attend a conference every year, and it helped me meet so many people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise, and I was also able to land a lot of freelance clients that way.
You also don’t have to travel across the country for an industry event. You can start small by going to local mixers and meetups. Check out where these events are happening and be ready to go for them. Who knows, you might meet your future employer at one of these events.
6. Follow up like a professional
Following up after your application or interview is one of the easiest ways to stand out. But unfortunately, it’s also one of the most overlooked steps in the job search process. Following up on an application or interview shows potential employers that you are very interested in the position, respect their time, and are serious about contributing to the company.
You should send a follow-up email or a letter within 24 hours of the interview. Share something that stands out about your life experiences, past volunteer work or goals, and how you plan to contribute to this role in some way.
Even if you don’t have all the qualifications listed in the job description, express your willingness to learn and take action to grow. This will help position you as a potential candidate, even if you’re still at the entry-level stage.
7. Bonus Idea: Create Your Own Job
Of course, if you’re having trouble landing a job without experience, you can always step outside of traditional employment and create your own job.
There is always a demand for freelancers and creative entrepreneurs these days. It’s not an easy path, but if you are passionate about something and eager to learn, you can try creating products or services sell by yourself.
You also don’t have to go out and do this full time. Maybe this sounds like an entry-level job somewhere or a part-time job in retailsales, or hospitality while simultaneously building your self-employment dream career.
This may be different for everyone. But be sure to assess the market for your business idea and identify the specific and soft skills you might need. Over time, you can use the business you’ve built as relevant experience for a traditional job if you ever decide to switch gears later.
Being hired without experience: it’s about momentum, not perfection
It’s common to have difficulty finding a good job when you lack relevant experience. But instead of chasing the perfect opportunity, you can focus on achieving impact with these creative ideas. Jobs are often stepping stones to other opportunities throughout our careers, and we all have to start somewhere.
Start expanding your network, volunteering, and creating a resume and cover letter that leverages your personal experience and life experience to narrow down a job that might be a good fit for you right now. You can also develop your skills through internships, apprenticeships and opportunities you create yourself. This creates momentum that will help turn “no experience” into your next paying opportunity.
