You’ve found a job ad that caught your eye. And then you see the dreaded words: “Minimum 2 years experience in a similar position.” So, how can you get a job without experience? Fret not—we’ve got you covered.
As a recent graduate or a professional looking to shift careers, the need for relevant work experience can undermine your confidence and prevent you from applying to some jobs at all. It may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but it is possible to get your first job without previous job experience.
Whether you are a student with no prior job experience or a seasoned professional making a career change, we’ll show you how to get a job with no experience.
How to Get a Job with No Experience: Tips for New Grads
Believe it or not, it is possible to get a job and start your career with no prior work experience—as long as you’re willing to make the effort. Here are our tips for new grads looking to break into the job market:
Be clear about your motivations
Before you even start applying for your dream job, you need to know why you’re doing it. No, needing a job to pay the rent is not motivation enough in the eyes of a recruiter.
Why do you want to work in that position or industry? There’s a good reason recruiters ask similar questions during the application process and interviews. It helps them measure how motivated you are. High motivation will keep you engaged at work, happy to learn, and a more pleasant and collaborative coworker—all traits a recruiter is looking for.
Companies do their best to keep employees motivated—from awards and bonuses to fun perks. But all the extrinsic motivation in the world won’t keep you happy and productive if your intrinsic motivation is low.
When talking about your motivations with a potential employer, keep in mind both the position requirements and the niche in which the company operates.
Do your research
Nowadays, a degree is not a pathway to just one career. On the contrary, it can open doors to several career paths and industries. However, having so many options doesn’t mean you should apply to every single one. With job hunting, fewer targeted applications will yield better results than generic mass applications. And the only way to take the time to personalize each application is to make sure you’re only applying to the positions you’re most interested in.
So, where do you start your research? The first place should be with your university’s career center. Universities have plenty of resources to guide students in their transition into the workforce. Advisors and events like job fairs and workshops are a great starting point.
What do you need to find out in your research? Ask yourself:
- What does an average day in this job look like?
- Do I see myself following this career path in 5 years? In 15 years?
- What’s the most exciting part of this career path?
- How does it align with my values and long-term goals?
- Does it align with my personality and what I expect from a job?
- How would I use my skills and strengths?
- Does it offer growth and learning opportunities?
The best way to research, however, is to talk to people in your circle. If you have no work experience and don’t know anyone in your industry of choice, join online groups or reach out to people on LinkedIn. Worried you won’t hear from anyone on LinkedIn? Here’s what you can do to get a positive response every time.
Remember that all experience is useful
Now that you know what your motivation is, it’s time to look at job adverts. Sometimes, even entry-level jobs will require a year or two of experience. But don’t get discouraged just yet.
Experience doesn’t have to mean a previous job at a company. Volunteering, internships, hobbies, student projects, and freelance work also count to showcase your abilities. If you’re unemployed, consider doing any of these things. They’ll teach you new skills, introduce you to new people, and possibly open more doors while waiting for the right opportunity.
You can also work as a freelancer or consultant and still make money while gaining experience.
Go for a functional resume
One final, crucial task to complete before you apply is getting your resume ready. With no work experience to show on the page, writing a resume can be a daunting task.
There are a few types of resumes out there. Each one highlights different aspects of your skills and experience. The most common resume type is the chronological resume. But, it’s not the right one for someone looking for a job with no work experience.
Instead, go for a functional resume. This type of resume showcases your abilities and experiences that make you the best candidate for the job. List the key skills you have that match the position and support each one with a few accomplishments, like so. Don’t worry—accomplishment doesn’t mean just major awards or impressive numbers. Completing a project successfully, assuming leadership during a project, or setting up a system that helped save time are some achievements you can list.
Additionally, a great cover letter attached to your resume can help recruiters see your full potential. Read more about how to write a cover letter that helps you stand out.
Switching Careers: How to Find Work with No Relevant Job Experience
Even if you have years of experience under your belt, you might find yourself applying for jobs without relevant experience if you ever decide to make a major career change. Remember that it’s ok if you don’t have the exact type of experience a recruiter is looking for. Use the tips below to take control of the next stage of your career!
Network
If your goal is to switch careers after a few years in your previous industry, you’re probably no stranger to job hunting, resume writing, and interviewing. However, career changes can be nerve-racking, as it feels like you’re starting over from scratch. Even if you’re starting a career with no job experience in your new industry, you do have more resources than you did as a recent graduate.
This includes a network of associates, mentors, former colleagues and managers, and acquaintances from business events.
Job boards do help find new job openings, but your network will be essential to access those jobs not advertised online. Many times, companies have to pay to post their job vacancies and recruiters get hundreds of applications, so it’s more convenient to hire someone from within the company or who was referred by a trusted employee.
Upskill
Building up your skills is crucial to get new jobs at any stage in your career. The good news is, unless your new profession is regulated (for example, health care, law, or engineering), it’s unlikely you’ll need a new degree.
Depending on your previous job experience and how long you’ve been in the workforce, you’ll need to upgrade some skills and learn new ones from scratch. Also, pay special attention to soft skills and software and tools companies use. There are plenty of courses online to bridge any gaps and update your skills, from technical to soft skills. Upskilling can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or if it feels like you have a lot to catch up with, but you can make a plan to start with the most urgent skills and work your way from there.
Use a Combination Resume
Ready to apply? The next step is to write your resume, but how should you go about it? Several resume models highlight different aspects of your experience and skills. For people looking to make a career change, a combination resume is the best option. They showcase your most important skills, leverage the job experience you do have, and can help answer questions about your career change.
For your career switch, you want to show how you’ve tackled previous challenges and the value you brought to past employers. Share some of your achievements at earlier jobs and how your work benefited your team. For example, how did you save your company’s time and money? How did you lead a group or take charge of a project to completion? What did you do to make a project successful?
If you don’t know where to start, talk to people in your new industry to find out what they’re looking for, what they value, and what success looks like at the level you’re aspiring to enter.
Read more about how to write a successful resume for your experience level.
Advice for Students: How can I Get a Job when i have no work Experience?
If you’re wondering how to get a job with no experience because you’re still in school, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. The tips below will help you set realistic goals, highlight your skills on your resume, and walk into interviews with your best foot forward.
Manage your expectations
As a student, it’s normal to aim at entry-level jobs, which require little to no job experience. While getting a job in your desired industry would be ideal, be open to the possibility of getting other jobs just to get you started.
Jobs that require little to no qualifications can show important traits like punctuality, responsibility, leadership skills, and communication. In an entry-level or unqualified job, you might not start with the most glamorous tasks, but it’s an important step to ensure you gain the skills to find better opportunities down the line.
Make the most out of your student experience
Grades are important, but even more important are the experiences you gain and the people you meet. Get involved in faculty events and student groups, reach out to your professors to offer help with their projects, or ask your career advisor about any opportunities to work on campus. Places like university libraries often take in students a few hours per week on a volunteer basis.
Then, when the time comes to write your resume, you’ll have a broader range of experiences beyond your academic achievements and you’ll be able to describe your time at university as if it was a job.
Furthermore, include any job you’ve had, no matter how short—even summer jobs, unpaid time helping at a family business, or babysitting. Any job you’ve done successfully will show you are serious about what you do and are keen to learn.
Prepare for the interview
The one thing you can do to avoid nerves before and during an interview is to be prepared.
Start by researching interview best practices and common interview questions so you can prepare your answers. Note any potential hangups a recruiter may have about your experience and be ready to provide an explanation. For example, prepare to answer questions about any gaps in your work or academic history.
Also, take the time to research the company—go to their website and read more about its story, values, and what the company does. When you show up prepared, you’ll feel more confident, allowing your true personality to shine.
What are some jobs that don't require prior work experience?
If you’re not sure where to start your job search and don’t have much experience to showcase on your resume, here are some jobs to consider:
Customer Service
Love talking to people and solving problems? Customer service is often the first step in many people’s entry into the workforce, as many positions require no work experience. To succeed in this role you’ll need excellent communication skills, basic computer skills, problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude.
👉 Browse Customer Service Jobs on GrabJobs
Retail Sales
Working in retail is a great option for students looking for seasonal or part-time jobs. Friendliness and teamwork are essential to this position. Some responsibilities are assisting clients in-store and arranging merchandise.
👉 Browse Retail Jobs on GrabJobs
Administrative Assistant
As an administrative assistant, you’ll learn how the business works from the ground up. Admin assistants handle phone calls, emails, and paperwork; take notes during meetings; and help with other projects. You might think that there will be less demand for admin assistants as companies downsize or dispose of their offices to go remote.
On the contrary, the role of admin assistant will only transform to handle hybrid — remote and on-site — and fully remote teams. Another alternative is to become a virtual assistant, handling administrative and marketing tasks for entrepreneurs and other professionals.
👉 Browse Administrative Assistant Jobs on GrabJobs
Medical Assistant
As a medical assistant, you’ll perform light medical examinations like taking temperature, assisting during examinations, and completing various office tasks. You will need a certification, but no previous work experience is required. This position is perfect if you’re interested in getting your foot in the door of the healthcare industry and starting your career with no work experience.
👉 Browse Medical Assistant Jobs on GrabJobs
Sales Representative
This is one of the most dynamic entry-level jobs out there. It’s perfect for those keen to interact with several people every day and develop their interpersonal skills. As a sales representative, you’ll build relationships with clients and understand their needs to pitch the products or services to solve their problems. While you don’t need previous experience, taking marketing or sales courses will give you an advantage.
👉 Browse Sales Representative Jobs on GrabJobs
Use GrabJobs to Go From No Experience to Happily Employed
We hope this article has helped you out with your job hunt and we wish you all the best in your new career!
Check out some of the other available part-time jobs here!
