Landing a Job with No Previous Experience

Landing a Job with No Previous Experience | Future Force Personnel

Getting a job with experience can seem daunting. If you don’t have any experience, though, where do you even begin? Keep in mind, everyone has been in the same situation at some point, starting off their careers with little or no experience at all. So, you’re certainly not alone.

Another piece of good news? If you follow a few simple steps, you can get your new career on track by showing a potential employer you’re the best fit for the role.

Here’s what to do so you can get a job without experience and become a more marketable candidate down the line:

How Can You Land a Job with No Experience?

Use your network.

Your network consists of all kinds of people, from your professors to your coaches, peers, neighbors, family members, and others in your life. These are the individuals who can help you get your foot in the door with a rewarding opportunity when you don’t have a lot of experience.

Also, if you know someone in your network who has a job that interests you, reach out and ask to conduct an informational interview with them. This basically gives you a chance to learn more about what they do and how they got into their field, so you can decide whether it’s a good fit for you.

Focus on transferable skills on your resume and during interviews.

Transferable skills are simply those that everyone position needs, regardless of field or experience level. These can include anything from strong writing or public speaking skills to organization abilities, interpersonal skills, ability to work well on a team, being customer-oriented, and more.

So, for example, if you haven’t had experience in the field you’re applying to, but you’ve worked in a restaurant or at a retail store, you’ve likely gained customer service skills. These are important for any type of role and should be highlighted on your resume and during your interviews.

Don’t forget about internships, volunteer work, and extracurriculars.

Just because you weren’t paid, does not mean the experience wasn’t valuable. So think about any activities or other situations, like internships, you’ve had and what you’ve gained from those. You can include these on your resume and should focus on those skills you learned that are most relevant to the particular position you’re applying for.

It can also be helpful to do a little extra leg work and research the company and the position to find out about what’s most important to them. Then tie in your background to those most desirable qualities, so you stand out among other candidates.

Think about relocating or accepting a lower-paying position.

When it comes to your first job, you need to keep an open mind. For instance, you might find that relocating allows you to secure the ideal first stepping stone in your career. If you don’t want to make a permanent move, you can opt to relocate for a couple of years to gain some experience and then relocate back home.

Another way to find your first job is to consider an internship or lower-paying position that will enable you to build the right kind of experience. You might temporarily need to have a second job to make ends meet. However, look at the bigger picture of a potential role to see if it will help you achieve your long-term goals. Even going back to school might be the right move if you realize you want a career in a field that requires more education.

Need more help finding your first job?

At Future Force, we’re one of the leading staffing agencies in Orlando, FL, and can work with you to learn about your background and goals. We’ll connect you with meaningful entry-level positions that will help you take that first big step in your career. Search our jobs now to get started.

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