Are you caught in the infamous trap of can’t get a job without experience, can’t get experience without a job? This blog is for you. Here’s how to go around, through or over that roadblock.
Mine your non-work experience.
Just because you didn’t get paid doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be on your resume. If you’re interested in the job, you probably have done some activities related to it. Or if not, you’ve developed “soft skills” employers love, such as being a team player or leader. Maybe you have:
- Done volunteer work
- Completed school or extracurricular group projects
- Taken non-credit classes or workshops
- Organized a club or served as an officer of an association
- Contributed your talents to a special event
- Coached kids’ sports
- Produced a successful YouTube channel
If you can’t think of anything in your past, look for opportunities to add these types of experiences to your resume now.
Spin your resume.
You may not have the exact experience the employer is looking for, but you can present your accomplishments in a way that shows it won’t be such a big leap for you to transition to this new role. A background in the hospitality industry gives you the necessary people skills to move into sales or public relations.
Get in the door sideways.
Even if you’re not on a level playing field with your competition experience-wise, you can still give yourself an advantage with the hiring manager.
- Take any job available with the company you want to work for, regardless of whether it relates to your career goals. Once they know your value as a good employee, you’ll get preferential treatment when the job you want does open up.
- Work for less. Offer to start at a lower than standard salary for the position (with the understanding that it will be reviewed in 6 months or a year). What employer wouldn’t take that deal? Plus, you’ll get bonus points for enthusiasm.
- Work for free. Even companies who aren’t hiring wouldn’t turn down your offer of an unpaid internship, and it’s a brilliant way to get on-the-job training. If you can’t afford the loss of income, see if you can intern part-time and work a second job for pay.
Cast your net wide.
Now, where do you actually find these jobs? Here are a few ideas you may not have thought of.
- Network. Put out the word that you’re looking, not only with your professional contacts, but also family, friends (IRL and social media), teachers, your religious leader, former co-workers, casual acquaintances. Somebody knows somebody who who works at a place where there’s a job opening.
- Apply even if there’s no advertised job opening. You’d be surprised how often companies have a position opening up soon but haven’t yet started the recruiting process.
- Indeed.com no experience jobs. At this mega jobs platform, you can save time by filtering for job openings that don’t require any previous experience.
- Your local Integrity Opportunity Center. We always have jobs available that don’t require previous experience, and we can give you pointers on how to get hired.
So you see, there’s no reason to let no experience stop you from landing a job. With these think-outside-the-box tactics and some perseverance, you’re all set to maximize your opportunities — and your success!
