How to get a job with no experience
Published: 2023-07-27 21:43:23

Here are eight steps you can take to get a job with no experience, from gaining new qualifications to improving your application so you can impress employers:

1. Highlight your transferable experience
If you're changing careers, you can use your previous work experience to show employers your potential to succeed in a new role. In your resume and cover letter, highlight the work you've done that's relevant to the duties of the new position. Consider the transferable skills you've developed in your previous roles and emphasize those on your resume.

For example, if you currently work as a barista and want to become a customer service representative, you may describe the skills you've developed in your current role, such as communication, friendliness and the ability to resolve conflicts or complaints in a professional way. Even if your current job isn't closely related to the career you want, you can likely find a few similar skills or job duties to highlight in your application.

Related: How To Switch Careers: A Step-By-Step Guide
2. Emphasize your soft skills
Soft skills are essential for nearly every job, and they're not specific to industries. When applying for a new job or changing careers, emphasize the soft skills you can use to do the job well. Consider the personality traits you have that allow you to perform the duties of your current role, such as attention to detail. If you have no prior work experience, consider ways you may have demonstrated soft skills in other ways, such as volunteering or participating in extracurricular activities.

Research your desired industry to determine the soft skills employers want candidates to have. Some soft skills that may be helpful to emphasize during your job search include:

- Communication
- Organizational
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Interpersonal skills
- Creativity
- Adaptability or flexibility
- Teamwork
- Leadership
Related: 15 Types of Professional Soft Skills (With Definitions)
3. Consider volunteer work or internships
Volunteer work and internships can often help you gain valuable skills and experience to highlight on your resume. Search for volunteer or internship opportunities related to your career goals. For example, if you want to work in video production, you may volunteer to shoot and edit marketing videos for a nonprofit organization in your area. By completing this type of work, you can learn more about the industry and the day-to-day responsibilities of a new position while gaining relevant experience to include on your resume.

Related: Q&A: How To Get an Internship at Any Age
4. Gain on-the-job training
Some companies provide on-the-job training to help you gain experience quickly in a new position. Many people in trade positions, such as welders, carpenters and mechanics, complete on-the-job training to learn the skills of their trade without prior experience. Depending on the position and industry, this training may be paid or unpaid. Research some companies or industries that provide on-the-job training to see if those positions interest you and align with your long-term career goals.

Related: What Is On-the-Job Training?
5. Customize your resume and cover letter
When applying for jobs with limited or no prior work experience, customize your resume and cover letter for each position. Review job descriptions and use similar keywords on your application materials to describe your transferable skills and other qualifications. For example, if a position for a marketing assistant asks for candidates with knowledge of social media and strong communication skills, find ways to demonstrate those abilities in your resume and cover letter.

It may be helpful to prepare a general resume listing all your skills, education and experience, including jobs in another role or industry, volunteer work and internships. Then create a new version of the resume for each job you apply for and adjust it to meet the qualifications of each specific position. Customizing your resume for each position can help you show an employer how you can use your relevant skills to succeed in a new role.

Read more: How To Tailor Your Resume To a Job Description (With Example)
6. Build a network
By networking with people in positions or industries where you want to work, you can develop professional connections to further your career. Ask your friends and family members if they know anyone working in your desired industry and request an introduction. You can also contact people by email and invite them for coffee to speak with you about their work. Known as informational interviews, these meetings can help you learn more about your desired career while making professional connections with people in the industry.

In addition to informational interviews, you can build a network in other ways. Some strategies you can use to meet people within the industry and establish a network include:

Joining a professional organization related to your desired role
Attending industry events, conferences or seminars
Connecting with others on social media
Related: 10 Tips To Help You Network Like a Pro
7. Complete courses or certifications
You can develop new skills for your desired career by taking courses or earning a professional certification that's relevant to what you want to do. Search for courses at a community college or local organization in your area, or find certification programs online. For example, if you're interested in becoming a web designer, you may take courses in programming or user experience design. Once you complete this continuing education, highlight it on your resume to show employers your dedication to learning and developing skills in the field.

In addition to helping you build a relevant skill set, taking courses or earning certifications may help you meet others in the industry, allowing you to continue building your network. You may also learn about new job opportunities, find mentors or develop professional references through these connections.

Related: 10 In-Demand Career Certifications (And How To Achieve Them)
8. Create a portfolio
For many careers, especially creative ones, you can prove you're capable of the work by completing projects on your own. For example, if you want to be a writer, you can create a free website and post your writing online. If you want to work in carpentry, you can begin crafting some pieces in your garage. Use those projects to create a professional portfolio you can show potential employers to demonstrate you have the skills required to perform the duties of a new job. A portfolio also shows your initiative and passion for a new role or industry.