Finding your first job or making a dramatic career shift might make the hunt for an entry-level position feel overwhelming. However, whether you’re searching for an entry-level parcel handler job, an opportunity in artificial intelligence, or your first work in accounting, there are more employment chances for individuals with no experience in a certain area than you may think. It’s just a matter of keeping an eye out, finding the openings, and putting your best foot forward.
So whether you’re looking for entry level jobs in the food industry or the IT sector and don’t have any relevant experience, read on as we’ll provide you with some tips on how to make it.
Refine Your CV and Resume to Emphasize Your Transferable Talents
Given your lack of experience, how do you go about crafting a winning cover letter, CV, or resume for an entry-level position? The idea is to highlight your transferable skills—the things you know, understand, and have done that are not directly related to your field but will help you do the job you want well. Include it in your resume if it’s in the job description and you’ve dealt with a similar situation previously.
Everything from babysitting and debating in high school to the summer job in your local restaurant, internships, and school projects may be considered experience. For example, if you were good at debate, you may stress your ability to think critically, operate under pressure, and speak convincingly—perfect for an entry-level sales, marketing, or real estate position.
Your soft skills are just as important. Your best qualities as an employee, such as a positive demeanor, flexibility, originality, dedication, hard work, teamwork, sound judgment, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
Don’t Let the Job Description Scare You
When you read a long list of must-haves in a job description, it can be scary, especially if the employer wants you to have at least two years of experience for an entry-level job. Try not to let this confuse you. Use the job posting to learn more about what your hiring manager looks for in a candidate, from particular expertise or soft skills to personality attributes and working style. Don’t let a lack of relevant experience stop you from considering how you may show these traits nonetheless. A job description is often a manager’s wish list rather than a must-have.
Unfortunately, many job descriptions are inaccurate or unduly demanding, which discourages otherwise qualified individuals, especially women and marginalized groups. The saying goes that you only miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, so it doesn’t hurt to apply.
Open Up and Be Truthful
Keep in mind that if you’re looking for entry-level employment, it’s implied in the writing of the ad that you won’t have much experience. There’s no need to allow fear of rejection to prevent you from giving it an honest go; after all, it’s embarrassing to have to answer questions about a made-up application in a job interview.
The best strategy is, to be honest about your lack of experience and instead emphasize your want to learn, contribute, work hard, and develop in the job. That is the primary quality most businesses want in their entry-level workers and new grads. It’s a positive sign of your character if you’re honest about how much work experience you have, and it’ll help the selection process and the interview go more smoothly.
Strive for Sincerity and Individuality
Even if you have no relevant work experience, there must be something about the position and the company that interests you enough to apply for it. Find as much as you can about the company and the position beforehand. Cover letters and resumes should be written and edited specifically for each job application and should highlight how the applicant’s skills and experience align with the employer’s needs.
Interviewers often ask candidates standard questions like “Why do you want to work here?” and “What can you contribute to the company?” and you shouldn’t be afraid to express yourself. Share relevant information about yourself, such as your interest in photography, your participation in extracurricular activities, or your experience studying abroad.
Demonstrate how you’ve grown as a person as a result of those defining moments. Personal experiences like these may be great conversation starters and evidence of desirable traits like adaptability, maturity, and dedication during job interviews.
Finding an entry-level position might seem like an uphill struggle, but you shouldn’t give up. Hiring managers care considerably more about finding someone who is enthusiastic about the position and is open to learning than they do about whether or not the candidate checks off all the “required” boxes. Maintain an active job search by always improving your resume and keeping an eye out for fresh openings.
