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You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience... How do you get your foot on the ladder? Whether you're fresh out of education or looking to follow a new career path, feeling like you don't have the experience to land that first job can be frustrating. So, here are some of the ways you can achieve the (seemingly) impossible and get a job with no work experience!
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Without demonstrated experience on the job, employers will naturally want to look for proof that you are actually interested in this specific career and not just looking for a job to pay the bills. Even if an attractive salary is one of your primary motivators, you should be ready to clearly explain why that particular career appeals to you.
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Your potential to learn the skills and meet the demands of the position is heavily dependent on how motivated you are to do well. Try to be as specific as you can in explaining why you are determined to work in this field. Talk about a personal connection you have to the work or a moment that inspired you to pursue this career.
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If you lack experience, don't try to brush over the fact. A cover letter is the perfect place to address any gaps in your CV, so use the opportunity to address any concerns the employer might have. Then...
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Experience is important, but so is your attitude to work, your personality, your understanding of the company and its activity, motivation, resilience, ideas for the future - the list is endless, so don't get too hung up on any one thing.
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Do some voluntary work, work experience, or an internship. But (as above) make sure the experience you're getting is relevant. If you're still taking your first steps, don't waste time with unrelated work, especially if it's unpaid!
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Do some voluntary work, work experience, or an internship. But (as above) make sure the experience you're getting is relevant. If you're still taking your first steps, don't waste time with unrelated work, especially if it's unpaid!
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If you really want to get into a particular industry, make sure that people know about it. Get involved in relevant industry discussions on LinkedIn, join relevant groups, attend networking and careers events, and make sure you make your enthusiasm public.
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If you don't have the desired level of experience, you need to be trustworthy. Network, and get your contacts to recommend you. Employers are more likely to overlook the gap in your experience if you come with a recommendation from someone they can trust.
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If you only apply for advertised jobs, you're going to be assessed against set criteria. Apply speculatively to companies that interest you, demonstrate you've done your research, and ask if there's any opportunities for you as you're looking to break into the industry.
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If the answer is no, ask if you can apply again in 6 months, and find out what you can do in the meantime to improve your chances.
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If nothing else, just focus on getting an interview. This is easily the best situation in which to address your lack of experience and the best place to sell your other strengths.
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Remember: whether you can do the job is just one factor the interviewer is considering, alongside your motivation, and your fit with the company culture. Ace both of these and who knows... 2 out of 3 might be enough!
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If you find that you are getting interviews but aren't getting hired, reach out to the employers who interviewed you for feedback. Do this by sending a friendly email asking for their honest feedback regarding your application.
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This is a great way to learn more about what tweaks you can make to your resume and what you can do to improve your overall performance in the interview. Just note that you should only ask for feedback if you have made it to the interview stage.