Jobs for Newbies: 3 Ways to Get Work Experience When You Don't Have Any

January 29 2020 - Imagine you're looking at a job advertisement. You're going through the requirements:

• Educational qualifications? Check
• Professional certification? Check
• Occupational license? Check
• Experience level? No check!

Your dilemma isn't unique. Millions of job seekers are unable to secure jobs because they don't have the necessary experience required for the jobs they're seeking.

What should you do? Give up? Wait for a job that doesn't require any experience to show up?

The right thing to do is to try and get some relevant work experience. But how do you pull this off?

Here's a guide on how to get work experience when you don't have any.

1. Make Use of Internships

If you're currently pursuing a bachelor's degree, there's a good chance your program requires students to complete an internship before graduation.

If your program has this requirement, you're in luck! You already have a good opportunity to gain some relevant job experience before you even graduate.

As such, when it's time to go for an internship, try to find a position in work settings that match what you'd love to do when you graduate. If you're taking a research program and would love to become a legal researcher, for instance, try to find an internship position in a law firm.

What's more, after the internship ends, don't just resume school as if nothing happened. Ask the organization to provide you documentation showing that you interned with them. Ask them to list your duties and responsibilities.

2. Volunteer

Sure, you didn't go to college to work for free. No one did!

However, when experience is coming between you and your dream job, perhaps it's time to consider working for free!

Yes, volunteering can be a good way to gain relevant job experience when you don't have any. To become a volunteer is relatively easy. Just find a charitable organization in your line of work and offer your services for free.

After landing the position as a volunteer, put in the effort. Work as if you're working for your dream employer.

In the end, you'll gain valuable experience, which you can include in your experience letter. Check out this experience letter template if you're already looking to write up the letter.

3. Find Companies Hiring for Entry-Level Positions

Unless you're gunning for management or executive positions, it's likely your job has an entry-level position. Find employers who're hiring for this position.

Entry-level positions usually don't carry an experience requirement. They're ideal for fresh graduates with little to no experience.

Although the pay is typically lower, securing an entry-level position is a good way to gain occupational experience. What's more, your employer might decide to promote you to a higher-level position after you've gained some work experience.

It's Easy to Gain Work Experience When You Don't Have Any

Nothing puts off a fresh graduate like an open position that requires several years of experience. Don't give up on finding your dream job. With this guide on how to gain work experience when you don't have any, you now know what you can do to rack up those valuable months or years of experience.

Stay tuned to our blog for more career tips and insights.

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