Landing an entry-level job without experience

Starting your job search can be a daunting task for anyone. Whether you’ve recently finished school or you’re looking to make a career change, it can be hard to decipher how to land a job in a new industry. No matter your circumstances, finding and applying to entry-level positions can be a long and difficult process, especially if you don’t have previous experience. As technological and cultural shifts change the workplace, entry-level jobs are falling by the wayside as they are replaced by internships and mid-level positions.

These positions are great ways to get your start in a new field, but as they become harder to come by the competition for these coveted openings is fiercer than ever. For those without relevant experience, it can seem almost impossible. In the US, 27% of employers prefer candidates with internship experience when filling entry-level roles, and 79% require at least a Bachelor’s degree to apply. However, it’s important to not be discouraged. There are many things you can do to maximize your job search and increase your chances of landing an entry-level job without experience.

Craft your CV

The first thing to do when starting any job search is to update your resume. When applying to a job, your CV is your first impression. It’s often a make-or-break opportunity to get into the recruitment funnel. In fact, research shows that most recruiters only spend a mere seven seconds reviewing individual resumes. So, it’s important that your CV is a well thought-out representation of who you are as a candidate.

For applicants with limited work experience, your CV should highlight different factors than someone who has been in the industry for a few years. The most important thing to emphasize for entry-level positions is your education. While you may not have a relevant work history, your education is another way you can show your achievements and knowledge in your field. You can highlight any specialized areas of study that would give you an advantage in the role you are applying for as well as any research, publications, or special projects you contributed to while studying. Your degree is a great way to illustrate your interest and commitment to the work you would be doing.

Alongside your educational background, soft skills are another important component to lean on when you lack experience. While you may not have technical skills, soft skills are often harder to learn and more important when finding a cultural fit. Take this section as an opportunity to show off your unique personality, and what you would bring to the team as an individual.

Build your portfolio

The next step in leveling up your candidate profile is to create a portfolio. This is a useful tool that allows recruiters to look at your previous work, especially in creative industries. Think of it as an expansion of your CV where someone can go to learn more about who you are and what you do. Usually, someone’s portfolio is a personal website that can be linked to on job applications or added to your CV. Building your portfolio is a chance to highlight your unique personality through what you choose to represent your personal brand.

While portfolios are especially useful in fields like journalism, photography, graphic design, and more, they can help set you apart in any industry by allowing you to take a more in-depth look into your background. You can write a bit about your life story, where you are now, and what your goals are. You can also showcase any academic or professional achievements that aren’t on your resume, such as awards, publicity, and anything else that could be relevant to your field.

Work on your elevator pitch

While it may seem unimportant when compared with other ways to land a job, never underestimate the power of a good elevator pitch. As Shakespeare wrote, “brevity is the soul of wit,” and when it comes to introducing yourself a little can go a long way. Honing your introductions can be especially valuable for job hunters with little to no professional experience. While a more seasoned worker can rely more on their experience to speak for itself, there’s no margin for error for those trying to land their first entry-level job.

If there’s not much on your CV to prove your commitment to an industry, that short blurb on a cover letter or phone interview is one of the simplest ways to set you apart from the competition. Don’t be caught out when an interviewer asks you why you want a job you haven’t done before. Instead, be prepared to explain why you are interested in the field, and why you feel you would make a valuable addition regardless of your experience. If you have an untraditional background, this is your opportunity to explain your unique career path, highlight relevant skills and qualifications, showcase your industry knowledge, and make a case for why you would be a better fit than someone with previous work or internship experience.

Expand your network

Anyone who’s been working for years will tell you that networking is one of the most powerful tools in your professional arsenal when it comes to building your career. From landing your first job to advancing to the senior level, professional relationships can be as important, if not more, than your capabilities or achievements. However, networking can also seem like the biggest hurdle to jump for job seekers at the beginning of their careers. Building a network from scratch can seem impossible, but rest assured there are plenty of ways to start making connections.

If you are a recent graduate, take advantage of the relationships you’ve built during your time at school. Professors, fellow students, and speakers can be great ways to hear about new openings and receive referrals. If you’ve had a great experience with a professor, worked a student job, or know a former classmate who works in the industry you can reach out to any of these people with questions or even request letters of recommendation for your job hunt. It can seem awkward reaching out, but remember one day you’ll be able to return the favor once they’re in your network!

Optimize your job search

Often overlooked, this strategy can be crucial to landing a job with no experience. While your instinct might be to apply for every position you can, practicing a bit of restraint can actually be more helpful. First of all, if you cast too wide of a net, it’s likely that the quality of your applications will suffer. Tailoring your candidacy for each position can be time-consuming, but it will also give you a stronger chance of landing an interview. For people with less experience, having your cover letter, resume, and work samples tweaked to fit the company you’re applying to is essential.

Secondly, you should also be strategic about which jobs you apply to. Not every company has the same standards when it comes to what they look for in an entry-level candidate, and you don’t want to waste any precious time applying somewhere that doesn’t value your unique background. Start by reading the job description carefully. Are there any major skills required that you’re missing, or are they saying they want 5+ years of experience for an “entry-level” role? There are plenty of signs in job descriptions that will tell you if the position is actually open to inexperienced job hunters, or if the company wants a mid-level employee with a junior salary. Do some research into companies that seem like a good fit and you will surely find organizations that value a nontraditional background or are willing to take a chance on someone lacking in experience, but full of potential.

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