Getting a job in today’s competitive job market can be quite challenging as most employers will look at your work experience. But, many new industry entrants still get hired by reputable companies, even with little or no experience.
That means your lack of experience shouldn’t be reason enough not to join a thriving industry of your choice. However, you’ll need to approach your job hunt with the right strategy to increase your chances of getting hired.
Here are several tips to help you get your foot in the door of the company of your dreams.
1. Tailor Your Resume
Many job seekers make the mistake of using a generic resume when applying for different jobs. While doing this may seem to save time, it is not an effective way to stand out from the competition.
Instead, you need to take the time to customize your resume for each specific job you are applying for. A good way to do this is by highlighting any essential skills or qualifications you may have acquired through a part-time job or voluntary work.
That way, potential employers will see your drive to go the extra mile and may consider you even without much experience.
2. Emphasize Your Soft Skills
Soft skills are important personal qualities and attributes that help you interact effectively with others. They may include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management skills. While you may not have a lot of experience in the workforce, chances are you’ve developed these skills in other areas of your life.
When applying for jobs, highlight your soft skills in your cover letter and resume. You can also mention them during job interviews. By emphasizing your soft skills, you’ll show potential employers that you can be a successful employee, even if you don’t have much job-specific experience.
3. Take Lower Paid or Unpaid Opportunities
Accepting voluntary opportunities or lower-paying jobs is another effective way to get your foot in the door and start building up your resume. Besides helping you gain valuable skills and knowledge, unpaid opportunities enable you to network with people in your field.
In addition, employers are often more receptive to hiring candidates who have already demonstrated their willingness to work hard. So if you want to get a job but have no experience, don’t despair, be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up.
4. Use a Specialist Job Search Engine to Find Entry-Level Jobs
The internet has made life much easier for everyone, including job seekers. However, scrolling endless pages of jobs that match your keyword search can make online job hunting tedious and somewhat soul-destroying, and that’s where a specialist job search engine comes in handy.
Specialist job boards, like salarship.com, are designed to help job seekers find positions that match their skills and qualifications, even without extensive experience in the field. The best thing about specialist job boards is that, unlike general job boards, they attract smaller applicant pools, meaning your resume is more likely to be seen by the hiring manager.
5. Build Your Network
Building your network is another way to increase your employability even without experience. Therefore, make it a habit to attend industry events whenever possible and introduce yourself to (and share contacts with) as many people as possible. You can also connect with people and brands online, especially on professional platforms like LinkedIn.
Finally, don’t forget to tell your friends, family, and acquaintances that you’re looking for a job. They may know someone hiring or be able to put in a good word for you, making it possible for you to get the job you want.
