Getting employed without any experience is not easy, but it is possible. There are several ways of increasing the chances of getting the job you want without prior working experience. They include:
1. Highlight your skills
When you are applying for a job, you have to make sure that your CV does not appear like it is blank. Things like internships and volunteer jobs are important.
Center the curriculum vitae on any skills that you possess and not those that you lack. Ensure you understand the job requirements very well and write down any personal qualities and skills that will make you fit in the position. Do not fail to emphasize the soft skills and transferable ones like the attention to detail, communication, and ability to be a leader.
In case you do not have direct experience on the job you are applying for, avoid glossing over that fact. Instead, demonstrate that you have a great desire to learn and ensure to give examples of your commitment to learning gotten through internships or volunteer jobs.
Extracurricular activities are also essential because they may make one stand out from many applicants. For instance, if you play games, it can demonstrate that you possess team working and leadership qualities.
Other things you require to emphasize are charity work and school prizes. This will make you appear like an all rounded person.
2. Consider jobs that are realistic
Aiming higher is good but when you lack some prior experience; it does not make sense to apply for senior jobs. Consider entry-level jobs and be willing to begin from the bottom and eventually you may get promoted to the level that you want.
It is also recommended to avoid asking for jobs that are very demanding because the right applicants are expected to have sufficient experience.
Also, speculative applications are highly recommended. Most jobs that get advertised require applicants to have experience, but that does not mean you cannot come up with your own vacancy. Be proactive, use platforms such as LinkedIn to contact employers. You may even send emails or call the companies to inquire about entry-level jobs or a chance to do voluntary work to gain some experience. This will make one stand out from many other job seekers.
3. Networking
There are companies that get new employees without advertising vacancies at jobsora.com. Networking is very important because a referral has a high chance of getting a job since the employers are too busy to do advertisements and interviews. Also, advertising requires spending money and so companies are able to save and still get somebody who fits to work with them through referrals. So, go out and interact with as many people as you can. The more people you know, the more job opportunities you are likely to find.
4. Keep your social media accounts clean
Some companies can search for applicants’ names online before they consider their employment. A social networking website like Facebook can make you lose a job opportunity if the content you post is not good. Most people feel like it is not right to get monitored like that, but since you have posted out there, it is difficult to take it down. Maybe, you should instead change your privacy settings to prevent unauthorized people from seeing what you post, or you should stop using social media platforms.
5. Get the feel of the company while undergoing the interview
If you are called for an interview, it may feel different since you may not have been to any company before. To begin with, you may expect to be interviewed by one person, only to face a panel of ten or more people. Panel interviews are very common because it is not only about the job you applied for. Also, it is never about how you do when interviewed by one person but how you do in a team. Several people are involved in a company and so, meeting with several people in an interview will show how you fit in a team. Besides, if you feel uncomfortable being interviewed by many people, will you really want to work for that company for long?
6. Stay open-minded
The sad truth is that it is a bad market for jobless people. Generally, the salary is not much, and most jobs are reduced to part-time or freelance assignments. The job you may have dreamt of doing might have a different title and might be shared by several people now. Do not see this as a negative, however. Just consider any opportunity you get. You might be interested in sales, but you want to do consulting. With the current market, you need to work harder, and that prepares you for more things, equips you with more skills and even more connections.
7. Never stop learning
If you notice you have applied for so many jobs, and still do not seem to be successful, consider getting more education. At times, it is never about experience only. Also, you could be interested in something new, and so you will have to learn it. But besides getting a formal education, determine how you can remain up to date and enhance your knowledge base. You can do things like taking audit or noncredit classes, you can enroll for a special training course, or you can do more reading in what you are interested in.
8. Do not take it personally
This is the last thing, and it is actually the most important point in finding a job without prior experience. It is easy to feel discouraged during job hunting. You may go for so many interviews, send many resumes and never receive an offer. Your family and friends may try to encourage you by saying your time will come, but you will find it hard to believe them. Just know you are not alone, and your time will come for sure. When your application gets rejected, know that the position did not fit you. There is a company out there searching for someone exactly like you. This may be difficult to believe, but you must. And after so many rejections, take a break and do something that will relieve your mind. Then later you can go back and continue searching.
