Can I get a job without any prior work experience?

An important thing to remember is that no one was born having the job they have today – we all had to start somewhere. While it's important to be realistic about the jobs you're qualified for as you start looking, there are ways to break into any field.

The first place I would start is to think about the skills involved with the job you are interested in, and work on building up those skills. For example, I was interested in graphic design, so I watched a lot of Youtube videos about how to use photoshop and was able to build a portfolio of work that I could speak to in an interview for an internship. Once I was hired for that internship, all of my practice paid off and I was able to already do a lot of tasks that full-time employees were able to do, so I was eventually hired on full-time to their website team. If you're unsure which skills are helpful to build, it can be helpful to look at the requirements listed on job postings for roles you are interested in – those can act as a roadmap of things you can learn to be able to do that job well. If you're in school, you can look for courses that will help you build those skills. Even if you're not in school, resources like Lynda.com, Udemy, and Youtube can definitely help.

In addition to hard skills, there are many soft skills that can help you land a job. For example, if you've worked part-time at your local grocery store like I did when I was in high school, you've probably demonstrated a good work ethic, accountability, ability to prioritize tasks, and ability to communicate with customers and colleagues. Just because the experience you have doesn't directly correlate to what you want to work on day to day, you can show that you have experience in a workplace and are able to think critically about how to solve challenges as they come up. If you don't have any experience like this, get some! I've always had the attitude that no job is too low for me, and I've learned and moved up through every experience I've taken on.

Hi Katherine,

Great question! Experience requirements are dependent on the industry. There are a handful of industries that recruit and hire entry-level candidates - including sales, marketing, and recruiting! If you are hoping to work in medicine, science, or a very specific industry - I encourage seeking as many internships as possible. 

I graduated from college with a degree in business management and started my career as an entry level recruiter with no direct experience in recruiting. I am passionate about working with people, love building relationships, and was seeking a fast paced role. I was able to utilize skills I developed in customer service when I was in highschool and build on them from starting my career at the ground level. I have been in recruiting for seven years and truly consider it my passion. Don't worry about starting from the bottom - focus on giving it your best effort and asking a lot of questions.

Getting your first job can be tricky when entering into the professional world . What I've found to be helpful is to highlight previous internships and relevant course work. I'd recommend focusing your search on entry-level openings rather than positions with 5+ years experience, as you'll be more successful. Often times, employers know when they are hiring for entry-level positions that candidates may not be coming in with a ton of experience, so they're looking for individuals who are passionate, are eager to learn and have a strong work ethic.

Think through what types of experiences contribute to gaining skills that would be relevant to the job (i.e. time management, planning, thinking under pressure, etc.)

Hi Katherine,

Great question! One of the most helpful tips I've learned throughout college is the power of networking! Networking can take you really far in terms of meeting new people in different industries, learning about different career paths that might be suitable for you, and helping you get your foot in the door when you find a job or company that you're interested in.

I would start attending social networking events where you can meet other folks in different industries and learn how they kick started their career. Even just joining school clubs and introducing yourself to other working professionals can take you very far! Be sure to also add these folks on LinkedIn so you're notified of when they switch jobs and companies!

Honestly, with my last 2 jobs, I wasn't too qualified for the positions and there were much more experienced people who applied for the same role. I luckily knew people who worked at the same company and they were able to put in a referral for me, which landed me an interview. The rest is history from there!

Best,

MyTien