9 answers
Weam
Student
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
1
Question
Asked
2614 views
How do I apply for a job when I have no work experience or have done any volunteer work?
I am a newcomer and find it hard to start.
I need to start building my resume. #resume #volunteer #first-job
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9 answers
Valerie Gulston
Work part-time for Board of Elections; counsel college students about careers via networking
34
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Valerie’s Answer
Get involved in extra curricular activities in your high school such as Drama Club or working on the school newspaper. Volunteer at your local church. Maintain good relationships with your teachers and ministers. They often provide that first initial reference to get your foot in the door for your first job!!!! My teachers and ministers helped me to land summer jobs in high school working at the library with SYEP and working downtown in New York City with a business oriented trade school.!!! Many students do not know that prospective employers call schools and guidance departments to find out if prospective high school student hires have negative remarks in their files placed there by teachers, phys Ed coaches, etc. They also find out if students are excessively late to class . Such entries can derail a job/internship offer!!! I know this because I ran CTE programs for the NYCDOE !!!!
Thank you very much for the feedback! I really appreciate it. bless you❤️
Weam
Tiffanie Rand (Lampasona), CDR, CIR
Recruiter
53
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Weam -
I recommend really focusing on your education and other skills you've acquired in your life. All jobs provide you skills so anything you have done have given you something that can build your resume. Also, I see you are student, really draw on your classes, projects, team work and soft skills to build your resume.
Also, it's never too late to volunteer. There are organizations that take remote assistance and you can even start your own efforts; community food drive, coat drive etc. and donate to a local shelter. Doing so will show leadership, initiative and care for your community.
Take a look at this resume blog for building a profile without job experience.
https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/resume-with-no-experience
I recommend really focusing on your education and other skills you've acquired in your life. All jobs provide you skills so anything you have done have given you something that can build your resume. Also, I see you are student, really draw on your classes, projects, team work and soft skills to build your resume.
Also, it's never too late to volunteer. There are organizations that take remote assistance and you can even start your own efforts; community food drive, coat drive etc. and donate to a local shelter. Doing so will show leadership, initiative and care for your community.
Take a look at this resume blog for building a profile without job experience.
https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/resume-with-no-experience
Karina B
Educator
88
Answers
India
Updated
Karina’s Answer
Hi,
The US professional resume is 1 paged.
The sections on your resume can be:
1) Header: name, address, phone number, mail, web page or LinkedIn page whichever you prefer
2) Education (schools, degrees, relevant coursework)
3) Experience (academic projects, other projects)
4) Skills (including soft skills)
5) Interests & activities
The section that includes details about your 'Experiences' (academic projects, research projects/experiences, other projects) is 50% or more of your 1 paged resume.
Any competitions where you won award/prize as well as any professional memberships that you might have can also be included.
Hope this helps.
The US professional resume is 1 paged.
The sections on your resume can be:
1) Header: name, address, phone number, mail, web page or LinkedIn page whichever you prefer
2) Education (schools, degrees, relevant coursework)
3) Experience (academic projects, other projects)
4) Skills (including soft skills)
5) Interests & activities
The section that includes details about your 'Experiences' (academic projects, research projects/experiences, other projects) is 50% or more of your 1 paged resume.
Any competitions where you won award/prize as well as any professional memberships that you might have can also be included.
Hope this helps.
Deborah D. Clark,DTM
Professional Speaker, Author, Mentor
28
Answers
Newark, New Jersey
Updated
Deborah D.’s Answer
Hi Weam, nice to meet you. Let me start by saying the previous answers are both very good places to start.
That being said I would like elaborate on Jon's answer, if I may.
Write it down. Everything you have already done, Anything you helped someone do. Often times we don'y even realize what great talents we have.
I also don't think you should NOT APPLY just because you have no experience. The job market is in transition right now, and employers are looking for good reliable people.
I strongly suggest you get out and do something. When you volunteer you establish a history of being committed to doing the work, showing up, and contributing. Do some walk ins to senior housing, schools, churches, etc. When you do a service for someone, ask for a recommendation, maybe bring a card to them to complete (survey type, a couple of questions; Are you satisfied with the work?)
You can start creating your LinkedIn profile. I know, I know, but it will have all your experience in one place, and you can join groups for networking, and just post it like a statement. Similar to what you asked here. 'I am just starting out building my resume and would be very interested in volunteering for someone who might need some help. I have done, this, and that, and a few other things, and I can help you too"
Employers always want to know what you are doing NOW, If you are active then you are already getting up and going somewhere to do something.They like to see a little extra, as in effort.
It's great to be able to tell people to connect with you on LinkedIn. It is n awesome display of what you have accomplished so far.
I want to wish you the best of luck in you future endeavors.
That being said I would like elaborate on Jon's answer, if I may.
Write it down. Everything you have already done, Anything you helped someone do. Often times we don'y even realize what great talents we have.
I also don't think you should NOT APPLY just because you have no experience. The job market is in transition right now, and employers are looking for good reliable people.
I strongly suggest you get out and do something. When you volunteer you establish a history of being committed to doing the work, showing up, and contributing. Do some walk ins to senior housing, schools, churches, etc. When you do a service for someone, ask for a recommendation, maybe bring a card to them to complete (survey type, a couple of questions; Are you satisfied with the work?)
You can start creating your LinkedIn profile. I know, I know, but it will have all your experience in one place, and you can join groups for networking, and just post it like a statement. Similar to what you asked here. 'I am just starting out building my resume and would be very interested in volunteering for someone who might need some help. I have done, this, and that, and a few other things, and I can help you too"
Employers always want to know what you are doing NOW, If you are active then you are already getting up and going somewhere to do something.They like to see a little extra, as in effort.
It's great to be able to tell people to connect with you on LinkedIn. It is n awesome display of what you have accomplished so far.
I want to wish you the best of luck in you future endeavors.
Great response here
Jordan Hogan
Hi Deborah - your advice is very insightful.
Sheila Jordan
Jordan Hogan
Manager
10
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
If you don't have many lived experiences helping others in direct employment opportunities, do you have any other work that would showcase your strengths? (i.e. volunteer work, neighborhood work) In my experience, employers want to find out if you are fit with the job at hand. This could be based off lived experiences in how you solved problems, but almost has as much to do with your personality traits.
For instance, are you someone who enjoys and excels in a team environment -- brainstorming a solution together, find it more productive and beneficial in a team atmosphere -- or do you operate better alone... Another trait that is useful to employers to know is are you more leadership driven (i.e. type A, strong minded, take charge mentality) or individual player (needs a little more guidance, can do the "grunt work"). These are merely starting places that would tell an employer a lot about how you'd operate in a work environment, and if you can be a viable solution that fits their needs.
Now to do this, look back on your previous 5-10 years and think about when you were a leader, when you were a team player and just "got the job done"... Employers want to hear about you, what you bring to the table to solve a need or issue, and supporting evidence with a story. For example, just saying you are a leader isn't quite enough -- you need to provide concrete examples of a problem, how you attacked it, resolved it, and the leadership attributes that you showed. Hope this helps, good luck.
For instance, are you someone who enjoys and excels in a team environment -- brainstorming a solution together, find it more productive and beneficial in a team atmosphere -- or do you operate better alone... Another trait that is useful to employers to know is are you more leadership driven (i.e. type A, strong minded, take charge mentality) or individual player (needs a little more guidance, can do the "grunt work"). These are merely starting places that would tell an employer a lot about how you'd operate in a work environment, and if you can be a viable solution that fits their needs.
Now to do this, look back on your previous 5-10 years and think about when you were a leader, when you were a team player and just "got the job done"... Employers want to hear about you, what you bring to the table to solve a need or issue, and supporting evidence with a story. For example, just saying you are a leader isn't quite enough -- you need to provide concrete examples of a problem, how you attacked it, resolved it, and the leadership attributes that you showed. Hope this helps, good luck.
Gigi Fung
Student/Sustainability Intern
14
Answers
Goleta, California
Updated
Gigi’s Answer
Hi Weam!
As a fresh grad/high school grad, many students are on the same boat as you! I started out writing my experiences I've gained in high school/university in different organizations. Furthermore, projects done during your time in school can also be written up in your resume! A lot of entry-level jobs don't require experiences (0-1 years), so you can write up any position you've taken in that field or even demonstrated leadership or that you can handle responsibility! I would also include a cover letter to make your application more personal!
Best,
Gigi
As a fresh grad/high school grad, many students are on the same boat as you! I started out writing my experiences I've gained in high school/university in different organizations. Furthermore, projects done during your time in school can also be written up in your resume! A lot of entry-level jobs don't require experiences (0-1 years), so you can write up any position you've taken in that field or even demonstrated leadership or that you can handle responsibility! I would also include a cover letter to make your application more personal!
Best,
Gigi
JON MCGARY
2
Answers
Updated
JON’s Answer
Everything you have done in your life up until now is experience. The trick is to try and match what you have done up till now and how it can be applied to the job you are looking for. Just starting out I would recommend highlighting your strengths and tailoring your resume to fit the job. Are you a people person, easy to get along with? Are you super organized? Are you dependable and always on time or even early? Can you solve problems without much assistance? Most companies that are hiring new applicants really just are looking for friendly, dependable people that can get along with a group of others to complete the day to day task. Think about who you are and what unique skills you can bring to the new job. Good luck in your search.
Thank you very much for the feedback! I really appreciate it ❤️
Weam
Hi Jon - this is great advice!
Sheila Jordan
Darakhshan Nazir
Data Journalist
11
Answers
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Updated
Darakhshan’s Answer
Hi Weam,
That shouldn't be a problem, because nowadays you've so many platforms offering self-paced virtual internships and courses (free for all) that would prepare your CV within a few weeks. Let me suggest you a few;
- https://www.theforage.com/ It has self-paced virtual internships of renowned companies that you can do in your own time and on your own schedule.
- https://www.coursera.org and https://www.udemy.com/ where hundreds of free courses are available regarding diverse fields. Completing these and putting them in your CV show your will power to learn, even if you've no experience.
I hope it helps! Cheers!
That shouldn't be a problem, because nowadays you've so many platforms offering self-paced virtual internships and courses (free for all) that would prepare your CV within a few weeks. Let me suggest you a few;
- https://www.theforage.com/ It has self-paced virtual internships of renowned companies that you can do in your own time and on your own schedule.
- https://www.coursera.org and https://www.udemy.com/ where hundreds of free courses are available regarding diverse fields. Completing these and putting them in your CV show your will power to learn, even if you've no experience.
I hope it helps! Cheers!
Shruti Tandon
39
Answers
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Shruti’s Answer
Hi!
Make sure to get involved in your school and try to hold some leadership positions. Also, there are many online volunteering and certification programs you can do! LinkedIn Learning and Coursera have many great options for you to build your knowledge. These certifications can teach you a lot and can help you add to your resume.
Make sure to get involved in your school and try to hold some leadership positions. Also, there are many online volunteering and certification programs you can do! LinkedIn Learning and Coursera have many great options for you to build your knowledge. These certifications can teach you a lot and can help you add to your resume.