No experience, no problem: how to get a job with no experience

Job searching is competitive enough, but it can be particularly intimidating if you’re starting out with little to no experience. 

How to get a job with no experience.

With such negative news surrounding the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy, you can be forgiven for thinking it’s just too tough applying for a job with no experience.

However, it’s important to remember that everyone starts out with no experience. So if you remain positive and focus on the unique skillset you can bring to a job, you can still wow employers even with a light resume. Read on below for our top tips on how to get a job with no experience.

1. Embrace your inexperience

If you’re applying for entry-level jobs, the good news is most employers aren’t looking for people with resumes packed with previous experience. Instead, highlight your commitment to learning new skills, and how you plan to grow in the role.

Employers are looking to hire people who are hard workers, dependable, and ready to learn. They also value the new perspectives that people from outside of their industry can bring to their business. Applying for a job with no experience in some circumstances could even provide the edge over your competition depending on the role.

2. Identify your transferable skills

You’ve found a role and you’re ready to apply, but where do you start? Begin by making a list of all the tasks the job requires you to do and what skills you will need to complete those tasks. These could be listed in the ad quite obviously such as skills with Microsoft Office for example.

Other skills you might need for the job require a bit more thinking and rereading of the job advert to understand what the employer is really looking for.

Once you have completed a list take a close look at how your skills match-up. Be sure to highlight them all in your application paying special attention to the ones most relevant to the role. Soft skills such as your friendliness and professionalism can also go a long way to show you’re the right fit. 

If you’re looking for inspiration, the Australian Government has developed a very useful “Skills Match” tool. By entering job titles you’ve held previously, it identifies the skills you have likely developed in those roles and suggests a range of new career and job ideas that might suit you. 

Using your personalised results, you can identify those transferable skills and have the confidence to promote and discuss these with potential employers.