All hiring managers want to see experience on a job seeker’s resume. But what if you have none? Maybe you are going through a career change, have never worked before, or are interested in trying something new. How do you score a job without ever having worked in your desired field? It can be hard to start, when you haven’t…well, started yet. As you hope to delve into a new career path, there are several things you can do to help you get started.
1. Let it Be Known!
Spread the word about your aspirations. Tell professional connections, friends and family, and post to LinkedIn. The more people who know you are interested in a particular field, the more people who can help you get where you want to go.
2. Volunteer Your Time
This is one of the easiest ways to build your skills without having any prior experience. For example, if you want to become a videographer, this can seem like a difficult feat if you have never filmed, edited, or worked in the realm of video. You could find out if your area has a hyperlocal news station that will accept volunteers. Reaching out to a small business in your area to provide them with your services can be a valuable experience and something you can add to your resume. As you are volunteering, ask questions of veterans in the field to learn as much as possible. Through your work, you’ll learn new skills and make connections that may help you in the future.
3. Take on Related Roles
The path to your desired role is not always as straightforward as you might think. When you’re first starting out and have little to no experience, a job that builds the skills you need for your dream position is a valuable stepping stone on your career path.
4. Start a Passion Project
Employers are looking for someone who is truly passionate about what they do. If you want to break into a new field, you could start a project that is fun for you while showing off your work to employers. If your dream is to be a chef but you have never worked professionally, start a blog or social media page about your unique creations. You can add this work to your resume, talk about it in your cover letter, and discuss it with potential employers.
5. Continue Your Education
There are plenty of paid or even free online courses and certificates that will expand your skills. Organizations like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer many courses that cover a wide variety of topics. You can also look to individual companies, like Google or Hubspot, for tech-specific education. Community colleges can also provide a foundation for your new pursuits. Courses like these don’t require the time commitment or financial burden of pursuing a degree but can provide the knowledge and resume boost that’s needed to kick-start your career.
6. Connect with Professionals and Ask to Shadow Them
LinkedIn is a great place to reach out to people with the job title you want. Try going on your university’s LinkedIn page to start. It’s good to have something in common with the person you’re messaging so you have a higher chance of receiving a response. When you send a message through LinkedIn, highlight your commonalities and why you are interested in speaking with them. Once you have identified someone who is willing to help, ask them if they would be willing to let you shadow them for a day or even a week. This will not only give you an experience to talk about with future employers but also a better idea of what skills and experiences you will need to excel in your day-to-day role.
7. Make a Bold Move and Apply!
There is no chance of you getting a job that you never applied for. Even if you don’t have 100% of the skills the job posting requires, test your luck and apply. Even if you are not qualified for that position, there may be another that you are perfect for. If you’re really lucky, you’ll receive feedback on your resume that will help you grow toward the job you want.
Bottom Line: Employers Want Good Attitudes
Employers are looking for candidates who are passionate as well as experienced, so show your enthusiasm on your resume and cover letter. Anything you have done that shows your skills—especially soft skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork—may have a positive impact on the way employers perceive your application. In your cover letter, share an example that demonstrates how your values and interests align with the company’s. This could be a great start to a valuable relationship with your future employer!