What You Should Do When You Have No Experience & Employers Require It

There's nothing worse than finding the perfect job listing, only to find out it requires experience that you don't have. Whether you're a fresh college graduate or someone who is looking for a new career, you could be left without enough experience for most job listings. Unfortunately, it's a problem many people face. Employers want you to have the experience, and few people are willing to give college graduates a chance. However, there are some ways around the experience requirement. Find out what you can do to get a job if you don't have the experience for it.

1. Volunteer

If you don't have work experience, volunteer experience might suffice. When choosing candidates, employers often gravitate towards people who spend their free time volunteering.

Volunteering isn't what most people imagine. While you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or as a tutor, there are other opportunities available. You could volunteer at a local nonprofit doing the job you want. For instance, a local animal shelter might take you on as an accountant.

In addition to giving you experience, volunteering comes with another benefit. You can network with others. If you meet the right people, you might find someone who is willing to hire you despite your lack of experience. Your supervisor will also be an excellent reference, as long as you manage to impress them.

2. Get an Internship

When most people think of interns, they picture high school and college students. However, internships aren't only for those who are in school. They're also for people who need experience on their resume. If you're interested in a new career, an internship is a great option.

Your internship won't help you pay the bills. In fact, it will probably cost you money on travel expenses, food, and clothing. However, it's an investment that could pay off significantly. Your internship is experience and lets you get your foot in the door. As you work as an intern, you learn valuable skills that can make you an asset to your future employer.

Getting an internship is easier than you might imagine. You don't need to sit around, waiting for an offer. If you're proactive and reach out to local businesses, you can ask them if they'd be willing to take you on as an intern. Many small businesses will jump at the chance to get free help. Even if you have to reach out to 20 businesses to get results, it's worth your time.

3. Highlight Your Entrepreneur Spirit

When you were in college, did you have any side jobs? Maybe you mowed lawns or babysat for your neighbors. All of those side jobs count as experience. Although they might not be directly related to the job you're pursuing, these entrepreneurial activities count for something. Include them on your resume, and let your prospective employer decide if it counts towards the experience requirement.

4. Include Your College Experience

When you were in college, you probably did more than you imagine. If you were in a sorority, did you do some fundraising or manage the social media accounts? Those activities could count as experience. Writing for the college newspaper and organizing an event also counts as experience.

At times, people don't remember all of the activities they helped organize during their college career. Take some time to think back to those years. Did you do a survey or run a research project? When you do something for a class, you can still count it as experience. Make a list of all the activities you did, and decide which ones belong on your resume.

5. Do Some Networking

Great networking may be able to make up for a lack of experience. By having people who can vouch for you, it's possible to overcome a hiring manager's doubt about your abilities. To improve your chances of getting a job, you can find someone who will be happy to vouch for you.

There are several ways to do networking. You could rely on the internet and join groups related to your industry. If you're more interested in having in-person interactions, try attending networking events. You can even network by talking to people in public. If you're outgoing and friendly, you never know who you will meet.

If you're looking for a job in a certain industry but don't meet the experience requirements, try expanding your search to online venues. Use social media and LinkedIn groups to find out about job opportunities. There's a chance you will find out about an opportunity that doesn't require experience.

7. Request Help from Former Professors

Were you close to any of your college professors? If so, they may be able to help you get a job. For one, a former professor could have connections. They might know of a job opportunity that doesn't require experience.

They can also act as a reference. If you don't have a former employer to put on your resume, a former professor is an excellent substitute. Choose a professor who knew you well and one who you've maintained a relationship with.

8. Don't Rule Out Jobs Based on Experience

You probably won't have much luck applying for a managerial position if you have no experience in the industry. But you should never doubt your abilities to get a job you're qualified for. If you feel that you have enough skills to bypass the experience requirement, apply for the position.

There's no harm in applying for a position and being told you're not qualified. However, there's a lot of good that can come from applying. If an employer likes your resume, they might be willing to take a risk on you. In an interview, you can give them the confidence that you have other qualities that make up for your lack of experience.

It's easy to doubt yourself, but you should do your best to avoid self-doubt. When you're confident, you can overcome any missing experience.