Resume with limited or no work experience
First-time job seekers applying for jobs face a similar challenge: no work experience to prove they’re qualified. Most hiring managers or recruiters review work history as one of the best ways to predict future job performance.
So what can you do when you don’t have work experience? Maybe you’re fresh out of school or trying to change careers – it might be a bit tricky, but with these tips, you can still create an impressive entry-level resume.
Short and Sweet Resume
Most resumes have two pages, but this could be silly when you don’t have the experience to fill the pages. Keep things short and easy to read on one page, so your best achievements and skills can stand out to hiring managers.
Transferable skills
List anything work-related that comes to mind. Emphasizing your transferable skills will help in two ways: Build your confidence in what you have done and show the value you bring to the organization.
Life experiences, volunteer work, time management, computer skills, and education are valuable skills you can highlight to potential employers. Remember to include any awards or academic honors you have won.
Be practical
When changing careers, you can’t expect to land at the same level you were at, and if you are a new job seeker, you won’t be starting with any senior titles. Don’t look at any job as beneath you. You could be surprised that even an entry-level position can have a lot of room for advancement within a company.
Stay positive!
Seeing a long list of qualifications can discourage new job seekers, but most of the time, these are wish lists rather than firm requirements. Don’t be afraid of applying if you are missing 2-3 off the list! Writing a great cover letter or using a professional cover letter writing service is the best way to stand out from the crowd and convince an employer you can quickly learn the skills they need.
Keep learning
If you lack experience now, it won’t be that way for long! It would be best if you were always looking for ways to improve. Internships, volunteering, courses, and personal projects are great ways to acquire new skills and make connections to build your network. Your most valuable asset is the drive for knowledge and a positive attitude. And when you are ready to add those experiences to your resume, contact our professional resume writers!
This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated.
