Trying to find that first dream job out of college, or switching careers completely to pursue your dreams can be a nerve-racking experience. You will face one of the biggest challenges for job seekers – getting hired without experience. The National Association of College and Employers (NACE) reports that 91% of employers prefer candidates with work experience.
Whether you’re a product designer-turned-chef or just mounting your degree, here are three great tips to get you hired without experience.
Market Your Soft Skills
Soft skills are abilities that are unrelated to specific knowledge or information. These could be great social skills, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, creativity, organization, adaptability, and more.
In a 2015 study, LinkedIn unraveled that 59% of recruiting managers in the U.S believe that finding candidates with great soft skills can be a difficult task. So with that being said, do promote your soft skills. Putting statements like “great with people” on your resume can make a huge difference to the employer.
Decipher Your Experience
You might lack some of the experience needed for the job you want, but you can still use your previous work as an example to show what you are capable of. Explain your achievements in a manner that will show recruiters you are a quick learner, and you will be able to pick up the necessary skills needed to do the job in no time.
Look at the activities you did in college. Did you raise funds for a cause? You could use those numbers and convert them into sales. This can show your potential employer that you have the persistence and the people skills to help them achieve their business goals.
Work At A Reduced Rate
If you really want a job in a specific field, you must earn it. If you know the salary for the position, offer to work for less. But you should inform your employer that you will be wanting a salary review after six months to a year.
Another option could be to find a part-time position or an internship in that specific field and work elsewhere to supplement your income as you build your portfolio. Once you have the much-needed experience, you can make the switch.
Work experience is important in today’s competitive job market, but it shouldn’t stop you from chasing your dream position. These tips can help you make your dreams a reality. Contact us for more insights and strategies on landing your first big job out of college, or making a huge career change.
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