How to get Hired with Little Experience
March 23, 2018
Are you looking to start work in a new field? Maybe you’re trying to get your first job out of school. If so, it’s likely that you have little to no direct experience in the field for which you are applying. Looking through job ads can be intimidating when you feel like you can’t meet the minimum requirements for any of the jobs you want. You may lack the experience that employers want, but you may have the personality traits and skills that they need. In the digital age, it’s difficult to get jobs without experience. Most applicants are turned down for job offers without ever meeting the person who screened them out. There are some things you can do, however, to improve your chances.
Go for the job indirectly
You may not have the experience to get the job that you are after, but you can use the knowledge you already have to get yourself there. If your ideal position is to be a supply chain manager, you’re not likely to get hired into a management position with no experience. However, you could find a company with an open position in your field and work towards your goal that way. Job offers often come from connections, rather than aptitude. If you can prove to a hiring manager that you have the necessary skills to be successful, even without experience, it can go a long way. Work experience is included on a resume to establish rapport. You can achieve the same effect by building a reputation with the people who make hiring decisions.
Use your soft skills
Soft skills are skills that can’t be directly quantified, but they often contribute more to your ability to succeed in a job that concrete skills. Soft skills are things like: determination, passion, or dedication. They are the traits that make you who you are. How successful you can be in a new job can be dramatically affected by your soft skills, so let employers know that you have them. Training can usually counteract a lack of first-hand experience in a new field, but training can’t offset a lack of soft skills. Soft skills are essential so, make to let employers know that you have the skills you need to succeed.
Have a great cover letter
Cover letters have a few different purposes, but if you have limited experience, you should use your cover letter to explain why you can succeed without experience. Use your cover letter to talk about the experience that you included in your resume. You should never leave it to the employer to draw the connection between your skills and your aptitude for the job. Explain to employers why the information on your resume makes you the perfect candidate. If you said you’re a team player on your resume, use your cover letter to tell them how you will use that skill to succeed at their company.
Getting a job with little experience can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Focus on the positives and tell the employers what you can bring to the table. To find jobs in Greenville NC, check out our listings on GetHiredLocal.com.