Navigating the job market can be frustrating and overwhelming for students trying to get entry-level jobs without experience. Employers want you to have experience but you can’t get a job to give you experience!
This article will help you piece together your part-time jobs, internships, and school activities as transferable skills for that first, full-time employer. It takes some creativity, hard work, and persistence, but it is possible. You may have a few years of experience if you combine babysitting, summer, and part-time jobs.
Some of my ideas will require you to go above and beyond. Some of my tips may feel a bit nerdy but they will help you stand out from the other graduates competing for the same entry-level positions.
This is a long post so buckle up! It’s all my best advice packed into one article. It’s everything I would share with you if we were sitting down and meeting in person. Getting your first full-time job is tough when you have no experience. Whether you have a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or high school diploma or equivalent, I am confident that my nerdy tips can help you stand out. These are the first steps to successful career!
17 Tips to Help You Get an Entry Level Job With No Experience
1. Update Your Resume
The first step is to create a resume if you don’t already have one, or update your old one. I have a very detailed post with tips to create a student resume. It will help you think through all your school activities, volunteer work, athletics, school projects, awards, and more. Keep it to one page. Be sure to include any side jobs like mowing lawns, walking dogs, or babysitting. (Check out this article: How to Add Babysitting to Your Resume: Examples of Bullets and Skills)
If you have a couple of jobs or internships, check out this post to make sure you include any awards, recognition, special training, technical skills, and software. 17 Ideas for Updating Your Resume.
2. Maximize Part-time Jobs and Internships
No experience means no full-time jobs yet. But you can maximize every part-time job and internship. Prioritize any job experience on your resume over school activities.
Working a part-time job for two years while in school demonstrates a level of responsibility and being dependable. A six-month internship in your target field gives you exposure to the industry language and processes and can be a head start over people without internships.
Working in a restaurant or retail store can get a major brand name on your resume and help you stand out. Companies like Target and Applebee’s will likely require all employees to go through employee training courses online on topics like customer service or conflict resolution. You can mention that training on your resume.
3. Fill in Your Resume with Activities or Projects
I have worked with many recent graduates who only had one job or only had babysitting experience to put on their resume. Not enough to fill a one-page resume. In these cases, we talked through other activities and personal projects.
These outside activities can still demonstrate transferable skills that employers find valuable. For example, the ability to create personal connections, or soft skills like leadership, organization, communication, and time management.
You can add a section on your resume entitled “Activities'' and list each item with a few traditional resume bullets in the description. “Awards" could also be its own section.
These can include:
Church or house of worship activities
Volunteer position or charity work
School clubs and activities
Interests and hobbies
Awards and honors
Class projects
Athletics
4. Customize Your Resume for Your Target Job
Try to write your resume in a way that targets the relevant experience and skills required in the job description of your desired role. Using an AI tool like ChatGPT is a great way to get writing support for your resume. Ask it to re-write resume bullet points to target the entry-level role you are going for.
Let’s stay with babysitting as the work experience example. How can you customize the resume bullet point for different job postings?
Sales: An important part of sales is building relationships with prospects and customers. So these bullet points would stand out:
Established lasting connections with family and children by encouraging open communication and delivering feedback.
From ChatGPT: Persuaded potential clients of the value and quality of my babysitting services, effectively increasing my client base and hours worked through word-of-mouth and personal recommendations.
Healthcare: If you are applying for jobs like a medical assistant or pharmacy technician, you might spotlight first aid experience.
Proficient in providing basic first aid, including administering medication as needed.
From ChatGPT: Communicated regularly with parents regarding their children's health, progress, and any concerns, showcasing my ability to interact professionally and empathetic with patients and their families.
Learning and Development: If you are seeking a position in a corporate training department, you may focus on your own related courses.
Completed an online course in child psychology to better understand and connect with the children in my care.
From ChatGPT: Created and implemented engaging, age-appropriate educational activities and games for children, demonstrating the ability to design tailored training programs that meet diverse learning needs.
School Activities: You can use this same approach for your school activities. Here are two bullet points ChatGPT wrote for a VP of Finance in a sorority targeting a job in accounting:
Oversaw all financial activities for the sorority, including budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting, demonstrating a strong foundation in accounting principles and practices.
Maintained accurate financial records and ensured compliance with university and sorority regulations, showcasing attention to detail and adherence to accounting standards and policies.
5. Include the “Why” on Your Resume
Your resume should not just list your responsibilities but also convey the "why" behind your job tasks and projects. Employers are interested in the results, metrics, and accomplishments of your work.
Most resumes start out as a boring, uncompelling to-do list of tasks. Think about the reader. What’s in it for me? How does this benefit my company or my team?
For example, if you worked in a large restaurant like TGI Fridays or Applebees, you might have this bullet point on your resume:
Filled the role of “expo” in the kitchen.
That statement is true. It’s what you did but it’s not very compelling. Try this:
Filled the role of “expo” in the kitchen to expedite the orders by table number priority to improve the speed of service.
This bullet point includes the “Why” or what’s in it for the prospective employer. This statement tells a hiring manager that you learned how to juggle priorities and understand the value of a sense of urgency in the workplace. This implies you may be more productive than other candidates and are a team player.
6. Use AI to Enhance Your Resume
Leveraging AI tools can significantly strengthen your resume. I mentioned one use above to help you target your resume bullets for a specific position.
AI Platforms offer suggestions to improve your resume's structure, content, and keyword optimization. These tools can help you craft a polished, professional resume that captures the attention of hiring managers and passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
People in all industries are talking about AI. Get a head start and learn how to use it for your job search. A free tool like Chat GPT could help you add the “why” to your resume.
I have only begun dabbling with AI but it is a huge help and a major time savings. You may also want to edit the AI sentences to better fit your voice. Here are a few recent prompts I asked an AI platform to help me write several student resumes:
Give me 6 bullet points for a resume about a mail carrier job for a college student on campus.
Write three resume bullet points for a shoe shiner who is in high school.
What are some transferable skills of a teen babysitter?
7. Figure Out What Makes You Different and Better
Identify your unique strengths and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Reflect on your academic projects, internships, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Highlight specific achievements and skills that showcase your strengths or differences. You can even share stories from your childhood if they are related to the job you are targeting.
You are competing with people with similar degrees and grade point averages. Some may have internships or earned awards in college. How do you stand out?
Were you a floating crew member in a fast-food restaurant? This shows your ability to be flexible, adapt quickly, and work in a fast-paced environment.
Were you involved in athletics? This demonstrates your work ethic and discipline. If you were a team captain, this shows leadership skills.
Were you a camp counselor? This gives you leadership and management experience and shows your ability to multi-task and practice patience.
Check out this related article for additional ideas. 9 Ideas for How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself.
8. Begin Building a Network on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for building your professional network. Start by creating a profile that includes your education, experiences, and skills. This related article will take you through all the steps. 12 LinkedIn Profile Tips for High School Students.
Connect with classmates, professors, and industry professionals. If you have had a part-time job, connect with any coworkers on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to increase your visibility.
Connect with me! Send me a note with your connection request so I know you found me through this website. I have over 1,000 connections. I would be happy to help you network into your dream job.
Once you create your profile, you can add this to your resume in your header and contact information. This is definitely a way to stand out from other students who are not yet on LinkedIn. This can also show future employers that you are motivated and action-oriented. You are competing with graduates whose parents have connections. Now is the time to start building your own.
9. Become Active on LinkedIn
Don’t be intimidated by LinkedIn. It’s simply another social media platform. It’s a great place to go for advice and ideas. It's a very supportive environment for job seekers. Once you connect with a few people or start following brands, your feed will start.
Follow your favorite brands like Starbucks, Nike, or Amazon.
Follow the companies you would like to work for.
Follow influencers.
Follow Austin Belcak. He shares excellent free advice to help you land your dream job!
Follow hashtags for your target field and for #jobseeker, #remotejobs, #nowhiring, etc.
Start by reading what other people share and post.
Then try “liking” posts.
Share articles related to the field where you would like to work.
Join related groups.
Comment on posts.
10. Write a Cover Letter that Tells Your Story
A cover letter is your chance to tell your story and provide context to your resume. Use it to explain your career path and previous experience, share your personality and life experience, highlight your key achievements, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role you’re applying for. Cover letters can be more conversational and tell your story.
Personalize each cover letter to the job and company, showing that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. You might spotlight different skills for different jobs.
Many people will tell you not to write a cover letter. Most job seekers will not take the time to write one. During my last job search, I had three different recruiters tell me to skip the cover letter. I agree if you are not going to put in a good effort to make the cover letter special, don’t bother.
This entire article is filled with tips to help you get an entry-level job with no experience. 99% of the other students out there will not write one. So, a really good cover letter can help you stand out. AI tools can help get you started.
A few years ago I was hiring an entry-level marketing coordinator. I asked for a cover letter in the job posting. I received 180 resumes and only five people wrote cover letters, even though I specifically asked for one!
I am a believer that a well-written cover letter can help your job application stand out so you get that first interview.
Pro-tip: If the job application website only allows you to upload one document, then make your cover letter the first page of your resume file.
11. Over-Prepare for Interviews
Preparation is key to a successful interview. I have an entire article with all my best ideas for you. 25 Tips to Prepare for an Interview. I will give you a few ideas here too:
Write down your answers to typical interview questions. Think about your best answers. Google typical interview questions for the job you are going for. Ask ChatGPT or other AI tools what are common questions for the job you are applying for.
Hand write or open a Google doc and actually type out the answers. Then you can practice rereading these before the interview.
I share this tip with everyone including adults. I know most people will not take the time to write out their answers. I promise you this step will help boost your interviewing confidence!
Write down your answer to the question “Tell me about yourself.” Most interviews will start with that question. The more you prepare, the more confidence you will have.
Practice your answers. This may sound super nerdy but try recording your answer in a voice-memo on your phone. Do it from memory. Take your time with your response so you can eliminate “like, um, you know” from your answer and check your speed.
Research the company. Have an answer if someone asks why you want to work there. Or, tell me what you know about our company.
It’s ok for you to ask questions too. A job interview is a conversation between you and the interviewer. Many entry-level candidates do not ask any questions. This is another way for you to stand out.
Why is this position open?
Do you offer training?
What would I need to do so that in six months you said, “Wow! She is a rockstar! I am so glad we hired her!”
Before I leave today, is there anything holding you back from making me an offer?
What are the next steps?
12. Find Your Confidence
Confidence is crucial during job applications and interviews. Hopefully, the process of writing your resume helped to start your positive mindset. Writing down your interview answers will help too. Role-playing interviews with a friend or mentor can help you become more comfortable with the process.
Build your confidence by recognizing your strengths and practicing your interview skills. Now is the time to brag. Own it! Believe it!
13. Ask for Help
Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from professors, career counselors, or professionals in your network. They can provide valuable insights, review your resume and cover letter, and offer advice on interview techniques. Many universities also offer career services that can assist you in your job search.
Ask the other adults in your life for help. An easy way to do this is to ask for an informational interview. Which takes us to Tip 14!
14. Ask for Informational Interviews
Besides doing mock interviews with your friends or mentors, the best way to get interview experience is to ask for it! Ask for an informational interview. This is a great way to practice talking to adults in the workforce in a semi-professional setting. These meetings can be over Zoom or in person at coffee or lunch. You can ask for advice and learn more about different jobs.
Check out this article that goes into much more detail. 9 Tips to Get the Most Out of an Informational Interview.
15. Write Thank You Notes
Sending a thank you note after an interview is a courteous gesture that can set you apart from other candidates. Most people skip this step! I have a whole article dedicated to this. How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview.
It’s a simple email!
Express your gratitude for the opportunity, reiterate your interest in the position, and briefly mention a point from the interview that resonated with you. Mention something you didn’t get a chance to discuss in the interview. This is another thing you can use AI tools to get you started.
A thoughtful thank you note can leave a lasting positive impression. I send thank you emails after job interviews, as well as informational interviews.
16. Be Proactive with Your Learning
Stay up-to-date in your field by continuously learning and developing new skills. Take advantage of free online courses, webinars, podcasts, and workshops. Being proactive in your education demonstrates your commitment to your career and your willingness to grow. This will impress people during the interview process.
Follow thought leaders in your target area. Find them on LinkedIn, X, or even Instagram. Listen to podcasts in the area of your dream job. Sign up for a newsletter from an industry expert. Watch training videos on YouTube. Check out books from the library.
If someone asks you about your experience in an area where you have none, you can reply with “While I don’t have experience with that yet, I recently listened to a podcast by [thought leader] or took a course on Coursera, or read a book/blog/article and here is what I learned...”
17. Display a Positive Attitude
The job search process is not easy and it can really get you down. Employers look for candidates who not only have relevant skills but also bring positive energy to the workplace.
Stay optimistic. Be resilient in the face of rejection. Hang in there. Many companies will never communicate when the search is over and you were not chosen. That will be extremely annoying and frustrating but keep your focus and do your best to stay positive.
I have an entire article dedicated to this topic too! 18 Ways To Stay Positive During a Job Search.
Today’s job market is tough. Especially if you are seeking remote work. You are competing with people all over the country! Job postings can get hundreds of applicants! So, hopefully, my tips will help you stand out, crush the interviews, navigate the hiring process with more confidence, and land that full-time job! Good luck!
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