It’s the eternal conundrum: You need the experience to get a job, but you can’t get that experience without getting a job, right? Not necessarily. After all, everyone gets their first job eventually. To speed up that process, try these simple tips.
1. Highlight Your Outside Experience
OK, so you don’t have paid work experience in your desired field. What DO you have? Maybe you have volunteer experience or you were part of a related school club. Did you take a relevant class? Have you worked at any job at all? What soft skills did you learn that could carry over?
2. Rely on Your Network
As the old saying goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Talk to your professors, family friends, career counselors, or fellow alumni. Let them know that you’re looking for work, and don’t be afraid to ask for a short virtual or in-person meeting. Learn what you can about your field, make a genuine connection, and always ask whether the person knows anyone else you should meet. Over time, these connections may yield a lead on a job that hasn’t even been posted yet, and a personal recommendation could make up for your lack of experience.
3. Look for Temp Work
A temp job or contract position can be a great way to get your foot in the door. In many cases, employers are willing to take on less-experienced workers for a short-term contract. You will also get some experience in a particular area of your industry and increase your network. You can take on a few different temporary positions to see where you fit before making a long-term commitment. And it’s always possible that a short contract could lead to a full-time job offer.
Getting your first job in a new field is not necessarily easy, but it isn’t impossible. Lean into whatever experience you do have, leverage your network, and take advantage of temporary opportunities. With a bit of flexibility and persistence, you can soon land the job of your dreams.
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