Jul 13, 2021

How to Find a Job With No Experience

Hello new grads!

I see you crawling towards the workforce, but you bump your head on the Permission Paradox gate that obstructs your entry.

You can't find a job without experience, yet you can't get any experience without a job.

Messy huh, my job seekers?

This old-age conundrum is paralysing when all you want is to land your dream job straight out of uni. I get it, but don't sweat about it! My 6 tips on how to find a job with no experience will take you from zero to hero real quick!

#1 Educate thyself

If you're trapped in the Permission Paradox loop, know that when you click Send in job applications you'll be assessed in two areas:

Your potential to add value in the company's success
Your track record (experience)

Depending on the role's seniority, these two dimensions will be weighted in separate proportions. This isn't a rule of thumb, yet the earlier you break in the career, the greater your value.

What you can do — online and offline:

Enrol on courses and online classes relevant to your chosen professional path
Read blogs and interact in forums
Gain certificates and, if necessary, earn a degree in your sector
Stay updated on industry news and trends by subscribing to newsletters
Follow top leaders in the business (locally, nationally, and even internationally)
Now that lockdown is eased, you can attend workshops and events held in your community

Targeted training and/or a specialised degree will not only flesh out your knowledge on the job, but it'll also demonstrate your determination and knack for learning.

#2 Rise like a phoenix

Up your professional game with a side hustle. The most legit way to get money for doing something new is to have concrete evidence of how you’re already doing it. Fake it till you make it, right?

That translates as, for example, running a blog if you aspire to be a (copy)writer; investing in HTML software if you’re into coding; business coaching a start-up if you want to lead. Then, once embarking on your career change, promote it on social media for more exposure – with logical progression from one activity to another.

Corinne Mills, author of Career Coach, advises,

Explain your evolution. For example, there was an early career, with bits you enjoyed, then you realised you wanted more of XYZ and your career has followed [...] That’s reassuring for an employer.

An alternative route to getting experience in your niche is to work for little or no money – it doesn’t sound sustainable (especially if you're tied to bills and debt), but it can get your foot into all sorts of doors: whether that is volunteering or freelancing (count internships in to this).

Bottom line: fill up your CV and your portfolio with projects that you pursue in your leisure time.

Normalise career changes

The advice of Corinne is worth heeding — hear her out:

Getting a job is not going to be about your expertise or ability to do one particular task, it’s about your personality, your traits, how adaptable you are, how flexible [...] Changing professions is going to be essential.

Let's face it, machines are blowing up (nearly taking over our job posts). So, bouncing across diverse fields isn't a sign of infidelity but one of adaptability. This culture is known as the ‘gig economy’, with a survey estimating that new employees could explore 5 industries and average 17 jobs in their career lifetime.

Therefore, when experience isn’t your forte,

Use that as your USP [Unique Selling Point] […] which is: I’m not your conventional candidate, but I’ve got more to offer because my varied background gives me a unique insight.

Come on, most workplaces these days claim to be multicultural and inclusive, so finding one that lives up to these standards and statements is your go-to.

#3 Cast your networking net wide

A safe way to get recruited is via referrals — the “I know the friend of a friend” system. For that to happen though, you need to form and nurture your network: ensure that your peers and fellow users know that you’re pursuing career XZY — and be equipped with an updated CV and an optimised, jaw-dropping LinkedIn profile.

Treat your LinkedIn account as your Instagram: if you want it to be a raging success and shortlist you for interviews, your simple sign-up won't suffice. You can't have a one-off affair with LinkedIn — it's an ongoing commitment. Hubspot concluded that for every 100 viewers of someone’s LinkedIn profile, barely three of those secured qualified job leads.

Then, what’s the difference between those who get headhunted through the platform and those who are ignored?

Usage, argues Corinne:

The more you refresh your content, the more searchable you are. The algorithms always look for profiles that have fresh content, updates, new work and industry news.

Also, highlight your main sector — say, content creation. The more you insert the keyword ‘content creation’ in your headline and past or current job titles, the higher up you’ll emerge on an employer's search.

Rest assured that it’s easier than ever to engage with your target market: LinkedIn will suggest who you need to follow based on your data and status. All you have to do from then on is to make them notice you by being active and proactive.

Steve Bartlett, the co-founder of digital marketing agency, Social Chain says,

I’m bombarded with emails, social-media comments and DMs, […] but if someone sends something physical to the office that I have to open, it instantly has my attention. I think this is the case with a lot of busy people.

To be top of the list, get to know the team you want to work with by doing something original and unexpected.

Sync your Twitter account with LinkedIn

To increase your visibility, sync your Twitter so that LinkedIn updates pop up there, too.

Joanne Cumper, managing consultant at talent advisory firm Futurestep, explains that

It’s a way for candidates to represent who they are […] Are they sharing the news in their market? Are they following the industry’s main players? These answers reveal a lot more than a CV.

Place your search terms into hashtags (e.g. #digitalmarketing #jobsearch #Manchester) to track roles more easily. In this way, employers look at a page that brims with your proven skillset and job-related smarts.

#4 Pick others' brains

Now that you followed the top of the range in your sector, it's worth initiating conversations with them. Everyone loves to be perceived as specialists and trusted sources of advice, so make good use of this privilege. A good way to make people feel valued is to arrange informational interviews and ask what next steps they suggest you take. Don’t just send out a heap of emails with your CV enclosed – everyone’s running around like a headless chicken; inboxes are filled to the brim. Always build rapport and establish a connection before you ask for favours.

#5 Refresh your CV

I won't tell you to customise and rewrite your CV through the lens of your ideal industry’s world. You've heard of all that before. If your CV dwells only in the past and fixates on job titles rather than showcasing your talents and skills, looking ahead to all the amazing ways you can contribute to the company's future, DON'T TALK TO ME!

Nowadays, your ‘in’ in the in-dustry has to be personal. No more online job applications that fall in a CV-devouring black hole. Did you know that 40% of job-seeking millennials didn’t receive a response on their online job application. As soon as you apply, your job expectations land in the ATS, aka Applicant Tracking System, which shamelessly bins anything that lacks keywords.

Bartlett adds that,

There’s someone at that company who you need to convince to see you – figure out how to grab their attention.

In order to survive an ATS grilling and eventual burning, you need to come up with a hook that will make any recruiter grab the phone, dial your number and hit you up with an offer.

My two suggestions for achieving this is:

(1) A resounding YES to video CVs

It's 2021. We've been in isolation for longer than any living organism can tolerate. Technology has made some mighty leaps last time I checked. So why do you keep giving video content a pass?

HR director Clare Martin, Jardine Motors Group and IAW Award Winner for 2019, breaks down the format for you, which

consists of answering three questions, such as: 1) Tell us about yourself and why you’re the right person. 2) What’s the defining moment of your life? 3) What are your aspirations? […]

Video lets your personality shine through. We’ve even had people walk us through their home, introduce their pets and tell stories about their lives. Slick production – with a stable camera, making sure it doesn’t cut off your eyes – shows us someone is passionate and pays attention to detail.

(2) Send in a Pain Letter

This is the latest version of cover letters, which includes (politely) addressing a company's weak spot or pain point, and addressing tangible ways you can help fix it.

Andy Hurley, a senior consultant at recruiter BPS World, confesses that

A candidate for a business developer role sent a presentation of how a company could improve pitching their product to clients […] They didn’t have an opening but were so impressed that they sent it to their sales team, who hired him.

You might not have the hands-on experience, but your description on how to resolve a problem will be appreciated. If employers expect you to have taken that step further and become experienced, below are the ten top companies you can work for as a graduate in the UK:

Civil service
PwC
Deloitte
NHS
Aldi
Google
KPMG
TeachFirst
BBC
JP Morgan

#6 Be patient!

Be patient and show willingness to start from the ground up. Accessing your ideal job may take a reasonable length of time, especially when even entry-level jobs require 3-4 years working experience (mind-blowing, I know). Your job hunting might also be mentally and physically draining, but if it’s your calling – what the child you has always dreamed of – don't give it a second thought... GO FOR IT!

The best of luck!