One of the things that employers value the most is experience. But, in order to have experience, somebody has to give you your first shot. Many people seeking their first job wonder how to prove themselves to be a future worthy employee or even how to write a resume when there is nothing to write about. Well, that is precisely where they are mistaken.
There is a lot that can make a candidate a valuable future employee, and there are a lot of different kinds of experiences that add value to them. So, even if you have no previous work experience in the field, you can still prove your worth.
Check out these tips from Careerpro Atlanta, a resume writing firm in Atlanta.
1. Get a Good Resume
Your resume will, likely, be the first impression a recruiter will have about you. So it has to be good, right? Write a professional and well organized resume that includes all of the valuable information about you and your experiences. That includes your skills and any sort of work, academic or life experience that shows you are a good, hardworking and motivated candidate.
2. Highlight Your Soft Skills
When you have no previous experience on the field, your personal skills can really stand out. Those are called “soft skills” and they include your personal traits that are not industry-specific but say a lot about you and your capability of performing well on a work basis. So be sure to include them on your resume and emphasize them as well (but remember to keep your resume professional: no colors, shadows or exclamation points!). Some examples of soft skills are:
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Leadership
3. Value Your Experience
There are many types of experiences that can make you a valuable candidate, even if they have nothing to do with the job description itself. So, if you have any experience with volunteering, manual work or extra-curricular activities, be sure to include them in your resume, write down your role in them, and tie them to how your experience has helped you develop some of your skills.
For example: theater experience shows you probably have good communication and interpersonal skills, being a community leader shows you have good leadership skills, babysitting can show you are responsible, and so on!
4. Write a Good Cover Letter
Your story is yours to tell. It’s time to roll your sleeves up and write a good cover letter! It’s nice to remember that you should include any experience that has helped you develop into the candidate you are right now (always aligned with the company’s values), you should show some personality but keep it professional at the same time, and that you are telling a story, so organize your story in your head before you write it down. Here is a tip: a good story usually starts with context, it develops and, then, it comes to a conclusion.
5. Appear Motivated
Without previous experience, recruiters and employers will focus on one thing and one thing only: your potential. They will want to see if you are going to make a motivated and proactive employee who is interested in developing your skills and gaining new ones.
So the tip here is: try not to look like you are only interested in getting your bills paid by the end of the month. Show motivation, be specific and explain why that career appeals so much to you and that you are interested in growing as a professional in the field.
6. Do Some Research on the Company
In a job interview, it’s very common to be asked “What do you know about our company?” or “Why would you like to work here?”. Make sure to do some good research on the company and/or whoever is performing the interview. Google them, go on LinkedIn, do your homework. You will be able to give more solid answers on your interview if you do your research. Also, that shows the recruiter that you are truly interested and that you came prepared.
7. Be Prepared for the Interview
This one is pretty much a continuation of the last tip. Your resume might be the first impression a recruiter will have about you, but an interview is the actual, real first impression. So you have to nail that one too.
Do your research, dress appropriately, and be on time. Also, remember to stay calm and use this time to let the recruiter know you a little better. Talk about your experiences and also the way you see things, while being polite, friendly, open and professional.
8. Ask for Feedback
If you have gone through the recruiting process a couple of times but don’t seem to be able to get the job at the end, ask for feedback.
Send an e-mail or a message on LinkedIn to the recruiter asking for their honest feedback so you can correct mistakes you can possibly be making and do better the next time!
9. Take the Backroad If You Have To
The road to your dream job may not be a straight line. If your lack of experience is holding you back, maybe you can try a different approach. For example, if your dream job is to be a video producer, maybe you can start by taking the job at the front desk. That way you are already inside the company you want to work for and will be able to do some networking and try for the job you want in the future.
10. Send the Application
Every road starts with the first step. Whether you do or do not have the experience, send the application. Because the only way to get an interview is by submitting one. Get your resume and cover letters ready to go and take the risk! You might be surprised.
