What if I told you that you don’t always need experience to apply for a job?
Job experience is one major roadblock that limits people, especially recent graduates, from applying to opportunities. Even the so-called ‘entry roles‘ still require some form of experience. We’ve all seen those “Entry-level role” job descriptions that still require at least 2 years of experience, and this could make you wonder why it is called an entry role when it requires experience, because a job with experience is no longer “entry”.
If you’re trying to break into a new industry, fresh out of school, or switching careers, it’s easy to feel stuck. But here’s the truth: you can absolutely get a job without direct experience, you just need to know how to position yourself.
Here’s how;
1. Focus on Transferable Skills
You might not have direct experience, but you’ve done things that count.
- Were you a class rep? That’s leadership.
- Managed your church or school’s social media? That’s marketing.
- Solved customer issues in a retail job? That’s customer service.
Don’t overlook these. List them in your resume and speak about them confidently during interviews.
2. Customize Your Resume for Every Role
A generic resume won’t cut it.
- Read the job description.
- Identify the key skills they want.
- Mirror those skills in your resume (if you’ve done anything remotely related).
Example: If the role requires “strong communication,” highlight when you gave a presentation, wrote reports, or handled customers.
3. Leverage Internships, Volunteering, and Side Projects
If you don’t have paid experience, unpaid experience counts too.
- Volunteer roles
- Internships (virtual ones too!)
- Personal projects (e.g. building a website, managing a page, writing blog posts)
These all show initiative and give you something solid to talk about in interviews.
4. Start Learning—Then Show What You’re Learning
Enroll in free or low-cost online courses (Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, etc.) and start practicing.
Better yet? Share what you’re learning on LinkedIn. This builds credibility, shows consistency, and might even attract recruiters to your profile.
5. Write a Powerful Cover Letter
Cover letters are a chance to explain why you want the job and why you’d be great at it, even without experience.
Make it personal. Show your passion. Talk about how your background has prepared you in unexpected ways. Keep it concise and enthusiastic.
Final Thought: It might take time, and you might get a lot of “no’s,” but that one “yes” is worth it. Keep learning and applying, knowing that one day, someone will take a chance on you, and when they do, you’ll be ready to shine.
Don’t let “no experience” hold you back. Everyone starts somewhere, and what matters most is your willingness to learn, your ability to adapt, and your belief that you belong in the room, even if you’re just getting started.
You’ve got this. 💪 I’m rooting for you!