So you want to find a good job but you are young and don't have a lot of work experience yet.
Well, to tell you a little secret, nobody really expects you to.
Of course, you will be highly appreciated if you managed to keep a job while you were still in college, but if you didn't it's not really a problem - employers do understand that you chose to focus on your studies.
First of all let's take a look at what could count as experience in the work field.
By far, the best fit is an internship.
If you were involved in such a program feel free to highlight it - it shows that you were faced with real-life job responsibilities.
The next best thing can come from your college experience.
For example, being a part of a Student Association or volunteering - these extra curricular activities are also proofs of your abilities to get involved and take responsibilities.
But if you don't have any of the above on your resume, you can still get a great job.
All you have to do is find your strong points and build your resume accordingly to the job you are applying for in order to make it very clear that you have what it takes to fill that position.
Start by making a list of all your personal qualities, technical abilities, knowledge, talents.
Then think of all the stuff you were good at (for example team sports - prove you are a team player and an effective team leader, if that was the case) and the times you showed initiative (like small jobs you did as a teenager - babysitting, small errands, mowing lawns and so on).
Don't end the list without going through the things that you learned in school such as: foreign languages, computer skills, science or anything else that you consider you are good at and could be relevant for a potential employer.
After you finish your list go over it again to make sure you don't forget anything; you could also ask your parents or friends to read it in order to get additional information.
After you consider it is complete, look over it and see how much experience you really have; even though it is not actual work experience, it is life experience and it counts if you manage to put it in the right shape on a resume.
Besides, the only things your work experience could show an employer are your abilities to do your job right and cope with the social aspects of a work environment.
So if you manage to prove you can do these things and do them right there is no reason for you to miss out on that great job you want and deserve!
Well, to tell you a little secret, nobody really expects you to.
Of course, you will be highly appreciated if you managed to keep a job while you were still in college, but if you didn't it's not really a problem - employers do understand that you chose to focus on your studies.
First of all let's take a look at what could count as experience in the work field.
By far, the best fit is an internship.
If you were involved in such a program feel free to highlight it - it shows that you were faced with real-life job responsibilities.
The next best thing can come from your college experience.
For example, being a part of a Student Association or volunteering - these extra curricular activities are also proofs of your abilities to get involved and take responsibilities.
But if you don't have any of the above on your resume, you can still get a great job.
All you have to do is find your strong points and build your resume accordingly to the job you are applying for in order to make it very clear that you have what it takes to fill that position.
Start by making a list of all your personal qualities, technical abilities, knowledge, talents.
Then think of all the stuff you were good at (for example team sports - prove you are a team player and an effective team leader, if that was the case) and the times you showed initiative (like small jobs you did as a teenager - babysitting, small errands, mowing lawns and so on).
Don't end the list without going through the things that you learned in school such as: foreign languages, computer skills, science or anything else that you consider you are good at and could be relevant for a potential employer.
After you finish your list go over it again to make sure you don't forget anything; you could also ask your parents or friends to read it in order to get additional information.
After you consider it is complete, look over it and see how much experience you really have; even though it is not actual work experience, it is life experience and it counts if you manage to put it in the right shape on a resume.
Besides, the only things your work experience could show an employer are your abilities to do your job right and cope with the social aspects of a work environment.
So if you manage to prove you can do these things and do them right there is no reason for you to miss out on that great job you want and deserve!
SHARE