Job Search Tips for Individuals with Limited or No Experience
If you are a soon-to-be GED graduate, high school or college recent graduate, someone returning to the job market or want to change your profession, you may experience hiring hurdles because of a lack of experience.
Our free webinar replay on ABR JobConnect, ABR Employment Services complementary career portal, provides guidance on creating a keyword rich resume, overcoming hiring objections, how to identify current skills to a new job and how to effectively re-join the workforce.
Watch Webinar Replay: Job Search Tips for Individuals with Light or No Experience. Note, you must create a free account on ABR JobConnect to watch the webinar replay.
During this webinar, the following job search tips are covered in detail.
How To Make Your Resume Keyword Rich
Your resume or CV is either a ticket to an interview or it causes you to be screened out. Too often, when you don’t include keywords, you are screened out by an automated system not even a person. Keywords are merely the words that would appear in a job board or website posting for a particular opportunity or profession. Automated systems or initial screeners look for keywords in the top one-third of the first page of your resume or CV. You must include a Career Summary and Core Competencies at the top or your resume that is keyword rich so you are not screened out.
Overcoming Objection
Always remember that objections are a “buying sign” or request for “more information.” If there was no interest in hiring you, they would not be talking to you. It’s best to respond with: “I can understand your concern, let me explain why that won’t be a problem.”
You then focus on your confidence in doing their job and what you do bring to the table. You have life and work experiences that could be transferrable to a job. Don’t wait to be hired, express your talents and skills in non-traditional ways including:
1, Start a virtual meet-up
2. Blog about your intended profession
3. Offer to freelance or work as an intern
These are strategies that will help you gain experience as a result of your initiative. Display your knowledge, ability to network and work ethic. Experience can be gained in many ways, whether it comes with a paycheck or not. This includes volunteerism, leadership roles, participation and achievements in sports or other achievements. Provide potential employers with examples that prove you are results
oriented.
It’s also important to stress your network and who you know. This can help a future employer envision you as a strong networker who could be an ambassador for their company, regardless of your specific role.
Identifying Transferable Skills
There is one major mistake that individuals make when focused on a new target or career. It’s all about the way you present your experience that can essentially project that you’re not a great hire or you’re just not ready for the position. Some examples would include:
- “Although I do not have experience directly supervising others…”
- “While I only have work experience doing operational tasks…”
- “Despite my limited experience in___________…”
You don’t want to be viewed as someone who is starting from scratch. You have transferrable skills and don’t want to draw attention to your weaknesses. Stay positive, focus on your strengths and immediately stress your transferrable skills, confidence in your abilities and interest in the position.
Some examples would include:
“I’m ready to take the next step in my career – management”
“I’m ready to apply my operational experience to a more _________ position”
“I’m eager to translate my success in an administrative position to a more client-focused role.”
Whenever possible, stress to a future employer that you are results oriented and want to make a long term commitment to help them succeed and grow.
Effectively Re-entering The Workforce
If possible, start to update your skills and experience before you actually begin your job search. It is also wise to volunteer, work part-time, consult, accept an internship – do anything that can be listed as current experience on your resume.
In the case that you have been unemployed for a long period of time, you may consider a functional rather than chronological resume. This will help you focus on your skills and accomplishments vs. the dates of past employment. You would create headings like “marketing experience”, “sales experience” “goals achieved” etc., and then list your achievements.
Your job is to schedule interviews, which takes more effort than submitting a resume to job boards or website postings. Over 50% of individuals re-entering the workforce find their next opportunity by networking and directly marketing themselves to individuals who would be your bosses’ boss.
Most of your time should be spent on these two areas.
Complete all 15 steps in ABR JobConnect’s ‘Job Search Process’ which will teach you how to network, directly market yourself to hiring authorities and how to schedule not only job interviews but informational interviews.
Reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who is working. You never know who could open a door that results in your next career opportunity.
Lastly, remain flexible to new experiences, titles, professions, or industries. Be open to temporary work, part-time, project or contract work to get back into the workforce. These jobs will provide you with experience and contacts that can help you find a job that is a great fit. You may have to make some compromises when you first re-enter the workforce, but you will gain experiences that will help advance your job search efforts.
We’re In Your Corner. Let’s Work Together To Find Your New Position
Do you feel like your resume gets sent to a black hole every time you hit “apply”? You deserve a responsive and individualized job search experience, and that’s just what you’ll get from ABR.
From day one we’re committed to your success and will provide you with the tools, resources, and connections to help you land your ideal position. Let’s get started; submit your resume now.