Most professionals apply for a role they don’t have experience in at least once in their careers. Whether you’re looking for your first internship or full-time role, or hoping to make a career change, it’s important to know how to apply for a job with no experience.
In today’s extremely diverse global economy, transferable skills are more important than ever. Of course, developing a strong set of technological skills is always a good idea, but it’s possible to land a great job even if you don’t have all of their requirements. Focus on what you bring to the table, and give examples to show how you’ll learn and grow to make up for the skills you lack. Remember that you’re unique, and would be a valuable asset to any team.
First things first: be fully prepared for every stage of the application process. That means submitting a cover letter and resume specifically targeted to the organization and the role. It means doing extensive research on the team you’re hoping to join, including their past successes and future goals. Come prepared to talk about how you’ll help them reach those goals. Once you land the interview, practice beforehand, dress professionally, and show up on time. These might sound like basic tips, but they’ll set you apart from the more qualified applicants who are late, unprepared, or unprofessional.
If you’re trying to figure out how to apply for a job without experience, start by making connections. Begin with connections between your existing skills and the role you’re applying for. Highlight these connections in your application materials. From there, focus on building connections and networking with the individuals you meet throughout the process. Get to know your interviewer beforehand, through their company profile, LinkedIn page, or their X (Twitter) feed. Doing background research can help you identify common interests, which will come in handy when trying to make a connection during a short interview. Of course, above all, it’s important to be yourself.
At all stages of your application and interview process, try to be as specific when discussing what you’ll bring to the table. This is particularly important if you don’t meet all the requirements on the job posting. Break down your experience into concrete success metrics, using data as much as possible. Draw connections between your success in a previous role and the new one. Are you applying for a competitive sales job at a top firm, but only have customer service experience? Focus on your people skills, customer satisfaction ratings, efficiency metrics, and specific examples of how you’ve helped customers understand and appreciate the product. Those connections can be made between nearly any field, and if you’re a student or recent graduate applying for your first professional experience, draw connections to your coursework, volunteer experience, or internship.
One of the most important things to keep at the forefront of your mind as you figure out how to apply for a job with no experience is why you want the role. Identify your motivation, and make sure your passion is evident at every stage of the application process. Every skill an employer might require can be taught. But passion, dedication, and motivation are hard to find. Show your future employer how much you care about the industry, the role, and the company. A great way to show your passion is to come as prepared as possible and to demonstrate a strong knowledge of the role despite your lack of experience.
Of course, if you’re applying for a job without any prior experience, you have to be willing to learn. Your CV, cover letter, and interviews all must convey this key element. Mention examples that show your ability to learn quickly, to adapt to new situations, and to think on your feet. Identify the skills you lack, and tell your interviewer exactly how you intend to gain those skills. Don’t forget to mention other skills you already have that you’ll be bringing with you!
If you don't have any experience in a career field, then an international internship is perfect for getting your foot in the door. Whether the career you choose is related to your studies or not, an internship is excellent at giving you the hands-on experience you need to stand out. Someone might have more experience than you, but you've had recent experience abroad, which is desirable for companies and organizations with a global reach and expansion. Not only will you get the experience you need, you'll also get to have fun exploring a new culture to broaden your worldview and creativity.