Not Enough Work Experience? No Problem

 

One of the big questions career changers and new grads ask when we discuss their workplace transition is: I have no work experience in that area so who will hire me? Where will I get the experience that employers seek if I haven't had a real job?

For career changers or new grads with no significant work experience or "real job" in their desired field, I encourage you to think about transferable skills from any of the following experiences. These do NOT have to be paid experiences:

  • Volunteer work: board leadership, fundraising

  • Personal or group projects: renovation, neighborhood initiatives, HOA, podcasts, LinkedIn group moderation, podcasts, side hustles, social media content creation etc

  • Internships or returnships (an internship that helps adults who have taken time away from their careers and are interested in re-entering the workforce).

  • Work study and non work study college jobs

  • Campus club involvement

  • Professional organization membership

  • Greek life leadership

  • Overseas experiences or study abroad

  • Working in a family business or starting your own business

  • Seasonal part-time jobs

  • Technical skills such as web development, blogging, gaming (self taught or otherwise)

  • Employee Resource Groups at work

 
Career AdviceDr. Marcia F. RobinsonJob Skills