Applying for a job without experience

martinsgirl_2

Is it worthwhile applying for jobs when you don't have the specified experience? I have just finished uni so don't have a lot of firsthand experience but it's tough finding jobs that don't require experience!

robpw2

yes, you can't gain experience without starting somewhere

smileylondongal

Don't be put off! even seasoned professionals have this issue when they change career path or have been off work for a while. Keep motivated and keep going.

What I would say is that sometimes employers are put off from employing grads as they think they have to spend a lot of time with them. If you can prove to them at interview that you can learn quickly, be left to your own workload and work from the bottom up, then it will be extremely reassuring for them.

DCFC79

You can try but put yourself across as a quick learner. Dont forget you can also apply for other jobs as well like in shops etc.

soupdragon10

It's certainly worth applying, even just for the experience of going through the application process. If you get an interview even better, as this is also good experience.

Have you looked for local voluntary work that could give you relevant work experience to put on your CV? This can often be a way of gaining some experience and a work reference once you have been working somewhere a while. In some cases you can even find paid work as a result of your voluntary placement.

an9i77

I would say, don't apply for jobs where you have literally no experience in that field, unless it is a trainee position, but if you can spin any prior experience to make it slightly more relevant to the job you are going for, then that is the angle to go for. Think about what transferable skills you may have, eg working in retail may gave you customer service or sales skills, which you could then use to apply for jobs in those areas. You'll need to demonstrate prior understanding of the field you want to work in, so make sure you've fully researched it, because no employer wants to spend more time teaching the ropes to someone than they need to.

GothicStirling

We all have to start out with no experience at some point.

Also, think about what skills you picked up at Uni. What SU societies did you belong to etc. A skills based CV might be more effective. Also, don't forget that the careers department is still open to you: CV clinic, mock job interviews etc.

scheming_gypsy

the worst that can happen is you won't get an interview.

Savvy_Sue

think laterally about your experience, and your transferable skills. Mind you, every single over-ambitious graduate application I've ever seen has claimed more from their academic studies than I'm prepared to believe, eg writing their dissertation and meeting essay deadlines proves they can be organised and prioritise.

Apart from your studies, what have you done? Have you held a part time job? even a paper round proves you can turn up ... did you hold office in any of the societies you were a member of? All suggested already, I know.

claire16c

I wouldnt waste my time applying for a job there was no way I would get, lets say they are asking for 5 years of experience in something I did not have any experience in whatsoever and they 100% wanted someone with it.

However if I had everything going for me related to the job that they were asking for, but it was just the experience missing and they maybe wanted 6 months or something then Id apply and write on the covering letter why I wanted to do the job even though I didnt have prior experience.

Have you looked at any graduate training schemes?

You can always use the experience from your part time jobs you might have had at uni or school, but I guess it depends on what sort of experience the jobs you are applying for are asking?

InsideInsurance

Whilst I agree with the above, no point apply for a job asking for 10 years experience when you have none, but do remember that job specs are shopping lists and most employers acknowledge they wont get someone who ticks every single box.

Look at the skills you do have that are transferable. Obviously apply for trainee/ junior possitions. If for example your looking at getting into project management then look for project administrator/ office jobs or project lead roles and use the projects you inevitably did at uni to evidence planning, interlinked dependancies etc