Applying for a job without experience

powned

This is a problem where I live, most (conservative est. 99%) of new vacancies are insistent on experience. From the perspective of the employers self interest it makes sense, there are lots of people out of work so they can be very picky. In the long term its a stupid strategy because it just keeps fresh talent out of the jobs market for longer. But employers self interest is the barrier, they don't want to invest in training.

I recommend doing voluntary work, even for a couple of weeks can be a good way to get experience. If you need experience of a till, ask a friend who works on a till to run you through the basics. Be 'creative' in your CV, but dont make claims you cant back up. You pretty much have to tell little fibs to get a job if you have no exp and you live in a competitive area. Find a business thats folded recently, say you worked on the tills for them for example, even get a smooth talking friend or family member to act as a ref saying you have experience with them.

Its dog eat dog out there, the company you are working for will no doubt pay you the bare minimum they can, they'll want extra time from you for free. They are willing to exploit you so is see no moral problems in using some exploits yourself.

Ill get eaten by the trolls for saying that but hey ho, some people don't live in the real world and think you can stroll into a job by sporting shiny boots and a white smile

MsHoarder

Don't rule out speculative applications either: if a company is advertising for a role you think you could do in 5 years time, write to them asking for a trainee/graduate position, selling your skills. Don't feel you have to offer to do this for free either, ask for a reasonable wage as it show you have some commercial sense.

This won't work for public sector jobs as all roles have to be advertised, and I've found it works best on small companies.

martinsgirl_2

Thanks everybody.

I do have a part-time job and I also do volunteer work so have been emphasising the skills I have so hopefully something will come up!