How do I apply for a job I've got no experience in

saxonrosecliff

I've been in admin/reception/secretarial work all my life but have been unemployed for a year now. I've been referred to the work programme and my advisor has said that the above is not a wide enough area and I need to broaden my horizons. How do I apply for a job with no experience? My CV is obviously admin-based and I don't know how to convert it and my covering letter to cover other areas. Help.

marybelle01

I am sure I am being stupid here, but if they say you can do this, shouldn't they be able to show you how to? Isn't that what they are being paid to do?

sniggings

In my experience you can only apply for jobs that you fulfill the requirements for, many make it clear not to bother to apply if you don't meet those requirements set.

So what are you been told to do? I'm sure you haven';t said you are only apply for certain jobs you want to do, as opposed to those you are qualified to do.

princessdon

Depends on your view of admin only. Are you applying for call centre jobs (like the recent DWP and 999 operators?). Don't know what there is in your area, but some are not about sales and admin skills would be highly sought after.

BobQ

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

I've been in admin/reception/secretarial work all my life but have been unemployed for a year now. I've been referred to the work programme and my advisor has said that the above is not a wide enough area and I need to broaden my horizons. How do I apply for a job with no experience? My CV is obviously admin-based and I don't know how to convert it and my covering letter to cover other areas. Help.

What type of job are you being encouraged to apply for? Its rather difficult to comment based on what you say.

The important issue is not what jobs you have previously had but what qualifications you have and what skills you have acquired in your life. OK you probably cannot take that job as a Brain Surgeon. But you need to look at jobs and ask yourself could you do the job? Do you meet the minimum qualifications? Are your skills a good match?

If you are only looking at jobs that involve sitting on a reception desk keeping some records up to date I can see why you are being told to broaden your horizons. There may be jobs that utilise your skills (eg in a call centre, selling, traffic warden) that you are currently not considering? Without knowing what your qualifications and skills are its difficult to say!

GazNicki

Not every job requires qualifications. A hygiene operative in a factor requires zero qualifications, but will offer on the job training as you work.

You are required to apply for any and all jobs after a while, and things like warehouse or factory work is not out of your remit. There are many jobs where the requirements are simply that as an employee you are alive and turn in for work.

If however you are intending on applying for a job which requires a certain set of qualifications and you do not have them, your application will more than likey be disposed of.

mynameistallulah

GazNicki wrote: »

A hygiene operative in a factor requires zero qualifications, but will offer on the job training as you work.

That would be a cleaner, yes?

dontone

sniggings wrote: »

In my experience you can only apply for jobs that you fulfill the requirements for, many make it clear not to bother to apply if you don't meet those requirements set.

I agree, my c.v is mainly admin based, but I do have quite a bit of warehouse experience too, so I can be a tad more flexible.
Thing is, is that one advisor in the J/C who will insist on telling me to apply for jobs that have requirements that I have no experience in. One was for a receptionist job that required experience in a Microsoft programme I had never heard of, and also shorthand, which I have never used so have never had to learn. I explained this to the advisor no less than 3 times that I had no knowledge of this programme or shorthand but she was adamant that I apply for it.
No wonder folks get frustrated in the J/C - the advisors don't listen half the time. Never mind OP.
I'm going for a Work Programme interview tomorrow - I'll admit that I'm not exactly thrilled with the prospect of going either.

marybelle01

GazNicki wrote: »

There are many jobs where the requirements are simply that as an employee you are alive and turn in for work.

Judging by some places I have seen, the former might even be only a preference and not a requirement. Down at my local Tesco's, finding a living employee if you need help is certainly not much in evidence.