Employers love a resume that lists a complete work history. They appreciate the fact that someone shows a chronological work history with no employment gaps. It’s clean and tidy. It makes their job easier.
The reality is not everyone has a work history that reflects this. People change careers into a field they have no experience in. College graduates enter the work force with little to no work history. Others come back after an absence such as raising small children or caring for an ill family member.
Despite all this it is possible to get any job whatever your level of experience. The key is to identify your skills that benefit an employer. Career changers use their transferable skills to show a potential employer how their experience and accomplishments from their work history can benefit them. You can do the same from stages and events in your life.
Volunteer experience
Many nonprofit and charitable organizations need volunteers to sustain their cause. If you have done volunteer work, use this to get any job. Volunteer work mirrors the work of any organization. Fundraisers develop good marketing skills. Organizing events require the work of those who know how to network, delegate and organize.
Use tools to help showcase your volunteer work to an employer. LinkedIn allows you to put volunteer experience in your profile. Get references from places you volunteered. If you have not volunteered consider doing so. But do it in an area you are passionate about and support.
Life experience
Think about experiences in your life that can benefit an employer. If you were a stay-at-home mom for a few years you know how to organize, multitask and deal with money. If you had to care for an ill or disabled household member you can handle stress and time management.
Consider applying for jobs most in line from experiences in life. As an example you want to work as a bookkeeper. The problem is you have not been able to because of an elderly parent who was recently placed in nursing home care. Use your experience to apply for bookkeeping positions in nursing homes and facilities. Show how your experience in life corresponds with their mission.
Educational skills
Getting a job without experience with just a college degree can be frustrating. I graduated from college with a degree in Criminal Justice. Most of the jobs were in public service with a defined set of qualifications. I was limited from many positions that required experience.
There are so many ways now to showcase your skills through different mediums. We live in a connected world with the internet and social media. If you have technical skills, start a website in an area of interest. If you are a writer, begin a blog. Reference these to potential employers so they see more of you than just a resume.
Extracurricular activities
If you are gearing up to graduate or recently left school reflect on what you did outside of classes. Hopefully it was not just hanging out playing video games or looking for the next party. Were you active in sports, student activities and campus events? Put these in your career correspondence like the resume. Show what you did to benefit the school and its community.
Network
Nearly 80 percent of available jobs are never advertised. How can you get any job if this is true? Through your network. Networking is the most effective way to find a job. Companies are scared to hire people they do not know. If there is a degree of familiarity through connections, that fear subsides.
This does not mean you have to develop a large network to get any job. In his book, “The Power Of Who,” author Bob Beaudine makes the argument the people you already know can help find your next opportunity. It is most likely someone in your system of family, friends and acquaintances knows of a job you would be perfect for.
The right attitude
One of the keys to get any job with your current experience is to have the right attitude. A positive outlook and outgoing demeanor can be a game changer. Employers are impressed with applicants who are sociable. Look at each potential employer as a partner and what the benefits of both sides could be.
Employers are seeking more than just your skills and experience. They want the whole person who can fit well with their culture and environment. When you show what you bring you can get any job with your current experience.
Featured photo credit: Jens Schott Knudsen via flickr.com
