How Am I Supposed To Get Experience If Every Entry-Level Job Requires Experience?

We’ve all been there. You’ve found an amazing job, you’re super excited by it and now you’re ready to apply. Your resume is in good shape, your LinkedIn profile is filled in and your cover letter is written. You go to apply and notice it’s an entry level job (or even an internship) and the employer is asking for previous experience.

What the heck? Whyyyy. You ask yourself, why are employers who are hiring for entry-level positions asking for previous experience? How can I get experience if every job asks for experience? Valid questions.

In this article, I’ll outline a few ways you can demonstrate experience and skill and alternative experiences that can count as experience in order to apply to entry-level jobs that ask for experience.

Mico-Internships

As the name suggests, micro means small, so a micro-internship is a smaller version of a full semester or summer internship. It might be smaller in length, scope or commitment, however, that doesn’t mean the learning you gain from a micro-internship is any less valuable than a traditional internship.

Any work experience is good work experience to put on your resume. Part-time or full-time, it doesn’t matter. So consider how smaller, non-traditional opportunities like micro-internships can help you demonstrate experience and skill to qualify you for entry-level jobs that ask for experience.

Student Leadership Roles

I know some students that are working 40 hours a week between all their student leadership obligations! It’s basically a full-time job. Leveraging student leadership roles is a great way to show employers your drive, skills and ability to handle school and more demanding time commitments outside the classroom.

Write your student leadership positions just as you would a paid work experience on your resume. Show your accomplishments, explain how you did what you did, list what skills you used and how you were able to be successful using soft skills too.

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Volunteer Experience

Volunteer experiences are very similar to student leadership roles. It communicates to an employer that you have interests and hobbies outside of work/school and you are capable of balancing all your commitments congruently.

Think about the jobs that excite you the most. Read and analyze the job descriptions. What skills, abilities and responsibilities are outlined in the job description? Those are the experiences employers will be looking for on your resume and assessing interviews.

Whether your experience is paid, student leadership or volunteer based, it’s all good experience so use it to your advantage!

Self-Initiated Projects

Creating your own opportunities through gig work, freelancing, temp work or starting your own business using the skills you already possess is a great way to make money, build a professional network of clients, a trustworthy brand and a way to get connected to more permanent and/or full-time opportunities.

All work is good work if it helps you find better work. Never dismiss an opportunity because it doesn’t pay a ton or isn’t with a Fortune 500 company. Start somewhere and just keep leveling up until you find a role that works for you!

Lastly…

In general, just know your first job search (internship or entry-level) is going to be the hardest job search you’ll do in your career. After you get your first job, you’ll start building your professional brand, network, developing and deepening your skills etc. and jobs will start coming to you more naturally and organically.

I’ve gotten my last 3 jobs from my network of people, not by going on job boards and submitting my resume amongst thousands of other applicants. Job searching can be a long, emotional rollercoaster so don’t be too hard on yourself.

Stay positive, take breaks when you need it and focus on the things within your control. Need more help? Check out our online job search course to jumpstart your job search today.

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Meet The Writer!

Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com