How do you get a job with little work experience, but to get job experience you need a job?

Question

I'm 16 by the way.

Answer 1

At your age most employers realize that you will have no experience.

Answer 2

I started working as soon as I could. I liked to work, I liked (and still do like) money, and I liked being out of the house. Having the work experience, it WAS easier competing with other graduates, but if I had to do it all over again, I would get involved with extra curricular activities. Get into the things that you really enjoy doing, whether it's sports or recreation, community, charity, etc related activities. The biggest asset you can have when you graduate high school and/or college will be the contacts you have. You'll find opportunities (of all kinds) when you "know" a lot of people. I look at resumes for candidates everyday and those activities tell a lot about a person (work ethics, social skills, communication skills, team oriented, leadership, etc). Most companies train; it's finding the right person that they're most concerned about. Hope that helps. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Try to get experience that is related to, or transferable to the job you want, even if you don't get paid for it. If you want to be a website developer, create your own website. If you want to be a photographer, start taking pictures and building a portfolio. You get the idea. "Experience" doesn't just mean that someone has paid you to do that exact job. It can mean that you have evidence of the skills and ability that the job requires. If that evidence comes from things you did completely on your own, without direction from a boss or job, many people will you as a self-starter that is willing to do whatever it takes to reach your goal.

I speak from experience having used that tact to successfully change careers 6 years ago. Remember, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Best of "luck" to you.

Answer 4

One word: volunteer. If there's a particular field that you're interested in, get your foot in the door by volunteering. I had the exact same problem as you. I couldn't find work, because I didn't have any job experience. I love working with kids, so I began volunteering at a daycare centre near my home. I loved it, and the employer loved me, especially because I was willing to do the job with no pay. I was too young then to legally work there, but as soon as I turned the legal age, they were practically knocking down my door to have me come work there, and that's where I've worked all summer.

However, if you want a job in the meantime, trying looking for something in retail. That's what I did, and I found that I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Answer 5

It's hard. I'm 26 and having trouble finding work because I have no formal experience because I have been in school so long. It's a bit of a Catch-22

Good grades and extra-curricular activities can flesh out a lack of work experience.

At 16, you can find any sort of food service job so I don't see why you need work experience at your age.

Answer 6

You have to start at the bottom; I mean bottom. You will have to sweep floors or flip burgers. Whatever you do, do it fantasically. Then, you will get promoted to something better right quick. Then, apply the same principle to the next assignment..do it well. Do it better than anybody else. By the time you are 18 you will be a huge asset to any employer and be making decent pay.

Answer 7

You should be concentrating on your school work or vocation and not looking for a career "flipping burgers".

Its all right now- for some extra cash, and to show future employers (and your parents that you are motivated).
But relax- enjoy high school, try to go to college, get a degree and worry about a career then.

Answer 8

You've got to start somewhere. I agree that it looks very much like the chicken-and-egg question.

I started as what was pretty much a janitor for a camp ground- and I had a blast, believe it or not.

Answer 9

Get started...
10 years from now you will have a lot of experience...good luck.