How in the world am I supposed to get a job if I don't have experience?

Question

Every job says that they want you to have experience, but how do you get experience if no one will hire you? I'm a college graduate but that doesn't seem to matter anymore.

Answer 1

What do you want to do? What field? Get any kind of job you can now.

Volunteer for charities that have to do with your field.
Join some clubs or proffesional associations in your field.
See if you can get some kind part time job in your field.

Answer 2

You Have to be willing to start at the bottom. You might apply for a positon in a company's mail room. Work in a store location instead of Home office. Sweep the dang floors if you have to.

Once in a starting position, you show up early, volunteer to work evenings and weekends, and whatever they have you doing you do it better than anybody can imagine it being done.

Eventually someone above you will start to rely on you to get things done. As that person moves up the company ladder, he will bring you along a step or two behind.

Fail any step I outlined, or just get an unlucky break and you'll never leave the mailroom...

Just one last thought-
This idea that you're being discriminated against because employers want a track record and not just a load of hot air is the surest way to find yourself at the bottom of the employment chain forever. As a manager I want positive attitutudes, not malcontents who think the world owes them a living.

Answer 3

I went through that problem a few years back...I got really really depressed, let me tell you.

One thing I would advise is that if you are still having trouble finding a job a few months after graduation, don't feel bad about taking a 'temp' job or a job that you might feel is beneath your skills and education....you will get experience, learn about the work world and office politics, you might make some connections or impress someone, and you will be earning money and getting out of the house instead of just sitting around for ages hating life like I did.

Answer 4

There are a couple things you can do, you can take an internship with someone in the area you are interested in; offer to work for a period of time at no charge to them for the experience of establishing a work record you could then use for an application.

The other thing, you could ask the potential employer if they could give you an opportunity to prove yourself, that you are just coming out of college with no current work experience; you could offer to work for them for a given amount of time at no charge and if all is satisfactory, you would be accepted for employment.

Just thinking outside the box; what an exciting time for you, good luck! This is where all that work and sacrifice will finally come into play...

Answer 5

my sisters boyfriend graduated with a bachelors in journalism and every newspaper told him he needed 2-3 years experience so he had to take a job in montana at a smaller newspaper, where they need the help. you might have to make sacrifices like that(moving somewhere else) if you dont want an entry level job.

Answer 6

One alternative is to join volunteer organizations and use the expereince there to build up that strength. Working experience, e.g. in Red Cross, does count. They also provide training in areas that you have an interest. Give that some thought and follow thru. Good luck.

Answer 7

Welcome to the real world!
You need to get aggressive in hunting down a job.

Find a need - and fill it. Package yourself (did you know you are a commodity?) as the best person for the job. :o)

Be teachable, be positive, have a sense of humour, smile, be hard-working, and honest....

Kinda reminds me of the Wise man.

A young fellow asked the old guy how he got to be so wise:

'Good Judgement'

And where did ''Good Judgement' come from?

'Experience'

And where did 'experience' come from?

'Bad Judgement' said the Wise Man.
===============

Now go get 'em Sparky! Whining not an option.

Answer 8

Do temp jobs, Ive done them for a few years and gained alot of experience and can now do alot of things, plus they pay good as well or maybe do a temp job and prove yourself and they might hire you on. Its shitty work but you gotta do something so yeah, good luck.

Answer 9

You can either (a) try a temp or temp-to-perm staffing agency, or (b) use your networking skills and see if anyone in your network knows of some place that's hiring. My first job out of college was from a staffing agency in a temp position, and I worked my way up.

Answer 10

It doesn't. You need to intern or get an entry level job.

YOu can also go to Wal Mart and get Assistant MAnager training, then you'll have some retail experience!