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How to Get a Job With No Experience: Tips for Students and Graduates
From research, skill-building, and resume tips to advice for remote and high-salary job seekers, this guide will help you learn how to get a job with no experience.
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Landing your first job can be confusing. You’re asked for experience you haven’t had time to earn, job requirements can feel out of reach, and the hiring world just doesn’t seem to be made for beginners. The process can leave you wondering how anyone starts their careers in the first place.
But employers know students and new grads are entering the workforce with limited experience. They’re paying attention to potential, not a polished work history. What matters is how well you prepare, how clearly you communicate your strengths, and how consistently you stay engaged in your job search.
The guidance ahead will show you how to get a job with no experience as a student or new grad, with tailored tips for those seeking remote work, needing to land something quickly, or aiming for higher-paying entry-level roles.
Can You Get a Job With No Experience Right Out of School?
Yes, you can absolutely get a job without formal experience. You’ll need to be strategic when searching for jobs, but there are many truly entry-level roles out there. Most of these opportunities are designed for job seekers who haven’t had years to build a work history, and that includes students and recent graduates.
How to Get a Job With No Experience: 10 Tips for Students and New Grads
If you’re wondering how to get a job with no experience, the following tips walk you through what actually helps early-career candidates find jobs and get hired.
1 Do Comprehensive Research
Before you fire off applications, take time to learn where you fit and set realistic expectations about what employers are actually asking for.
- Study your target industries. Look at the skills, tools, and responsibilities that show up repeatedly in entry-level job descriptions.
- Follow industry blogs and professional associations. Understand the trends and priorities shaping your field.
- Review the LinkedIn profiles of people in roles you want. Pay attention to the steps they took and the skills they built early on.
2 Consider Gaining Experience Through Internships or Volunteering
If you feel your resume is too light to compete, consider internships, volunteer projects, or part-time jobs that build immediate credibility.
Community programs, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses often welcome students and new grads who want to gain hands-on experience. You can develop real skills, gather references, and create work samples you can share with employers.
Even a short-term commitment can strengthen your resume quickly. If formal internships are limited in your field, offer to help a local business with social media, administrative tasks, or basic research. Employers care more about what you can do than whether you were paid to do it.
3 Be Strategic With Your Resume
A no-experience resume shouldn’t be empty. Employers are still looking to understand what skills you bring to the table. Lead with a clear summary that explains your goals and the value you offer, even if you’re early in your career.
Use these resume summary examples as inspiration for your own summary:
- Marketing graduate with hands-on project experience in social media strategy, content planning, and brand research, looking for a marketing coordinator role in an agency environment where I can support campaign development and client projects.
- Psychology graduate with strong research, communication, and interpersonal skills seeking an entry-level role in HR or people operations, bringing experience in data collection, peer mentorship, and conflict resolution.
- Detail-oriented computer science student with coursework in Python, SQL, and data structures, plus internship experience assisting with troubleshooting and QA, seeking a junior-level technical support or software operations role.
Beyond your resume summary, be intentional and creative with your experience section:
- Highlight relevant coursework, certifications, or academic projects that demonstrate skill growth.
- Add any campus leadership, club involvement, volunteer work, or part-time jobs that show responsibility and reliability.
- Focus on what you delivered by mentioning outcomes, improvements, or measurable results so employers can see clear examples of your contributions, problem-solving, and follow-through.
4 Focus on Entry-Level Job Openings
To break into the workforce, your best strategy is to target job titles built for early-career candidates. When using job boards, filter for entry-level jobs whenever possible to surface positions designed for job seekers without long work histories.
You’ll see certain titles and keywords crop up repeatedly in entry-level hiring. These terms usually signal jobs that welcome beginners:
- Assistant
- Coordinator
- Junior
- Apprenticeships
- Trainee
- On-the-job training
5 Read Job Descriptions Closely
Job descriptions can tell you a lot about whether an employer welcomes candidates with limited work experience.
Positive signs of entry-level roles include:
- Clear statements about “no experience required” or “entry level”
- Mentions of training provided or structured onboarding
- Invitations for new graduates to apply
- Emphasis on transferable skills instead of deep technical expertise
- Requirements focused on interpersonal qualities, like communication, organization, or a willingness to learn
Just as important is recognizing when a role is labeled entry-level but really isn’t. Be cautious if you see:
- Multiple years of required experience
- A long list of advanced technical tools
- Responsibilities that sound like mid-level ownership, such as managing teams or leading projects
- Vague expectations with no mention of training or support
Reading descriptions through this lens also gives you the information you need to tailor your resume to the skills the employer is looking for and prepare stronger interview responses.
6 Apply Even if You Don’t Meet Every Qualification
Job descriptions are often wish lists rather than strict checklists. Employers know most applicants won’t meet every requirement, especially at the entry level.
A good rule of thumb is to apply for roles where you meet around 70% of the required qualifications. If the posting clearly welcomes new graduates or candidates with no formal experience, applying with closer to 50% alignment can still make sense. Meeting 50% of the requirements usually means you match the core skills, not every tool or preferred qualification.
Focus on the strengths you do match, and make them clear in your resume. Then, use your cover letter to explain why you’re interested in the role, how your background shows potential, and that you’re a highly hirable candidate.
7 Gather Academic and Professional References
Even if you haven’t had a formal job, you still have people who can speak to your work ethic and character. Ask professors, advisors, coaches, internship supervisors, or volunteer coordinators if they’re willing to serve as references.
Choose people who know your strengths and can speak confidently about how you show up in a team or academic environment. Let them know what roles you’re applying for so they can tailor their responses if contacted.
Strong references can tip the scale in your favor when employers are comparing candidates with similar resumes.
Here’s an example of an email you could send to a potential reference:
Hi, Professor Williams,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m currently applying for project coordinator roles, and I’m putting together a list of references. I really valued your class and the feedback you gave me on my work, so I wanted to ask if you’d feel comfortable serving as a reference for me.
If you’re open to it, I’m happy to share my resume and a brief description of the roles I’m applying for so you have more context.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and please let me know if this is something you’d be willing to do.
Best,
Maria Sanchez
8 Become an Expert Interviewee
When you’re new to the workforce, your ability to communicate well and show enthusiasm is often just as important as your technical skills. This makes your job interview skills pivotal, and it’s a skill you can master with preparation and practice.
The following steps will help you become a skilled interviewee:
- Study common interview questions. Review behavioral and situational questions, as well as classics like “Tell me about yourself.” You’ll know what to expect and how to respond to avoid scrambling or rambling responses.
- Prepare clear examples. Think of a few specific stories, ideally with measurable outcomes, that demonstrate how you proactively solve problems, work effectively with others, and make an impact.
- Research the company. Understand its mission, cultural values, leadership principles, recent work, and the core aspects of the role so you can speak confidently about why you want to work there and how you fit in.
- Practice interviewing. Do mock interviews with friends, professors, or career centers to strengthen your delivery and reduce nerves.
9 Network, Network, Network
If you’re just entering the workforce, you still have a network you can tap into, and many ways to start building one.
- Start with people you know. Tell professors, classmates, friends, or former supervisors what roles you’re exploring, and ask if they have any suggestions.
- Join student clubs, alumni groups, or professional communities tied to your field so you can meet people who share your interests.
- Attend virtual events, employer information sessions, or career center workshops where recruiters often show up.
- Make sure you have a fully filled-out LinkedIn profile, connect with those you know, and post or repost industry-related content.
The more people who know you’re job hunting, the more likely you are to hear about opportunities and possibly even land referrals.
10 Stay Consistent, Motivated, and Optimistic
A first job search takes persistence, and it’s normal to feel discouraged along the way. What matters is that you keep going.
Set weekly goals for how many jobs you’ll apply to, how often you’ll revise your materials, and how many networking conversations you’ll initiate. Track your progress to identify patterns in what’s working and what’s not. Celebrate small wins, like securing an interview or receiving positive feedback.
Employers hire new grads all the time. If you stay consistent and open to learning, you’ll build momentum and eventually land a role that fits.
More Tips for Different Types of No-Experience Job Seekers
Everyone enters the job search with different goals. Some want remote work from day one, some need a job quickly, and others are aiming for the highest salary they can get. Your priorities shape the way you search, the kinds of roles you target, and how you present yourself to employers.
The guidance below breaks down how to adjust your job search strategy based on what you want most so you can progress with increased focus and confidence.
Remote Job Seekers
If working from home is your priority, focus on steps that increase visibility and prove you can succeed outside a traditional office. The following tips will teach you how to get a remote job with no experience.
- Use remote job boards. Keep your search targeted so you only see legitimate remote listings instead of sorting through mixed roles.
- Lean into networking even more. Ask professors, mentors, and internship supervisors about teams that hire remotely, and join industry or remote work groups. Referrals and community connections can open doors when you don’t have years of experience.
- Emphasize remote skills and experience. Pull examples from school, internships, part-time jobs, or virtual projects that highlight digital tools, strong communication, time management, and independent work habits to show that you’re ready for a fully remote environment.
Time-Sensitive Job Seekers
If your goal is to find a job quickly, streamline everything you can. Follow the steps below to learn how to get a job fast with no experience.
- Use job search tools that cut down on manual work. Features like one-click applications, resume builders, and Sonara’s ExpertApply help you generate and distribute tailored applications faster.
- Set up job alerts and saved searches. Get relevant job postings sent to your inbox once they’re posted so you can be among the first to apply.
- Focus on industries and companies that hire often. Fields like customer support, retail fulfillment, and healthcare support, as well as staffing and temp agencies, consistently hire talent.
- Focus on volume and relevance. Apply broadly, but make sure every role you apply to is relevant to you. Keep each application concise, accurate, and aligned with what the employer is looking for so you’re not sacrificing quality for quantity.
- Set up and maintain a job search routine. Block off consistent time each day to search, apply, and follow up on applications to stay organized and move quickly.
Salary-Driven Job Seekers
If a high salary is your top motivator, be ready to position yourself competitively from the start. Below are some guidelines for finding high-paying, entry-level jobs.
- Research high-paying industries. Tech, finance, consulting, energy, and specialized healthcare support often offer higher entry-level salaries than education, nonprofits, or hospitality.
- Compare pay across sectors. The same job title can pay very differently depending on the industry, so check multiple fields before settling on a target role.
- Consider making some trade-offs. Higher-paying entry-level jobs may come with longer hours, stricter expectations, faster-paced environments, in-office requirements, or reduced weekends. Be honest with yourself about whether earning more is worth those sacrifices.
- Prioritize companies with salary transparency. Clear salary ranges save you from investing time applying or interviewing for roles that don’t meet your financial goals.
- Consider earning a career certificate. Certification programs in fields like data analytics, project management, user experience (UX) design, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and many more can help you build skills and qualifications that help you land higher-paying roles.
Your Career Is Waiting
Getting your first job with no experience takes a series of small, deliberate steps that show employers you’re capable, reliable, and ready to start contributing. If you research the landscape, tailor your materials, practice interviewing, and stay consistent, you put yourself in the group of candidates who get noticed.
From here, your next move is simple: Choose one step, start with it today, and build from there. Good luck!
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