How do you get a job when you have no experience?

Build experience by doing internships, volunteering, or doing it yourself. Take courses to develop the most in-demand skills. Employers will post positions with a long list of skills, knowledge and experience. An entry-level job that requires at least two years of experience seems like an impossible feat.

However, often the job description is the hiring manager's wish list. A good rule of thumb is that if you fulfill at least 80% of a job offer, you should dust off your resume and not worry about the remaining 20%. Before attending a networking event or coffee date, have your keynote speech prepared. Your 30-second presentation should include who you are, what you do, what makes you unique, and what you're looking for.

Remember that companies rely on referrals, so don't be shy about spreading the word. If you lack experience, don't try to overlook the fact. A cover letter is the perfect place to address any gaps in your CV, so take the opportunity to address any concerns the employer may have. What if you can't find work of any kind? He's still busy.

Volunteer, participate in community activities, be social. You'll achieve more, meet more people, and find more opportunities being in the world than by retiring to yourself. Building your network of contacts is a vital part of your job search, especially if you don't have experience. Prepped can help you develop the skills needed to search for work you need to increase your chances of finding a job without work experience.

It's the classic dead end, you need a job to get experience, but you need experience to get a job. That means they don't know how to write an outstanding resume or conduct a professional job interview. So, according to Workopolis's analysis of job offer data, these are the jobs most frequently advertised online in Canada for students and first-time candidates. While networking can be overwhelming or uncomfortable at first, it's also a necessary part of finding a job.

Volunteering also provides you with the opportunity to network with others, which could open the door to future job opportunities. Candidates tell us that they've studied, earned degrees, certificates and credentials, and that they still can't get a job without real world experience. Many also say that they are concerned that the entry-level jobs, in the service industry, retail or hospitality that are available will affect their chances of getting a job in their field. If you feel like you're applying for a job where you have no experience, absolutely make sure that this is true.